Andree scores three to lead Spring Lake into regionals after shutout victory over Reeths-Puffer

By Ron Rop
LocalSportsJournal.com

FRUITPORT — Ella Andree was frustrated at halftime of Thursday night’s Division 2 district championship soccer game.

The junior forward for the Spring Lake Lakers had scoring chances, but could not convert.

The second half was a whole other story as Andree popped in three goals and led the Lakers to a 5-0 victory over the Reeths-Puffer Rockets.

That means the Lakers advance to next week’s regional tournament at Cedar Springs at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

“She came out very frustrated at the end of the first half and I said, ‘that’s what second halves are for,'” said Laker coach Becky May. “She nodded and sat down and processed that and came out determined. But Ella is just disruptive whether she scores or not, she is disruptive. Whether she scores or not, she just gets out there and stirs the pot.”

In the opening half, the Lakers built a 2-0 lead on the strength of goals by sophomore Ada Halvorsen and junior Kyle Shelton.

But in the second half, Andree made her presence felt with three straight goals.

Photo/Leo Valdez

“I was very frustrated at the half,” Andree said. “There was a girl on my back constantly in that first half and when I got my opportunities, I didn’t capitalize on them. It gave me motivation in the second half to finish those shots.

“I’ve never scored in high school soccer three goals in a game,” she said. “So to do it in the district finals is pretty crazy. It was a team effort, everything was a team effort. That was fun.”

Reeths-Puffer had a quality scoring chance with 6:10 remaining when senior Sophia Hekkema pushed the ball past Laker goalkeeper Jessica Stewart, but the Laker defense converged on the situation and cleared the ball from the goal mouth.

Reeths-Puffer coach Kody Harrell knew exactly what to expect from the Lakers. His team had battled Spring Lake earlier in the season and dropped a 3-0 decision to the top-ranked Lakers.

“I definitely think a couple of those goals were mistakes, but they are a great team with great winning habits,” Harrell said. “They are going to capitalize so you can’t make mistakes.

“I actually felt very comfortable with the 2-0 deficit at halftime,” Harrell said. “I knew we wouldn’t shut them out. I love my goalie (Ava Klopp) and I love my defense, but that’s just a compliment to them.”

Reeths-Puffer finished the season 13-6-3.