SPRING LAKE — For the young and talented Fruitport girls soccer team, going against defending Division 2 state champion and rival Spring Lake was an early test and a tall task.

An injury to the Trojans’ starting goalie made it even taller.

But overall, the Trojans stood their ground. Fruitport, which starts five promising freshmen, played strong defense and kept Spring Lake off the scoreboard in the first half before falling 2-0 to the defending champs.

“Overall, there are some positive things to build on,” said Fruitport head coach Kyle Hall. “A little more composure through the middle and I think we’re fine. They found a way to exploit the width there on us on the outside in the second half. There’s adjustments to be made.”

Hall said having a young team play a competitive game against a high-level program was a great learning experience.

“We come in every game, this game included, going for the win,” he said. “But there’s always something to be learned there. It’s a loss. Are you ever happy with that result? No, but going forward, there’s plenty to build on there. Especially with a young group.”

Fruitport’s starting goalie, Ava Powell, injured her ankle in practice on Monday, Hall said. She’s expected to be out at least a couple of weeks.

In her place, senior McKenzie Beardsley tended goal for the first time in her career and made six saves in the net.

“Tonight was her first night in goal and she made some great saves there,” Hall said. “She kept us in it.”

Spring Lake controlled possession throughout the game, limiting scoring chances for Fruitport. The Lakers had eight shots on net, while Fruitport had none, and had a 7-0 edge in corner kicks.

The first goal of the game came with 32:36 left in the second half when Spring Lake’s Aveya Patino found the net off an assist from fellow sophomore Baylee Andree. Patino scored again, off another assist from Andree, with 24:16 left in the game.

Fruitport is now 1-1 on the season. The Trojans will face Western Michigan Christian on Thursday, then Mona Shores next Tuesday, before having two weeks off from game action for spring break.

“It’s a little bit of a gauntlet there with a couple of state-ranked teams,” Hall said. “But that’s what we want and that’s what we need. We’ll be ready come district time and hopefully we’ll see (Spring Lake) again.”