Lakers avenge last year's loss, claim district soccer title

The returning members of the Spring Lake varsity girls soccer team never really managed to get over last year's crushing upset loss to Fruitport in the opening round of the Division 2 district tournament. Saturday's 3-0 victory over those same Trojans in the district championship game finally gave the Lakers a bit of closure. The Lakers advance to Tuesday's Division 2 regional semifinals against Cedar Springs at Cedar Springs.

Matt DeYoung

Jun 6, 2011

"I'm thrilled. We needed this to come back form last year," said Lakers' junior Morgan Gagnon, who was a sophomore on the Lakers' team that lost to the Trojans last spring. Her sister, Lauren, was a senior on last year's team, which was undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the state before losing to to the Trojans in the district opener.

"Last year was absolutely devastating," Gagnon said. "My sister and I would look at each other and just start crying. That went on for months; actually, still to this day."

After Saturday's commanding win, Gagnon and the Lakers can hold their heads high.

Leeann Latsch scored the Lakers' first goal on a free kick from just outside the Trojans' penalty box.

Katie Smith stole a throw-in and scored past Trojans' goalie Lindsay Armstrong for a 2-0 halftime lead.

Gagnon scored the back-breaker midway through the second half as she intercepted a Trojans' clearing attempt and pounded a shot into the open net for a 3-0 lead.