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MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
Fifth-ranked Highlanders move on penalties
5-4 to gain 4-3 victory over No. 9 Hornets
BY DAN STICKRADT
WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS
Michigan Soccer Network | Premier Media Group and affiliates
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TROY, Mich. – Sometimes, soccer really can be a game of inches.
Reid Dennis proved that theory Wednesday night at Troy Athens.
Standing 6-foot-4, Dennis, the Rochester Adams senior goalkeeper made seven saves over 100 minutes, then got his fingertips on the ball once to shove the soccer ball out of harm’s way during a shootout, and that was a huge difference as the fifth-ranked Highlanders with an epic 4-3 victory over ninth-ranked Saline in the Division 1 state semifinals.
Adams (17-2-4) held a 5-4 advantage on penalties to gain the tiebreaker and jettison the Highlanders into the state finals for the fifth time in school history – all since 1999.
Dennis dove full lateral to his right to stop Saline’s third attempt in the shootout, while his talented Adams teammates converted all five penalties to send the team into a frenzy and into the finals for the second time in three years.
“It’s all instincts,” admitted Dennis, an NCAA Division recruit by several schools. “It’s also part luck. You get lucky or you don’t get lucky.
“There’s a little bit of (tell) there, but sometimes you just got to (pick a way and dive),” added Dennis.
Alex Rosin, Logan Lilla, Jameson Smith, Anthony Page and Salvatore Dinoto – all NCAA Division I recruits as well – buried their penalties in succession to seal the deal for Rochester Adams.
The Highlanders, who have reached at least the Division 1 Final Four eight times, were state champions in both 1999 and 2022 and finished as the state runner-up in 2001 and 2014 to go along with state semifinals losses in 2004, 2009 and 2015. Adams will play on the season’s final day for a fifth time Saturday evening.
Dennis was called up to varsity late in the 2022 season and was on the bench as the Highlanders made their run to their second state title. Dennis was behind then-junior John Coon, who earned All-State Dream Team honors that season but opted to play MLS Next Academy last year with Vardar and Dennis was moved into the starting role in 2023 and 2024.
“(I learned) what this is about (watching that run two years ago). Obviously (two years ago) we went to PKs then (against Troy in the regional semifinals) and John (Coon) is a great friend of mine and a great mentor,” noted Dennis about his previous state tournament runs. “(Today), you just got to keep your head up. I’ve played a lot of soccer and I’ve played in games like this, but as a goalie you just got to keep your head up for the next play.”
Adams will face first-time state finalist Byron Center (19-4-1) in Saturday’s Division 1 state finals at Grand Ledge High School beginning at 6 p.m. All four finals will be held at Grand Ledge, with Division 4 (10 a.m.), Division 3 (12:30 p.m.) and Division 2 (3:30 p.m.) preceding the Division 1 finals.
Veteran Adams coach Josh Hickey, in his 16th season with the Highlanders, has coached in the Final Four stage before, taking his team to state semifinals appearances in 2009, 2014, 2015, 2022 and now 2024. Hickey-coached teams will play in the state finals for a third time this weekend, following a state runner-up finish in 2014 to Canton and the 2022 state championship run which ended with a 2-0 victory over Rockford.
There is only one returning starter, Anthony Page, and a couple of reserves from that state championship game two years ago.
“Just Anthony Page played in the game,” reminded Hickey. “Then Brendan Duff and Reid (Dennis) were also on the squad and saw it. But the only one on the (field) was Page. We have a bunch of guys that get to experience this which is exciting.”
And it took everything to defeat Saline to advance to the state finals.
“I mean that was a battle. I mean I’m really impressed by (Saline) to be honest. I didn’t know a lot about Saline over there, but they’re really good. They deserve to be here just as much as us. We just got fortunate enough in those penalties because (Saline) is good. You got to give them credit because they are really good.”
