FRUITPORT – Obviously the Fruitport soccer team has all sorts of skilled players who do a great job, game after game.

But there are times when that one special player is needed to get any team through a difficult situation, and for Fruitport that player has often been junior Jorge Burgos-Yack.

The small but speedy and talented forward has scored a ton of big goals over the past two seasons, and he did it again on Tuesday when the Trojans’ great season was hanging in the balance.

Burgos-Yack scored his team-leading 19th goal on a breakaway with about 22 minutes left in the game, then Fruitport hung on for a thrilling but scary 2-1 comeback victory over Spring Lake in front of a huge crowd in the Division 2 district semifinals.

The latest victory propelled the No. 1-ranked Trojans, now 18-0-1, into Thursday’s district championship game against Reeths-Puffer.

The Rockets reached the finals by downing Coopersville 1-0 in the other semifinal on Tuesday.

“It was a big moment, one that I needed to put away.” Burgos-Yack said. “My teammates work hard, and I work hard, and we have to find a way to get those, especially after the wake-up call in the first half.”

“I am so lucky to coach a guy like Jorge,” said Fruitport head coach Dan Hazekamp. “I fully acknowledge that all 24 players are a key to the success, but sometimes there are special moments, and special players, and Jorge was one of those guys tonight. I am so proud of him.”

The victory over the Lakers provided a measure of revenge for the Trojans, who have managed to hold off challenges from a lot of good opponents all season – except Spring Lake.

Back on Sept. 28, the Trojans visited the Lakers and went home with a stinging 1-1 tie, which turned out to be the only blemish on Fruitport’s otherwise perfect record.

The Lakers proved to be problematic again on Tuesday, taking a 1-0 lead into halftime after Nick Sheridan scored only 4:31 into the first half.

The Trojans had to rally and win to keep their season alive, and that’s exactly what they did after regrouping at halftime.

Hazekamp said he reminded his team that “We need to settle down a little bit and be a little more patient.” Although Fruitport changed very little tactically in the second half, it was the small adjustments and reminders – “Doing what we do” – that the coach said made the difference.

“When the times have gotten tough this season they have been able to answer the bell,” the coach said.  “Our guys did a really good job in the second half of putting some dicey balls into the box. I have special players that are going to be dangerous when we give them plays like that.”

Fruitport continued to trail for a good part of the nerve-wracking second half before finally scoring the equalizer.

That came with 26:39 left in the game when junior Carter Gregor fed a great pass across the box to senior Isaac VanderMolen, who scored and tied the game at 1-1.

It was VanderMolen’s 14th goal of the season.

“He is one of those kids, and when the ball is at his feet, he can and will do great things,” Hazekamp said about his 6-foot-5 forward.

Bortos-Yack scored the game-winner on a breakaway about five minutes later, then the rock-solid Fruitport defense kept the Lakers from doing any more damage.

“Their ability to manage the last 20 minutes is a testament to their experience,” Hazekamp said about the defenders. “We’ve played in some pretty big games.”

Thursday’s championship game against Reeths-Puffer will be another rematch. The Trojans downed the Rockets 2-0 in a Saturday morning game on Sept. 14.

It will be the fourth time in the past few weeks that a team that lost to Fruitport will get a chance at redemption. The Trojans are now 3-0 in those situations, but they aren’t talking anything for granted against the Rockets, who come in with an 11-8-1 record after playing a tough regular season schedule.

“We are looking forward to the next challenge ahead, against a good Reeths-Puffer team,” Hazekamp said.