HART – Ludington’s girls soccer team is undefeated at the top of the West Michigan Conference (WMC) for a reason. Hart learned that quickly as the Orioles bested them in a 7-0 affair Monday, May 12.
Ludington owns a highly skilled and experienced roster, but Hart Head Coach Joe Gilbert was just as disappointed with his own team’s performance as he was impressed with the Orioles’.
“We got the better of ourselves more than anything,” Gilbert said. “(Ludington) was running off the ball and we just weren’t sticking with the runners or tracking our marks. We just let them go. It’s that little bit of extra effort and doing the small things that we just didn’t execute tonight. Give it up to Ludington though. If they play like that against every team, might as well give them the (WMC) title.”
The Orioles were on a heater from the jump, cutting through Hart’s midfield and defense with ease. Before ten minutes had passed from the opening whistle, Ludington owned a 2-0 lead.
Ludington added another three goals before the first half came to a close, burying Hart in a 5-0 hole that seemed insurmountable against the league’s best team.
“It’s a long season and we’ve had three games a week for a lot of the time,” Gilbert said. “We’re a little tired, but that shouldn’t be an excuse for tonight. We’ve got to come into every game and know that if we want to compete at the top of the conference, (the effort in a 3-1 upset over Fremont) is what we need every game.”
A hot and sunny day did nothing to help Hart, as they were visibly tired in the second half. The physical toil of the game was matched with a defeated aura surrounding the team. Still, the Pirates managed to keep Ludington at bay in the second half, only allowing two more goals to be scored before the end of regulation.
Since the loss to Ludington, the Pirates added one final win to their conference total with a 10-2 defeat of Orchard View Wednesday, May 14. Hart now stands at 9-5-3 overall, with a 6-3-1 finish in the WMC. That’ll likely spell a fifth place finish for the Pirates.
Hart has two more non-conference games to finish the regular season as they hit the road on Friday, May 16 to take on McBain Northern Michigan Christian before heading to Lakeview Monday, May 19.
“McBain graduated some of their top girls, but they’re not going to be a pushover at all,” Gilbert said. “That’s one we should be looking to win. Then we’ve got Lakeview who is looking good. We want to take it to them and set the tone for districts.”
Hart will start district tournament play Wednesday, May 21 when they host Chippewa Hills whom they defeated once this season already (Hart won 7-0 Thursday, April 17).
