Leland and Harbor Springs are gearing up for a girls soccer match for the ages as the Comets and Rams meet tonight at Suttons Bay for a district championship game at 6 p.m.
In the second game of a thrilling double-header hosted by Suttons Bay, Leland exploded for three goals to defeat the Norse 5-1. Harbor Springs defeated Elk Rapids in the first game 3-1.
“Today, we really talked about everything, and we moved the ball well,” Leland senior captain Lorna Wiesen said. “We have a really good group of girls this year, and we all love each other. We just wanted to play for each other … we are going to come out with a winning mentality and work hard in practice.”
Leland attacker Sophie Grinage scored the first goal of the game off an assist from Maya Warner. Addi Waskiewicz scored the second goal for the Comets to take a 2-0 lead going into halftime.
“We were all really nervous and knew they were coming for us, and we have the chance this year,” Wiesen said.
Leland led 2-0 at halftime before Suttons Bay junior Megan U’Ren struck early in the second half off an assist from Ada Wetherbee to keep the Norse in the contest.
Leland senior Elli Miller earned the win in the net.
In the last 15 minutes of the contest, Leland scored three goals to run away with the game courtesy of Willa Murray, Hadley Bison, and Jaelyn DeFour, all scoring incredible goals.
“We knew Suttons Bay was going to come at us ... I think we just pushed offensively; we connected on a lot of passes. We executed everything we’ve been trying to do for quite some time,” Leland coach Joe Burda said. “We need that same effort we just had or better... We know Harbor Springs is familiar with the district final. They’re familiar with lifting that trophy, so it’s going to be a great game.”
The Rams will have to travel 2.5 hours around the coast to the all-or-nothing game, while the Comets will travel roughly 10 minutes. The district championship game will represent a rematch from the regular season. The Comets defeated Harbor Springs 1-0 at the end of April.
“Everybody worked hard for each other. They weren’t selfish. They had each other’s backs. They were fun to be around ... I’m going to miss being around them because they were just a great team like that,” Suttons Bay coach Randy U’Ren said. “What I hope they learn is that we’re not very far away from the level that Leland is right now, but that little bit makes a big difference. And so I hope that enough of them are motivated in the off-season to do the work it takes to get a little bit bigger, stronger, faster.”
The Norse will be graduating Jacqueline Hearne, Nalley TwoCrow, and Brooke Wilson.
“It’s always tough to lose those seniors, and they get to go on their next chapter, but we’ll miss them. They were important parts of the team. It’s been fun coaching them for three or four years,” Suttons Bay coach Randy U’Ren said.
Suttons Bay is a cooperative team with Lake Leelanau St. Mary.
The Norse finished the season (11-6-0) and finished second in the Northwest Conference with a 4-2 conference record.
Lakers fall in quarterfinal
In a rainy quarterfinal game last week, Glen Lake fell to Elk Rapids 5-0.
Even with the return of senior Hailey Anderson from IR, the Lakers faced another uphill battle, playing nine versus everybody.
Physical goalkeeping by Andi Forton and hardscrabble team defense by the Lakers kept the game within reach at the end of the first half.
“Senior Maggie Diotte created opportunities for the Glen Lake from the lone striker spot, and the Lakers tested the elks’ backline, finishing their gritty season on the up and up. Grateful for their seniors and ending 3-7-1,” Glen Lake coach Eric Oleson said.
The Lakers finish their season with a record of 3-7-1.
