Senior Ryder Merkins scored a pair of goals on Thursday, leading the Fruitport soccer team to a big 3-0 victory over NorthPointe Christian in a battle for first place in the O-K Silver conference.
The win gave the Trojans a big boost toward a second straight conference title. They are in the top spot alone with a 6-0 mark in the standings, while NorthPointe is second at 4-1-1.
With only one regular O-K Silver game remaining, Fruitport is guaranteed to have the maximum of eight points in the final regular season league standings.
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The other half of the point system is based on the outcome of the conference tournament, which begins on Sept. 30. The Trojans will host all three of their tournament games.
Fruitport is now 9-0-1 in its last 10 games and has won 16 straight conference games dating back to last season, when it joined the O-K Silver. The Trojans are 9-3-3 overall on the season.
Fruitport did all of its damage in the first half.
Merkins opened the scoring on a penalty kick, Carter Gregor added a goal, then Merkins struck again, all before halftime. Jorge Burgos-Yack and Hudson Hazekamp had assists.
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Goalies Mason Kettel and Sebastian Sweet combined to post the shutout, which was the fifth in a row for the Trojans and the sixth in their last seven games.
Fruitport Coach Dan Hazekamp praised the play of Gavin Wilson, Ryder Doherty, Hudson Hazekamp, Ryder Chan, Jyles Smith and Satchel Norwood.
The Trojans will visit a good North Muskegon team for a non-conference battle on Saturday.
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