Fruitport’s rise in West Michigan soccer hasn’t been quiet—it’s been relentless. At the heart of this season’s success is senior goalkeeper Mason Kettel, a steady force behind one of the state’s toughest defensive units. Calm, disciplined, and built for pressure, Kettel has helped power Fruitport through a schedule loaded with ranked opponents and high-stakes moments.
This fall, he has delivered again and again. Early in the season, Kettel recorded six saves in a shutout against state-ranked Grandville/Calvin Christian, setting the tone for Fruitport’s defensive identity. He stayed sharp in a 1–0 road win over previously unbeaten North Muskegon, stopping five shots while controlling possession late to secure the victory. In one of the team’s most intense battles of the year, Kettel turned away seven shots in a 4–3 win over Allendale, a team known for its fast tempo and long-range threats.
When it mattered most, he only got stronger. In the O-K Silver conference tournament, Kettel played a role in multiple shutouts, combining efforts in an 8–0 win over Belding before locking down a 2–0 victory over Godwin Heights, where he made four saves to secure the shutout. Fruitport then capped the run with a 2–0 win over Calvin Christian—ranked No. 1 in Division 4—to complete a perfect 10–0 conference season for the second year in a row. Across 10 league games, Fruitport allowed just two goals, with Kettel anchoring 11 straight shutouts during that stretch.
Kettel’s breakout season isn’t an isolated story—it’s the continuation of a program built on grit, discipline, and defensive pride. Fruitport soccer has a long history of success in West Michigan, consistently competing for conference and district titles while earning wins over larger programs and state-ranked opponents. Year after year, the Trojans have been known for producing organized back lines, smart possession play, and goalkeepers who embrace pressure. This defensive tradition has become part of Fruitport’s identity, and Kettel fits the mold perfectly—calm under fire, committed to fundamentals, and unshakably competitive.
And last night, Fruitport added another chapter to its legacy—winning the district championship in one of the most dramatic matches of the season anywhere in Michigan.
In a rematch with Allendale, the two teams played full time, overtime, and five golden goal rounds without a winner. That sent the match to a penalty shootout—and that’s where things turned legendary.
- Both teams made all five penalties in the first round of the shootout.
- Still tied after five rounds: 5–5.
- The shootout moved into sudden death.
- On the second sudden death round, Allendale finally missed.
- With the district trophy on the line, Fruitport’s Riley Kanaar buried his shot in the 7th round of PKs—and the celebration erupted.
The match was the longest of the season in the coverage area—an unforgettable battle of heart, composure, and mental toughness. Special shoutout to SportsNut Luke Westerlund for capturing the game-winning moment on video, now circulating across West Michigan.
Next Stop: Regionals
The journey isn’t over. Fruitport advances to Boys Soccer Regional 5 and will face Cedar Springs on:
Monday, October 21
5:00 PM
Cedar Springs High School
With momentum on their side and belief rising by the minute, the Trojans are chasing more than wins now—they’re chasing history. And behind them stands a goalkeeper built for pressure, writing every moment one save at a time.
See 2023 boys district soccer scores, matchups, brackets for West Michigan Conference teams
