MUSKEGON TWP. – For the past few seasons, the Reeths-Puffer boys soccer team has focused more on winning postseason trophies than competing for an O-K Green conference championship.

It’s not that the Rockets have fielded bad teams. It was simply because the competition in the conference has been super tough, with bigger school powerhouses like Byron Center and Caledonia to contend with.

But so far this season, there has been a slightly different feel, resulting in a little more optimism that the Rockets could have a chance to end their 21-year title drought.

That feeling grew a little bit on Tuesday when the Rockets scored three unanswered goals then held on to beat Jenison 3-1 in a conference battle at R-P’s Eric Marcil Field.

R-P’s London Carpenter (7) tries to get the ball past the goalie. Photo/Daniel Dunn

That followed a recent tie on the road with Byron Center, a tight victory over Mona Shores and an easy win over Muskegon.

Now the Rockets are 3-0-1 in O-K Green play, which puts then at the top of the standings.

“I am just proud of our kids,” said Reeths-Puffer head coach Kody Harrell. “We’ve coached and challenged them hard, both mentally and physically, and they have responded.

“Hopefully we can just keep climbing. I think we have a chance, but we need to see these guys again and Caledonia twice. Did we poke the bear? Do we have their respect? We will see how the little things allow it to play out, but it will be exciting.”

Jenison opened the scoring with a goal 14 minutes into the game.

R-P goalie Evan McCollum makes a stop. Photo/Daniel Dunn

The Rockets, who scored on the only three shots they produced in the entire game, tied things up 31 minutes into the first half.

Senior London Carpenter found the ball on the right side of the Jenison goal, took advantage of the goalkeeper losing his footing, and snuck it into the net.

Reeths-Puffer took the lead by taking advantage of another goalkeeper blunder. Senior Landon Nash shot a knuckle-style shot from 40 feet away that fooled the keeper, allowing the ball to get through his legs with 5:21 remaining in the half.

Nash has only played in three games this season, due to an ankle injury early in the season, followed by a shoulder injury a few games later.

R-P’s Evan McHugh gets ready to shoot. Photo/Daniel Dunn

“Nash has a hard shot, and he hasn’t played much,” Harrell said. “I know the keeper wanted it back with the ball going through the legs from 40 feet out, but he sure can sling it. It was nice to have him back.”

Nash didn’t even know he scored because his back was to the play before the ball snuck into the net.

“I shot it and figured the goalie saved it,” Nash said. “I turned around and I just heard screaming. The goal allowed our energy to go up for sure.”

The Rockets added another goal with just over two minutes remaining in the first half when freshman Kam David managed to chip the ball in while battling a crowd in front of the net.

R-P’s Brennan Allen (24) battles for the ball. Photo/Daniel Dunn

Reeths-Puffer led 3-1 at halftime despite getting outshot 9-3 in the first half.

There was no scoring in the second half. Jenison had some chances to get back into the game, outshooting the Rockets 9-0, but failed to convert.

The Wildcats’ best chance came 12 minutes in, but sophomore goalkeeper Evan McCollum dove to his left and snagged the ball before it crossed the line.

Overfall Jenison outshot the Rockets 18-3.

“We are playing with more players back, so teams are going to have a lot of shots on us,” Harrell said about his team’s defensive style. “But most of the shots are going to be outside the box, which will help our sophomore goalie out. I think 13 were outside the box tonight.

“This isn’t sexy soccer, but it’s championship soccer, and at the end of the day winning is fun, no matter how you do it.”