WMC: 4 Whitehall: 0

The warriors traveled 20 miles north to play the vikings of Whitehall for a non-league matchup. Both teams would face one another in misty, cooler conditions for the contest. 

Sadly, as the warriors were conducting their pre-game routine, senior Chloe Nadeau was injured. This would be unfortunate for the warriors as Chloe has been a driving force for their defensive line all season. However, Emily Matz (Jr.) was able to step in and fill those shoes just minutes before the game began. 

The first 15 minutes would result in WMC looking to solve the peculiar deep back-line of the vikings. It caused some concern at first, however, the warriors were able to find opportunities to break it down eventually. The first goal for the warriors would come at 22:35 in the first half when Maria Eenigenburg (Fr.) would find Brooklyn Watts (So.). Watts would then find Ally Oppenhuizen (Jr.) to place a shot past the keeper. 

Seconds later, Whitehall pushed all-star senior, Maggie Evans, up in midfield to do what she does best, be a scoring threat to any opposition. She would take on a few of WMC's players and send a shot towards Libby Mast (Sr.), however, she was able to make the save. WMC would counter and find some more attacking opportunities at the vikings' goal. Both Brooklyn Watts, Maria Eenigenburg, and Hallie Lindale would look to create moments, but couldn't get them to fall. Eventually, Kaiya Betten (So.) would find her sister, Sydney Betten (Sr.), for the second goal of the game with just under 13 minutes left. It would take just 5 more minutes for the warriors to secure a third goal from 45 yards out. Brooklyn Watts would fire a shot towards the keeper who bobbled it into the net. This would put WMC up 3 to 0 going into the half. 

As the second half was underway, WMC would find some early opportunities around the goal, creating some corners from forced defensive clearances. These opportunities would come from our midfielders controlling the tempo of the game and being able to combine to keep possession and utilize the space the deep back-line was creating. 

However, WMC wasn't in the clear, either. Evans would find herself back as a forward in hopes to find some equalizing goals. Maggie would create an opportunity for herself, however, Nadia Burr (So.) would defend her beautifully to force a shot at Mast for an easy handle. A few more opportunities came for the vikings as a ball skipped past a warrior defender and it was a 1v1 with the keeper. Libby Mast would come out to cut down her angle, however, after the ball was shot off frame- the two collided and a penalty kick was awarded. Fortunately, the vikings defender would strike it too high to hit the second bar and cause it to be out of play. 

For the rest of the game, WMC dominated possession and would create more attacking moments. The last goal for the team would come with just under 7 minutes left in the contest when a cross was sent through the box and 4 warriors were there to see it home. Brooklyn Watts (So.) would be awarded with this goal, which gives her a brace for the night and 1 assist. 

This was a great showing for the warriors against a good cross-town team. Coach Pekel had this to say about the result, "We still aren't having complete games, however, tonight showed us being smarter in possession and working together to create more chances- it was great to see us start to finish those chances. However, I do know that Whitehall had some key players not at their best, but I am still proud of how our girls showed up and put this game away for us- we wanted it and it showed." 

The warriors will face Black River on Monday for their last regular season game. Then, they will have a week to prepare for Districts at Warrior Stadium. The warriors are slotted to have a "bye" their first round and play the winner of Kent City vs Muskegon Catholic Central on June 1st for quarterfinals.