Preview: Soccer Finals Filled with Past History Makers, Potential Record Setters
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 6, 2026
This is nearly guaranteed to end up the most storied MHSAA Boys Soccer Finals since the sport’s inaugural season of tournament play in 1982.
Speaking of, two of the three champions from that first season will play Saturday at Grand Ledge to complete this latest campaign – Livonia Stevenson in Division 1 and Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett in Division 4.
Stevenson is one of the most accomplished programs in MHSAA history, and it will play for the Division 1 title against Troy – which it defeated for its most recent championship in 1996.
Troy, St. Joseph and Liggett, meanwhile, will attempt to join 19 others as undefeated champions. St. Joseph and Liggett, in fact, can become just the third and fourth (and first since 2015) to go an entire season without a loss or tie.
Warren De La Salle Collegiate in Division 2 is playing to become the fourth team to win three Finals in a row, but must take on a Bears team seeking to win its first.
Elk Rapids and Williamston in Division 3 will face off in a rematch after Elk Rapids won their first meeting 2-0 on Aug. 29. Elk Rapids is riding one of the longest shutout streaks in MHSAA history, and Williamston has been the tournament’s most incredible surprise after entering the postseason with a sub-.500 record.
And finally, certainly not to be forgotten, we have Muskegon Western Michigan Christian – Liggett’s opponent in Division 4 – set to tie Detroit Country Day for the MHSAA record with an 18th appearance in an MHSAA Final. The Warriors have won 10, good for second-most all-time.
Saturday’s first Final will be Division 4 at 10 a.m., followed by Division 3 at 12:30 p.m., Division 2 at 3:30 and Division 1 at 6 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online only at GoFan. All four Finals also will be broadcast and available with subscription on the NFHS Network: Division 1 | Division 2 | Division 3 | Division 4
Below is a glance at all eight contenders, with statistics through Regionals:
Division 1
LIVONIA STEVENSON
Record/rank: 16-4-4, unranked
Michigan Power Rating: No. 26
Coach: Louis Sala, first season (16-4-4)
League finish: First in Lakes Valley Conference Lakes and overall
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 1996, five runner-up finishes).
Players to watch: Luca Allevato, sr. GK (0.59 goals-against average, 12 shutouts); Dominic Allevato, sr. F (13 goals, 4 assists); Niko Zhuli, sr. M (5 goals, 7 assists); Rocky Everts, jr. F (11 goals, 2 assists).
Outlook: Even with Stevenson headed to its first Final since 2008, the Spartans still rank third all-time in championship match appearances and tied for fifth for number of titles won. They defeated No. 12 Hartland during this tournament run and total have allowed only three goals over six postseason games. Stevenson started the season 2-3-2 but has lost only once since Sept. 10, and the Regional title also was a first since 2008. Sala was an all-stater at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and then played at Northern Illinois and Michigan State.
TROY
Record/rank: 18-0-2, No. 1
Michigan Power Rating: No. 2
Coach: Adam Spinks, fourth season (55-14-4)
League finish: First in Oakland Activities Association Red
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2003, Class A runner-up 1996.
Players to watch: Kevin Garay, sr. M (11 goals, 6 assists); Connor Hotts, soph. F (19 goals, 14 assists); Ryan Wind, sr. M (4 goals, 12 assists); Mateo Coronado, sr. F (10 goals, 4 assists).
Outlook: Troy has reached this weekend after winning a third-straight District title and then its first Regional championship since 2017. The draws came against rival Troy Athens and No. 8 Birmingham Seaholm, and the Colts went on to defeat Seaholm three weeks later in a District Final. Troy also defeated Utica Eisenhower in a Regional Final and No. 6 Salem in Wednesday’s Semifinal. Senior midfielder Cole Cusmano has been another key contributor with six goals and eight assists heading into Wednesday, and junior keeper Will Horvath has shutouts in 10 of the team’s 20 games.
Division 2
ST. JOSEPH
Record/rank: 23-0, No. 1
Michigan Power Rating: No. 4
Coach: John Brown, 14th season (196-78-26)
League finish: First in Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Class B runner-up 1992.
