College Commits Vale and Roberts Lead Mattawan to Regional Championship Repeat

*Vince Vale scored three goals in eight minutes. Zane Roberts added the rest of the offensive punch. Together, the two college-bound stars powered Mattawan boys lacrosse to a 12-5 win over Portage Northern* on Tuesday, securing a second consecutive regional championship.

The Comets used the offensive explosion from their top duo to control the game and advance to the next round of the MHSAA playoffs.

"The college commit duo combined for 14 points, highlighted by Vale's hat trick in just eight minutes, that sparked an offensive outburst in powering Mattawan to a 12-5 win over Portage Northern and a second straight regional championship on Tuesday."

According to mlive.com, Vale and Roberts accounted for the bulk of Mattawan's scoring. Vale's quick hat trick set the tone early, and Roberts provided consistent support throughout the game.

A Winning Formula for the Comets

The Mattawan lacrosse program has built momentum over the past two seasons. This regional title marks the second in a row for the Comets, establishing them as a consistent force in the MHSAA Division 2 landscape.

The victory came after Mattawan had already advanced through the regional bracket, including a 14-6 semifinal win over Harper Creek earlier in the tournament.

Baseball Playoffs Also Underway for Mattawan

The Mattawan athletic department had another strong showing on the diamond. Kaden Jominy threw a nine-strikeout shutout to lead Mattawan baseball to a 5-0 district-opening playoff victory over Loy Norrix on Tuesday.

Ethan Bouma provided the offensive spark with a key hit during the game, according to mlive.com.

In a separate district matchup, Mattawan also defeated Comstock 15-0 in a four-inning mercy-rule game, using a nine-run first inning to set the early tone.

What's Next

Mattawan boys lacrosse will now look ahead to the state tournament. The baseball team will continue its district playoff run as the postseason deepens.

Key numbers from the regional championship:

  • Final score: Mattawan 12, Portage Northern 5
  • Vince Vale: Hat trick in eight minutes
  • Zane Roberts: Contributed to 14-point duo total with Vale
  • Mattawan regional titles: Second consecutive

Baseball district results:

  • Mattawan 5, Loy Norrix 0 (Kaden Jominy, nine strikeouts)
  • Mattawan 15, Comstock 0 (four innings)

Reporting by David Mitchell for The Kalamazoo Press. Source: mlive.com.