This Time, Troy Takes Champion's Trophy
June 15, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
WILLIAMSTON – Alison Holland might have worried a bit after Grandville’s Sydney Blitchok scored a little more than 14 minutes into Saturday’s Division 1 Final at Williamston.
Holland, Troy’s senior goalkeeper, would even admit to that – given that Troy was making its third straight MHSAA championship game appearance and was shut out in their last two.
But that anxiety faded almost immediately. This team was “gutsy,” Holland said, and she knew her teammates would get chances to even the score.
The Colts were able to make good on two – and beat Grandville 2-1 to claim their first MHSAA title since 2003.
“Twice we didn’t win it, so we were all just so motivated this year,” Holland said. “We wanted to go out on a good note, and we’re going to have this forever with each other. It’s just a great time right now.”
Troy had fallen to Okemos 2-0 in last season’s Final and 1-0 to Novi in 2010.
But those became fading memories Saturday when senior Madison Hirsch evened the score 18:25 into the first half and senior Kayla Porter put Troy ahead 13:31 into the second.
Porter's goal led to an uproarious celebration near the Colts bench, mostly in response to previous teasing by coach Brian Zawislak – who had told his players they didn’t celebrate goals like they should because they weren’t getting the entire team involved.
“When you’re held scoreless the last two (Finals), you have those demons in you,” Zawislak said. “When Hirsch hits the back of the net, everyone’s spirits just lifted.”
Porter’s goal run likely included a little unloading of frustration after battling a physical Grandville defense for nearly three quarters of the game.
Once Hirsch put in the team’s first goal, Porter wanted to add the next.
“I had a lot of energy out there, and I wanted to score,” she said. “It was really running through my mind. So when I got the ball down there, I just ran, and I just shot it.”
Troy finished this season 15-6-3 after opening 3-6-2. Grandville finished 14-8-1. Both teams were unranked entering the postseason and neither finished among the top two in their respective leagues.
But both beat top-10 teams on the way to Williamston and obviously found their peak performance when it counted most.
“I just told them nobody imagined at the beginning of the year that we’d be anywhere close to here,” Grandville coach Lewis Robinson said. “It gives them the experience of being here and helps us a lot for next year. And (I) guarantee we’ll be back in and around this time of year next year and the year after as well. With 13 underclassmen on the team, the future is very bright.”
PHOTOS: (Top) Troy players celebrate the team’s go-head goal during the second half of Saturday’s Division 2 Final. (Middle) Colts senior Kayla Porter finishes a run with a shot that would give her team the 2-1 lead. (Click to see more from Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)
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.)