Kingsford senior Jaxon Buckley (10) and Lakeland goalkeeper Talan Pockat (55) elevate on a corner kick on Tuesday at Commemorative Field. (Terry Raiche photo)

KINGSFORD — And just like that, the 2024 regular season slate is over for the Kingsford boys varsity soccer team after it walloped Lakeland, 4-1, on Tuesday at Commemorative Field.

“I knew we’d come in this game strong and play our formation,” Flivvers head coach Jeff Gordon said. “I knew we were going to handle them pretty well. They’re the same team as last year, they lost a few guys, but they’re the same team.”

Kingsford entered the contest shorthanded, without senior midfielder Gavyn Laydon, who is battling an injury.

“He’s got a little injury,” Gordon said. “We want him to make sure and get it checked out before he comes back, because he wants to play, but we have to make sure he’s healthy.”

Still, as a unit, the Flivvers outscored opponents 107 to 12 while recording a 14-1-1 record on the year.

“I have good kids,” Gordon said. “They’re hard working kids and that’s what makes it fun, you know. That’s what makes me come out here every year and do this, because the kids work their tail off for you.”

They are also ranked No. 5 in Division 3 in the latest Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association poll.

With the season winding down, Kingsford is hitting its stride at the right time.

“Right off the bat, we started strong,” Gordon said. That’s one thing about us. We were starting slow at first, for most of our season, and now we’re getting to a point where we’re starting strong and we’re finishing strong. And that’s where we need to be.”

Senior Jaxon Buckley kicked off the scoring for the Flivvers. Jett Buckley set him up with a perfect pass and Jaxon Buckley took care of the rest, juking one way and another before burying the ball in the net 12 minutes into the first half. Kingsford led 1-0.

Fourteen minutes later, senior Gavin Moore sent a pass to Jaxon Buckley. He didn’t waste any time and sent a hard shot towards the goal.

The Thunderbirds’ keeper got his hands on the ball, but it ricocheted into the net, increasing the Flivvers’ lead to 2-0.

Jaxon Buckley scored again, five minutes later, collecting a pass and popping it over the Lakeland keeper’s head. It was his third goal of the game as the lead grew to three.

With Kingsford firmly in control, the Thunderbirds came out in the second half looking to score.

It took some time, but 11 minutes into the second, a Lakeland shot slipped through Flivvers’ goalie Landon Adams’ hands and into the net.

Then things hit the fan.

Kingsford had an opportunity to increase its lead midway through the second half as Jaxon Buckley broke through the defense and headed full speed towards the Lakeland net. However, as he wound up his shot, the Thunderbirds keeper charged the ball and slid into Jaxon Buckley.

After gathering himself, Jaxon Buckley said something to the referee and was awarded a yellow card. It quickly turned into a second yellow and he was sent off.

As a result, Kingsford played with 10-men on the field the rest of the game.

Buckley will sit out the Flivvers’ playoff opener in the MHSAA Division 3 District 33 semifinals.

They will face the winner of the Iron Mountain and Boyne City’s Oct. 9 game.

“You can’t look at the records anymore, because when the postseason starts, it’s a new season,” Gordon said. “So if anybody expects to beat anybody, good luck with that, because that’s when you end up losing.

“Every team we play, I don’t care if it’s Boyne City or Iron Mountain, that game is serious. We’re not thinking we’re gonna walk over these guys.”