Kingsford’s Marcus Michaud, left, challenges Lakeland’s Luci Boyer for the ball on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, at Commemorative Field in Kingsford, Mich. (Adam Niemi/Iron Mountain Daily News)

KINGSFORD — A save by Ethan Gribble on a penalty kick ignited Kingsford in a 4-2 win over Lakeland on Tuesday.

Gribble’s save with about 10 minutes to go came with the Flivvers down 2-1. His save, a diving one-handed stop on a low shot by Brandon Boh immediately riled teammates, who gained confidence and more ball possession to start a three-goal rally for the win.

It was a rally that helped spark the Flivvers coming off a 2-0 loss to Iron Mountain on Monday.

“We played our game more than we played last night. We moved the ball up, we were physical,” Kingsford head coach Jeff Gordon said. “Our forwards didn’t get the ball up very much. Our mids just didn’t get the ball up for a while. They were struggling. Then we got our first goal score. Really didn’t pump up until Ethan Gribble had that awesome save on that PK. When he jumped on that, he raised the whole team. Everybody fired up.”

Kingsford and Lakeland traded goals before the Flivvers fell to a 2-1 deficit. The Flivvers’ offense was largely quiet, with few chances inside the final third until Gribble’s save.

“That’s what it takes for a momentum swing. That great save he had swung the momentum,” Gordon said. “The light clicked and our defense picked up. Our midfields played very well. As soon as that went on, they controlled the ball very well in the center of the field. They pitched it up for our forwards to score — a heck of a game.”

As for what exactly the Flivvers did better after Gribble’s save, Gordon said the team found and utilized more passing options, which made them more creative with scoring chances.

“It was teamwork. They actually used their peripheral vision. We just don’t do that all the time,” Gordon said. “After the great save, they used their peripheral vision and saw who was there. And they played as a team. That’s exactly what they need to do. Fantastic passes. Brennan (Phillips) had a great pass over to Kobe (Gordon) for that goal. Bryce (Quick) went right for the defense, kicked a nice shot over to Kobe. Very nice shot. He used his vision — a young guy in his first year playing a higher level of soccer. He’s getting faster and he’s playing very well.”

Kobe tied the game at 14:24 on a pass from Phillips.

With about seven minutes left — not long after Gribble’s save — the Flivvers took the lead with another goal by Gordon coming off a pass from Quick. Gordon juked a defender to create space and got off a quick shot.

Ben Backlund added the fourth goal nearly a minute later. He picked up a through ball from Gordon and battled a defender near the goal and knocked the ball into the net.

Kingsford nearly added another score when a shot by Backlund was stopped on a dive.

“We came out strong and we were possessing I would say in the first half,” said Lakeland co-head coach Stephanie Hartzheim. “Second half, they took the lead and were taking control of the game. They were smarter at better passes and they capitalized on their opportunities.”

Thunderbird co-head coach Rhonda Maulson said Gribble’s save changed the complexion of the game.

“I think the turning point was the missed penalty kick,” Maulson said. “They stepped up their game after that and we had trouble with (Backlund). He was beating us. They were making smart plays, smart passes.”

Kingsford plays at Marquette on Thursday.