Lions Roar Into Semis

Kallyn Moore on the dribble toward goal

Face Coyotes Wednesday in Round 2 of the Conference Tourney

Photos and story by Tara Hefferan

Newaygo 8 vs. Chippewa Hills 0
On Monday, May 15, Newaygo Lions Soccer won its CSAA Tournament Quarterfinals game 8-0 over the Chippewa Hills Warriors.  Playing at home, the Lions controlled possession from the opening whistle, denying the Warriors even a single shot during the match.  By contrast, the Lions fired off 18 shots in the first half, and 9 in the second half, which ended in a mercy win with 22:50 remaining on the clock.
 
Known for their technical skills and precision passing, the Lions got on the board early, after Connelly Hefferan Nordlund sent a crisp pass to Lynnea Briones.  Briones saw Grace Painter making a run toward goal and perfectly laid the ball off to her.  Driving forward, Painter then powered the ball to the left of the Chippewa Hills keeper.  The Lions were in the lead 1-0 with 34:56 left in the first half.

Luella Hilden keeps possession of the ball

The next goal came at 25:17, when Hefferan Nordlund slipped a pass to Painter.  Painter shot to the right of the keeper, who this time was able to get a hand on the ball.  However, given its pace, the ball rolled over the keeper’s fingers and into the net, putting the Lions at 2-0. 
 Newaygo then had a flurry of goals, putting five shots in net in the space of four minutes.  The scoring bonanza began with McCaiden Rienstra, who with 22:41 minutes on the clock, received a Hefferan Nordlund pass.  In the center of the box and facing the keeper, Rienstra made a controlled shot into the left corner, out of the keeper’s reach.  This brought the Lions to 3-0.
 Shortly after, Hefferan Nordlund passed to Painter, who was surging on the right side of the box.  Painter crossed the ball to Rienstra, who was steps in front of the goal.  Rienstra powered the ball into the back of the net, deflecting it off a Warriors defender.  The Lions were up 4-0 with 20:34 minutes remaining.

Yuri Kasugai takes on the Chippewa Hills defender

Lynnea Briones passes the ball forward

As the Lions continued their offensive assault, Briones maneuvered the ball up the left side of the field, sending it forward to Landry Hefferan Nordlund.  L. Hefferan Nordlund made a short pass to her sister, C. Hefferan Nordlund, who then beat the defender to put the ball into the right side of the net.  The Lions had a 5-0 lead at 19:40. 
 At 18:49, C. Hefferan Nordlund put a ball forward to Painter.  Painter quickly buried it, bringing the Lions to 6-0.
 The final goal of the first half came with 9:36 remaining.  Taking a corner kick on the right side, Painter dropped a beautiful ball into the box.  As the ball descended, C. Hefferan Nordlund sprinted to the back post, pouncing for a header goal into the lower left corner.  This brought the Lions to 7-0.

Rachel Larsen stops the attack from advancing

Analeigha Bates watches for the moment to make a run

After the half, the Lions reconfigured their line-up, sending several players forward to hunt for the next goal.  In the second half, Maddie Couch fired off five shots, Analeigha Bates put forward one, and Yuri Kasugi took two shots.  However, the game winning mercy goal came with 22:50 minutes left the clock.  As the Lions circulated the ball around the defense and midfield, Painter found space to send a ball forward to C. Hefferan Nordlund.  With Aaliyah Hernandez crashing toward goal, Hefferan Nordlund put ahead a pass.  Hernandez received the ball to the left center of the net, and making a move to beat the defender, fired off a shot into the back of the net, just to the right of the keeper.  This brought the Lions to 8-0 and cemented the mercy win.  Commenting on her first career goal, Hernandez said, “I’m so proud of myself!  And, I can’t thank my teammates enough for setting up the perfect opportunity for me.”

Aaliyah Hernandez celebrates her first career goal

All the Lions saw quality minutes in Monday’s game.  While Lion Keeper Barbara Toth faced no shots, she was ready to spring at the slightest hint of danger.  Meanwhile, the defensive line of Sofia Briggs, Maddie Couch, Natalie Richardson, and Rachel Larsen worked well with the midfield to ensure that only one ball ever made its way back to Toth. 
 Said Lions Coach Matt Painter “After winning the conference title Friday night, we came out ready to make a run at the conference tournament trophy.  As the game progressed, I liked how our starters worked to pass the ball up to a couple of our players who had never scored. They were finally successful in helping one of our sophomores net her first career goal.  We will now get ready for Reed City on Wednesday!”
 The CSAA Tournament continues on Wednesday, May 17 when the Lions play a semifinals match against Reed City.  The game will take place at 4:30 at the Lions Colosseum, also known as the Newaygo Middle School soccer field. 

Josie Hilden sends a long ball up field

The Lions head to the sidelines to thank their fans