Local Sports Journal
The Muskegon Community College men’s soccer team capped off a successful weekend by winning the Lakeview Invitational Tournament title.
On Sunday, MCC defeated Cuyahoga Community College 3-0.
Ben Ritsema
After a scoreless first half, the Jayhawks went to work in the offensive end.
“I told the guys to play our game and not get into their game,” MCC coach Ben Ritsema said. “And I challenged them to play with intensity and not to mentally get worked up about their style of play.”
In the span of three minutes, the Jayhawks scored a pair of goals. Kody Harrell scored the game’s first goal with an assist to Tanner Schaap.
“Kody got a nice goal and that took the pressure off and everything from flowing from there,” Ritsema said.
Three minutes later, Michael Schmitt set up Fredi Lopez for a 2-0 Jayhawk lead.
Zack Sutton scored 12 minutes for an insurance goal. Brandon Prim and Dylan Darga assisted.
“We were definitely finding feet,” said Ritsema of the second half. “Our passes were a lot more accurate. We worked the ball a lot more in the second half. We were able to get that short game and break down their defense.”
The Jayhawks (8-1, 6-0 in Region XII) outshot Cuyahoga 10-5. MCC goalkeeper Tyler Lane posted his third shutout of the season with five saves.
Lopez was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Ron Fisk was voted the best defender
Ryan Wagenmaker, Lane, Schaap, Lopez and Fisk all were named to the all-tournament team.
