2011 Finals: Detroit Domination

December 16, 2011

One team won an MHSAA title for the first time, another for the first in nearly two decades. And two more added to a significant pile of soccer championship trophies.

But the tie that binds all four of this season's Finals champions is location -- all four are suburban powers near the big city in the southeastern corner of the state.

Here's a rundown of Saturday's Finals:

Division 1

Daniel Ovesea's goal from just inside the midfield stripe gave Canton its first MHSAA Boys Soccer title since a Class A trophy in 1994, with a 1-0 win over Grand Haven.

Ovesea's boot lofted high over a group of players in front of the goal behind the Buccaneers keeper Ethan Beswick.

Canton (24-1-2) and Grand Haven (18-2-3) played to a scoreless first half and seemed headed to overtime prior to Oversea's goal.

The Chiefs got stellar play from netminder Steven Murphy, who stopped 10 shots in the victory.

Divison 2

One school was guaranteed its first MHSAA Boys Soccer crown in the Division 2 Final, as both Auburn Hills Avondale and Spring Lake were making first appearances in the championship contest.

In the end, it was Avondale hoisting the trophy following a 2-1 win over the Lakers.

Spring Lake (23-2) struck first with the only goal of the first half, a Tanner Berg tally at 35:45.

Avondale (18-5-2) got the equalizer early in the second half on Joe Davison's goal, and with just 1:53 to play, Skyler Russ nailed the clincher to give the Yellowjackets their first championship.

Spring Lake outshot Avondale, 18-11. Ben Richter got the win in goal for the Yellowjackets, while Harry Kriger stood tall in net for Spring Lake despite the loss.

Division 3

Detroit Country Day captured its MHSAA-record 13th boys soccer title with a 2-1 victory over another perennial power, Hudsonville Unity Christian.

The Yellow Jackets (20-4-1) fell behind just 5:28 into the contest, as Unity Christian's Jared Haverkamp found the net with an assist from Jake Love to put the Crusaders on top.

The lead was short-lived, however, as DCD's Dean Akeel evened things up with a marker at the 10:20 mark of the opening half.

Country Day got the game-winner from Oliver Harris 18:02 into the second half, and the defense held strong from there.

Unity Christian (24-1-1) outshot Country Day, 14-7, but it was not enough for the Crusaders to avoid their first loss of the season.

Country Day's Zachary Walker got the win in goal, while Unity's Zach Lier made six saves in the defeat.

Division 4

Allen Park Inter-City Baptist won its seventh MHSAA Boys Soccer title, and first since back-to-back efforts in 2005-06, downing Muskegon Western Michigan Christian 1-0 in overtime.

Steven Fiema scored off an Evan Kraatz pass with 1:08 to play in the second overtime.

 

Performance of the Week: Okemos' Jack Guggemos

October 27, 2021

Okemos soccerJack Guggemos ♦ Okemos
Senior ♦ Soccer

Guggemos was 5 months old when his father Brian coached Okemos to its last MHSAA Finals championship, when a 2-1 victory over Utica Eisenhower clinched the 2004 Division 1 title. But as Jack's all-state career moves toward its conclusion, the senior midfielder has the program only two wins away from returning to the championship match.

Jack Guggemos played a leading role in Okemos earning the No. 4 ranking in Division 1 heading into this postseason, and despite plenty of defensive attention has remained a prominent contributor as his team has outscored its first four playoff opponents by a combined 18-2 margin. He scored a goal in Okemos' 4-1 District Final win Saturday over No. 11 East Lansing, following up his three goals Oct. 19 in a 4-0 District Semifinal win over Portage Northern. Guggemos broke the school record for single-season goals with his 34th during an Oct. 5 win, and he's amassed 44 goals and 13 assists total this fall. Okemos defeated No. 7 Traverse City West on Tuesday and travels to face No. 8 East Kentwood in a Division 1 Regional Final on Thursday.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Second Half’s "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

2021-22 Honorees

Oct. 21: Sachiv Kumar, Northville tennis - Report
Oct. 14:
Kate Brody, Grand Blanc golf - Report
Oct. 7:
Lilly Nelson, Negaunee tennis - Report
Sept. 30:
Stella Chapman, Ann Arbor Pioneer swimming - Report
Sept. 23:
Riley Hough, Hartland cross country - Report
Sept. 16:
Josie Bloom, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep volleyball - Report

PHOTOS courtesy of the Okemos soccer program.