FRUITPORT – Fruitport’s girls soccer team put together one of its better performances of the season on Wednesday, but it wasn’t quite enough to keep the Trojans’ season alive.
The Trojans built an early three-goal lead against Allendale, but a tough second half led to a 4-3 loss in a Division 2 district quarterfinal game.
Although it wasn’t the result Fruitport was looking for, first-year head coach Kyle Hall was proud of the effort his team put forward.
“We said whatever happened in the regular season is obviously behind us, this is what we’re playing for,” Hall said. “I think we came out and showed that we’re a good team and can compete with anybody.
“As far as the resilience and the grit to keep on going, we can’t ask for more. That’s all we ask, for 80 minutes, leave it on the field.”
The Trojans held a halftime lead, but Allendale came back with a 2-0 edge in the second half to take the win.
“We came out a little bit flat there in the second half,” Hall said. “After they scored, we just struggled to gain momentum back and keep possession.”
Fruitport had one of its best offensive outputs of the season. The three goals scored in Wednesday’s game — all in the first half — were the most for the Trojans since a four-goal total in their season opener.
“We’ve talked all year about trusting the process,” Hall said. “Sometimes things don’t always align, but for that to align for our offense, that’s beyond encouraging in terms of the buy-in and girls understanding what we’ve been talking about all year.”
The loss marked the final game for a group of nine Trojan seniors — Lindsey Fairfield, Riley Kettel, Morgan Wescott, Reese Jacobs, Mallory Smith, Lauren Riedel, Rhiannon Raleigh, Jorja Blackmer and Aliviya Bosch.
“Nine seniors, that’s irreplaceable regardless of what each individual’s role is,” Hall said. “I think that every one of those seniors, in their own unique way, has left a lasting impression on the program.”
Allendale scored first on a goal by Marissa Maycroft with 30:33 to play in the first half.
About 10 minutes later, the Trojans went on a scoring run.
Jorja Blackmer got the Trojans on the board with a goal from well outside the box with 21:08 left in the half. Three minutes later, the Trojans were awarded a penalty kick after a Falcon handball. Mallory Smith took advantage, finding the back of the net with 18:02 to play.
Lauren Riedel capped the run by dribbling past a defender and the Allendale keeper to score with 13:43 left in the half.
Allendale’s Halle Steele scored with 9:34 left to bring the halftime score to 3-2.
The Falcons controlled possession throughout the second half, with Maycroft adding two more goals to put Allendale ahead 4-3 with 23:58 to play.
Fruitport finished the season with a 4-11-4 record.
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