The Reeths-Puffer girls soccer team clicks when Jaslynn Kops finds her scoring touch.
Kops was very hot to start the season, pouring in 10 goals over the first six games and helping R-P get off to a 4-2 start.
On Tuesday she got hot again, netting a three-goal hat trick to help the Rockets post a very welcome 4-1 victory over Jenison in O-K Green conference action.
R-P is now 5-4-1 overall and 2-2-1 in the conference standings.
Jaslynn Kops
The victory allowed R-P to break out of a three-game winless streak and gain some renewed momentum after going 1-4-1 in its previous six games.
Mallorie Messer scored R-P’s first goal, with an assist from Ashlyn David, midway through the first half, and the Rockets led 1-0 at halftime.
Kops did all of her damage in the second half.
She scored her first goal on a free kick from outside of the box. She scored her second by drilling the ball in mid-air on a bounce after taking a pass from Messer, then finished off with a goal after taking a pass from Ashley Bradley.
Mallorie Messer
Jenison scored its only goal late in the game.
Sara Carlson made six saves in goal for the Rockets, who outshot the Wildcats 13-7.
“I’m super excited to see the girls playing well, and well together,” said R-P head coach Kody Harrell. “We came out a little sluggish tonight, but responded really well to the coaching points at halftime, and throughout the game in general. Getting a conference win to start the second half of the season is always a nice confidence boost .
“After every substitution it felt like we kept getting better and better as the game went on. That’s because we have coachable kids who want to do well, and well for one another, so we’re excited about the direction we’re trending as we push towards districts here in a few weeks.”