Lions Notch 5th Straight Win

4/29/2022

Viktoria Ringh prevents a turn toward goal

Long, Hefferan Nordlund tally for hosts

Photos and story by Tara Hefferan

Newaygo 3 Grant 0
Rivals Newaygo and Grant met Wednesday on the Lion home turf. Early play had the Lions and Tigers alternating ball possession. The game momentum switched after a Grant penalty against Jaxi Long, which she converted into a goal. Following crisp combination passing, Jaxi scored again near the end of the first half, putting the Lions up 2-0. The Lions dominated the second half, controlling the ball much of the time. While the Tigers defense was speedy and aggressive, Natalie Richardson found space to fire a shot toward goal. That shot found the crossbar instead of the net, rebounding the ball back into play. Connelly Hefferan Nordlund pounced, scoring the third and final goal of the game.

Chloe Bush beats the defender

Aaliyah Hernandez anticipates the play

Tiger Coach Gomez de Leon : “Before every game we study our opponent and today was no different. We were going into this game expecting a very difficult game because Newaygo played a full game against Sparta and won by 8 against Hart. In comparison we were destroyed by Sparta and we were only able to get 3 goals on Hart.
“I also had my dad in mind. He taught me if your opponent has one stat leader then you have one neutralizer and that is what we did. Sydney Higgins neutralized Newaygo's stat leader at midfield which made the Lions work harder to find options to attack our net. However, we failed to find our passing stride which is detrimental in every game.
“Unfortunately, Newaygo capitalized on a penalty, a lucky lobbed ball, and a rebound. Our defensive line, led by Hailey Holmberg, made Newaygo work hard for every inch, That, in my opinion, says a lot about our Tigers!
It is always tough losing, it is always tough losing to our Lion neighbors, but it was fulfilling to see our Tigers challenge such a team.”

The Lions have a 6-1 overall record and are 3-0 in conference play. They are in action again this Friday at home against Muskegon Oakridge.
Grant (2-4, 1-3) will host state ranked Big Rapids also on Friday.