The Reeths-Puffer soccer team is off to a terrific start, after testing itself against some pretty tough competition in the first two days of the season.
After posting two victories on Friday, the Rockets followed up with two more wins on Saturday, plus a tie, on the final day of the Boyne Mountain Invitational.
Reeths-Puffer downed Jackson Northwest 2-0 and Gaylord 1-0, then tied Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, a defending state champion, 1-1.
The games in the tournament were shortened in length, but count in the team’s overall record. R-P is now 4-0-1 on the season headed into Friday’s home opener against East Grand Rapids.
R-P goalkeeper Liam Copenhaver
Senior Owen Ritsema scored both goals in the victory over Jackson Northwest. He is off to a very hot start, with five goals just two days into the season. Cohen Beck and London Carpenter each had an assist.
Chase Hoeft scored the only goal in the victory over Gaylord, with Ritsema providing the assist.
Evan McHugh scored the R-P goal in the tie with powerful Notre Dame Prep, with an assist from Carpenter.
R-P goalkeeper Liam Copenhaver posted two more shutouts on Saturday, bringing his total to 3 ½ so far this season. He had one full-game shutout on Friday, and played for half of the second shutout.
R-P head coach Kody Harrell credited defenders Andrew Eilers, Kaden Vanderlaan and Trent Plummer, as well as midfielders Matthew Hansen, Landon Nash and Brayden Ross, for strong play.
“Really proud of the boys’ communication and work effort,” Harrell said. “We will clean up some decision-making things, but overall, we are really proud of how the boys have been working and the way they’re starting the season off.”