9/1 vs. Northview 1-2

Heartbreak and hope were felt during The Holland High boys soccer team’s first home game of the year. The fans were out with noise makers, pom poms and even the sound of a vuvuzela. The team was psyched up. The Dutch were playing against the high riding Wildcats from Northview who just tied defending state champion Unity Christian in a 3-3 game Monday night. The Dutch knew they would have their hands full.

In the first 30 seconds of the game the Wildcats came roaring down the field and got a quick shot on goal. Kenny Baker made a great save to the left of the goal but then he faced a charging Wildcat who ripped a shot that deflected off his face for a save. This play set the tone for the rest of game.  The battle was on.

For the next 20 minutes the Dutch defense would successfully defend the speedy, aggressive Wildcats. Luke Hannekan led the defense as he shouted instructions to mark their attackers. Michael Morton, David Cook and Jake Courey played well together with support from midfielders Hadyn Beal and Daniel Zavala dropping back to help guard Northview’s star player #10 along with speedsters #27 and #6.

Meanwhile forwards Jake Carter, Ben Elhart and Brandon Perez were working hard to get a few opportunities up front. One of the best opportunities for the Dutch in the first half came when Diego Bobadilla took a pass into the right corner and sent a long cross back into the box. The ball sailed over the goalie’s head, hit the cross bar and bounced away without a goal. Bummer but close.

Then with 5 minutes left in the first half lighting struck against the Dutch. After an offensive push up on a direct kick by the Dutch, the Wildcats cleared the ball and #27 was off to the races going the other way. He sprinted 80 yards, slipped past the Dutch defense and chipped a nice shot over Baker’s head for a 1-0 lead at halftime.

In the second half the Dutch evened out the game – and the score. Both teams played well with the Dutch getting their share of offensive attacks. Andreas Slette, Hunter Brummels, Juan Gonzales and Alex Morales rotated through the midfield, held their own and helped create some opportunities. With 18 minutes left Daniel Zavala sent a long 45-yard cross in from near the right sideline. The cross went in to the goalie box. Jake Carter was there wrestling with 2-3 Wildcat defenders and their goalie. After a big collision that saw Wildcats bouncing off Carter, the ball sailed over everyone and made its way into the goal. 1-1. Tie game.

The next 15 minutes went back and forth. The Dutch defense continued to do an excellent job against the charging Wildcats. Baker deflected their one point blank shot from the 8 that deflected off the cross bar. Courey did a nice job on the outside defense. Cook was as tough as ever. Beal blocked an attempted bicycle kick by #10 with his face (he has a mark on his forehead to prove it) which could have been called a yellow card on #10, his second, which would have eliminated him from the game. All in all it looked like the game was going to end in a tie and the Dutch were going to remain undefeated.

But then, with 2:41 remaining, lighting struck against the Dutch again. A sprinting Wildcat slipped past the Dutch defense on the right side. As he dribbled toward the goal with other Dutch defenders descending on him he slipped a pass through to #27 who again put the ball in the back of the net. 1-2. Dutch were down and there was barely enough time for them to rally again. But they would try.

With 1 minute to go Bobadilla passed a through ball to Beal at the 40. He turned and sprinted 15 yards up field. As the defense came to stop him he sent a beautiful pass into the open area to the left of the goal 10 yards in front of Carter who was geared up in overdrive. It would now be a foot race between Carter and the goalie to get to the ball. Carter got there a split second sooner, flipped the ball with his right foot almost past a diving goalie but the Wildcat made the stop and sealed the victory.

What a heartbreak for the Dutch. The loss drops them to 3-1-2 – still their best start in years. The quality of their play against a top team also gives continued hope that the Dutch are well on their way to a successful season of soccer success and fun.

Come out to the next game 9/7 away vs East Grand Rapids at 7:15.

Thursday, September 2: Practice at 4:00 - 5:30

Monday, September 6: Varsity practice from 6:00 - 7:15

Tuesday, September 7: @ East Grand Rapids, bus leaves at 3:30, JV at 5:00 and Varsity at 6:45, Map Here.

Wednesday, September 8: Practice from 3:45 - 5:30

Thursday, September 9: @ Mona Shores, bus leaves at 3:30, JV at 5:00 and Varsity at 6:45, Map Here (the field is about 1/2 mile before the high school on the left).

Friday, September 10: Practice from 3:45 - 5:30

Monday, September 13: Practice from 3:45 - 5:30

Tuesday, September 14: @ Kenowa, bus leaves at 3:30. Map Here

Wednesday, September 15: Practice from 3:45 - 5:30

Thursday, September 16: Home versus Reeths-Puffer, JV at 5:00 and Varsity at 6:45

Friday, September 17: Practice from 3:45 - 5:30

Monday, September 20: Practice from 3:45 - 5:30, Varsity team dinner at the Cook's house

Tuesday, September 21: Home versus Forest Hills Central, JV at 5:00 and Varsity at 6:45

Wednesday, September 22: Practice from 3:45-5:30

Thursday, September 23: Home versus GR Union, JV at 5:00 and Varsity at 6:45

Friday, September 24: Practice from 3:45 - 5:30