The uber-talented Highlanders, who feature seven senior NCAA Division I recruits – more than any other team in the state – met its match on Wednesday night and it took some heroic efforts on both sides to extend the game through 80 minutes of regulation, two full 10-minute overtime periods and then the five-round shootout to decide the winner.
Every time Adams scored, Saline would find a way to eventually answer the call. Both teams traded off possessions and were dangerous on the attack throughout the game – both teams misfired on grand chances inside the final two minutes of regulation – and both sides walked into the shootout nearly exhausted.
Adams prevailed by mere inches in the shootout.
“Reid (Dennis) has been awesome,” beamed Hickey. “He did that last year for us and this year we were confident (because) this year we knew if we had to go to penalties we were confident (in our abilities). We were confident in Reid (Dennis) back there and we also have some guys that can (convert) penalties.”
The Highlanders took leads of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 but each time they were nullified by Saline’s equalizers.
Adams would score first with 31:18 left in the first half. Having numbers on the attack, senior midfielder Logan Lilla used a heel-pass through traffic and over to senior forward Salvatore Dinoto, and the Ohio State University-commit uncorked a left-footed banger that sailed inside the far post. The 1-0 lead stood through halftime.
Saline started to apply some pressure during the second half and the persistence paid off with 16:16 remaining in regulation. Junior forward Zach Heisler pounced on a rebound following a shot by senior Juan Martin-Balda and ripped it into the back of the net from 16 yards out to tie the game at 1-1.
That set up some wild moments down the stretch.
Adams converted again with 11:24 left in the second half. Alex Rosin sent a cornerkick into the box and Lilla was eventually able to chip his shot just over the goal line near the far left side for the 2-1 advantage.
The lead, however, was short-lived as Saline – on the strength of a 19-game unbeaten streak coming into the game – was able to draw level once again. After teammate Jaedyn Sifuna was tripped up just inside the box on the left side, Martin-Balda calmly blasted the ensuing penalty kick down the gut of the goal to force a 2-2 stalemate.
Both teams had chances to go up in the final two minutes. Sifuna whiffed on a wide-open goal on a sitter from eight yards out with 1:40 left in regulation, while Lilla got the ball off a long pass on the right side and instead of slipping a shot to an open near post, opted to cut back in the middle and his shot towards the far left post was snuffed out by a Saline defender draped over Lilla’s shoulder.
In overtime, Adams drew first blood with 1:41 remaining in the first overtime session when Rosin’s cornerkick from the right side sailed above traffic to the left post and senior midfielder Jameson Smith headed it home for the 3-2 lead.
Saline answered once again with 9:07 left in the second overtime period when Sifuna sent a short pass over to an onrushing Heisler who one-timed a low shot with pace that sailed into the back of the net to tie the game at 3-3.
The Hornets held a 7-3 overall shots edge during the two overtime sessions but both teams were gassed and ended up settling matters in the shootout.
Although Adams out-possessed Saline during the first 50 minutes of regulation, the Hornets outshot Adams 20-12 overall through 100 minutes of play, including 10-8 with shots on frame. The Highlanders held a 7-5 edge off cornerkicks.
Both keepers came through with clutch saves and snaring the ball out of harm’s way off multiple crosses and set pieces into the box. Dennis collected seven saves and Saline counterpart Eric Friedholm making five saves in the contest. Both back lines also blocked a few shots during the duration.
Dennis’ clutch save during the shootout was the only difference in the marathon match.
Both Division 1 state semifinals were decided on penalty kicks, as Bryon Center outlasted Oxford 5-4 in six rounds of penalties to prevail 2-1 in the other semifinals match up in East Lansing.
Saline, which finished as the D-1 state runner-up back in 2003 and also reached the Final Four in 2008 and 2014, came in as perhaps the state’s hottest team. After losing two consecutive games at the Balconi Invitational back on Aug. 24 with nine of its varsity players who were out on ACT testing, the Hornets had not lost since those two defeats to Canton and Clarkston until being knocked out by Rochester Adams Wednesday.
