The game drew a large contingent of former and current East players. Photo provided LAPEER — Over 30 former soccer players from Lapeer East gathered with some current players last Thursday for the sixth annual East alumni soccer game on the Optimist Fields.

Teams were chosen by graduating year, with Team Sackett representing grads from 2010 and older and Team Kolvek consisting of grads from the past two years. Current players were evenly divided and the game kicked off at 7 p.m. under the lights.

All-State player Dan Elliott, Class of 2008, managed to tuck a goal past two-time All-State goalie Colin Owen (2012). Team Sackett relied on goalie Justin Sackett to make some big saves to keep the score 1-0 at half. The best save came against recent grad, All-Stater Alex Podolski, just before halftime.

The second half saw current player Dylan Edgerton, a junior, notch the tying goal for Team Kolvek. Another All- Stater, 2012 grad Duncan Rowley, scored the gamewinning goal with 10 minutes to play.

Parents, players and coaches hung around the field after the game for an hour, reminiscing. The event raised more than $100 for the program.

Chad Kenny, the current East girls’ coach and the varsity boys’ coach from 2004-12, helps put on the event.

“This event is getting bigger and bigger every year,” he said. “It also is getting more and more fun. The level of play is very high. It’s great to see all the guys come back for this game. I’m still very proud of all these guys and feel very privileged to have been able to coach them.” — D.N.