Erik Seelman (10) is embraced by some of his Grand Ledge teammates after scoring with 10:39 remaining in the first half of a CAAC Gold Cup first-round game earlier this month against Jackson. It wound up being the only goal of the game.
In the process of preparing for a free kick, Grand Ledge senior Erik Seelman usually decides last whether he’s going to try and score, or setup one of his teammates.
But during last week’s CAAC Gold Cup tournament – the top-tier tournament for the Lansing-area programs – the midfielder didn’t hesitate to go for goal when he got his opportunity.
With less than 11 minutes to play in the first half of the Comets’ opening-round game against Jackson, Seelman stepped up to take a 25-yard free kick, confident that he could capitalize on the Vikings’ miscue.
He was right.
Seelman’s shot just missed the outstretched arms of Jackson’s goalkeeper and handed Division 1 No. 20-ranked Grand Ledge a 1-0 lead. It was the game’s only goal.
“I scoped the goalie out, and I (realized) he wasn’t that tall. I knew if I could put it in one of the top corners that there was a good chance of it going in,” said Seelman, whose goal was voted the LSJ high school video of the week.
The Comets were the tournament’s No. 1 seed after going undefeated in the CAAC Blue and claiming their first-ever outright conference title. However, in the following game, Grand Ledge suffered its first loss of the season in a shootout to Division 2 No. 1-ranked East Lansing. The Comets lost the third-place game to Okemos, 2-1, Monday.
East Lansing tops Haslett, 2-0, captures CAAC Gold Cup title
Aside from being league champs, Seelman said one of his team’s top goals this season was to win the Gold Cup. And even though Grand Ledge didn’t perform up to expectations in the tournament, he doesn’t believe it will hinder his team’s aspirations of putting together a deep postseason run.
“I think we had a disappointing run,” said Seelman, who has five goals so far this year. “Against Okemos, I don’t think we were as motivated to win that game.
“We’re going to give it our all during districts, and I hope we win.”
Senior goalie helping Grand Ledge to best regular season in school history
Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.