The Reeths-Puffer boys soccer team got back on the winning track on Saturday, setting up a much-anticipated matchup with crosstown rival Mona Shores at home on Tuesday.
The Rockets beat a good Fruitport team on the road 2-0. The score was tied 0-0 at halftime, then Liam Smith and Liam McHugh scored in the second half to ice the victory.
Gage Hopkins got the shutout in goal, stopping five Fruitport shots.
R-P's Liam McHugh, who scored a goal on Saturday in the win over Fruitport.
“I thought the boys came out very aggressive on defense and very composed on offense,” said R-P Coach Kody Harrell. “We lost a game last week to a team (Zeeland East) we have lost to the last four meetings, and we really felt we were the better team in that game. To not let that loss affect us and go get a win against a solid Fruitport team was great.”
Reeths-Puffer improved to 5-4-2 overall and 2-2-1 in O-K Green conference play.
The Rockets will be highly motivated when they play Mona Shores on Monday. The Sailors are off to a great start this season with an 8-1-2 overall record and a 5-1 mark in the O-K Green.
The teams will be playing for a new rivalry trophy, the Causeway Cup, so emotions on both sides should be peaking.
“We’re excited for the challenge as we try to continue to turn the corner and prepare for districts against a very quality opponent in Shores,” Harrell said.