By Greg Gielczyk
LocalSportsJournal.com
LUDINGTON — Its four-game winning streak was snapped with a 0-0 tie against Cedar Springs in the morning Saturday, but Ludington’s soccer team rebounded in the afternoon to roll past Manitowac, Wisc. Lincoln High School, 8-0 to finish 2-0-1 in the Carferry Cup at Oriole Field.
Manitowac had to play back-to-back games, having faced Cedar Springs after the Orioles contest, while Ludington was able to rest in between games.
Already down a few players when it came across the lake on the car ferry, Manitowac had its numbers further reduced when a couple of players were injured in the Cedar Springs game.
Ludington just kind of capitalized on the situation, as all good teams should, and dominated the game from the start, taking a 7-0 halftime lead.
“We created some good scoring chances, and capitalized on them as well,” said Ludington head coach Kris Anderson. “We had gained some confidence about how well we played against Cedar Springs.
“So, we kind of put those things together, and kept building on the momentum that we’re starting to create right now on the season.”
For the third straight game Ludington had a player record a hat trick, as Parker Wendt tallied three goals to lead the Orioles rout.
Also scoring single goals were Steven Stidham, Nate Wagner, Lucas Peterson, Reinhold Heinrich and Yebe Boerema.
Spencer Holmes was the major facilitator, contributing three assists. Peterson added one, as did Aiden Malburg.
Three different players have scored three goals in a game for the Orioles.
“It’s quite an accomplishment, and just shows how we have a lot of people that at any point in time can step up big and score for us,” Anderson said.
Ludington held Cedar Springs to just three shots on goal, but the Orioles could manage only two themselves in a very even matchup which Anderson expected.
Anderson said it was really a battle in the midfield.
“It was who was going to create the most dangerous opportunity, and capitalize on it,” the Orioles coach said. “It just went back-and-forth.
“Each team had some good scoring opportunities, but nobody seemed to be able to capitalize. It was a good indication of the level we can play at.
“Cedar Springs also plays very well. It will be kind of helpful to build on moving forward.”
Ludington is now 5-0-1 for the season and will begin competition in the West Michigan Conference on Monday when the Orioles play host to Hart at 6:45 pm in the first of three games in three days.