It wasn’t a victory, but the Reeths-Puffer lacrosse team got as big of a lift from a loss as a team could hope for on Wednesday.
The Rockets, who struggled to a 4-12 record last season, fought back from several deficits and battled to the final second before falling to Grand Haven 9-8 in their season opener on Wednesday.
Reeths-Puffer trailed by three goals three different times in the fourth quarter and trailed by two with less than a minute remaining, but came very close to scoring the tying goal.
R-P’s Ian Wright got a shot off with 10 seconds remaining, but the Grand Haven goalie made the save that decided the contest.
Brooks Johnson
It was a big improvement from last season, when Grand Haven beat Reeths-Puffer 13-1 in their only matchup.
"I'm incredibly proud of how hard we fought tonight,” said new R-P head coach Josh Robidoux. “The boys maintained their composure and stayed disciplined on defense. Offensively, we were relentless with our shooting. You never want to start a season off on a loss, but the potential that we have this season has the boys fired up for our next opportunity.”
There were no goals in the first quarter, which is pretty rare in a high-scoring sport like lacrosse.
R-P’s Kyler Brainard led off the scoring in the second quarter, Grand Haven tied the game, then Owen Greiner found the net to give the Rockets a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Carson Cooper
Grand Haven scored two quick goals to start the second half and took a 3-2 lead.
R-P’s Carson Cooper and JT Fansler answered with goals, giving the Rockets a 4-3 edge, then the Buccaneers answered with two more goals and took a 5-4 lead into the fourth quarter.
The final quarter had a ton of action, with the Rockets continuously battling from behind.
Grand Haven scored the first two goals and took a 7-4 lead. R’P’s Brooks Johnson scored, but the Bucs quickly answered to take an 8-5 lead.
Kyler Brainard
Johnson scored again for R-P, then Grand Haven responded to take a 9-6 lead.
Brainard scored his second goal with only 50 seconds left on the clock, then Cooper scored his second goal with 35 seconds remaining, making it a one-goal game, but the exciting rally ended there.
Brainard, Cooper and Johnson each finished with two goals for the Rockets, who are scheduled to play West Ottawa on the road on Saturday afternoon.
"To fight back after being down three goals with only a minute remaining is a testament to the mental strength and grit that this team shows,” Coach Robidoux said. “I know they have each other's backs, and the energy from the sidelines and support of their teammates is infectious."