LocalSportsJournal.com
CEDAR SPRINGS — Reeths-Puffer’s boys soccer team couldn’t get its offense in gear in Tuesday night’s MHSAA Division 2 regional semifinal.
The Rockets lost 3-0 to Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern in a game played at Cedar Springs.
Forest Hills Northern took a 1-0 lead at the half, scoring just 90 seconds into the game on a long ball and some missed communication between the Rockets’ goalie and center backs.
Puffer continued to spin its wheels in the second half, and Northern tacked on two more goals.
The Rockets finished the game with just six shots on goal, compared to 12 for Forest Hills Northern, which had nine corner kicks to Reeths-Puffer’s four.
“We never were able to get into a rhythm,” said Rocket coach Kody Harrell. “We had some good moments towards the end of the first half, but never could really capitalize.”
Puffer graduates three seniors off this year’s team.
“We’re really going to miss them,” Harrell said. “They did so many amazing things during their time here at RP.”
Harrell was impressed with the team as a whole, as the Rockets finished 11-9-2 and took a five-game winning streak into the regional.
“I loved how mentally tough the boys were throughout the season,” Harrell said. “We battled a ton of adversity and figured ourselves out along the way. Just super proud they came together when it counted most.”
Forest Hills Northern (14-3-3) won its third straight and will East Grand Rapids, a 2-0 winner of Petoskey in the other semifinal. That game is set for Thursday night.
