Local Sports Journal
The Western Michigan Christian Warriors battled back from a 2-0 second-half deficit and finished in a 3-3 tie with Grand Rapids Covenant Christian on Thursday night.
The teams played 10 minutes of overtime, but darkness forced officials to end the game right there.
Covenant’s Jacob VanOostenbrugge hooked up with Travis Bouwkamp on the game’s first goal for the host Chargers. That was the lone goal of the opening half.
WMC had several close calls in the opening half, but could not score.
Covenant’s Corbin Prince eluded three Warrior defenders and got loose for a goal just 3 minutes into the second half.
Just 52 seconds later, WMC defender stepped up to take a free kick. He launched the ball to the goalmouth, where Chaise Schuiteman headed the ball into the net.
Matt VanderPloeg’s corner kick found freshman Ben Mast in front of the Charger net and before the second half was 6 minutes old, the game was tied at 2-all.
Four minutes later, the host Chargers struck again. This time senior Josh Bouwkamp headed in a cross for a 3-2 lead.
That lead lasted all of four minutes. Alec Breit’s free kick from the left wing hit the ground in front of the Charger net and Schuiteman heeled it in and the game was tied.
Both teams had some quality scoring changes in the game’s final minutes, and overtime, but neither team could produce a potential game-winning goal.
