Moment: GRCC Nets Goal-fest Winner in OT
May 18, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Nearly a decade later, the 2011 Division 2 Final between Grand Rapids Catholic Central and Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart remains tied for the highest-scoring in the MHSAA’s 15-year girls lacrosse history.
And Haley Brennan’s goal with 6.4 seconds left in overtime pushed the Cougars ahead 17-16 on the way to clinching their lone championship in the sport.
The winner was Brennan’s fourth goal of the day. She just missed making the MHSAA record book for goals in a championship game, but four others did – and Sacred Heart goalie Mei-Mei Rose still holds the record of 18 saves from that afternoon.
Sacred Heart teammates Katie Mezwa and Anna Pearson both were added to the records list with seven goals apiece that day, as were GRCC’s Emily Braun and Megan Wilson (pictured above) after both scored five. The teams were tied at 15-15 heading into extra time; GRCC scored first with 2:16 to play in the first three-minute half of overtime, and Sacred Heart answered just more than three minutes later. Brennan’s score was the third and final of OT.
Watch below for her winning goal from the MHSAA Network.
Highlight Reel: 2017 Lacrosse Finals
June 12, 2017
By John Johnson
MHSAA Communications Director
For the first time in the history of the MHSAA Lacrosse Tournament on Saturday, all four finalists for both girls and boys from the previous year returned to square off in championship game rematches, with two teams continuing their winning ways.
Here are highlights from Saturday’s action from MHSAA.tv. (Click on the final score to watch the entire game.)
Girls Division 1
Hammer Time - Maggie Hammer led Rockford's effort in the Division 1 Final with five goals, four in the first half, including this shot from a low angle.
Bright Spot For Birmingham - Meryl Feys had four goals to lead Birmingham in the Division 1 Final against Rockford, including this one off a first quarter restart.
Girls Division 2
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood 17, East Grand Rapids 16 (OT)
Pioneers Force Sudden Victory - East Grand Rapids forced the Division 2 Final into the first sudden victory championship game in MHSAA Girls Lacrosse history with about 90 seconds to play in overtime when Lindsay Duca put the ball out in front for Emily Roth to score.
End to End – Stuff to Score - The game-winning sequence for Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood against East Grand Rapids begins with junior goalie Brigitte Ballard coming up with a big save. The ball goes ahead to junior midfielder Angelina Wiater, who makes a 75-yard run downfield to wrap around the goal and score the Division 2 game winner.
Boys Division 1
Birmingham Brother Rice 8, Detroit Catholic Central 6
Shamrocks Storm Into The Lead - Detroit Catholic Central scored three straight goals to begin the second half in the Division 1 Final against Birmingham Brother Rice, including two by Brennan Kamish.
Mr. Big Shot Wins It For Rice - The only goal of the fourth quarter was the fourth goal of the game for Cameron Gould of Birmingham Brother Rice, who gave his Warriors the lead and another MHSAA Division 1 boys lacrosse title.
Boys Division 2
East Grand Rapids 11, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 9
The Beast For East - Hub Hejna scored four times for East Grand Rapids in its 11-9 Division 2 Final win over Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central. He tallied two goals in the first quarter after the Rangers got out to a 2-0 lead, the second of those coming on this wrap with a minute to play.
What A Day For Clay - Bryce Clay had a five-goal day for Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central against East Grand Rapids in the Division 2 Final. He gave his team a 2-0 lead in the first quarter with this shot from midfield.
PHOTO: Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood celebrates its first girls lacrosse championship Saturday at Brighton High School.