Reeths-Puffer senior goalkeeper Liam Copenhaver became the team’s new single-season shutout king on Saturday.
He now has 11 ½ shutouts this season (he played in one half of one shutout) following R-P’s 6-0 road victory over Grandville on Saturday.
He broke the previous record of 11, set by Jake Lofgren in 2017.
The Rockets celebrate with goalie Liam Copenhaver (red shirt). Photo John Willoughby
“We dominated the game today, so Liam was not tested a bunch, but he did have two quality saves,” said R-P head coach Kody Harrell. “He has been absolutely amazing for us all season, and we are so happy for him!”
Saturday’s victory was the Rockets’ fourth in five games, and left them with an 11-4-3 record heading into the final week of the regular season.
R-P only led 1-0 at halftime, then pulled away with five unanswered goals in the second half.
The Rockets had a 15-2 advantage in shots on goal.
R-P's Andrew Eilers (4) works the ball around an opponent. Photo/John Willoughby
Owen Ritsema had two goals for the Rockets while Cohen Beck, Carson McCollum, Jesus Hildago and Blake Kiel each had one.
London Carpenter, who recently returned to the lineup after a lingering illness, had three assists. Ritsema and Beck each had one.
Partial credit for the shutout – and for setting the new record – goes to Evan McHugh, who literally used his head to keep Grandville off the scoreboard.
R-P's Owen Ritsema, who had two goals in the game. Photo/John Willoughby
There were less than 10 seconds remaining in the game when Grandville had a free kick that went over everyone’s head, and would have landed in the R-P goal, but McHugh made a header save to deflect the ball and put the shutout in the books.
"It was a perfect save to end the game and showcase all of these shutouts,” Harrell said. “It really does make (the shutout record) a team award.”
The Rockets will travel to Mona Shores on Tuesday for the annual Causeway Cup rivalry game against the Sailors.
They will return home on Thursday to play powerful Byron Center, which has already clinched the O-K Green conference championship, then will finish the regular season next Saturday with a game at Big Rapids.
R-P's Cohen Beck (12) fends off an opponent. Photo/John Willoughby