LocalSportsJournal.com

GRAND RAPIDS – There have been a lot of emotions tied into the Fruitport soccer program this season. 

Before Saturday’s Division 2 district final matchup with Grand Rapids Northview, the Trojans hadn’t allowed a single goal in 11 consecutive games.

Brady Brown jumps above his Fruitport teammates after taking a 2-0 lead. Photo/Jason Goorman

The team also has been inspired by the late legendary coach and athletic director Ken Erny, who passed away earlier this year after a difficult fight with ALS.  

So, it was extra special for Fruitport coach Dan Hazekamp and his team when Fruitport posted another shutout victory, this time a 2-0 win over the Wildcats. It was the school’s first district title since 2008, the last season Erny coached the Trojans. 

“I love Coach Erny, he was my coach when I played here,” said an emotional Hazekamp as he was wiping away tears. “We’ve never said it publicly to these guys because we didn’t want that pressure (on them), but we were playing for him (Erny) this year. I’m very happy we could win.”

Win is what Fruitport did, but it sure didn’t come easy. 

The Trojans struggled to get anything going offensively through three quarters of the game as all of their shots missed the mark up until Brady Brown put his stamp on the game. 

Brown removed the lid with 13:23 left in the bout. On a direct free kick from an incredible 50 yards out, the defenseman laced a perfect pitch that curved into the net to give the Trojan’s a 1-0 lead. 

“It felt pretty good when I hit it (the ball), and I saw it dip and I saw the goalie go for it and then I saw it go in. I almost just froze for a second,” said an elated Brown, who noticed Northview’s goalie was set up a little far outside of the net. “I was thinking I can chip him right now so I just went for it and it went in and it was so surreal.” 

Brown’s tally opened up Fruitport’s offense and they were able to take advantage of a stunned Northview team. 

Less than 10 minutes later, the Trojans struck gold again, this time on a Brown penalty kick.

Isaac VanderMolen heads the ball off the Effken throw-in. Photo/Jason Goorman

Fruitport’s Elliot Effken set up the play off a throw deep in the Northview zone. Braylon Marshall headed the throw to Ryan Mitchell, who then got taken out by the Wildcat’s defense inside the penalty box on the high bouncing ball. 

“Brady is a legend around here. He cemented that today,” said Hazekamp of Brown’s 11th and 12th goals of the season. “He deserved that, he’s worked so hard, he earned it.”

Backing up Fruitport’s late offensive strikes was an impeccable Trojan defense led by goalie Logan Werschem, who has now posted 12 straight shutouts and 13 consecutive wins. 

“We wouldn’t have been here right now without my defense in front of me, I just love them right now,” said the junior goalkeeper. “Feels like nothing I’ve ever felt before.” 

The win places Fruitport (17-2-3) in Tuesday’s regional semifinal when it will face Marquette at Cedar Springs High School. 

Northview goalie Izaak Willams misses the Brady Brown shot that gave Fruitport a 1-0 lead. Photo/Jason Goorman

Fruitport’s No. 11 Braylon Marshall and Jorge Burgos-Yack celebrate after Brown’s goal. Photo/Jason Goorman

The Trojans chase down an elated Brady Brown after taking a 1-0 lead. Photo/Jason Goorman

Fruitport goalie Logan Werschem. Photo/Jason Goorman

Elliot Effken gets read to take the throw-in that set up Fruitport’s penalty kick goal by Brown. Photo/Jason Goorman

Ryan Mitchell gets taken out in the penalty box, setting up the Trojan penalty kick. Photo/Jason Goorman

Jorge Burgos-Yack falls hard to the turf after a Northview penalty from 20 yards out. Photo/Jason Goorman

Fruitport sideline gets ready to run on the field as time runs out. Photo/Jason Goorman