Performance of the Week: Richland Gull Lake's Lilah Smith
May 2, 2024
Lilah Smith ♦ Richland Gull Lake
Junior ♦ Soccer
Smith scored both goals as Gull Lake defeated Portage Central 2-1 on April 24. Gull Lake was ranked No. 2 in Division 2 at the time (now No. 3), and Portage Central remains No. 3 in Division 1 after suffering its lone loss this season to the Blue Devils, who have since improved to 8-1-2 overall this spring.
After earning all-state honorable mention as a freshman and making the second team as a sophomore, Smith moved from center back to midfield this season, first in more of an attacking role and now as a defensive mid. Standing 6 feet tall, her first goal against Central was a header off a corner kick, and the game-winner came on a second-half penalty shot. She plays basketball as well and is committed to continue playing soccer collegiately at Toledo.
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Past 2023-24 Honorees
April 25: Mason Mayne, Lawton track & field - Report
April 18: Alli Wright, Jenison softball - Report
April 11: Chloe Wishart, Trenton soccer - Report
March 28: Jenna Maki, Ishpeming basketball - Report
March 22: Jaremiah Palmer, Niles Brandywine basketball - Report
March 15: Leah Hodge, North Farmington gymnastics - Report
March 8: Darius Marines, Detroit Catholic Central wrestling - Report
March 1: Rylee Smith, Zeeland West bowling - Report
Feb. 22: Caleb Lewandowski, Traverse City West skiing - Report
Feb. 15: Jadin Mix, Onaway basketball - Report
Feb. 8: Onalee Wallis, Cadillac skiing - Report
Feb. 1: Abbey DeGraw, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek competitive cheer - Report
Jan. 25: Ewan Todd, Riverview swimming - Report
Jan. 18: Ashley Weller, Jackson Northwest basketball - Report
Jan. 11: Michael Baldwin, Saginaw Arthur Hill wrestling - Report
Dec. 15: Jena Fijolek, Fenton bowling - Report
Dec. 8: Sophia Wagner, Escanaba gymnastics - Report
Dec. 1: Isaiah Marshall, Southfield Arts & Technology football - Report
Nov. 24: Sarah Bradley, Clarkston Everest Collegiate volleyball - Report
Nov. 17: Kalieb Osborne, Waterford Mott football - Report
Nov. 10: Tekalegn Vlasma, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian soccer - Report
Nov. 3: Colton Kinnie, Birmingham Seaholm football - Report
Oct. 27: Lauren Timpf, Macomb Lutheran North golf - Report
Oct. 20: Alena Li, Okemos golf - Report
Oct. 13: Seth Norder, Grand Haven cross country - Report
Oct. 5: Paige Anderson, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer golf - Report
Sept. 29: MacKenzie Bisballe, Lake City volleyball - Report
Sept. 22: Jhace Massey, Gladwin football - Report
Sept. 15: Kaylee Draper, Sturgis swimming - Report
Sept. 8: Owen Jackson, Traverse City St. Francis tennis - Report
Sept. 1: Rachel Forsyth, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country - Report
PHOTO Gull Lake's Lilah Smith (16) rises above the defense to connect on a header against Portage Central. (Action photo by Cindy Corstange/The Open Shutter Photography; headshot by Alan Gawel/Main Street Portraits.)
Grand Rapids Catholic Central Captures Long Sought-After Moment with 1st Finals Win
By
Drew Ellis
Special for MHSAA.com
June 13, 2025
EAST LANSING – Friday was a long time coming for Grand Rapids Catholic Central girls soccer coach Genevieve Sander.
After 19 years with the program, and more than 200 victories as a coach, Sandner and the Cougars finally won their first MHSAA Finals title, besting Warren Regina 2-0 in the Division 3 championship match at DeMartin Soccer Complex on the campus of Michigan State University.
“It’s been a dream of mine for 19 years, and this team has really grown. They’re a family, on and off the field, and I think that’s what makes a really solid team,” Sandner said. “The journey has really been incredible. I can’t say enough. They knew what they wanted from the beginning of the season, to get to this moment.”
The win was a product of a balanced effort that has been a staple for Grand Rapids Catholic Central (13-8-2) this season.
What wasn’t typical has how the Cougars scored their two goals.
Both came off restarts, one off a corner kick in the first half, while the second came off a free kick in the second half. That’s something Sandner said wasn’t typical of her team in 2025.
“It’s so random,” Sandner said. “We watched film and knew there was opportunities for corner kicks with (Regina), and that we had to be hungry in the box. I am proud that the girls answered and responded the way they did. I am glad they were hungry for the goal.”
Midway through the first half, GRCC got on the board off a corner kick from senior Sophia Piccione. The Cougars had a header attempt from senior Maurine Schneider deflected by the Regina goalie, but the Saddlelites (7-6-6) couldn’t collect the ball. It found the foot of junior Grace McKinney, who put it in for her ninth goal of the season.
“It was a great corner kick from Sophia, and then we had a header that the goalie bobbled and I was just in the right spot at the right time,” McKinney said of her goal. “It was meant to be.”
In the second half, just 10 minutes in, Piccione had a free kick from the right side of the field, just outside the box. Her attempt deflected off the Regina goalie, who was battling for position. This time the deflection came to Schneider, who blasted in her team-high 12th goal of 2025.
“I saw the opportunity coming from the corner, and I knew I had to put it in,” Schneider said. “We were up 1-0, but that’s not enough, and I knew I was going to have a good look. I just slammed the ball as hard as I could.”
Down a pair of goals, Regina turned up the offensive pressure. It registered four corner kicks over the next five minutes of play, but none resulted in a goal.
“The girls played well; we conceded a few goals on a corner and a set play. It’s tough. We didn’t quite finish in the attacking third,” Regina coach Stefano Moraccini said. “Nobody had us here in the Final. I am super proud of them.”
The Cougars also had standout play from its back line. Juniors Georgie Brown, Halina Polak, and Alyssa Yost joined sophomore Allison Malinowski to help keepers Charlie Walker and Natalie Beachler combine to record the team’s fourth consecutive shutout.
“Our back line has been very consistent for us all year, especially the latter part of the season. They just really work well together and back each other up so well,” Sandner said. “They’re all coming back, which is great. You want a strong back line coming back.”
Regina will be returning several key players as well, as the Saddlelites had just two seniors on the roster – although one was Jenna Moeller, who led the offensive effort in Friday’s defeat with four shots. Juniors Maddy Steffani and Ava Janusch both had three shots.
PHOTOS (Top) Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s Grace McKinney is surrounded by a pair of Warren Regina defenders including Ava Janusch (9) during Friday’s Division 3 Final. (Middle) Regina’s Nia Guess (14) controls possession as two GRCC defenders approach including Emma Mead (18). (Photos by Adam Sheehan/Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)