By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
SCHOOLCRAFT—If you mention the name Cecelia Atkins to players and coaches from the Schoolcraft girls soccer team, there’s a good chance they might break into a cold sweat.
And for good reason.
Atkins, a Saugatuck sophomore, scored a career-best five goals in a SAC non-divisional matchup with Schoolcraft on Monday, May 20, leading the Trailblazers to the 7-2 victory.
Fellow sophomore Neave Rewa accounted for the other two goals for Saugatuck, which improved to 11-3-3. It was the second straight victory for the Trailblazers following a 3-0 defeat to Allegan on Wednesday, May 15, to snap what had been an 11-game unbeaten streak.
“(Atkins) just exploded offensively for us tonight,” first-year Saugatuck coach Jim Theis said.
The Trailblazers led 2-1 at halftime before erupting for five second-half goals.
Junior Kennedy Gustafson made 10 saves in goal for the win.
Atkins also scored multiple goals in Saugatuck’s 8-0 home win over Bridgman on Thursday, May 16, finding the back of the net twice. The game was stopped early due to the mercy rule.
Six other Saugatuck players—Rewa, Gustafson, Ava Tringali, Sage Larsen, Alina Martinson and Avery Smith—each scored once in what was a balanced offensive attack.
Atkins, Rewa, Tringali and Martinson added one assist each, while Charlotte Gardner contributed two assists to the victory.
Gustafson (25 minutes) and Virginia Cernugel (30 minutes) shared time in goal and combined for one save to collect the shutout.
In the loss to Allegan, Saugatuck mustered eight shots. Rewa accounted for five of those, with Martinson credited with the other three.
Gustafson made 12 saves.
Saturday, July 27, 2024
