After a hard-fought 2-0 win over Cedar Springs, the girls JV soccer team moved its attention to another formidable opponent, this time being the Lowell Red Arrows. After two competitive games between the teams last year, this go-around looked like it would be a good one as well. That it was, as the Rangers went on to win by a narrow 2-1 scoreline.

The first half was the more exciting of the two halves, as both of the FHC goals came in the first. The Rangers came out with high intensity, and they were picking apart the Lowell defense with their high pressure.

After twenty minutes of dominance in the midfield, sophomore Ashley Bowen started things off on the scorecard. Via a cross from sophomore Mia Rabideau, Ashley finished the ball off into the back of the net with a tap in, giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead. Some ten minutes later, another sophomore, this time Addi Whitten, scored to double the Rangers’ lead. After beating her defender on the flank, Addi cut in and finished the play with a beautiful goal. At the half, FHC led by 2-0 and looked like it was going to run away with the game.

In the second half, the Rangers looked flat-footed. They gave up costly turnovers in the middle, couldn’t hit their shots on target, and got away from the intensity they played with in the first half. Even with the turnovers, the Ranger defense remained strong, holding the Red Arrows to a shutout until there were five minutes left in the game. After Lowell brought the game within a goal, nerves were high for FHC. However, the ladies closed the game out and secured a much-needed conference victory.

After the 2-1 win, the Rangers’ record improves to 7-0-1 with a 4-0 record in conference play as they sit atop the standings. Their next game is a rivalry game against East Grand Rapids that will be the only matchup of the season between the two teams.