Newaygo Blanks Ravenna 8-0 Photos and Story by Tara Hefferan It was a miserable night for soccer. Under forceful winds, rain, and 37-degree temperatures, Newaygo Lions Soccer battled the Ravenna Bulldogs, taking the win 8-0. At the 5:00 PM whistle Monday, May 1 in Ravenna, McCaiden Rienstra took the opening kick for the Lions, setting in motion a set of plays that led to the first goal less than two minutes into the match. The goal came when Connelly Hefferan Nordlund sent the ball to Grace Painter, who brought it to the end line before dropping it back to Hefferan Nordlund, who punched it into the back of the net. Maintaining possession, the Lions’ second goal came shortly thereafter. Hefferan Nordlund sent a pass to Rienstra, who dribbled the ball into the box. While swarmed by the defense, Rienstra found just enough space to slam the ball into the lower right corner, bringing the Lions to two goals. The Lions continued to pressure the goal, finding their third tally off a transition play, when Lynnea Briones sent a long ball to Rienstra, who passed it forward to Hefferan Nordlund, who found the back of the net from outside the 18-yard box. The Lions stood at three goals. The fourth Lions goal came from a counter-attack, when the Bulldogs tried to send the ball into Lion territory. Defender Maddie Couch intercepted it, sending a long ball to Painter. Painter then made a line splitting pass to Hefferan Nordlund, who dribbled in front of goal, sending it deep into the corner opposite the keeper. This brought the Lions to four goals. As the Lions continued to send shots toward goal, they earned a corner kick. Painter took the kick, dropping the ball in front of the net. Hefferan Nordlund made a perfectly timed jump to meet the ball in the air, heading it past the keeper for the Lions fifth goal. Under offensive pressure the entirety of the first half, the Bulldogs flubbed their chance to clear the ball in the 30th minute and were called for a handball in the box. Hefferan Nordlund took the resulting penalty kick, easing the ball past the goalie. At the half, the Lions were leading 6-0, with five goals coming from Hefferan Nordlund. Commenting on this personal record, Hefferan Nordlund said, “It felt good. Our team chemistry has grown a lot since the beginning of the season, and these past few games have been proof of that.” The defensive line of Natalie Richardson, Sofia Briggs, Rachel Larsen, and Couch used tenacity, speed, and good passing to break up most plays before they could advance beyond the midfield. Rounding out the half, Lions keeper Barbara Toth faced just four shots, and only two shots on goal. Returning from halftime, the Lions reconfigured their line-up, rotating their offensive and defensive lines, subbing in new players, and putting Hefferan Nordlund in goal. The second half again saw the Lions again dominate. Briggs and Painter were winning balls in the midfield, advancing toward goal several times before finding an opportunity midway through the second half. Briggs brought the ball up the right side of the field, crossing it into the box for Painter. While the keeper partially got in front of the ball, Painter’s force was too much to contain, with the ball deflecting off the goalie into left corner. To the relief of players, fans, and the officials, the eighth and final mercy goal again came minutes later from another Briggs-Painter midfield connection. Winning the ball, Briggs found Painter, sending in a line splitting pass for Painter to dribble forward and slot away. The Bulldogs were held to just five shots in the second half, with one on goal. The final score was 8-0. In all, the Lions controlled the match from beginning to end. This allowed everyone on the roster to get field time, while also getting players experience playing in new positions. As Coach Matt Painter said, “Tonight’s weather showed why soccer players are some of the toughest athletes out there. While other sports were canceling their games and moving practices inside, our girls suited up and took to the field. Despite horizontal rain that sent a tent across the field, our girls shrugged off the weather and passed the ball like it was just another fair weather game. Some of the girls played in some new positions tonight and were willing to do whatever was necessary to put the team first. As a coach, it is fabulous to have a group of girls who are willing to put aside egos for the good of the team!” The Lions next play on Wednesday, May 3 at home vs. Reed City. Their record now stands at 8-0-1.
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