The Reeths-Puffer soccer team continued to trend in a winning direction on Thursday, and it’s all happening at the perfect time of year, when a single loss ends a team's season.
The Rockets opened Division 2 district play with an impressive 3-0 victory over Cadillac at R-P’s Eric Marcil Field.
The win sends the Rockets to the district semifinal round. They will play Ludington on Monday at Cedar Springs High School at 5 p.m.
R-P's Cohen Beck (12) passes the ball. Photo/Joe Lane
The victory was R-P’s seventh in its last nine games. The Rockets have outscored their opponents 18-2 in their last five games, and have three shutouts in that span.
Reeths-Puffer is now 14-5-3 on the season.
“The boys are really starting to click at the right time,” said R-P head coach Kody Harrell. “We are loving the togetherness of our team, and being able to move the ball quickly and play aggressive defense that just doesn’t give opponents much room to get any confidence on the ball. That’s really huge this time of year.
“Our boys are really embracing the moment right now.”
R-P's Owen Ritsema (13). Photo/Joe Lane
R-P controlled Thursday’s game offensively. They Rockets outshot Cadillac 15-1 and had an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.
The Rockets opened the scoring about 12 minutes into the game when Zac Sousa Sampson found the net with an assist from Kaleb Fowler.
R-P added a goal about 10 minutes later when Owen Ritsema scored after taking a pass from Cohen Beck.
R-P's Zac Sousa Sampson. Photo/Joe Lane
The final goal came in the second half, when Evan McHugh scored on a header on a Landon Nash corner kick.
“We did an amazing job of never letting them really get settled into the game,” Harrell said. “They never had a moment where they scared us. I was really excited to see the boys bring the defensive intensity, and use a really aggressive offense as a strong defense.
“We were in their half the whole time. We just need to clean up some decision-making around the goal box and take advantage of all of those chances we create, but overall I am really excited for our boys and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do Monday.”
R-P's Brayden Ross (14). Photo/Joe Lane