Moment: Foley Title Count Reaches Dozen

May 5, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Madison Heights Bishop Foley owns MHSAA girls soccer records with 17 Finals appearances and 12 championships.

The Ventures’ most recent in both categories came down to the final minutes and a memorable “moment” supplied by their skillful star forward.

Today’s recalls Erin Weide’s game-winning goal to get Foley past previously-undefeated Lansing Christian 2-1 in the 2011 Division 4 Final. Weide beat two defenders and fired a shot hard enough to be deflected and still find its way into the net with a little more than two minutes to play. She also had assisted on her team’s first goal of the contest.

Bishop Foley significantly outshot the Pilgrims on the day, 22-6, and Lansing Christian keeper Kayleigh Bytwerk remains tied for eighth-most saves in Finals history after making 13 that afternoon.

Weide went on to star at Adrian College, while Bytwerk played basketball and then switched to volleyball at Spring Arbor, becoming a standout in the latter.

Click for coverage of Bishop Foley’s 2011 championship win from the Oakland Press and watch Weide’s winner below from the MHSAA Network.

Be the Referee: Soccer Handling

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

September 5, 2024

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 – Soccer Handling - Listen

In soccer, a kicked ball that inadvertently touches a player’s arm is not a handball. If a ball is kicked at someone’s face and they instinctively put their hand in front of their face to block the ball – that is also not a handball. There was no intent.

Handball – or handling – is called when the touch with a hand or arm is deliberate.

However, if a ball glances off an offensive player’s arm and goes into the goal, the goal is not allowed. Even if the touching was accidental or inadvertent, it’s no goal. If the touching leads to an immediate goal-scoring opportunity, then it’s also whistled for handling.

As long as the inadvertent touching doesn’t lead directly to a goal, it’s play on. 

Previous 2024-25 Editions

Aug. 24: Football Holding - Listen

PHOTO Westland John Glenn and Sterling Heights Stevenson players pursue the ball during their matchup this season. (Photo by Douglas Bargerstock.)