It was a thrilling night of high-stakes regional soccer action across West Michigan as Manistee, Fremont, North Muskegon, and Fruitport all took the field looking to extend their postseason dreams. Fans were treated to dramatic finishes, penalty kicks, and moments of pure grit.
Manistee Survives Shootout Thriller vs. Standish-Sterling
In perhaps the most nail-biting finish of the night, the Manistee Mariners emerged victorious after an incredible seven-round shootout to defeat Standish-Sterling.
The Mariners jumped ahead early on a penalty kick goal by Max Scharp at the 31:25 mark of the first half to take a 1-0 lead. Standish-Sterling equalized in the second half to send the game to overtime tied at 1-1.
Neither team could find the net through the extra periods, leading to a tense shootout. Both sides traded goals through five rounds before heading into sudden death. After two more rounds, Manistee clinched the win, 6-5 on penalties, advancing to the second round of regional play.
Final (Shootout): Manistee 2 (6), Standish-Sterling 2 (5)
Fruitport Falls in Shootout to Cedar Springs
The Fruitport Trojans’ postseason came to a heartbreaking end after a shootout loss to Cedar Springs in regional play.
The lone goal in regulation came when Carter Gregor buried a penalty kick with 13:55 left in the first half following a handball in the box, giving Fruitport a 1-0 lead. Cedar Springs later equalized to force overtime, and when neither team could break through in extra time, the match headed to penalties.
Cedar Springs converted their first three shots while Fruitport couldn’t find the net, resulting in a 3-0 shootout victory for the Red Hawks.
Final (Shootout): Cedar Springs 1 (3), Fruitport 1 (0)
Fremont Holds Off Elk Rapids, Advances to Regional Final
The Fremont Packers took care of business Tuesday night, punching their ticket to the regional finals with a 2-1 victory over Elk Rapids.
Hudson Wiersema opened the scoring 11 minutes into the first half, and Deagan Klimek added another early in the second half to put the Packers up 2-0. Despite a late push from Elk Rapids that cut the lead to one, Fremont’s defense held firm to close out the win.
Final: Fremont 2, Elk Rapids 1
North Muskegon Dominates Harbor Springs, 4-1
The North Muskegon Norse continued their postseason surge with a commanding 4-1 win over Harbor Springs in the Division 4 regional semifinal at Big Rapids High School.
After falling behind 1-0 early, Dallyn Ellis quickly equalized before halftime. The Norse came out firing in the second half, with Sawyer Kersman scoring the go-ahead goal 12 minutes in. Ellis then completed his hat trick with two more second-half goals to seal the victory.
Goalkeeper Braxton Fairchild anchored a solid defensive performance as the Norse improved to 14-1-4 on the season.
Final: North Muskegon 4, Harbor Springs 1
Looking Ahead
The Mariners will now face Fremont in the regional final on Thursday, October 24, at 6 p.m. at Clare High School. Meanwhile, the North Muskegon Norse will take on Leland in the regional final at Big Rapids High School on Wednesday, October 23, at 6 p.m.
