Reeths-Puffer’s boys varsity soccer team features nine sophomores, but those players most certainly carry themselves as much more mature.
The young Rockets have a bright future, but the present is pretty exciting now, too. They’re headed to the Division 2 district semifinals after a 2-0 first-round victory over a tough Ludington squad Wednesday night.
Reeths-Puffer (11-5-4) advances to Tuesday’s 5 p.m. district matchup with ninth-ranked Spring Lake (13-2-3). Whitehall (8-8-1) and seventh-ranked Fruitport (12-2-3) play in Tuesday’s other district semifinal at 6:45 p.m.
Ludington closes the season with a strong 16-3-1 record.
Entering the start of district play, Reeths-Puffer was coming off two nail-biting wins. The Rockets beat Zeeland East, 2-1, in double-overtime in the OK Green Conference tournament final after edged Holland in a shootout one round earlier.
Reeths-Puffer sophomore scoring sensation Liam Smith tallies his 24th and 25th goals of the season in the district win over Ludington. With 25 minutes remaining in the first half, the forward rifled a shot into the back of the net after making a solid defensive play to prevent a goalie clear by Ludington. He scored another goal in the last few seconds of the game for the final margin.
