FRUITPORT – The Fruitport boys soccer team entered Tuesday’s matchup with Calvin Christian unbeaten in O-K Silver play, with a clear, if still very challenging, path to a third straight conference title.
In the end, the Trojans left Ken Erny Field feeling like they let a chance to take a big step down that path slip away.
Fruitport scored first but ultimately settled for a 1-1 tie with Calvin Christian in the first of two very important conference games this week.
The Trojans are now 10-1-3 overall on the season and 3-0-1 in the conference standings. NorthPointe Christian entered the night tied with Fruitport at 3-0 and Calvin Christian was just behind at 3-1.
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Now Fruitport’s Thursday night showdown, at home against NorthPointe Christian, becomes even more important.
“We don’t celebrate ties and all that kind of stuff,” said Fruitport head coach Dan Hazekamp. “They are a good team, so it’s not a bad result, but going into Thursday, this sets the table for who wants to be at the top of the standings.”
The Trojans came out with plenty of energy and took advantage early.
After Calvin Christian generated the first two shots on goal, Fruitport earned a free kick with just under 30 minutes remaining in the first half.
Senior defender Hudson Hazekamp sent the ball into the box, where junior forward Quincy McDaniels headed it into the net with 29:42 remaining to give Fruitport a 1-0 lead.
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Calvin Christian controlled much of the remainder of the half while Fruitport struggled to maintain possession and generate chances.
Senior goalkeeper Sebastian Sweet made three first-half saves to keep the Trojans ahead, before the Squires finally broke through.
With 10:12 remaining, Calvin Christian’s Owen Rhodes scored on a free kick from the right side to tie the game 1-1.
Despite scoring first, Fruitport entered halftime with only two shots on goal, while Calvin Christian produced four.
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“Obviously, it was nice to get the goal early, but other than that, I thought the first half was pretty brutal,” Coach Hazekamp said. “Credit to Calvin. They’re a good team, and I thought they put it on us.”
The Trojans looked like a different team after halftime, applying consistent offensive pressure and forcing Calvin Christian deeper into its own end. The Trojans generated five shots on goal in the second half while holding the Squires to one.
Fruitport put three shots on goal in the first 20 minutes of the second half, but none paid off.
The Squires packed the box defensively as the half continued, making it harder for the Trojans to turn possessions into clean scoring chances.
Fruitport continued to push. A Hazekamp throw-in led to another shot on goal with 15:12 remaining, and senior midfielder Jyles Smith put an attempt on frame with 9:17 left.
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Neither of those shots broke the tie.
The Trojans’ momentum stalled late in the game due to several fouls, and the 1-1 tie remained on the scoreboard when the clock hit zero.
Fruitport finished with a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal, with five of those seven coming after halftime.
Coach Hazekamp hopes Tuesday’s result gives his team the incentive it needs, heading into the big game against NorthPointe Christian on Thursday.
“I hope this was one of those poke-the-bear games,” the coach said. “We’re going to need to come ready to go. NorthPointe is a very good team, and they’ve had a very good season, so we’re going to have to start faster than we started tonight.”
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