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Stapleton makes history as Eagle kickers shut out Valley Lutheran

By Jason Paetz

  What began as another August afternoon on the soccer schedule ended with Carter Stapleton rewriting the Frankenmuth record book.

  The senior striker scored four times Monday, August 24 against Saginaw Valley Lutheran, becoming the Eagles' all-time leader in both career points and career goals as Frankenmuth pulled away for a 5-0 victory over the Chargers.

  With the win, the Eagles improved to 3-0 on the young season. But on a warm, sun-soaked afternoon in Saginaw, the final score became only part of the story.

  Stapleton entered the match within striking distance of two of the program's most significant offensive records. By the time he left the field, both belonged to him.

  It certainly didn't look like a record-breaking afternoon early. Valley Lutheran opened in an aggressive defensive formation and frustrated Frankenmuth for much of the first 20 minutes. The Chargers were content to absorb pressure and counterattack, preventing the Eagles from settling into the possession-oriented attack that had helped them win their first two matches.

  For nearly half the opening period, it worked. Then Frankenmuth found a crack.

  Senior Brayden Karwat battled for possession in the defensive half and used his speed to turn the play immediately into an attack. Karwat sent the ball through the middle to senior Landon Jacobs, who drew a defender and opened space on the right side. Jacobs slipped the ball into that space, where Stapleton finished the sequence with a simple tap-in.

  After waiting 20 minutes for their first goal, the Eagles needed only two more to find another......

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