SPRING LAKE — Spencer Holmes scored a hat trick, and the Ludington boys soccer team grinded out a tough second half to salt away a 3-1 non-conference win Thursday over Spring Lake.
All three of Holmes’ goals came in the first half as the Orioles dominated the entire first 40 minutes on the road for a 3-0 lead, and then managed to hold off the Lakers in the second.
It was the Orioles fifth straight win.
“They couldn’t contend with Spencer’s speed up top,” said Ludington coach Kris Anderson. “He just outran their backline. We played a great first half. The second half we struggled. They started putting pressure, and made some adjustments, threw another guy kind of up top.”
Spring Lake controlled the tempo in the second half, and the Orioles were playing defense for the majority of the last 40 minutes.
Yebe Boerema recorded two assists and Parker Wendt had the other.
Orioles’ keeper Gabe Gamez finished the night with 12 saves on 13 shots in a solid performance.
Spring Lake’s only goal was on a penalty kick.
“They were wearing us down in the second half, but we showed a lot of heart, a lot of character and a lot of determination,” Anderson said.
Ludington improved to 13-4 overall and returns to West Michigan Conference action Monday at North Muskegon.
