Expectations were high for the FHC soccer team entering the 2025 season. Led by captains Ben Bachert, Ethan Moon, and Micah Scholtens, the team’s elite defense and efficient offense made the team a force to be reckoned with as the season went on. Unfortunately, the road to the state championship is never a smooth one.
The boys’ season started with a trip up north, where they played a tournament in Boyne. The team got off to a quick 5-0 start with convincing wins over teams such as Harbor Springs and Charlevoix. Captain Ben Bachert reflects on the season-opening trip.
“That was my favorite memory of the season,” Bachert said. “We went 5-0 and started our season strong. We also had a lot of team bonding and special moments together.”
Bachert was a leader both on the field as a leading goal-scorer before an ankle injury forced him to miss a good portion of the season. Bachert focuses more on the leadership role he played than his play on the field.
“It’s been incredibly fulfilling to be a leader on this team because of how we did throughout the season,” Bachert said. “Also, because of the team bonding we did in Boyne. To play with a ton of my friends and brother [Jake] made it made this a special year.”
Other crucial moments early in the season became defining for the team as they discovered their identity. A late-game surge to end in a tie against a Division 1 opponent in Rockford was an indicator that this team was special. Head coach Paul Kramer has nothing but praise for the group he coached this year.
“It’s been amazing to see how bonded and connected this group has been all season long,” Kramer said. “It started with our weekend trip to Boyne. I think it catapulted the start of our season, not because of the results, but because of how close we had become. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed coaching this group this year.
The entire season, the team stressed not talent and results, but togetherness and unity. Senior captain Ethan Moon takes note of this.
“The most our important part of our success was the teamwork and unity we had,” Moon said. “We had a lot of close games that we were able to grind through.”
During the season, the soccer team was faced with a difficult challenge in the form of several injuries, including one to Bachert and the third captain, defender Micah Scholtens, a devastating knee injury that ended his season. Kramer laments the difficulty of getting through all this adversity.
“It’s a tough one because you have no control over these things,” Kramer said. “We always preached the ‘Next Man Up’ mentality, and the boys that stepped in played valiantly. It’s hard, though, when two of the three players who are missing are starting senior captains. There’s something to be said about the maturity and experience they bring to a team.”
Despite the team’s constant struggles to stay healthy, the team needed to be strong-willed to succeed, and they were. Kramer praises the team’s ability to bounce back when a plan was derailed.
“What the team did best was being resilient,” Kramer said. “As tough as things got at times, the boys stayed resilient and found ways to win. That resilience allowed them to win their first conference title since 2017.”
The team did indeed win their conference title and battled their way to an undefeated season, finishing 16-0-5 in the regular season. They held the #1 ranking in Division 2 for some time as well. Unfortunately, the injuries became too much to overcome. In their opening round playoff game versus Grand Rapids Christian, with Bachert and Scholtens unable to play and Moon away on a recruitment visit, the Rangers weren’t able to get the job done. Another big injury blow was dealt in the game, with junior Jack Fielder suffering a severe knee injury.
Although the team was unable to make a run at a state title, Moon still reflects on his season as a captain of this team fondly.
“It was a really fun time,” Moon said. “I wouldn’t have wanted to go out with any other team than this one. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had playing soccer. Obviously, it sucks that it had to end that way, but I still think it was a great accomplishment to go undefeated in the regular season.”
Despite how it might have seemed from an outsider’s point of view, the Rangers’ season was anything but smooth. Despite all of the adversity, Kramer knows it’s time to look ahead.
“For the ones returning, start now at improving your strengths and working on your weaknesses,” Kramer said. “The work is never done. To the seniors, thank you for all that you’ve given to the program and for setting the standard and culture for our soccer program. Enjoy the memories of your time together as a team and as teammates.”
