Each year we worry about hosting a tournament so close to the beginning of spring, but every time the weather has cooperated beautifully.  This past weekend was no different. Saturday was bright and sunny, and the field dried out and was a perfect venue for the JV tournament this weekend.

Allendale opened against Allegan in the first game of the tournament.  The Falcons began the game with a strong formation and resolute defending.  Allegan had several opportunities that were all turned away by the Defense, led by Freshman Rehema Sango and Reese Buhlman.  Late in the first half, the Falcons turned another defensive stop into a stunning counter attack, as Reagan Buhlman took the ball down the touchline and served a bouncing cross into Allegan's 18 yard box.  Brooklyn Grifhorst redirected the cross onto the foot onto the foot of Brielle Joslyn, who slotted the ball into the back of the net to put the Falcons ahead 1-0.  In the second half, the Falcons played with only 10 players, against Allegan's 11, due to injury yet held on to win the game 1-0, earning the full 3 points from game one.

In the second game, Greenville def. Allegan 2-1 to set up the tournament championship between Allendale and Greenville in the third and final game.

Again due to injury, the Falcons entered the final game down players.  This game, Allendale played with 9 of 11 players on the field.  The first half, goalkeeper Hadley Detter shut down the attack yet again, holding Greenville to 4 shots on goal, and a goal-less draw at the half.  Allendale lacked quality opportunities in the first half, and resolved to alter the formation to attack more successfully in the second half.  With about 15 minutes gone, Greenville found the back of the net on a breakaway goal.  The Falcons responded in force however, and 4 minutes later, Rehema Sango cut through the defense, and fed the ball across the goal mouth, where it was deflected by the goalkeeper towards the waiting Brooklyn Grifhorst who slid it past the scrambling keeper.  Sango was injured on the play, and needed to come off for evaluation, leaving the Falcons with 8 players against Greenville's 11 tied at 1.  Greenville scored again while Allendale was down to 8 players, but Rehema Sango subbed back on following their goal.  Within one minute, Lauren Butterfield flicked the ball to a streaking Sango, who took the goalkeeper on 1v1, drawing her off the goalline, and chipping the ball into the far side netting.  The Falcons tied the game 2-2 with 4 minutes remaining in the game.  The game would end in a 2-2 Draw.

The Falcons were named the tournament winners based on the tie-breaker criteria of goals allowed.  While both Greenville and Allendale had 1 win, and 1 draw apiece, Allendale only allowed 2 goals against, while Greenville allowed 3.  Allendale has now won the JV tournamnt two concecutive seasons.

The Falcons take on the River Rats of Black River High School on Tuesday at 4pm before heading into a much needed spring break the following week.