Through the Years: Girls Soccer 1983-2015

July 12, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Girls soccer has experienced its share of powerhouse programs over the last three decades, with teams winning three or more consecutive MHSAA championships eight times. 

But a number of schools have been in the mix, both as champs and Finals hosts, as the sport celebrated its 100th winner this spring. 

Check out below our recent feature on the tournament's history from our spring issue of benchmarks, built and written by Rob Kaminski, and scroll to the bottom of the page for a link to our first installments. We'll look at more MHSAA postseason events every Tuesday and Friday throughout this summer. 


Previous installments

July 8: Boys Track & Field - Read
July 5:
Girls Track & Field - Read
July 1: Baseball - Read
June 28:
 Softball - Read

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.