COOPERSVILLE – The Reeths-Puffer boys soccer team knew what it had in junior standout Liam Smith, and what’s he’s capable of doing in important games.
So it was no shock when Smith came through yet again, scoring his latest three-goal hat trick to lead the Rockets to a 3-0 victory over a powerful Ludington squad on Monday in a Division 2 district semifinal matchup at Coopersville High School.
More surprising was the play of the Rockets’ defense, who held an opponent scoreless for the second time in two district tournament games and kept a Ludington team with several talented offensive players from getting on the scoreboard.
“We’re really excited,” said R-P head coach Kody Harrell about his team’s defense. “Especially with the conditions. Having such strong winds today, as much as I love my guys, Ludington has some skill and speed up top.
"I was nervous at some points, but we just kind of found our back line in the last two weeks. We’ve been experimenting a lot and we’re just getting our chemistry. I’m proud of how quickly they’re coming together.”
R-P's Liam Smith, who scored all three goals in the victory.
Reeths-Puffer defeated Ludington for the second straight year in districts. Last year the Rockets won 2-0 in the first round of the tournament.
Now the Rockets will play Spring Lake for the second straight year, this time in the championship match on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Coopersville.
A year ago Reeths-Puffer was talented but extremely young, with 10 sophomores and a freshman on the roster, while Spring Lake was loaded down with seniors and came away with a 3-1 victory in the semifinal round.
This year’s matchup should be a little more even, with R-P now 10-8-2 overall and Spring Lake 11-7-1.
One thing is very certain about Thursday’ finals – if the Lakers don’t find a way to slow down Smith, they could have a tough night.
R-P's Kyler Brainard (14) tries to work the ball past a Ludington player.
Smith scored his 26th, 27th and 28th goals of the season on Monday to surpass the 27-goal mark he hit last season as a sophomore. He now has 61 goals in his varsity career.
Smith has just been playing like himself, according to Harrell. The difference lately has been his teammates, who have been doing a better job of getting him the ball in key moments, the coach said.
“I think he’s been pretty efficient and consistent,” Harrell said about Smith. “One of his goals was on a free kick, and on the other two several players touched the ball before he had his moment. They are stepping it up and getting him the ball in high percentage areas.”
Smith echoed those sentiments.
“I’m very happy with the boys,” he said. “They deserve all of it. My goals don’t come without them, and they really played amazing.”
R-P's Ethan Pennington (9) beats a Ludington player to the ball.
Smith’s first goal came just 5:58 into the game when he ripped a shot into the right side of the net to give Reeths-Puffer a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Just 8:52 into the second half, Smith took a free kick and found the back of the net for his second goal of the night.
“I liked my free kick,” Smith said. “I thought it was a really good shot, and I just love scoring on free kicks.”
Smith completed the hat trick with his third goal with 6:32 remaining in the game.
“I’m just happy,” Smith said. “I’m just excited to play more.”