(Have photos to go with this story? Email pics to Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com and dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and also list the photo credit as well.)
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
BY DAN STICKRADT
WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS
Michigan Soccer Network | Premier Media Group and affiliates
BUSINESS LINE: (248) 525-2349
CELL PHONE: (248) 884-1051
TW/X: @msn_stickradt @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
GRAND LEDGE Mich. – Mason Bonnema took the right time to score the biggest goal of his young varsity career.
Bonnema, a freshman from Muskegon Western Michigan Christian, scored the game’s only goal with 1:04 left in the second half, and the eighth-ranked Warriors defeated honorable mention and first-time state finalist Plymouth Christian 1-0 in the Division 4 state finals at Grand Ledge High School.
But Bonnema came through in the clutch and his seventh goal of the campaign was the game-winner on the big stage.
It’d sounds crazy. Three in a row is a lot,” said Bonnema, who scored his seventh goal of the season but none greater than his last. “We had (nine MHSAA titles before) and that senior class now has three.”
The WMC faithful just wanted a goal in regulation and not to risk overtime or a shootout.
“It was kind of the culmination of the last really 10 minutes of the game where we were just building and building and building (our attack) and we just couldn’t get that final shot,” said WMC coach Ben Buursma of his team’s attack in the game, especially down the stretch. “But man, Mason did a great job of cutting b ack on the keeper and to get Mason one-on-one with the goalie – that’s a special moment for him.”
Western Michigan has now won 10 MHSAA state titles and one Michigan Suburban Soccer Coaches Association title prior to the MHSAA taking over the tournament in 1982.
The Warriors became just the third school in MHSAA history to win three straight state championships. Previously, Detroit Country Day captured a record eight straight titles between 1987-1994 (Class C-D and Class B) and Allen Park Inter-City Baptist captured three straight Class D titles from 1983-85.
Western Michigan Christian has made at least 22 Final Four appearances, won a combined 11 titles between MHSAA and MSSCA and lost in the state finals seven more times in the MHSAA state tournament. Additionally, the school has also reached the regional finals 24 times since the early 80s to become the state’s most successful small-school program in state history.
Western Michigan did not allow a single goal this postseason and just one goal allowed in tournament games the last two seasons.
“There is a lot of history and it’s a fantastic history, of this school winning state championships,” note d Buursma. “Our focus every year is to get back to the final game and we believe we can do it every year. We play a tough schedule and that helps prepare us. These kids, the growth they showed this year was pretty incredible.”
The Warriors, who also own state crowns in 1981 (coaches association), 1988, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2019, 2022, 2023 and now 2024, controlled play throughout the contest, and had waves and waves of attacks on Plymouth Christian’s backfield in the final 30 minutes.
The dame finally broke as senior midfielder Cole DeJong’s perfectly-slotted ball was chased down b y Bonnema who buried his eight-year shot to the far left post in the 79th minute.
Plymouth Christian had been to the Final Four twice – both coming in the last four seasons, including this year – but were able to play its way into the state finals for the first time in school history. The Eagles, who reconstructed its lineup in late August to help solidify a struggling defense, righted the ship to be able to make a lengthy postseason.
The Eagles upset three straight state-ranked teams along the way but came up short on this day.
“The 79th minute,” sighed Ryan Thomason, Plymouth Christian’s head coach. “Like I said, we played with 12 guys (in the tournament) mainly and they just wore down. That’s all I can say, we battled, and I think, to be fair, the better team won.
“We did a great job defensively. When we made those changes early in the season, that turned it around for us. But today we only went with 12 players (today) and we just ran out of gas. The way they were pressing, I thought they might be able to put one in on us. We were trying to force overtime, but we couldn’t hold them off.”
Western Michigan Christian outshot Plymouth Christian 17-6 overall, including 11-4 with shots on target and the 11th shot on frame ended up in the back of the net. The Warriors also held a 4-1 edge off cornerkicks. Senior goalkeeper Dan Manasian finished with four saves for his team’s six straight postseason shutout and 13th clean sheet of the season.
“We have a lot of confidence in our back line and goalkeeper. Daniel Manasian is one of the best high school goalies in the state,” added Buursma. “we have a lot of confidence in Daniel and our entire ck lin e. We didn’t allow any goals in the tournament this season.”
Muskegon Western Michigan Christianba
MHSAA State Champions – 1988, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024
MSSCA State Champions (Michigan Suburban Soccer 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
Plymouth Christian
State Champions – None
State Runner-Up – 2024
Final Four Appearances – 2015, 2021, 2024
Final Four Losses – 2015, 2021
Regional Champions – 2015, 2021, 2024
Regional Finals Losses – 1999, 2009, 2015
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(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or call 248-884-1051 or 248-525-2349. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com and jonathan@thepremiermediagrp.com.)
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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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(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or call 248-884-1051 or 248-525-2349. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com and jonathan@thepremiermediagrp.com.)
(MSN will compile a random sampling of game results from around the state each day. To send in results from high school varsity, club, amateur, pre-pro, semi-pro or professional soccer, email all pertinent details to Communications Specialist / Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com and dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com or submit information right on the correct link on the MSN website at https://www.michigansoccernetwork.com/reportascore. Please submit the competing teams, location and date of game, final score, overall and league records, goals, assists, goalkeepers and saves, standout defenders, players of the match, and any other pertinent details of the game. If there are courtesy action photos available, feel free to submit them at the above-listed emails.)
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