Ludington wins West Michigan Conference soccer title with win over Shelby

LocalSportsJournal.com

SHELBY — Ludington’s boys soccer team shut out Shelby, 3-0 on the road Wednesday night to clinch outright possession of the West Michigan Conference title with a perfect 10-0 record in this, the Orioles’ first year in the WMC.

It was the Orioles’ 12th straight win, and they finished the regular season with an 18-1-1 record heading into the district tournament being hosted by Coopersville.

The Orioles built a 2-0 lead by halftime, and scored their third and final goal early in the second half while dominating the game from start to finish.

Parker Wendt, Spencer Holmes and Steven Stidham tallied one goal apiece for the Orioles on a history-making night.

Holmes, Connor Wendt and Nate Wagner each had an assist.

“We pretty much controlled the game,” said Ludington head coach Kris Anderson. “Shelby only had, I think, three shots all game long. We pretty much dominated possession, and had some other great scoring opportunities throughout the night.”

Manistee finished second in the conference with a 9-1 record after defeating Fremont, 5-1 Wednesday night.

Ludington soccer coach Kris Anderson (Photo/Leo Valdez)

“The kids earned this,” Anderson said. “They put the hard work in that they needed to. To have to win 10 conference games, that’s quite an achievement.

“I wouldn’t say finishing undefeated was the goal. We knew going in that we were to be towards the top of this group. We knew there were a few teams that were going to be right there chasing it (the title) with us.

“We set a goal of winning the title. Compliments to Manistee, (and) the season that they had. They made us have to win all 10 games.”

Anderson is hoping that the time off before the Orioles’ first tournament game won’t deflate the momentum that they’ve built up.

The Orioles are idle now until they open district play on Monday, Oct. 17.