The varsity Boys Soccer team traveled to Hudsonville Unity Christian for a rare Friday afternoon match. Both teams entered the match hoping to use the match as a final tune-up before conference tournament play begins. 

The Crusader mounted the first attack of the match, but the Eagles quickly gained control of the ball and patiently started to break through the flanks of the Crusader defense. With pressure mounting in the attack, the Eagles were caught in a transition, failing to clear the ball on a restart and allowing a shot from the Crusaders that hit the inside of the post and into the Eagles Goal. With 60 minutes remaining the Eagles maintained their composure and continued to attack, but were unable to find the equalizer, leaving themsleves with a half-time deficit of 0-1. 

The second half was full of promise for the Eagles, but a defensive miscue resulted in another Crusader shot that round the upper corner of the Eagles net. Now facing a 0-2 deficit, the Eagles had to dig deep. As the half wore on, the Eagles found themselves in more and more dangerous positions, forcing some spectacular saves from the Crusader goalkeeper. With 5 minutes remaining, sophomore Gedion Nzabonimpa beat two defenders and curled a shot into the upper corner of the Crusaders goal to cut the deficit to 1. The Eagles pressed on, with the best opportunity coming on a shot from Jackson Mindling that took a deflection that almost fooled the Crusaders netminder, but quick reactions kept the ball outside of the net. The game ended in a 1-2 loss for the Eagles, their 4th loss of the season. 

The Eagles kick-off Conference Tournament play on Monday night (7:30 pm kickoff) against Northview at Eagle Stadium.