LocalSportsJournal.com

The Western Michigan Christian boys soccer team opened its defense of its Division 4 state championship with a convincing 4-0 Lakes 8 Conference victory over Manistee at home on Tuesday.

The game was the season opener for the Warriors, and the first for new coach Ben Buursma. He took over for longtime coach Dave Hulings, who retired after coaching the Warriors to the state title last season.

WMC’s Ashton Leffring opened the scoring eight minutes into the contest, with an assist from Gavin Riksen. Leffring scored again later in the first half, with an assist from Brandon Eenigenburg.

Eenigenburg made the score 3-0 with a second-half goal, assisted by Leffring. Lulo Mafahla scored the final goal after taking a crossing pass from Eenigenburg.

WMC goalkeeper Joey Eastway made four saves to earn a clean sheet in his first varsity game.