HOLLAND - In one of the most thrilling games in the history of West Michigan's biggest soccer rivalry, Holland came back from two different two-goal leads to earn a share of a conference title.
The Dutch rallied to beat Holland Christian 5-4 on Monday night in the regular-season finale, earning a share of the OK Black Conference title with Hudsonville Unity Christian.
"Holland Christian played extremely well and put us under pressure throughout the game, and it was up to us to respond. I am happy to say the guys were up to the task and were able to step in front at the very end of a very exciting match," Holland coach Greg Ceithaml said. "The guys showed a lot of heart and that is what you need this time if year. Their resilience was incredible.
"First year in this conference with so many good teams, to come out with a trophy is a testament to the dedication and teamwork of the guys."
More: Holland Sentinel high school athlete of the week
More: Holland soccer uses 'lethal' finish to shut out Holland Christian; goal is state title
More: Fennville soccer claims third consecutive SAC division title
The Division 2 district tournament begins Thursday. Holland hosts Zeeland East and Holland Christian hosts Zeeland West.
This rivalry was a good preparation for both teams, but it wasn't a typical battle.
The Holland-Holland Christian games are always close but generally low scoring. The first matchup of the year Holland won 3-1.
Not this time.
The game-winner
Holland's Odis Fickel found the ball on his foot in the box and made a move.
He made a nother quick move and the ball made it through some traffic in front of the goal and found the back of the net, putting Holland up 5-4 with 7:54 to go.
"We never put our heads down, we just gave everything," Fickel said. "The ball just fell to me, I took a touch and hit it as hard as I could. When I saw it hit the back of the net, I lost my mind. It felt so good."
It was Holland's first lead of the game - and it was the difference between a conference title and a runner-up finish.
"It was really exciting, expecially knowing it was against our crosstown rivals and for a conference championship - having to come back twice from two goals down to get the win just feels amazing," Fickel said. "Getting momentum just pushed us to have the passion to keep fighting."
The second two-goal lead
Max Apotheker put the Maroons up 3-2 with a nice move in the box on a pass from Reuben Plaggemars.
Liam Shook added a goal for the Maroons for their second two-goal lead of the night with 11:18 remaining in the game.
But just 26 seconds later, Odis Fickel found the back of the net for Holland to cut the lead to 4-3.
Then two minues later, Josiah VanHekken took the ball near the goal line right of the net and quickly curled a centering pass back into the box that found the foot of Ali Sakhi Zada, who scored to tie the game 4-4.
The first two-goal lead
Holland Christian (11-4-2) was on the board first after a header became an own goal against Holland. David Pierce then found the back of the net to put the Maroons up 2-0.
But less than a minute after the second goal, Holland's Odis Fickel made a nice move and rocketed a shot that went off a defender and scored. Fickel scored again on a fast break, beating the goalie to the net.
"We are playing some of our best soccer of the year. Tonight, honestly, I was quite disappointed. I thought we had too many mental lapses, and those are the things that can cost you a game. When you go up two goals two different points you have to close it out," Holland Christian coach Dave DeBoer said. "It was a mental check out and we need to get better at that. They put those opportunities away.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSport s.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland soccer rallies twice to edge Holland Christian, claim OK Black title share
Local News
Comments / 0