As an annual state title contender, the Flint Powers Catholic boys’ soccer program doesn’t ever have the luxury of low expectations. Fortunately for this year’s team, they return an experienced and talented roster that will help them on the field in the present but will also help them bounce back from a disappointing end to last season.
“Last year, we got knocked out in the regional final, but that one kind of hurt a little more, because we really had the team to do it (make a State Finals run),” said coach Paul Stravato, who is in his fifth year coaching the team. “We ran into a good Notre Dame Prep team, and they beat us by a goal. So, you know, getting to that final, I think that’s our goal this year.”
Logan Johnson, a senior midfielder who was also on last year’s team, is hoping that disappointment ultimately helps lead to a breakthrough this season.
“Coming off of the regional finals loss last year, definitely making it back to regional finals (is a goal),” Johnson said. “Obviously, we have to work and build up before we get there. But winning the SVL (Saginaw Valley League) championship, that’s a big goal, district finals, and always the goal is to get to the state finals and win a state championship.”
This year’s team returns nine seniors, so there’s some overlap from last year’s roster. But Stravato says the style of play won’t be quite the same as last year because of the different skillsets of players on this year’s team.
“We have some mature seniors, we have a few of them in the middle, so that’s gonna help us out a lot,” Stravato said. “Reagan Cameron and Logan Johnson, they help us in possession a lot and allow us to do a lot of things system-wise and attacking third-wise where we can be pretty dynamic. Last year, we had a little different style. We’ve been working on impactful movement off the ball, letting the ball do the work, being good in possession, and being dynamic up top. If a team plays a low block against us, we can be creative and try to unravel them and get through and pierce their back line. We want the ball and we want to play.”
That quick-strike ability was on display during the team’s season-opener in the Vehicle City Classic at Atwood Stadium on August 17. The team scored three first half goals on its way to a 3-1 win over Elk Rapids.
“We have a pretty good team this year,” Cameron said. “We’re going to hopefully be able to score some goals, and we have a great back line too, so hopefully we just have a good start to the season.”
Senior Revan Helal scored the first goal in the opener, followed by goals by Cameron and Johnson. The Vehicle City Classic is in its third year and features a triple header of games at Atwood each season. This year, Grand Blanc lost to Clarkston 5-0 in the other high school game, and then the Flint City Bucks, Flint’s semi-professional team playing in USL League 2, defeated Livonia FC 11-1 in a friendly matchup.
Having the opportunity to share a home field with the Bucks and see the college and future pro players on their roster each summer has been a good experience for players on Powers’ team.
“(Playing in the Vehicle City Classic) is just a fun start to the season,” Johnson said.
“It’s super cool to be playing on the same field as them (the Bucks),” Cameron said. “Especially like, it’s cool to have more fans at our games too and play at this really nice stadium.”
In addition to the Bucks, the community also was able to see a local product play for a competitor in USL League 2 this season. Leo Stravato, Paul’s son and a Powers alumnus who now plays at Spring Arbor University, trained with Lansing City FC this season.
The growth of the Vehicle City Classic each year and the partnership with the Bucks has continued to help spread love for the game among families all over Genesee County.
“I think it’s great, there are local kids playing in the league, and families coming here to see the games, so I think having the Bucks here is inspiring for the kids,” Stravato said. “If you look at the season we had last year, and the season Grand Blanc had, and Clarkston, they’re gonna be a beast this year, they probably have aspirations of winning the Division 1 state championship. Elk Rapids returns a lot of players from a team that was in the Division 3 state finals last year. Then you have the Bucks at night, and it’s good football, good soccer, and it gives people the opportunity to see a lot of good teams in a day.”
After starting the season strong, Powers now focuses on a tough schedule ahead – including a showdown with rival Grand Blanc on August 25 – and pursuing a deep postseason run.
“I just want to win the state championship,” Cameron said. “That’s the goal is the finals. Obviously we want to win our league as well. That’s a big goal of ours. Just a good successful season.”
The team has won two Division 3 state championships since 2010 and believes it has the talent to add another.
“We’re really hardworking, very dedicated,” Johnson said. “I think we have a really good squad. We’re all very close. No negativity. We’re just a really good, tight squad.”
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