MICHIGAN GIRLS SOCCER: Defensive-minded Rockford defends OKC Red Division title with 6-0 win over Grandville
- Dan Stickradt
- 13 hours ago
- 2 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
ROCKFORD, Mich. – Sometimes defense really does win championships.
For two years, it’s been the recipe for success for Rockford’s girls soccer team.
The defensive-minded Rams, ranked third in the state in Division 1, continued their winning ways Tuesday night after topping visiting Grandville 6-0 in an Ottawa Kent Conference Red Division contest.
The victory’s significance? There are plenty.
Rockford clinched its second straight OKC Conference title against the Bulldogs, showing some offensive prowess while continuing to stifle the opposition with its stingy defense.
Rocked improved to 11-1-3 overall, including 8-0-1 in the six-team OKC-Red where the Rams have amassed 25 points with one game to spare. Rockford can wrap up an unbeaten conference slate Thursday with a road win or tie at Holland West Ottawa.
Freshman Eden Austin scored twice for Rockford, which is red-hot after dropping its first game of the season back on March 19 to Division 2 state-ranked Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (2-1). The Rams have only allowed four goals since the season opener.
Rockford has now outscored the opposition 40-6 this season – the Rams only conceded six goals all of last season and that included three district games – and have compiled 10 shutouts defensively this season. Last year, Rockford finished 12-1-5 overall, posted 13 clean sheets and outscored its opposition 41-6 with the sole loss coming in the district finals against Grand Haven (1-0, 4-3 PKS).
Defensively, Rockford’s back line and goalkeepers have allowed a 0.40 goals-against-average so far this season. The Rams surrendered four goals in the first three games and allowed just two goals in their last 12 contests.
Offensively, the Rams have averaged a modest 2.67 goals-per-game but they do enough to get the job done. Rockford has won four straight games, are 90-1 in its last 10 games and have posted an 11-0-3 record in its last 14 games following that season-opening defeat.
The pre-district rounds of the MHSAA state tournament take place from May 21-24, while the rest of district rounds continue after Memorial Day weekend. Rockford drew a first-round bye and will play in the postseason on May 29 at home in the district semifinals.
In terms of the regular season, the Rams have the upcoming games at Holland West Ottawa and close out at home May 21 against Division 2 top-ranked Hudsonville Unity Christian.
MICHIGAN SOCCER NEWS: https://www.nationalsoccernetwork.com/michigansoccernews
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
REPORTING SCORES
The National Soccer Network will compile daily roundups by state for high school soccer. Email results and all pertinent information to news@nationalsoccernetwork.com and dsickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com for publication consideration.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the National Soccer Network regarding club/youth soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with ties to a particular state or states, contact Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and news@nationalsoccernetwork.com, or call 248-525-2349.
PREMIER MEDIA GROUP / NATIONAL SOCCER NETWORK /
NATIONAL SOCCER NETWORK ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561215500230
— All Rights Reserved, Premier Media Group / National Soccer Network
