Reeths-Puffer's run for a district title came to a premature and gut-wrenching end Monday as the Rockets fell to Ludington in a penalty shootout, 2-1, in a semifinal match in Sparta.
The penalty shootout, which goes for five rounds, actually extended to 10 as neither side was able to break free from the other. Finally, the Orioles won the shootout in that 10th round.
Paco Garcia-Baquero scored the Rockets' only goal in the second half, evening the score and forcing overtime. The extra periods came and went without either team scoring. Ludington got on the board in the first half off a corner kick.
The Rockets ended the season with an 8-8-4 record. Most of the roster will return next season, so R-P will enter 2027 with high expectations.
