Local Sports Journal

The Spring Lake Lakers suffered its first soccer setback of the season on Friday night in the Division 2 regional finals.

The Hudsonville Unity Christian Crusaders, ranked No. 3 in Division 2, upended Spring Lake 2-1. The game, played a night later than originally scheduled due to the death of a Unity Christian student on Thursday.

The Lakers finished the season 21-1-1 and spent nearly the entire season ranked No. 1 in Division 2 as well as being among the Super Six, which ranks the top six teams in the state regardless of class.

“I thought we played very well,” Spring Lake coach Jeremy Thelen said. “It was back and forth with good chances on both sides.”

Senior Austin Gabris headed in the game’s first goal near the midpoint of the opening half. The scoring play started with a free kick from Adam Clauss from about 30 yards out.

Before the half would end, the Crusaders tied it, then scored the game-winning goal in the second half.

Thelen said his team hit the crossbar with 10 seconds remaining the game.

Each team had four shots on goal.