Big Bay de Noc’s Nick Desjarden boots a corner kick during a game against Grand Marais on Oct. 10, 2023 at Big Bay de Noc schools.

GARDEN CORNERS — Why play one game when you can play two?

Big Bay de Noc hosted Mackinac Island for a weekend soccer doubleheader, earning a pair of victories to start Northern Lights League play at 2-0.

Friday afternoon’s soccer action saw the Black Bears strike first with a goal from Joey Rochefort six minutes into the game. Mackinac Island tied the action up at 1-1 at the 20-minute mark.

The teams went back-and-forth before Big Bay tacked on an extra goal before halftime. The Islanders tied the game at two in the second half, but Parker Pederson gave the Black Bears the lead with 17 minutes remaining. Daimon Williams tacked on an insurance goal as the Black Bears earned their first conference win of the year. Finley Morris had 16 saves in net in the 4-2 win.

Saturday’s contest saw a physical game. Mackinac jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but the Black Bears rallied back to tie the game up 3-3 at halftime. Big Bay ran away with the game in the second half, tacking on five goals for an 8-5 win and a weekend sweep. Pederson and Nick Desjarden both had hat tricks and Rochefort buried two more goals as well. Morris ended the day with 10 total saves. “I am so proud of our team,” Black Bears’ coach Alex Ranguette said. “We are very young this year, and to see the future come out and perform makes me very excited. Starting our conference season off 2-0 feels great.”