Local Sports Journal

Ben Mast scored two goals on Friday night and led Western Michigan Christian to a 3-1 nonleague soccer victory over Traverse City Christian.

The Warriors improved to 1-2 on the season as Mast scored a goal in each half. Senior Jake Kempster also scored for the Warriors and senior Alex Rop had two assists.

alex 2

Western Michigan Christian senior Alex Rop (10) steps into to defend against a Traverse City Christian player during Friday’s game. Rop finished with two assists in the Warriors’ 3-1 victory. Photo/Dr. John Mulder.

“I was happy we scored two goals in the run of play,” WMC coach David Hulings said. “I thought we were hungry today. They didn’t have a lot of subs so they ran out of steam.”

Rop set up Kempster’s goal with 24:04 remaining in the opening half with a cross from the right side that found the head of Kempster.

In the second half, Mast scored his first of two when he slipped between two Sabre defenders and pushed the ball into the net just 2:32 elapsed in the final half. That scoring play started with a crossing pass from Eli Vandervelde from the left corner. Freshman Dylan Mines was able to get a touch on the ball and Mines, rushing toward the net, scored.

Jacob Rorick pulled the visitors to within a goal when he pushed the ball past Warrior goalkeeper Christian Rogers, who had vacated the net in an attempt to snare the ball. Rorick regained possession and scored into the open net less than 30 seconds after WMC had scored its second goal.

With 33:50 remaining, Rop lofted a crossing pass to the front of the net, where Mast was stationed for another header goal.

“Organizationally, we started playing as a team today,” Hulings said.