Western Michigan Christian nips Grand Haven in boys soccer action

By Ron Rop
LocalSportsJournal.com

MUSKEGON – Western Michigan Christian boys’ soccer coach Ben Buursma had two things on his wish list when he took over the Warriors’ soccer program.

Win a state title, which his team did last year, and rekindle the rivalry with his alma mater, Grand Haven, which happened on Wednesday night.

Buursma was all smiles after watching his second-ranked Warriors defeat the Bucs 2-1 at Warrior Field.
Buursma figures the two programs have not battled on the soccer field in about 20 years.

And, Wednesday night’s game was indeed a battle that lasted the full 80 minutes. Both teams had some golden opportunities to score. WMC goalkeeper Daniel Minasian made several quality saves to keep Grand Haven at bay.

“We want our kids to play these kinds of games,” said Buursma. “You play the bigger schools to prepare yourself.”

A header goal by junior Tekalegn Vlasma with 28:25 left in the second half proved to be the winning goal for the Warriors.

Senior Charlie Buursma opened the scoring with 13:23 left in the opening half when he scored on a penalty kick. Vlasma had been taken down and was awarded a penalty kick.

Grand Haven tied it at 1-all less than 10 minutes into the second half on a goal by junior Payton Wright.

That set up the final goal for Vlasma. The play started in the left corner when senior Lucas Dick sent a centering pass to the front of the net and found the head of a diving Vlasma, who struck the ball about a foot off the ground.

From there, the Warrior defense held off the dangerous Bucs’ attack and preserved the victory.

“We just have some great players who are working hard this season to improve,” Buursma said. “We want to get back to the state championship.”

WM Christian is 7-1-3.