HOLLAND — After 60 minutes of tightly contested soccer on a rainy Tuesday night, the Reeths-Puffer boys soccer team faded a bit and ended up falling to Holland 4-1 in the O-K Green conference tournament championship game.
It was a disappointing way to finish the O-K Green season for the Rockets, who came into the contest with a five-game winning streak after an amazing comeback victory over Zeeland West last Thursday in the semifinal round.
But as it turned out, the Rockets were not putting a lot of stock in the outcome of Tuesday’s game.
That’s because Holland had already clinched the overall conference championship, based on taking first place in the regular season standings while Reeths-Puffer finished third.
R-P's Liam Smith (15) dribbles around a defender. Photo/Jeremy Clark
R-P head coach Kody Harrell said he used the game to try different formations and get younger guys some playing time later in the contest, with the state tournament starting in just two days.
“Knowing that (Holland was already the champion), and coming off such a big, emotional high from last Thursday, the point was just to work on some things and give some young guys a look,” Harrell said. “It was just about refocusing, using today as a very competitive scrimmage to prep.
"But Holland is a great team and earned the championship. Hats off to them.”
Reeths-Puffer wrapped up the regular season with a 15-4-1 record, including 7-3 in the O-K Green.
R-P's Cohen Beck (18) sends a crossing pass while the Holland goalie, left, watches the play develop. Photo/Jeremy Clark
“It’s important for the guys to know they’ve had an amazing season,” Harrell said. “I don’t want to say we overachieved, but we’re definitely really excited with some of the things we’ve accomplished this year.”
The Rockets, who won a district championship last season in Division 2, will begin their quest for another trophy, this time in Division 1, at Jenison on Thursday.
Reeths-Puffer beat Jenison 3-0 earlier this season. Harrell said the team will watch film of that game to see what worked the first time and will also revisit Thursday’s win over Zeeland West for a better look at how the Rockets are clicking right now.
“I always have high hopes for these guys - I’m more than excited,” Harrel said about moving on to the postseason against a strong field of opponents in districts. “At the end of the day, our confidence is sky high, right where we want it. I couldn’t be happier for the position we’re in.”
Junior backup goalie Gavin Wright was in the net on Tuesday for Reeths-Puffer and made a handful of saves. Harrell said Wright did a great job filling in for senior Gage Hopkins — both on Tuesday and last Thursday — but added that the team will be excited to have Hopkins back for districts.
R-P's London Carpenter (10) battles for the ball. Photo/Jeremy Clark
“Gavin did great, we’re excited about what he’ll do next year as a senior in that position,” Harrell said. “But Gage isn’t just the starter, he’s a four-year starter. That’s huge to have that confidence between the pipes. It goes without saying that it will be huge to have him back.”
Reeths-Puffer struck first in Tuesday’s game on a goal by Owen Ritsema less than three minutes into the contest. Ritsema’s goal came on a rebound after a save by Holland’s keeper.
Holland evened the score with 24:16 to play in the first half and the game was knotted 1-1 at the break. It remained that way for the first 23 minutes of the second half before Holland broke through.
The Dutch scored with 17:17 to play to lead 2-1 and added goals with 6:28 and 5:33 to play, bringing the final score to 4-1.
