Otsego traveled up 131 to Caledonia for some early season action Saturday, and the matches did not disappoint. Division 3 Otsego took on a tough Division 1 Caledonia team who spent the majority of last fall ranked in the state's top 10. Early on it was all Otsego, as the first 15 minutes saw Sophomore Tyler Cornell notch a goal and an assist to help put the Bulldogs up 2-0. Addison Atwater was on the end of the ball played by Cornell, and made no mistake in putting it past the oncoming Caledonia keeper for the early lead. Josh Loll provided the assist on Cornell's goal with a ball pinged over the head of the Scots' center back that landed invitingly for the Sophomore to finish for his first career high school goal.

Caledonia's quality would show, as would Otsego's inexperience, in the next 15 minutes as the hosts brought two goals back after a steady dose of attacking the Bulldog frame. A few near misses and last ditch saves from Bulldog defenders and goalkeeper Jayden Dentler kept Caledonia from taking a lead into halftime. 

The second half started out like a chess match with both teams carefully selecting their movements in an effort to minimize risk while still creating the chances necessary to take control of the match. A clearance, a Sophomore playing in his third high school match, and a wonder volley from 30 yards out would break the deadlock. Kevin Gibson missed all but the first and last games of the 2017 season with a broken collarbone, but is healthy and ready to go to begin the 2018 season. The Bulldogs hope he can remain healthy and provide more moments like the one that put Otsego up 3-2 Saturday.

The Otsego lead would be short-lived as a penalty kick was awarded at the other end just a couple minutes after Gibson's goal, with the Bulldog's goal scorer being the offending player. Caledonia slotted the effort from the spot past Dentler and drew level once again. As in the first match of the day between Jenison and GR Northview, a late winner would be in the cards in this match. Caledonia seized an opportunity after both teams went down to 10 men, and put themselves on top. 4-3 was a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the match.

Though a loss is disappointing, especially after having a lead twice in the match, Otsego took a lot away from this one. The knowledge that they can hang with, and at moments look dominant against, a class opponent is a huge boost early in the season. Players and coaches were happy with the performance overall, and would look to clean a few things up at the back for their second match of the day against GR Northview.