Local Sports Journal

Junior Chaise Schuiteman scored both goals on Thursday as Western Michigan Christian defeated the host Tri-unity Christian Defenders.

Schuiteman scored a goal in each half as the Warriors improved their record to 8-4-1 overall, 4-0-1 in the River Valley Conference.

WMC’s Chaise Schuiteman

Six minutes into the opening half, senior Noah Wildeman sent a pass right up the middle of the field that Schuiteman ran down and broke in along on the Defender goal. That goal made it 1-0.

Tri-unity had its share of chances in the first half, but could not score.

In the second half, WMC pressured the net, but it wasn’t until 11:57 remained in the game that Schuiteman scored again. A throw-in by Alex Rop ended up on the foot of Schuiteman, who unloaded a shot from 20 yards out that hit the back of the net.

WMC goalkeeper Jacob Berens posted the shutout in net. Christian Rogers came on in the last 5:30 of the match.

“They are a good team,” Warrior coach David Hulings said of Tri-unity. “We had to play 80 minutes against one of the best offsides traps we’ve seen. A trap does three things: stops scoring, messes up your rhythm and gets in your head. The first half did all three things.”

The Warriors will host state-ranked Elk Rapids at 2 p.m. Saturday at Warrior Field.

“Of our 10 nonconference games, eight of the teams were ranked when we played them,” Hulings said. “We’re either playing conference opponents or ranked teams.”