MUSKEGON TOWNSHIP – The Reeths-Puffer boys soccer team hadn’t won back-to-back games since early September.
That seemed like a long time ago for a team that started the season with four wins in its first five games and a 6-2-1 record after nine.
There was a fair share of disappointment in the weeks since then, including six losses in seven games at one point.
But the Rockets cleared those cobwebs out of their minds on Monday with a convincing 6-1 victory over rival Mona Shores at their own Eric Marcil Field.
R-P's Trenton Hanks moves in on the ball. Photo/Jeremy Clark
It was their second straight win, following an 8-0 drubbing of Muskegon last Thursday.
The game was played for the Causeway Cup – a rivalry trophy created by the two teams - and the Rockets earned the right to keep it for a second straight year.
“When you play a schedule like ours, it’s a constant back-and-forth,” said R-P head coach Kody Harrell about the ups and downs his team has experienced this season. “Every game is a battle.
“After getting a surprising 45-minute mercy win against (Mona Shores) in the first game this year, we expected a tougher game this time because it’s a rivalry matchup. 
Owen Ritsema (13) moves the ball downfield, trailed by Hanks. Photo/Jeremy Clark
“All in all, I’m proud of the boys for their work and mindset on things.”
The topsy-turvy regular season is now in the rearview mirror for the Rockets, who will get a new lease on life in postseason play.
It begins on Thursday when R-P will host Muskegon in a first-round game in the Division 2 district tournament. The winner will advance to next Tuesday’s semifinal round against either Coopersville or Sparta.
If they win in the first two rounds, the Rockets could end up in a showdown with undefeated Fruitport, the No. 1 ranked team in the state, in the district championship game.
The Rockets crash in on a loose ball near the Mona Shores goal. Photo/Jeremy Clark
“We’re still a little ways away,” Harrell said when asked if his team is ready for the tournament, where one loss ends the season. “I don’t want to say far away, because we don’t have time to be far away. It’s here now. I think we still have a couple things to work on in the attacking third to feel good about our championship opportunities.”
Things started out fast for Reeths-Puffer against Mona Shores. Junior Brayden Ross took just 29 seconds to find the back of the net with an assist from Zac Sampson, giving the Rockets a 1-0 lead.
Nick Clemens scored to give Reeths-Puffer a 2-0 lead just 11:47 into the first half, and the Rockets looked to be making quick work of the Sailors.
But the Mona Shores defense adjusted and held tough until the 31:13 mark, when Sampson scored a goal of his own, making the score 3-0 at halftime.
R-P's London Carpenter (9) battles for the ball. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Sampson scored his second goal of the night at the 7:38 mark of the second half, giving the Rockets a 4-0 advantage.
Just under six minutes later, Owen Ritsema netted a goal to extend the lead to 5-0.
The final Rocket goal came 1:50 later when Nate Clemens scored off an assist from London Carpenter.
Mona Shores netted a goal with about nine minutes remaining to make the final score 6-1.
R-P's Cohen Beck (12) tries to fend off an opponent. Photo/Jeremy Clark
R-P goalkeeper Liam Copenhaver made five saves in the victory. Reeths-Puffer outshot Mona Shores 12-6.
The Rockets finished the regular season with a 9-8-1 overall record and a 6-4 mark in O-K Green conference play.
All the records will clear beginning on Thursday, and Harrell said his team has some good things going for it heading into the pressure games.
“I think we have a team that is locked in a lot more on defensive responsibilities right now,” the coach said. “Even the midfielders and attackers are locked on what they need to do to win the ball back. We’re zoned in and tuned in on those defensive opportunities.
“We also have six or seven different guys who can score on a given night. That kind of really helps us right now.”