Wednesday, August 17, 2022: The Western Michigan Christian Warriors dropped the season opener against the Reeths-Puffer Rockets by the score of 2-1 Wednesday evening at Warrior Field. 

The Rockets gained the advantage early, with Liam Smith winning and converting a penalty kick just 7 minutes into the contest. The Warriors responded well to the setback, controlling the tempo and the match for long stretches in the first half and generating several shots on the Rockets' net. 

With 8 minutes remaining in the opening stanza, Isaac Luna (Sr., Muskegon) sent a through-ball to Ashton Leffring (Sr., Muskegon). Leffring raced between two defenders to the endline, cut in and caromed his shot off a Rocket defender into the goal. 

After the break, the two teams settled into a back-and-forth rhythm, with the heat and the early season fitness levels taking their toll on the players. The Rockets found the final advantage, however, when Smith took the ball near the sideline and sliced his way through the defense for a short-range goal.

"All-in-all that was a very good performance for a first game against a tough opponent. The boys did very well to put Reeths-Puffer on their heels for most of that first half," Coach Ben Buursma said. "The team is making good progress, and this game gives us good insight into what areas need focus over the next several weeks."

WMC finished the game with a 10-8 advantage in shots on goal. Warriors' keeper Jared Olsen (Sr., Muskegon) made 6 saves.

The Warriors travel to Holland Christian Saturday to take part in the Kevin Witte Memorial Tournament. WMC will play the hosts at 10 am, and then NorthPointe Christian at 11:30 am.