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.

Be the Referee: Girls Lacrosse Self Start

May 23, 2019

This week, officials coordinator Sam Davis explains a rule change in girls lacrosse designed to smooth out starts and stops in game play.

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Girls Lacrosse Self Start - Listen

There’s a new rule in girls lacrosse this year that’s designed to allow a great flow of the game, and it’s called the self-start.

Following a whistle blown for a foul, the player who was fouled previously had to wait for an official’s whistle from a stationary position before resuming play. The rule change this year allows for a player to self-start – or resume the game from a “settled stance” after being awarded a free position with all other players at least four meters away. Play resumes once the ball carrier takes a step or passes the ball.

Once play has commenced, the defenders may engage in play with the ball carrier. The self-start applies only to fouls called outside the critical scoring area.

Past editions

May 16: Lodged Ball - Listen
May 9: Bounced Pitch - Listen
May 2: Boys Lacrosse Safety - Listen
April 25: Softball Illegal Pitch - Listen
March 21: Instant Replay in Basketball - Listen
March 14: Basket Interference - Listen
March 7: Primary Areas - Listen
February 28: Under the Bus - Listen
February 21: You Make the Call - Listen
February 14: Because They Love It - Listen
February 7: Coach/Official Communication - Listen
January 31: Backcourt Violation? - Listen
January 24: Required Hockey Equipment - Listen
January 17: You Make the Call: 10-Second Clock - Listen
January 10: Tripping in Hockey - Listen
January 3: Sliding in Basketball - Listen
December 27: Stalling in Wrestling - Listen
December 20: Basketball: You Make the Call - Listen
December 13: Basketball Uniform Safety - Listen
December 6: Coaching Box Expansion - Listen
November 29: Video Review, Part 2 - Listen
November 22: Video Review, Part 1 - Listen
November 15: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
November 8: 7-Person Football Crews - Listen
November 1: Overtime Differences - Listen
October 25: Trickery & Communication - Listen
October 18: Punts & Missed Field Goals - Listen
October 11: What Officials Don't Do - Listen
October 4: Always 1st-and-Goal - Listen
September 27: Unique Kickoff Option - Listen
September 20: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
September 13: Soccer Rules Change - Listen
September 6: You Make the Call: Face Guarding - Listen
August 30: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
August 23: Football Rules Changes - Listen