From the Heart: A Season for the History Books (MASL3 Finals)

Dear Muskegon Risers Players and the Incredible Port City Fanbase,

You can't put a price on heart, and looking back at this run, I'd argue you can't engineer a comeback quite like the one we pulled off.  As we close the chapter on what is officially the best season in Muskegon Risers history, I find myself struggling to find words big enough to match the magnitude of what we've achieved together.

First, to the players: You didn't just play; you wrote a legend. An 11-2 record and a second-place finish in the national tournament. That's elite territory. But let's be honest, the stats don't tell the whole story. The story is written in the mud and sweat of the semifinal against the other best team in the tournament.

I've been around the block a few times as a Coach, but I have never, ever been part of a game quite like that. Down 10-3. Then 10-5 heading into the fourth quarter. By all laws of physics and logic, the game was over. But the men on the Risers decided physics was more of a suggestion. Eight unanswered goals. Eight! It wasn't just a comeback; it was a statement. You turned a deficit that looked like a funeral into a celebration that felt like a coronation. That resilience is the heartbeat of this team.

Port City Supporters, that's not just a slogan; it's the truth. We could not have done this without you. To those who traveled, those who stayed up late watching streams, and those who wrote encouraging words: Thank you.

And to our fans: You are, without a shadow of a doubt, the best fan base in the entire MASL. The energy you brought wasn't just "out of this world"; it was the fuel that powered our entire season. Your passion and support for this team is why we put in the extra work. Thank you. 

We took home silver, but the spirit we showed was pure gold. This season has set a new bar, not just for the Risers, but for what this community believes is possible. It is now the Riser Standard!

Rest up, celebrate hard, and get ready. Because if this is what we can do when things look bleak, imagine what we'll achieve when we start strong next year.

With immense pride and gratitude,

Coach MIke “Boges” Boogaart

P.S. To the families who had to sacrifice and were cheering from the sidelines: Thank you for letting us pour our hearts into this team. We love you all, This victory belongs to all of us.