Freidholm turned away a first-half breakaway and also stopped another point-blank range shot in the first half when his team trailed 1-0.
Saline coach Bartley Lydy was overwhelmingly pleased with his keeper’s presence in net all season and for his team’s level of play over the entire campaign.
“Especially for someone that’s never been on varsity until his senior year. (Eric Friedholm) gained all of his confidence from club (and) helped his club team (Saline Soccer Club) win a (MSYSA) State Cup (last June), so his goal was to help his team win a state championship here too. Maybe we fell a couple of inches short, but ultimately (Eric) was super consistent (and) it’s almost like sometimes he had glue on his hands.”
Saline went 16-0-3 during its 19-game unbeaten streak, finished unbeaten at 6-0-4 inside a loaded Southeastern Conference-Red Division to win that league title, captured its third straight district trophy and fourth regional championship in 21 years before stalling out in the semifinals.
Lydy, who accepted the job less than three weeks before the start of tryouts, raved about his team’s progression and all of those who helped out along the way to deliver one of the best products in program history.
“It’s been incredible,” noted Lydy. “I have so many superstars, heroes behind the scenes. I have excellent parents who decide all of the logistics to administration, send all of my emails, all of my team snaps. They used my name when they log in so it looks like it’s coming from me,” said Lydy. “I only coach the team. They did everything else. They did all the ceremonies, all of the excitement. I just got to coach the soccer team this year. That’s an incredible group behind me. I have a great staff – everyone has something to do with this. The head coach gets all the eyes but it’s everyone that deserves the credit.
“This team had an amazing run and they should be proud of everything they accomplished this year,” added Bartley, whose team also lost in a shootout at the aforementioned Balconi Invitational to Clarkston (2-1) in its third game of the season. “This team accomplished so much in a short period of time, winning our league and going undefeated there, (and winning) district and regional championships before playing here tonight.”
Still, Saline was one game short of its goa of playing in the state finals, as the field has pared down to just two schools in each of the MHSAA’s four divisions.
“Any game that comes down to PKs, there’s always a chance. It’s anybody’s game at that point. I think (at this stage) of the tournament a lot of games get decided on PKs,” added Lydy. “I think we were confident as well as resilient coming into it. (It’s) just one save (that) makes all the difference.”
BOYS SOCCER – 2024 STATE SEMIFINALISTS OVER THE YEARS
Below is a chart of the all of the 2024 MHSAA Final Four schools in the Division 1, Division 2, Division 3 and Division 4 state tournaments and how they fared in the past in regional finals, state semifinals and state championships. The tabulations were through this year’s regional finals. The MHSAA state tournament began in 1982, while the old Michigan Suburban Soccer Coaches Association conducted smaller tournaments Open Class, Class A-B and Class C-D) between 1972-1981. There are spotty records kept from 1972-1981 in the old MSSCA, while there are only partial records kept in the MHSAA state tournament from 1982-1994; the regional finals onward are kept from 1995-1996 and the regional semifinals, regional finals, state semifinals and state finals are kept from 1997-2024.
