Game-winning penalty kick headlines Muskegon-area soccer roundup for May 24

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MUSKEGON – It doesn’t get more dramatic than a game-winning goal in the final minute of a soccer match.

Whitehall’s Ava Garcia got an opportunity to deliver in a pressure-packed moment on Wednesday as she lined up for a penalty kick with her team deadlocked with Grant at 3-3 in the opening round of the Division 3 district tournament.

Garcia converted in the clutch for the Vikings to give her squad a 4-3 lead with 19 seconds remaining in the match and ultimately hang on for the dramatic victory. Garcia finished the match with two goals, while Ashley TenBrink and Abbey Beerman each added one goal.

Whitehall advances to face host Newaygo in next Wednesday’s district semifinals at 5 p.m.

Grant finishes the season with a 6-11-2 record.

Below is a look at all the Muskegon-area girls soccer action from the opening round of the district tournament on Wednesday, May 24.

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Mona Shores 2, Grand Haven 0

Ava Freye netted two goals for the Sailors off assists from teammates Lilly Houle and Shay Norden to provide Mona Shores with all the offense it needed to get past the Buccaneers.

Jersey VanderWall made two saves in net to secure her 11th shutout of the season thanks to the defensive pressure of teammates Lauren Hylland, Ella Kinney, Maya Cooper and Ali Phillips.

The Sailors (13-4-1) will face No. 4 Hudsonville (14-2-2) in the district semifinals on Wednesday, May 31, at 5 p.m. from Grand Haven High School.

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Reeths-Puffer 5, Fremont 0

Sophia Hekkema and Billie Tryska each netted two goals to power the Rockets’ attack, while Malori Messer added one goal.

Ava Klopp registered two saves to secure the shutout win in net.

Hallie Snyder made 11 saves for Fremont, as the Packers were outshot 16-2 by the Sailors over the course of the game.

Reeths-Puffer (12-5-3) wil face the winner of Ludington- Muskegon in the district semifinals on Tuesday, May 30 at 7 p.m. from Fruitport High School.

Fremont closes out the season with a 14-5-1 record.

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Shelby 4, Lakeview 1

America Cruz scored twice in the second half to lead the Tigers, while Kendal Zaverl and Kylie Brown each added one goal and Hannah Frees and Alyse Erickson each added one assist.

Shelby (10-9-1) advances to play the winner of Brethren and Buckley in the district semifinals on Tuesday, May 30, at 6:30 p.m. from Brethren High School.

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Western Michigan Christian 5, Muskegon Catholic Central 0

Brooklyn Watts registered a hat trick to lead the Warriors, while Ally Oppenhuizen added one goal and one assist, Marie Eenigenburg had two assists and Bri Zuidema had one goal.

Elaina Clapp stopped all five shots faced to secure the shutout in net.

“I thought we played really well in some moments, linked passes really well, moved for each other really well, and had good energy,” said Western Michigan Christian coach Jared McFarland. “Brooklyn played really well for us up top. She has been finishing the ball really well lately. Maria was instrumental at midfield for us tonight, found great passes and helped keep the ball when we needed to and Kaiya Betten was relentless on the right wing, confidently running at the backline, and creating loads of chances for us.”

Western Michigan Christian advances to face Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian (9-6-4) on Tuesday, May 30, at 5:30 p.m. from Fred Jacka Field in North Muskegon.

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UPDATED DISTRICT SOCCER SCHEDULE

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DIVISION 1

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District 1 at Grand Haven

OPENING ROUND

Wednesday, May 24

Mona Shores 2, Grand Haven 0

Grandville 3, Jenison 0

SEMIFINALS

Tuesday, May 30

Mona Shores vs. Hudsonville, 5 p.m.

Grandville vs. West Ottawa, 7 p.m.

FINALS

Thursday, June 1

Semifinal winners, 6 p.m.

*Winner advances to regional 1 at Byron Center on June 6

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DIVISION 2

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District 31 at Fruitport

OPENING ROUND

Wednesday, May 24

Reeths-Puffer 5, Fremont 0

Thursday, May 25

Ludington vs. Muskegon, 5 p.m.

Fruitport vs. Coopersville, 7 p.m.

SEMIFINALS

Tuesday, May 30

Fruitport/Coopersville vs. Spring Lake, 5 p.m.

Reeths-Puffer vs. Ludington/Muskegon, 7 p.m.

FINALS

Thursday, June 1

Semifinal winners, 7 p.m.

*Winner advances to regional 8 at Cedar Springs on June 6

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DIVISION 3

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District 35 at Comstock Park

OPENING ROUND

Wednesday, May 24

Grand Rapids Catholic Central 8, Kent City 0

Comstock Park 8, Wyoming Lee 2

Friday, May 26

Oakridge vs. Orchard View, 5 p.m.

SEMIFINALS

Tuesday, May 30

GR Catholic Central vs. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 5 p.m.

Comstock Park vs. Oakridge/Orchard View, 7 p.m.

FINALS

Thursday, June 1

Semifinal winners, 6 p.m.

*Winner advances to regional 9 at Holland Christian on June 6

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District 47 at Newaygo

OPENING ROUND

Wednesday, May 24

Whitehall 4, Grant 3

Friday, May 26

Manistee vs. Hart, 5 p.m.

SEMIFINALS

Wednesday, May 31

Whitehall vs. Newaygo, 5 p.m.

Manistee/Hart vs. Montague, 5 p.m.

FINALS

Friday, June 2

Semifinal winners, 5 p.m.

*Winner advances to regional 12 at Clare on June 6

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DIVISION 4

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District 61 at North Muskegon

OPENING ROUND

Wednesday, May 24

Western Michigan Christian 5, Muskegon Catholic Central 0

Thursday, May 25

Grand Rapids Wellspring Prep vs. Ravenna, 5 p.m.

SEMIFINALS

Tuesday, May 30

Western Michigan Christian vs. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 5 p.m.

Wellspring Prep/Ravenna vs. North Muskegon, 6:45 p.m.

FINALS

Thursday, June 1

Semifinal winners, 6 p.m.

*Winner advances to regional 16 at Big Rapids on June 7

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District 62 at Brethren

OPENING ROUND

Wednesday, May 24

Big Rapids Crossroads Academy 6, Benzie Central 0

Shelby 4, Lakeview 1

Friday, May 26

Brethren vs. Buckley, 1:30 p.m.

SEMIFINALS

Tuesday, May 30

Crossroads Academy vs. McBain Northern Michigan Christian, 4:30 p.m.

Shelby vs. Brethren/Buckley, 6:30 p.m.

FINALS

Thursday, June 1

Semifinal winners, 5 p.m.

*Winner advances to regional 16 at Big Rapids on June 7

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