Players to watch: Jacob Gonzales, sr. GK (0.14 goals-against average, 19 shutouts); Remy Kelm, sr. M (16 goals, 8 assists); Evan Searles, sr. M (13 goals, 12 assists); Evan Hudak, sr. M (14 goals, 21 assists).
Outlook: St. Joseph is seeking its first championship after winning its first Regional title since 1992, and will go down in history for a few more reasons regardless of Saturday’s result. The Bears have given up four goals this fall, which right now is tied for fewest allowed in one season all-time, and their 20 shutouts are tied for fifth on that list. St. Joseph hasn’t allowed a goal in its last 12 games, a streak that is tied for sixth-longest in MHSAA history. Gonzales ranks similarly on the individual record book lists for keepers. The Bears also reached 100 goals for the season Wednesday in a 6-0 win over No. 5 Holland.
WARREN DE LA SALLE COLLEGIATE
Record/rank: 20-3-4, No. 6
Michigan Power Rating: No. 1
Coach: Thaier Mukhtar, 38th season (636-150-103)
League finish: Second in Catholic High School League Central
Championship history: Seven MHSAA titles (most recent 2025), one runner-up finish.
Players to watch: Andrew Corder, sr. F (28 goals, 10 assists); Antonio Cardella, sr. M (14 goals, 4 assists); Settimo Leone, sr. M (7 goals, 14 assists); Dominic Baldarotta, sr. GK (0.56 goals-against average, 12 shutouts).
Outlook: An eighth championship would send De La Salle into third alone for most titles won in MHSAA history. Corder and Baldarotta have been major contributors during all three recent runs, both making the all-state first team the last two seasons. Corder also has emerged as a favorite for the Mr. Soccer Award this fall, and junior Gavin Baldarotta made the all-state second team in 2025. The Pilots’ only in-state losses were to Marquette and No. 9 Detroit U-D Jesuit, and after also tying the Cubs during the regular season De La Salle defeated them in overtime in a Regional Semifinal. Mukhtar, who also coached six seasons at Fraser, is the state’s winningest in boys soccer with an overall 728-173-129 record.
Division 3
ELK RAPIDS
Record/rank: 23-1-3, No. 1
Michigan Power Rating: No. 1
Coach: Nate Plum, 19th season (315-120-40)
League finish: First in Northern Shores Conference
Championship history: Division 4 champion 1997 and 1998, four runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Jake Garrow, sr. D (3 goals, 4 assists); Mason Hilley, sr. F (19 goals, 15 assists); Drew Plum, sr. M (13 goals, 13 assists); Tyler Standfest, sr. M (28 goals, 14 assists).
Outlook: Nate Plum brought Elk Rapids back to the Finals in 2024 for the first time since 1998, and after falling to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 3-2 that day the Elks will attempt to finish the season with their first title in nearly three decades. Keyed in part by senior keepers Corbin Bogard and Caden Schlicker, they’ve given up only six goals over 27 games, and their shutout streak of 14 is the third-longest all-time. Standfest made the all-state first team last season, while Garrow and Drew Plum made the second team and Hilley made the third. Juniors Blake Springstead (12) and Noah Liggett (10) also entered the week with double-digit goals.
WILLIAMSTON
Record/rank: 12-8-4, unranked
Michigan Power Rating: No. 25
Coach: Ian Kurth, fifth season (55-43-9)
League finish: Fourth in Capital Area Activities Conference Red
Championship history: Division 3 runner-up 2012, 2014 and 2015.
Players to watch: Noah Bazil, jr. F (8 goals); Yasser Daik, sr. F (7 goals, 8 assists); Lincoln Rockafellow, sr. D (2 goals, 12 assists); Beckam Harbert, sr. K (1.47 goals-against average, 10 shutouts).
