WMC: 1 RP: 2

Your Warriors took on the Rockets of Reeths Puffer on Saturday, April 16th for a makeup game. Originally, these two teams were scheduled to meet before Spring Break. 

It was another cold, cloudy morning and both teams battled these conditions for 80 minutes. The first quarter of the half was action packed on both sides. The duo of Ally Oppenhuizen (Jr.) and Brooklyn Watts (So.) found one another a few times in front of goal. Reeths Puffer's keeper, Tessa Lamphere, did a great job denying any options the Warriors had. 

With 30 seconds left remaining in the first half, the Warriors were rewarded a corner. As the time ran down, Watts served in a corner that ultimately led to a penalty kick with 5 seconds left on the clock. Oppenhuizen stepped up to put it away to make WMC lead 1- 0 going into halftime. 

After halftime adjustments from both teams, the Warriors went on the pitch for another 40 minute battle against an eager Reeths Puffer squad. The Rockets began to apply more pressure and added more players into their attack to generate opportunities. The Warriors worked on maintaining their defensive organization as the Rockets were relentless, however, fatigue eventually set in. 

The Rockets were able to net their first goal after an uncontested shot hit the cross bar. After a poor clearance, Reeths Puffer put it away to tie the game. From then on, it was the battle for the Warriors to eliminate chances and match the physicality of the Rockets. Soon after, they would get their assurance goal after a mishit goal kick that led to an own goal deflecting off a WMC defender. Sadly, the Warriors couldn't find the back of the net in the last few minutes to finish in a draw.

Both Coach Pekel and Coach McFarland were extremely proud of the defensive efforts from the team and the fight to battle against a strong opponent for 80 minutes. WMC looks to carry this great effort into conference play on Monday against Manistee High School. 

Coach Pekel had this to say, "This is the best we've played so far this season. If we can carry this into conference play next week, I think the girls will really enjoy themselves. But, we still have principles of the game we have to be better in and I know our girls are ready to continue putting in the work." 

The Warriors will have their first two away games of the season next week.