– Dan Stickradt
DIVISION 1
Rochester Adams
State Champions – 1999, 2022
State Runner-Up – 2001, 2014
Final Four Appearances – 1999, 2001, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2022, 2024
Final Four Losses – 2004, 2009, 2015
Regional Champions – 1999, 2001, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2022, 2024
Regional Finals Losses – 2013, 2016
Saline
State Champions – None
State Runner-Up – 2003
Final Four Appearances – 2003, 2008, 2014, 2024
Final Four Losses – 2008, 2014
Regional Champions – 2003, 2008, 2014, 2024
Regional Finals Losses – 2007, 2020, 2022
Byron Center
State Champions – None
State Runner-Up – None
Final Four Appearances – 2024
Final Four Losses – None
Regional Champions – 2024
Regional Finals Losses – None
Oxford
State Champions – None
State Runner-Up – None
Final Four Appearances – 2024
Final Four Losses – None
Regional Champions – 2024
Regional Finals Losses – 1995, 2002, 2005
DIVISION 2
Warren De La Salle Collegiate
State Champions – 1990, 1992, 1993, 2000, 2005
State Runner-Up – 1994
Final Four Appearances – 1984, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2005, 2011, 2018, 2023, 2024
Final Four Losses – 1984, 1987, 1997, 2011, 2018, 2023
Regional Champions – 1984, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2005, 2011, 2018, 2023, 2024
Regional Finals Losses – 1998, 2004, 2008
Mason
State Champions – 1989, 1990, 1997, 2015
State Runner-Up – 1986, 2023
Final Four Appearances – 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1997, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2023, 2024
Final Four Losses – 1992, 1993, 2005, 2014
Regional Champions – 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1997, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2023
Regional Finals Losses – 2002, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012
Grand Rapids Christian
State Champions – 1998, 2001, 2021, 2023
State Runner-Up – None
Final Four Appearances – 1988, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2021, 2023, 2024
Final Four Losses – 1988, 1997, 2000
Regional Champions – 1988, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2021, 2023, 2024
Regional Finals Losses – 2011, 2017, 2018
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
State Champions – 2019
State Runner-Up – 2015, 2018
Final Four Appearances – 2015, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024
Final Four Losses – 2022
Regional Champions – 2015, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024
Regional Finals Losses – 2001, 2013, 2016
DIVISION 3
Elk Rapids
State Champions – 1997, 1998
State Runner-Up – 1989, 1995, 1996
Final Four Appearances – 1989, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024
Final Four Losses – 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2020, 2021, 2022
Regional Champions – 1989, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024
Regional Finals Losses – 2014, 2019
Hartford
State Champions – None
State Runner-Up – None
Final Four Appearances – 2024
Final Four Losses – None
Regional Champions – 2024
Regional Finals Losses – 2012, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
State Champions – None
State Runner-Up – 2000
Final Four Appearances – 1997, 2000, 2024
Final Four Losses – 1997
Regional Champions – 1997, 2000, 2024
Regional Finals Losses – 2016
Williamston
State Champions – None
State Runner-Up – 2012, 2014, 2015
Final Four Appearances – 2012, 2014, 2015, 2020, 2024
Final Four Losses – 2020
Regional Champions – 2012, 2014, 2015, 2020
Regional Finals Losses – 2013, 2021, 2023
DIVISION 4
Lansing Christian
State Champions – 2013
State Runner-Up – None
Final Four Appearances – 2013, 2015, 2024
Final Four Losses – 2015
Regional Champions – 2013, 2015, 2024
Regional Finals Losses – 2008, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2022, 2023
Plymouth Christian
State Champions – None
State Runner-Up – None
Final Four Appearances – 2015, 2024
Final Four Losses – 2015
Regional Champions – 2015, 2024
Regional Finals Losses – 1999, 2009, 2015
Grandville Calvin Christian
State Champions – None
State Runner-Up – 2020
Final Four Appearances – 2020, 2024
Final Four Losses – None
Regional Champions – 2020, 2024
Regional Finals Losses – 2006, 2011, 2019, 2023
Muskegon Western Michigan Christian
MHSAA State Champions – 1988, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2019, 2022, 2023
MSCA State Champions (Michigan Suburban Coaches Association – 1981*
State Runner-Up – 1982, 1983, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2011,
Final Four Appearances – 1981*, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024
Final Four Losses – 1993, 1994, 2014, 2015
Regional Champions – 1981*, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024
Regional Finals Losses – 2009, 2018
An asterisk * denotes the season came in the old Michigan Suburban Coaches Association state tournament prior to the MHSAA state being contested.
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BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 41-50: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/boys-soccer-super-50-teams-positions-41-50
BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 31-40: https://www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/boys-soccer-msn-super-50-teams-positions-31-40
BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 21-30: BOYS SOCCER: MSN Super 50 Teams Positions 21-30:
BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 11-20:
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