The Reeths-Puffer girls soccer team had an unusual day on Saturday, failing to score a goal in two shortened home games played as part of the Rocket City Showcase.
The Rockets tied Grand Rapids Catholic Central 0-0, then fell to Holland West Ottawa 2-0.
The Rockets came into Saturday riding a five-game winning streak but failed to generate much offense against either opponent.
GRCC had a 5-3 shot advantage over the Rockets and could have won the game late in the second half with a penalty kick, but R-P goalie Ava Klopp came up with a big save to keep the game scoreless.
West Ottawa scored both of its goals against the Rockets in the first half, then the R-P defense shut the Panthers down in the second.
Ava Klopp, whose save on a PK preserved a tie with GRCC.
“It’s the first real adversity we have faced all season, so I’m excited to see what the girls can do with it and how we will respond,” said R-P Coach Kody Harrell. “GRCC was a very physical game, the most physical game we have been in all season, and to have to play a quality team like West Ottawa just an hour and a half later was a real test for our girls.
“(The two opponents) had two completely different styles, as well. GRCC moved the ball well and looked for through balls. West Ottawa had more of a direct style where they didn’t really use their midfield, and they had a lot of numbers in their attack against us, so to adjust and keep them off the scoreboard in the second half was good for our girls. to see we could compete with that style as well.”
The Rockets, who share the top spot in the O-K Green conference with Mona Shores in the loss column (R-P is 4-0 in league play while Mona Shores is 3-0) will face two big challenges this week.
On Tuesday they will visit Zeeland West, the second-place team in the conference with a 2-0-1 record. On Thursday they will host Mona Shores in the annual rivalry game, with the top spot in the O-K Green standings on the line.
“Back to the drawing board to see how we can generate more scoring opportunities in a huge conference week,” said Harrell, whose team is now 6-2-2 overall.
