By Ron Rop
LocalSportsJournal.com
NORTON SHORES – Western Michigan Christian boys’ soccer coach Ben Buursma is enjoying watching his young Warrior team grow up right before his eyes.
While the Warriors do have solid leadership, it’s the influx of underclassmen that has been a pleasant surprise for the two-time defending state champions.
On Friday night on their home field, the Warriors shut out the North Muskegon Norsemen 4-0 in a battle of two state-ranked teams.
The result moves WMC into the 7 p.m, Tuesday game against Harbor Springs, which defeated Harbor Springs Harbor Light Christian 8-0 on Friday night. Top-ranked Leland and Tawas occupy the opposite side of the bracket.
For the Warriors, it was sophomore Tyson Annema who opened the scoring with 10 minutes remaining in the opening half. Just two minutes into the second half, freshman Mason Bonnema scored to make it 2-0. Then senior Tekalegn Vlasma made it 3-0 with an assist from sophomore Braedon Hoffman. The Warriors capped the scoring on a goal by Hoffman at the midpoint of the second half.
“It’s incredible,” Buursma said of his young squad. “They’ve show so much growth this year and credit the seniors who welcomed all these underclassmen and put them under their wing and showed them how we play Warrior soccer here.
“The youth movement is strong here,” said Buursma.
Right out of the game, the Warriors created a quality scoring chance that narrowly missed. Three minutes later, NM goalkeeper Connor Crawford made a diving stop to preserve the scoreless tie.
From there, the teams settled in and it wasn’t until 10:43 was left in the opening half when the Warriors got on the board. Vlasma’s shot was saved by Crawford, but the rebound ended up on the foot of Annema, who popped the ball into the net. The whole play started way back at midfield when Cole DeJonge found Ryan Riksen sprinting down the left wing. Riksen’s pass found Vlasma in front.
“North Muskegon really threw us off our game the first 30 minutes,” Buursma said. “They were down our throats and not giving us the space we’re used to and we were kind of in panic mode. We were trying to play as physical as they were and it wasn’t working for us.
“But once we scored that goal with 10 minutes left, that’s when the tide really started to change,” said Buursma. “We felt we had more space and we started playing game a little more. We were more relaxed and that’s what we told the boys at halftime.”
Two minutes after halftime, Bonnema scored on a quick rip from the right side. Vlasma assisted.
Vlasma scored a goal of his own with 28:22 left in the second half when he poked a loose ball by Crawford and into the NM net. Hoffman’s pinpoint pass set up that goal for WMC.
Four minutes later, Hoffman moved in on the left side and fired a low shot into the net.
Several minutes later, the Norse had a quality scoring chance with a free kick from 22 yards out. Serj Pastor’s shot was saved by WMC goalkeeper Daniel Minasian.
“We could see if we could get the space that we’re used to and just calm down, play our game and make the run, that we would get more time on the ball and really kind of took control of the game.”
For North Muskegon, it was a disappointing end to another highly successful season. NM won the West Michigan Conference soccer title with an 8-1-1 record and was state ranked most of the season.
“The kids had a good year,” said North Muskegon coach Jeremy Tjapkes. “It wasn’t to be, I guess, and it wasn’t because of their attitude and effort. We’ve had a great group of seniors and they put all the work in that we’re asked them to. They had their heart set on making a deeper run, but it didn’t happen.”
Photos by Randy Riksen
The Warriors celebrate their Division 4 district soccer title. Photo/Randy Riksen
North Muskegon goalkeeper Connor Crawford gets his fingertips on the ball during Friday night’s game. Photo/Randy Riksen
Tekalegn Vlasma watches his shot head for the North Muskegon net. Photo/Randy Riksen
North Muskegon’s Dallyn Ellis gets around WMC’s Cole DeJonge during Friday night’s Division 4 district soccer title game. Photo/Randy Riksen.
