Kingsford's Kobe Gordon, right, and Escanaba Bayside's CJ Charlebois battle for the ball in Thursday's soccer game at Commemorative Field. (Burt Angeli/The Daily News)

KINGSFORD — Ben Backlund and Kobe Gordon collaborated on a pair of first-half goals as Kingsford held off Escanaba Bayside 4-2 in boys soccer Thursday at Commemorative Field.

After the Flivvers (1-4) inadvertently scored in their own goal for a 1-0 Bayside advantage, Kingsford came back with three straight goals for a 3-1 halftime lead.

“The game didn’t start good for us when Escanaba scored a goal in the first couple minutes,” said Kingsford head coach Jeff Gordon. “Our team regrouped and controlled the ball in the Escanaba side of the field most of the game.”

Backlund, with an assist from Gordon, evened the score with a header. Gordon did the honors on the next two goals, scoring with the help of Backlund and a penalty kick.

“Kobe had an excellent corner kick in the center of the goal with Ben heading it in,” Gordon said. “This got our team fired up.”

To set up the penalty kick, Gordon beat his defender and went to shoot the ball. The defender grabbed the sophomore by the shoulder and twisted him around. Gordon then followed with the penalty kick.

With five minutes gone in the second half, CJ Charlebois scored to pull Bayside within 3-2.

Dan Hellman ended the Bayside threat by scoring from 55-feet out with four minutes to go. Brennan Phillips had the assist.

Gordon cited midfielders Dan Hellman, Brennan Phillips and Marcus Michaud for a “great job shifting and attacking Escanaba’s offense every time they tried to get the ball down the field.

“Our defense with Andrew Paupore, Austin Hirthe, Bryce Quick and Zach Hanson played a great game keeping the ball out of our goalie’s hands.”

Six yellow cards were issued — four to the club team from Escanaba.

The Flivvers visit Ironwood on Tuesday, Sept. 11.

“I’m proud to watch our young team come together and play as a team,” Gordon said.

Escanaba Bayside 1 1 — 2

Kingsford 3 1 — 4

First Half

E — Own goal

K — Ben Backlund (Kobe Gordon)

K — Gordon (Backlund)

K — Gordon (penalty kick)

Second Half

E – CJ Charlebois (Vadym Torvinen)

K — Daniel Hellman (Brennan Phillips)