Another very entertaining match for the Bulldogs soccer team.

At the end of the first-half we were lucky to be down 1-0 as we were not matching Lakewood's intensity. It was a tough physical battle in Lakewood's favor and we needed to change our approach to the game in order to be competitive in the second half.

In the second-half the team immediately looked like they were ready for the challenge and began playing with more control on the ball. Immediately, the new focus paid dividends as Sr. Devon Reyes clawed us back level on the score sheet. The second goal came off of a free kick taken from wide of the 18-yard box. Reyes played a smooth ball to the top of the box and Sr. Will Paton chalked up the first goal of his high school career with a beautiful, assured first-touch shot that curled into the lower corner of the goal. That gave us the go ahead goal and that combined with the energy from the home crowd, seemed to shift us into another gear. Jr. Zane Sarka relentlessly ran at their defense all game long and was finally rewarded with a penalty after being felled in the box. With the score at 3-1, Reyes netted two more to complete his second hat-trick in two games. Newcomer, Jr ALex Barr pitche3d in with an assist.

Ionia displayed great character tonight in battling back to earn this win, together as a team . 

Next up: Away @ Ithaca, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m. 

Stats at a Glance
Ionia 5 - Lakewood 1
Shots: 13

Goals:
Devon Reyes 3
Zane Sarka 1
Will Paton 1

Assists:
Devon Reyes 1
Zane Sarka 2
Alex Barr 1

Kyle Jones - Gets the win in goal with 4 saves. 

Overall Record: 3-0-0
Conference Record: 0-0-0

Photo by Elizabeth Goeckel