FRUITPORT – Two days after its first O-K Silver conference non-victory in three seasons, the Fruitport boys soccer team responded with the type of performance head coach Dan Hazekamp had been looking for.

The Trojans brought more energy from the opening minutes, scored late in the first half, then relied on their defense to claim a very big 1-0 victory over NorthPointe Christian in an O-K Silver showdown for first place on Thursday at Ken Erny Field.

The win put the Trojans in control of its own destiny in the conference race with two O-K Silver games remaining. Fruitport is now 4-0-1 in the standings, NortihPointe is 4-1 and Calvin Christian is 3-1-1.

Fruitport entered Thursday looking for a response after Tuesday’s 1-1 tie against Calvin Christian.

That deadlock carried more significance than a typical tie, because it was Fruitport’s first non-victory in O-K Silver play since joining the conference three years ago.

The Trojans went 10-0 and won the championship in each of their first two seasons in the league.

Hazekamp said the Trojans spent Wednesday examining what needed to change.

“We did a little soul searching yesterday, and we had a lot of open conversation,” said the coach, whose team is 11-1-3 overall. “We really challenged our team, and some individuals, to really do what’s right for the team the rest of the year.”

The players’ response was evident early.

Fruitport played with more urgency and energy than it did against Calvin Christian, particularly defensively. Neither team recorded a shot during the opening 20 minutes, and when NorthPointe Christian finally generated opportunities, Fruitport goalkeeper Sebastian Sweet stopped both shots on goal.

The Trojans’ energy did not immediately translate into offense. Fruitport managed only two first-half shots and one shot on goal, but made its best opportunity count.

With 7:15 remaining before halftime, senior defender Hudson Hazekamp delivered a throw-in into the box, which senior midfielder Gavin Wilson headed into the net to give Fruitport a 1-0 lead.

It was the only goal Fruitport needed.

The game changed after halftime, when NorthPointe Christian began applying sustained offensive pressure. Fruitport produced only two second-half shots, while the Mustangs attempted seven and put five on goal.

Sweet and the Fruitport defensive back line refused to allow the equalizer, however.

NorthPointe Christian put a shot on goal with 35:21 remaining, but Sweet made the save. The Mustangs continued attacking as the half progressed, forcing Sweet to make additional stops with 13:46, 10:48 and 7:38 remaining.

Sweet made his fifth save of the half with 3:12 remaining. NorthPointe Christian earned one final corner kick with 10 seconds left, but Fruitport managed to clear the ball away from its goal and preserve the shutout victory.

The defensive performance was exactly what Hazekamp wanted after believing his team had been too passive against Calvin Christian.

“That was a big emphasis yesterday, because I thought against Calvin we were a little soft defensively,” Hazekamp said. “Our back line has just been so tough. Those guys are warriors back there, and they lay it on the line.

“This was kind of a postseason-type feel tonight with the intensity and the energy. These are the games that we want to play in.”