Local Sports Journal
It was a battle from start to finish and when it finally ended after two overtimes, the Oakridge Eagles had a 3-1 girls soccer victory over the Whitehall Vikings.
The West Michigan Conference does not use the sudden death goal to decide overtime games.
In regulation, each team scored one goal. Oakridge scored 19 minutes into the first half on a goal by Hannah Lauser. Ashley Weaver drew the assist.
Whitehall battled for the tying goal and it finally came with 3 minutes remaining in regulation. Morgen Myers’ long-range shot found the back of the net and the game was tied.
After a scoreless 10-minute overtime, the team moved into a second OT.
The Eagles struck for two goals in the final 10-minute period. Aliza Osen headed in a cross from Emily Jacoutot early in the OT. Two minutes later, Brandy Weaver scored with assistance from Shelbe Wilde.
Oakridge had an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Eagles had 15 other shots that were not on goal.
“We had plenty of opportunities, just no quality finishes,” Eagle coach Jeff Lohman said. “Whitehall is a much improved team over past years and Dan Nichols has done a good job rebuilding a once strong program.”
