Birmingham, EGR finish title runs
June 10, 2012
Birmingham United won its first MHSAA championship since 2009, but needed overtime to do so in a 12-11 win over Hartland.
The teams were knotted 8-8 after regulation, thanks to a goal by Hartland senior Rachel Sharpe with 51 seconds to play in the second half. Hartland then outscored United 2-1 in the first 3-minute overtime. But United scored the final three goals of the second extra period, capped by junior Kathy Quigley’s go-ahead goal with eight seconds to play.
She finished with five goals, and senior Sarah Feiten had four. Both scored twice during the overtimes. United (18-11) had also needed overtime to get past Bloomfield Hills Marian in the Regional final, and downed Rockford in the Semifinal by the same score as Saturday, 12-11.
Amber Crouse led Hartland (20-4-1) with three goals. The Eagles improved two wins from last season.
Click for the full scoring summary.
Division 2 girls at Rockford
East Grand Rapids capped its first trip to an MHSAA Final with its first championship to also finish a perfect 28-0, thanks to a 17-6 win over Okemos.
The Pioneers jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the first half, thanks to seven straight goals over the final 15:44. Senior Lauren Hooker added two goals for a season total of 107, good for second-most in the MHSAA record book. Junior Claire Ludlow scored four goals and added an assist for East Grand Rapids.
Okemos, making its first Finals appearance since its second-straight championship in 2010, finished 16-6-1. Sophomore Olivia Sherman had two goals and two assists for the Chieftains.
Click for the full scoring summary.
PHOTOS: (Top) Birmingham United senior Bailey Boese (13) eludes defenders on her way to Hartland's net in the Division 1 Final. (Middle) East Grand Rapids' Lauren Hooker (left) and Okemos' Alex King (11) battle for possession during the Division 2 Final.
Moment: 'Back-to-Back Mek' Paces Rams
May 26, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The Vander Molen sisters have been constants over Rockford’s record string of seven consecutive Division 1 girls lacrosse championships.
The 2016 Final was the last high school game for oldest sister Alexandra. And middle sister Mekenzie made sure her mentor finished her time with the Rams as a four-time champion.
Mekenzie Vander Molen found the net with 5:46 and 4:50 to play against Birmingham United to give Rockford its first lead as the Rams scored the game’s final four goals for a 12-9 title-clinching victory.
“It meant a lot for me to be on the same team as my sister for this last championship for her,” Mekenzie Vander Molen said that day. “I’ve learned almost everything from my older sister. I’ve learned how to take better shots, better passes, certain things in certain situations.
“She said, ‘You’ve played a very good game. I’m very proud of you.’”
While Alexandra was held to just one goal that day, Mekenzie scored three and youngest sister Karrington also scored once. All three eventually graduated as four-time champions.
Click for coverage of the 2016 championship game from Second Half and watch below for the Rams’ tying and go-ahead goals from the NFHS Network.