FRUITPORT – The Fruitport girls soccer team has had a ton of success since a rough start to the season, when the Trojans came out of the gate with a 1-3 record.

They rattled off eight straight wins and were starting to feel pretty confident in their ability to beat every opponent.

On Wednesday, however, they were reminded of a hard lesson: In a game like soccer, you can outplay your opponent and still lose.

The Trojans controlled most of the game against a very good Fremont squad, but still came away with a 1-0 loss in a contest that was played on the Fruitport football field.

The Trojans outshot the Packers 13-4, but could not get a ball in the net despite many close calls. Fremont scored the only goal on a free kick with about 13 minutes left in the game.

Fruitport is now 9-4 on the season. Fremont improved to 12-2-1.

“This will give us a little adversity,” said Fruitport head coach Kyle Hall. “We had won eight in a row. We’ll look at the film and come back ready to go tomorrow.”

A loss just before the start of the O-K Silver conference tournament, with the state tournament just a few weeks away, may not have been the worst thing, according to Hall.

“It’s huge,” Ha said. “This is why we schedule so hard out of conference. We’re looking for these games that are going to prepare us.”

While the outcome was frustrating, the way the game played out had to leave the Trojans feeling good about their effort. They dominated offensively and might have won easily, if it hadn’t been for a hot Fremont goalkeeper who made lots of great saves.

In the first half, Fruitport outshot Freemont 6-2 and had several very good scoring chances.

In the second half, Fruitport had the first six shots on goal before Fremont was able to register one.

“We have a growth mentality,” Hall said. “We’ll learn from it and move on. We can’t give up fouls in silly spots and one of those cost us tonight. It’ll be beneficial going forward.”

The foul Hall was referring to came late in the game, resulting in a free kick for Fremont’s Mia Clemence.

She blasted a long shot from at least 20 yards out that rocketed into the net, giving the Packers a 1-0 lead, which turned out to be all they would need.

Fruitport had a great chance to tie the game late when Izabel Hanson-Wilbur had the ball close the Packer goal and had a clean shot that looked like it could go in.

But the Fremont goalkeeper got just enough of the ball to stop it from entering the net and send it trickling off to the side, completing her night of great saves that resulted in the shutout.

The Trojans will host Kelloggsville on Monday in the first game of the conference tournament.