Brighton Soccer Led by Defense

An experienced roster filled with upperclassmen has the soccer team aiming for a long run in the postseason.

The Bulldogs are coming off a season in which they were the Kensington Lakes Activities Association champions and made it to the regional semifinals before losing to eventual Division 1 state champion East Kentwood.

“We have a lot of team chemistry,” fifth-year Brighton head coach Rob Williams said. “From top to bottom, we’ve got quite a few kids who all know how to play. We’re very good defensively.

“We’re trying to get better every day. I know it sounds like a cliche, but it’s my motto and mantra for this team.”

For the first time in his seven years of coaching high school soccer, Williams has a team consisting of only juniors and seniors.

“That says a lot about the ability of these two classes,” said Williams, who has been coaching soccer for 20 years overall.

Many of the players on the Brighton team have played together in the Michigan Alliance Football Club, a youth soccer program in Livingston County.

“It’s helped us bond together,” junior captain Will Clark said.

Brighton is 8-5-2 overall and 6-2-1 in the KLAA West. This includes last week's wins over Howell and Hartland.

On Sept. 26, the Bulldogs traveled to Ann Arbor Huron and came away with a 1-0 win.

“That was a huge win for our program,” Williams said. “Huron has had some very, very good teams the last few years. We went into their place and sustained early pressure. We scored with about 10 minutes to go and held on for the win.”

Huron is one of a few schools, including Okemos, Birmingham Brother Rice, Rochester, Saline and Novi, that Williams scheduled in order to better prepare his team for the playoffs.

“Will Clark is doing a fantastic job for us, as is Jordan Messick,” Williams said. “They both play midfield. Senior Alex Chwalibog is our most potent offensive player. He’s having a fantastic season.

“Our junior goalkeeper, Jack Grant, has (seven) shutouts to date. So in half of our games we’ve had shutouts. Our back line has done a fantastic job. Jack wouldn’t have those shutouts without their help.”

The Bulldogs lost to Grand Blanc 2-1 Tuesday night, ending a five-game winning streak. Senior captain Mitchell Manni said the team is looking to build on the momentum.

“We play hard and utilize our strengths, which are our speed and defense,” he said.

Brighton hosts Milford during the team's Senior Night on Thursday at 7 p.m.