 Grace Painter fires off the pass despite Viking pressure Story and photos by Tara Hefferan Newaygo Girls Soccer has been hot all season. With a 17-0-1 record, the Lions sat atop the CSAA Conference regular season standings and won the CSAA Conference Tournament. They also have scored 92 goals this spring, while conceding just 6. So, when the Lions faced off against the Whitehall Vikings at home on Wednesday, May 31, expectations were high that the Lions could pull out the win. They did, besting the Vikings 5-0. Playing in 90-degree heat, the Lions executed their signature passing game with precision and grace, skillfully curtailing the Vikings attempts to control the game through muscle.  McCaiden “hat trick” Rienstra looks at the ball she just sent into goal The Lions got on the board early. Just five minutes into the match, Connelly Hefferan Nordlund brought the ball up the right side of the field, curling the ball between the defensive line into the path of Grace Painter. Going head to head with the Vikings keeper, Painter made a move to beat the keeper, firing the ball into the corner of the net. This brought the Lions ahead 1-0 with 34:21 remaining in the first half. The Lions next scored with 13:08 on the clock. The Vikings fouled Hefferan Nordlund just outside the box. Taking the resulting free kick, Painter sent the ball toward goal. The ball bounced around, before McCaiden Rienstra pounced, bodying it into net to bring the Lions up 2-0.
The third goal was secured just before the halftime break. With 4:02 minutes remaining, Landry Hefferan Nordlund made a short pass to C. Hefferan Nordlund. C. Hefferan Nordlund then sent a long ball toward goal, again splitting the defensive line, this time for Rienstra. Rienstra raced ahead with pace to position herself in a one vs. one with the Vikings keeper. Cutting across the keeper’s momentum, Rienstra powered the ball into the middle of the net. The Lions were ahead 3-0 at the half, having put up 9 shots total, with 3 on goal and 3 in goal. The Vikings had sent in just one shot by the half.
Returning from break, the Lions continued to dominate possession, scoring again ten minutes into the second half. Dispossessing a Viking attacker, Rachel Larsen took control of the ball, and sent it to Painter. Finding the seam, Painter threaded the ball through the defense to Rienstra. Once again in a head-to-head with the Vikings keeper, Rienstra maneuvered past her and slammed the ball into the center of the net. This brought the Lions to 4-0 with 30:22 on the clock and marked a hat trick for Rienstra. While the Lions continued to control their game, they faced occasional pressure from the Vikings. With four shots in the second half (three of them on goal), the Vikings played with passion, but they were unable to convert. The Lions, however, were able to score once more before the final whistle. The goal came as C. Hefferan Nordlund dribbled toward goal. Looking as if she might take the shot herself, Hefferan Nordlund instead laid the ball at the feet of a surging Luella Hilden. Hilden dribbled forward with confidence, and as the keeper veered left, Hilden fired the ball to the right corner of the net. The Lions were up 5-0, with just over a minute left on the clock. Hilden’s would be the final goal of the night.
In total, Lion Keeper Barbara Toth faced five shots but held the Vikings scoreless. Across 18 matches this season, Toth has registered 14 shutouts, and has kept a clean sheet for the past four games. Having secured their spot in the District 47 Finals, the Lions celebrated post-game with high fives and smiles. They also found support from Grant Tigers Girls Soccer. In a show of Newaygo County solidarity, the Tigers had made their way up M-37 to cheer on the Lions to victory, and following the game, the Tigers made a celebration tunnel for the Lions to pass through on their way to the sidelines.
Commenting on the win, Newaygo Coach Matt Painter said, “Getting a bye the first round of Districts can be both a blessing and a curse! On one hand, we had a week to rest up, but on the other, we fell out of ‘game shape’ a little! Tonight, we were a little rusty to start but slowly found ways to clean things up. Additionally, one of our starting backs was out due to sickness, which forced us to change up positions a bit. Once we adjusted, we began stringing passes together and worked the ball through their defense to find the net. It ended up being a pretty physical game also, and we came out of the game with two additional starters who got pretty banged up and had to leave the game. In the end, the girls certainly did what they needed to do to advance, giving themselves the chance at another District Championship on Friday night.” The Lions play next in the District 47 Championship match, which takes place at the Newaygo Colosseum (Newaygo Middle School) on Friday, June 2 at 5:00 PM. As the reigning district champions, the Lions would love to have the community there to support them as they attempt to defend their 2022 district title. Tickets for the match can be purchased at the GoFan website: https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10245?activity=Soccer  Sister power! Natalie Richardson hugs Luella Hilden in celebration of Hilden’s goal  Grant Tigers Soccer congratulates the Lions on the win
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