Zeeland boys lacrosse shuts down West Ottawa in tremendous turnaround season
ZEELAND - On back-to-back nights last season, the Zeeland boys lacrosse team lost to Holland Christian in overtime and by two goals to West Ottawa.
Both games were high-scoring and Zeeland struggled to slow other teams down.
After losing its top handful of players to graduation, Zeeland coach Cory Elzinga wasn't sure what to expect out of this year's young team.
But Zeeland has figured out how to win close games - and also how to shut teams down defensively.
Zeeland continued that statement with a 13-4 win over West Ottawa in the Purple Power game on Wednesday at Zeeland Stadium. Zeeland's defense and goalie Easton Beukema, allowed zero goals in the second half.
More: West Ottawa, Zeeland lacrosse come together for Purple Power
More: Harris Shook scores in double OT as Holland Christian lacrosse tops Zeeland
"Our guys come in and are ready to work and ready to listen. They are dialed in and have bought into the different things we have installed," Elzinga said. "We are right there with a lot of good teams. We battled hard and we have been a team that plays better in the second half. We continue to improve as the game goes on. I brought in Tucker Martinez from Hope College (as an assistant) who is very defensive minded. He notices certain adjustments and gets the guys dialed in with halftime adjustments, and we come out and play better in the second half every game."
It was the second win against local rivals this season after a convincing win over Holland Christian earlier in the season.
"We are having a lot more fun and playing as a team. We have really great chemistry together," Zeeland defender Matthias Buter said. "We still have plenty to work on but we are getting better. Winning these games makes us see how much further we can go. We have had a lot of people step up on this team. Everyone is doing their part and we want to go as far as we can."
Offensively, Zeeland has gotten a spark from freshman Niko Moungkhoun. He scored five goals on Wednesday. Justin Sanchez, Brecken Overweg and Brody Smeyers were also among the goal scorers, while Jacob Eckert dished out several assists.
Zeeland's next step is winning the close games. The team is 6-4 and the four losses have come by a combined seven goals.
"I think we are a team that can still surprise a lot of people," Elzinga said.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Zeeland lacrosse shuts down West Ottawa in turnaround season