Outlook: Williamston has been on a remarkable run. The Hornets went 1-6-3 from the end of August – starting with the loss to Elk Rapids – through the first day of October, but have since won their last eight games with their last four over No. 11 Eaton Rapids, No. 15 Saginaw Swan Valley, No. 3 Flint Powers Catholic and No. 14 Grosse Ile. Williamston has outscored its six postseason opponents by a combined 17-3 margin on the way to a third District title over the last four seasons and second Regional championship over the last three years.
Division 4
GROSSE POINTE WOODS UNIVERSITY LIGGETT
Record/rank: 21-0, No. 1
Michigan Power Rating: No. 1
Coach: David Dwaihy, 12th season (177-38-13)
League finish: First in CHSL Intersectional #1
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 1999), five runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Liam Gady, soph. F (15 goals, 11 assists); Brady Ancona, sr. F (19 goals, 12 assists); Oliver Cooley, sr. M (18 goals, 10 assists); Brenden Logan, soph. F (16 goals, 8 assists).
Outlook: Last season’s runner-up is back after falling to Leland in a shootout a year ago, and the Knights earned this opportunity with a shootout win over No. 14 Clarkston Everest Collegiate on Wednesday. Liggett otherwise hasn’t given up a goal in four postseason games and has 11 shutouts total. The Knights defeated No. 9 Allen Park Inter-City Baptist and No. 8 Hillsdale Academy during their Regional run. Cooley made the all-state first team last season, and Ancona made the third. Five more players entered the week with at least 10 points, including senior Landon Wysocki (6 goals/10 assists) and sophomore Will Lynn (4/10).
MUSKEGON WESTERN MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 20-1-3, No. 2
Michigan Power Rating: No. 2
Coach: Ben Buursma, seventh season (106-39-17)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Championship history: 10 MHSAA titles (most recent 2024), seven runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Braedon Hoffman, sr. F/M (14 goals, 9 assists); Tyson Annema, sr. M (14 goals, 3 assists); Hudson Fair, sr. M/F (9 goals, 19 assists); Carter Heimiller, sr. M (13 goals, 17 assists).
Outlook: Western Michigan Christian has the second-most championships in state history in this sport and will attempt to win its fourth in five seasons after falling in its District Final a year ago. The Warriors avenged that loss in defeating No. 10 North Muskegon in this season’s District Final, and their only defeat this fall came to Division 2 No. 5 Holland. WMC also downed No. 6 Leland and No. 3 Kalamazoo Christian during this playoff run. Heimiller made the all-state first team last season, Hudson and Annema made the second, and Hoffman and senior defender Seth Moorhead (8 goals/3 assists) earned honorable mentions in 2025.
PHOTO Livonia Stevenson's Jack Bowen (10) pushes play upfield during his team's 2-0 Regional Semifinal win over Hartland. (Photo by Adam Sheehan.)
Mattawan Takes Final History-Making Step
November 5, 2016
By Dan Stickradt
Special for Second Half
ROCHESTER HILLS — Although Halloween was five days ago, Jarrett Hageman openly admits that he was never so scared in his life than he was late Saturday afternoon.
Even in the broad daylight with no ghosts or ghouls around to spook him.
Walking gingerly up to the penalty spot with the game on the line, the Mattawan senior laced a shot off the left goal post and into the goal in what proved to be the biggest and most memorable score in Wildcats lore.
Hageman’s penalty kick came as his team’s fifth shooter in a shootout and was enough to propel 11th-ranked Mattawan to a 1-0 victory over unranked Dearborn Divine Child in the MHSAA Division 2 Final at Rochester Hills Stoney Creek High School.
Mattawan won the shootout 4-3, making its first, third, fourth and fifth shots to prevail. Nick Hare, Dylan Burkett, Tate Rosenhagen and Hageman tallied in the tie-breaking shootout for the Wildcats.
Divine Child converted its first three kicks only to see its final two attempts sail over the crossbar. Alex Higgins, Shane Ciucci and Justin Stack finished their PKs for the Falcons.
