Local Sports Journal
In a hard-fought non-conference soccer game between North Muskegon and Western Michigan Christian, the Norsemen earned bragging rights with a 3-1 victory on Thursday.
Both teams scored their first goals off of restarts, with the Warriors (8-5) starting the scoring. Eric Bourdo served a pass into the box to freshman Evan Fles, who scored his first varsity goal on a header.
Less than a minute later, North Muskegon’s Marco Visconti knocked in a rebound that WMC goalkeeper Chris Visser saved initially. Conner Gannon scored another Norsemen goal shortly after and North Muskegon led 2-1 at the half.
Despite scoring chances in the second half, WMC would not be able to score again. A few shots even hit goal posts and North Muskegon keeper Zach Massey was huge in the goal.
“North Muskegon was the better team tonight and we just could not finish the many chances we created,” WMC coach David Hulings said.
North Muskegon added its final goal of the game with four minutes left.
Fruitport 3, Ludington 1: Fruitport outshot the Orioles 15-5 in the Lakes 8 victory. “It was one of the best performances for our team this season,” Fruitport coach Gregory Kobylak said. “Midfield played with skill and speed and defensive play was the reason we won.” Fruitport led 1-0 at the 29:52 mark of the first half on Cameron Brandow’s goal that was assisted by Noah Hendricks. Ludington answered with a goal in the second half when the ball bounced off a Trojan defender. Hendricks scored the last two goals on breakaways for Fruitport and both were assisted by Zach Shane. “Zach Shane and Noah Hendricks are quickly becoming one of the top forward pairs in recent FHS history,” Kobylak said. “They really understand how to play together and how to break down top defenders.”
Reeths-Puffer 3, Zeeland East 2 OT: In overtime, R-P’s Noach Cramer scored the game-winner as the Rockets secured the OK Black Conference win. The Rockets scored first when Matt Udell sent a restart toward the Zeeland goal. It bounced around before lobbing over the keeper and into the net. Minutes later, Alec Mavis served up a ball to Colin McFalls to give the Rockets a 2-0 lead at halftime. The opening 20 minutes of the 2nd half were all Chix. Goals were scored by Gaston Aubert and Kevin Pike as Zeeland East out-hustled the Rockets and forced overtime.
Mona Shores 6, Kenowa Hills 1: Jake De Remer scored two goals to lift the Sailors to the league win. Devin Buit, Ryan Susterich, Eric Conley and Kevin Smith each tallied goals for Shores (8-2-2, 5-0-1). Cole Fritz made five saves in goal for the Sailors, who play Saturday at Fruitport.
