FRUITPORT – Just how much better can an undefeated team get?

Well, the first time the Fruitport soccer team tangled with Godwin Heights this season, the field was soaked, the play was physical, and the Trojans had to rally to claim a narrow one-goal victory.

On Thursday the teams met again in the semifinal round of the O-K Silver conference tournament, and Fruitport walked away with a resounding 9-2 win.

The victory clinched the overall O-K Sliver championship for the Trojans. It’s their first conference title since 2017, when Fruitport competed in the O-K Black.

Isaac VanderMolen led the Fruitport scoring blitz with three goals while Carter Gregor added two.

“It’s about the boys, we’re really proud of them,” said Fruitport Coach Dan Hazekamp=, whose team is now 15-0-1 overall and 9-0 in conference play. “It’s a great accomplishment for us. This is a great soccer conference. To be able to put together a solid effort tonight against a really good Godwin Heights team, I hope was a sign that we’re peaking at the right time.

“We talk about getting better throughout the season – not just finding ways to win, but improving our play. To be able to come out tonight and have these guys find the net in different ways really excited me about our potential as we enter the home stretch of the season.”

The Trojans still have one goal remaining in the regular season, and they can accomplish that on Monday when they host Calvin Christian in the conference tournament championship game.

After that it will be off to the Division 2 districts, which the Trojans hope will be the first step in a long run through the state tournament.

Fruitport reached the state quarterfinals last year before being eliminated.

“It’s a good opportunity for us to prepare for district play, and close this out on the right foot,” Hazekamp said about Monday’s conference title game. “The tournament championship means something to us, as well, and we don’t want to limp into districts with our play in decline. We want to continue to push and grow.”

Fruitport’s Grade Anspach opened the scoring with a goal about five minutes into the game, and the Trojans never looked back.

Gregor added a goal a few minutes later, followed by Nathaniel Cribley-Cotto and VanderMolen, and the Trojans led 4-1 at halftime.

“It’s definitely big, the best first half we have put together all year,” VanderMolen said.  “We came out and showed them who we are.”

VanderMolen collected his second goal about two minutes into the second half. Jorge Burgos-Yack followed with a tally, then Ryder Merkins, VanderMolen and Gregor put the finishing touches on the scoresheet.

Burgos-Yack had three assists in the victory. Fruitport goalie Logan Werschem stopped eight shots.

“We had been working to put it all together, and tonight was a great example of what we can do if it’s all clicking,” Hazekamp said. “All 24 guys played a critical role. We have a lot of guys whose names won’t show up on the scoresheet but played gritty and helped set the tone. We will look to continue to build on this great effort.”