When a soccer goalie makes 16 saves in a high school game, that might her team had a real chance to win.
But Reeths-Puffer goalie Sara Carlson was blitzed with a very high total of 21 shots on Wednesday, couldn't stop them all, and her teammates only managed two shots on the opposing goal.
In the end that left the Rockets with a 5-0 road loss in their season-opening game against East Grand Rapids on Wednesday.
R-P head coach Kody Harrell said his team looked sharp for the first 15 minutes of each half, but couldn't keep pace throughout the game.
R-P goalkeeper Sara Carlson, who had an impressive 16 saves in the loss.
"We had a great work ethic and really battled well," Harrell said. "EGR just had another gear to them, and several top talent type players that just kind of wore us out as the game went on. Sometimes you just have to tip the cap to the opponent. They were well-rounded and very solid in every position with great pace and skill.
"Our girls battled well, but just could never really get into that flow to generate an effective attack. There were moments, but you have to capitalize and be opportunistic with those moments when playing quality teams like EGR, and tonight we didn’t."
The Rockets will try to bounce back when they host West Ottawa in their home opener on Friday night.