NORTON SHORES — Sooner or later, something’s got to give for the Reeths-Puffer girls soccer team.
The Rockets have played pretty well against a tough schedule, but have come up just short in lots of one-goal games early in the season. That was the story once again for R-P against rival Mona Shores on Thursday night.
Reeths-Puffer led 1-0 at halftime, but the Sailors scored twice in the second half to take a 2-1 win in O-K Green conference action. The Rockets, now 0-6 on the season, have now lost four of their games by just a single tally.
R-P's Hanna Potts (10) on the attack. Photo/Jeremy Clark
While it hasn’t yet shown in the win column, R-P Coach Kody Harrell said his team has played well.
“They’re doing a lot of things really well,” Harrell said. “I think this week has been our best soccer of the year, which is really refreshing. We’re playing really well right now, we’re just learning how to finish, learning how to win.”
The difference, he said, is in the details. 
R-P's Abbie Hill (7) keeps the ball in play. Photo/Jeremy Clark
“They’re learning in real time how important details are,” Harrell said. “We’re not losing because we’re a bad team, it’s just so many little things, little details. We’re learning to be consistent with the details that it takes to win in big games.”
Harrell said he hopes the difficult schedule will prepare the Rockets for postseason play later this season.
“We wanted to load the schedule up," the coach said. "We’re a good enough team to win some of these games, that’s why you’re seeing so many one goal games. It’s one of those things, as a coach, you want it to be competitive, you want it to be tough, but you don’t want them to lose their confidence.
R-P's Chloe Brainard (8) tries to keep the ball away from a Sailor. Photo/Jeremy Clark
"It’s important the girls know they’re really good players, we’re doing a lot of really good things. We just have to appreciate and dial in on the details.”
Reeths-Puffer scored first on Thursday when Jaslynn Kops found the back of the net with 17:10 to play in the first half. Kops, a sophomore, has now scored in back-to-back games.
R-P’s lead held through halftime, but Mona Shores quickly evened the score after the break. Kathryn Phillips scored for the Sailors off an assist from Kendall Berghuis to tie the game at 1-1 with 38:18 to play. 
R-P goalie Sara Carlson. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Mona Shores took the lead for good on a goal from Ava Freye with 17:16 to play. The Rockets had a handful of scoring chances down the stretch, but couldn’t convert to tie the game.
Sara Carlson tended the net for R-P and made a handful of saves.
Reeths-Puffer is now 0-6 overall and 0-2 in the O-K Green. The Rockets will be back in action Tuesday against Byron Center.