“I was never so scared as I was walking up there to take the shot,” admitted Hageman. “I mean, I was so nervous. You dream about being (in this position), taking a shot in a shootout. I knew in my heart that I could make it, but I thought I’d missed because it hit the goal post. Thankfully, it went in and we finally won a state championship.”
Mattawan’s journey is somewhat unlike most state powers’ programs. Fielding legions of state-ranked teams dating back to the 1980s, including three previous Final Four squads over its storied history, the Wildcats had never reached the MHSAA Finals until this weekend.
The 1990 squad entered the postseason ranked No. 2 in Class B only to fall short in Regional play. Mattawan also lost in the Semifinals in 1989, 2011 and 2015 — the latter two in Division 2.
This end result leaves veteran coach Kirt Brown, in his 11th season at the helm of the Mattawan program, breathing a sigh of relief.
“We came close in (2015 and 2011), and although I was at a different school (Parchment) way back when, the school got to the semis before I got here,” noted Brown. “We finally got it done this time. I couldn’t be more proud of these guys. This was somewhat of an ugly game. We scrapped and fought. You could see that both teams were tired in the second overtime. It’s wasn’t pretty. But I’ll take an ugly win over a pretty loss any day.”
A year ago, Mattawan made a run to the Semifinals before running out of gas and dropping a 4-2 decision to Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern. That was with all-state Dream Team midfielder Nick King directing the show for a team that scored 102 goals. King graduated last summer along with a talented class.
This season, Mattawan outscored the opposition 55-19 over 28 total games, pulled of a stunner with a 2-0 upset of No. 1-ranked East Lansing in the Semifinal on Wednesday, and outscored its seven postseason opponents by a combined 14-2.
“We knew we had a good team, but I think when we defeated East Lansing, that’s when we believed it,” offered Brown. “We didn’t have an easy road, either. We beat (Stevensville) Lakeshore in the opening round and they were ranked. We beat Marshall and Holland in the Regionals and they were ranked. Divine Child might as well been ranked. They made a great run to get here, too.”
Holdover scoring threats Hageman (28 goals, five assists) and junior midfielder Evan Marquess (five goals, 11 assists) carried the Wildcats in their long run this season.
“Last year we were even better, more skilled,” said Hageman. “But the seniors this year have something that no other (senior class) has, and that’s a state championship.
Senior Casey Kirkbride notched his team’s 14th shutout of the campaign. He made eight saves throughout 80 minutes of regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods.
Divine Child held a narrow 13-10 shots edge, including 8-5 with shots directly on frame. Mattawan held an 11-5 edge with corner kicks but could not beat Divine Child’s Evan Mazurek, one of the state’s top junior goalkeepers, until the shootout.
“The defenses both played great; both goalkeeper played really well,” said Brown. “When you get to a shootout, anything can happen.”
It was the end of unranked Divine Child’s Cinderella ride. With several state-ranked teams going out early, the Falcons snuck up and made the deepest run in school history. They knocked off No. 13 Dexter in the Regional Semifinals and also blanked Fenton in the Semifinal on Wednesday; Fenton had spent time in the top 20 before dropping out just before the start of the postseason.
“It was an amazing run by our guys,” said Divine Child coach Dean Kowalski. “I think we were just on the cusp of being a great team. We finally put things together and made a run.
“I didn’t mind being under the radar a little bit,” added Kowalski. “When we saw a lot of very good teams go down, we thought we might have a chance. We knew the talent was there. Defensively, we were very solid. We only gave up one goal in the tournament until the shootout. If we came back on Sunday and played again in another shootout, maybe it would end differently.”
Both goalies made several key plays to keep the game scoreless.
Kirkbride dove to his left in the second half to stop Ciucci’s blast to the near post.
Mazurek was quite active clearing the 11 corner kicks and made perhaps the biggest save of regulation, leaping to his left to punch away a 22-yard strike from Marquess that was destined for the far corner with 4:18 to play in the second half.
PHOTOS: (Top) Mattawan’s Evan Marquess (9) works to get around Divine Child’s Jake Pappas. (Middle) Divine Child’s Justin Stack tries to gain possession against a Mattawan field player.