MUSKEGON TWP. – The best possible way to end a winning streak is to do it without losing.

The Fruitport soccer team managed to pull that off on Saturday when the Trojans traveled to Reeths-Puffer and came home with a 0-0 tie following a fast and physical non-conference matchup.

The deadlock ended the Trojans’ seven-game winning streak and left them with a 7-3-3 overall record.

Fruitport has now been shut out three times this year, but the first two came during a season-opening weekend tournament, when the Trojans went 0-3-2 before embarking on their winning streak.

Fruitport’s Davis Johnson turns away after the R-P goalie makes a save.

Fruitport has now kept its opponents from scoring in five games this season.

Goalkeeper Mason Kettell collected the latest shutout on Saturday.

“Today I am really proud, because we had five or six guys who were really sick, and three or four more who were dinged up and did not play their normal minutes,” said Fruitport head coach Dan Hazekamp. I’m proud they had to grit and ability to play through that.

“Everybody was throwing dirt on us when we were 0-3, but we know what we’ve got here. For a bunch of guys who just play kickball, we’re not too bad!”

 

The Trojans were frustrated by the outcome, however, because they felt like they should have won, based on the number of offensive opportunities they had.

Officially Fruitport had a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal, but put a lot of pressure the R-P goal throughout the game, particularly toward the end.

“I think, based on where we are, and how the game played out, I think (to the players) it felt like a loss,” said Fruitport head coach Dan Hazekamp. “We had a lot of great opportunities and did not convert them. They guys are smart enough to know if they should have found the net, and I think they feel like they should have a couple of times.

“I have no issue with them being bothered by a tie. The next part is turning the page and getting ready for two conference games this week.”

The Trojans will have two very important O-K Silver conference games this week, at NorthPointe Christian on Tusday and at Calvin Christian on Thursday.

The Trojans are in first place in the conference standings with a 4-0 mark, NorthPointe Christian is 3-0-1 and Calvin Christian is 3-1-0.