Saugatuck Soccer Achieves Historic Regional Victory with Last-Minute Corner Kick

FENNVILLE - In a thrilling finish, Neave Rewa sprinted toward the corner flag, oblivious to her teammate as the clock ticked down. With just 10 seconds left in the match, she collided with her teammate but quickly regained her focus, placing the ball for a corner kick aimed at the goal.

The ball ricocheted among several players before Jordan Sanders found the net, scoring her second goal of the game and securing a decisive 5-1 victory against St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran in the Division 4 regional semifinals on Tuesday, June 2, at Fennville High School. This win marks the first regional victory in Saugatuck's history for both boys and girls soccer.

Rewa expressed her excitement, stating, "It means so, so much. To be the first team in Saugatuck history, boys or girls, to win a regional game is just huge." The pivotal moment came from her corner kick in the dying seconds of the first half, which she described as "chaotic." She recognized the team's strength in heading and finishing and aimed to capitalize on the opportunity.

Sanders shared her perspective on the goal, saying, "I was anxious to get in there and get that cross from Neave. It was stressful. It just went through right to me and I went ahead and scored. This means a lot. Saugatuck soccer is a big deal." The Trailblazers will take on Kalamazoo Christian at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, in the next round.

Saugatuck’s coach, Neal Phillips, emphasized the significance of the win, noting, "This was huge for us. We have never won a regional game, so that is where our sights have been. I am just so proud of these girls." The team initially took the lead when Audrey Rodewald scored from a rebound off a corner kick less than five minutes into the match.

Despite a brief equalizer from Michigan Lutheran’s Katie Dailey, who scored on a rebound after a penalty shot, Sanders quickly restored the lead before halftime. Rewa and Ryann Monroe later added goals to seal the match at 5-1. Phillips praised the whole team's effort, stating, "We don't want to rest here," highlighting the collective contributions rather than relying solely on individual talent.

As the Trailblazers advance, they are determined to continue their momentum and avoid the tension of shootouts, which they faced in previous matches.