BY DAN STICKRADT
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST | WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS
PH: (248) 884-1051
TW/X: @msn_stickradt @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
GRAND LEDGE, Mich. – Three years ago, Hartland simply overpowered opponents enroute to the state title game. This year the Eagles have found different ways to win.
Hartland, ranked 11th entering the state tournament and champions the Kensington Lakes Activities Association-West Division at 10-1-3 during the regular season, rallied past Grand Haven 2-1 Tuesday in the Division 1 state semifinals at Grand Ledge High School.
The Eagles posted their third straight one-goal victory in the postseason after opening up the tournament with a pair of 2-0 victories.
“We’ve found different ways to win,” noted 19th-year Hartland coach Andrew Kartsounes. “We had to come back on Grand Haven and we had close games with Bloomfield Hills and Lake Orion before that. This time it was a freshman who stepped up and got the game-winner for us. She’s been playing a lot more since Katie Swirczek got injured in the second Brighton game.”
Hartland, which outscored its opponents 28-2 with six shutouts during the 2021 state championship run, have only outscored postseason opponents 11-4 this season. The 2021 outscored its foes 93-15, while this year’s side owns a 60-21 scoring edge, although slightly tougher schedule.
Grand Haven, fresh off a string of upsets in winning its first regional crown in program history and making a first-ever run to a Final Four, grabbed a 1-0 lead when senior Rosalee Springer converted a penalty kick with 20:00 remaining in the first half.
That lead lasted until there was 3:17 remaining in the opening half when Hartland answered with a penalty kick goal of its own. Senior Emma Kastamo banged home her opportunity to tie the game at 1-1 just minutes before the half.
Hartland (16-3-3) posted a 15-9 edge with shots on frame and 18-10 overall. The Eagles finally broke the stalemate with 9:13 remaining in the contest when freshman midfielder Claire L’Esperance got on the end of a loose ball in traffic after Kastamo served up a cornerkick into the middle of the box.
Hartland’s defense made it stand in helping the Eagles reach the state finals for the second time in school history.
“When we won it three years ago, we scored a lot of goals and we won some game by 2-3, even four goals,” offered Kartsounes. “This time the games are really close. We’re just having different girls step up inn each game. Tonight it was our freshman. Claire (L’Esperence) has played a lot more as a starter since Katie got hurt (on May 7). She’s stepped up when we needed her. When we beat Bloomfield (Hills) in the regionals, we had a sophomore (Addi Frantti) step up. It’s a different girl every game, and our defense has been strong throughout (the tournament).”
Senior Jenna Brock finished with eight saves on the night to record her 16th win in goal.
Senior Hannah Taylor finished the night with 13 saves for the Buccaneers (12-7-4), who had never been past the regional semifinals until this year’s run as an unranked team.
THE MOST IN STATE TOURNAMENT HISTORY--GIRLS SOCCER
(1983-2003)
Compiled by MSN’s Dan Stickradt
Note: An asterisk* denotes a school that no longer exists.
MOST MHSAA STATE TITLES:
12 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley
11 – Hudsonville Unity Christian
9 – Birmingham Marian
7 – Novi
6 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day
5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
5 – Kalamazoo Christian
5 – Livonia Stevenson
4 – Grandville Calvin Christian
4 – Richland Gull Lake
4 – Troy Athens
3 – East Grand Rapids
3 – Flint Powers Catholic
3 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep
3 – Northville
3 – Plymouth Canton
3 – Troy
2 – Grand Rapids South Christian
2 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett
2 – Lansing Christian
2 – Okemos
2 – Portage Central
2 – Rochester Adams
2 – Rochester Stoney Creek
2 – Royal Oak Shrine Catholic
1 – Ann Arbor Greenhills
1 – Ann Arbor Huron
1 – Birmingham Groves
1 – Birmingham Seaholm
1 – Bloomfield Hills
1 – Clawson
1 – Dearborn
1 – Grosse Pointe North
1 – Hartland
1 – Livonia Churchill
1 – North Muskegon
1 – Plainwell
1 – Plymouth Salem
1 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
1 – Saginaw Eisenhower*
1 – Saginaw Heritage
1 – Saline
1 – Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-Clarkston Everest Unified
1 – Williamston
MOST MHSAA STATE FINALS APPEARANCES:
17 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley
15 – Hudsonville Unity Christian
13 – Birmingham Marian
11 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day
9 – Flint Powers Catholic
9 – Kalamazoo Christian
8 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep
8 – Richland Gull Lake
7 – Livonia Stevenson
7 – Novi
7 – Plymouth Canton
7 – Troy
7 – Troy Athens
6 – East Grand Rapids
6 – Northville
6 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
5 – Plainwell
5 – Brighton
5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
4 – Ann Arbor Greenhills
4 – Grand Blanc
4 – Grandville Calvin Christian
4 – Lansing Christian
4 – Rochester Adams
4 – Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-Clarkston Everest Unified
3 – Bloomfield Hills Lahser*
3 – Livonia Churchill
3 – Okemos
3 – Portage Central
3 – Rochester Stoney Creek
3 – Royal Oak Shrine Catholic
3 – Williamston
2 – Freeland
2 – Grand Rapids South Christian
2 – Grosse Pointe North
2 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett
2 – Plymouth
2 – Plymouth Salem
2 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
2 – Saginaw Eisenhower*
2 – Utica Eisenhower
1 – Ann Arbor Huron
1 – Birmingham Groves
1 – Birmingham Seaholm
1 – Bloomfield Hills
1 – Boyne City
1 – Clarkston Everest Collegiate-Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Unified
1 – Clawson
1 – Dearborn
1 – Essexville-Garber
1 – Fenton
1 – Grandville
1 – Grosse Ile
1 – Harbor Springs
1 – Hartland
1 – Hudsonville
1 – Jackson Lumen Christi
1 – Livonia Ladywood*
1 – Montrose
1 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian
1 – North Muskegon
1 – Portage Northern
1 – Rochester
1 – Saginaw Heritage
1 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic
1 – Saline
1 – Spring Lake
1 – Stevensville-Lakeshore
MOST MHSAA STATE RUNNERS-UP FINISHES:
6 – Flint Powers Catholic
5 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day
5 – Brighton
5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
5 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep
5 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley
4 – Birmingham Marian
4 – Grand Blanc
4 – Hudsonville Unity Christian
4 – Kalamazoo Christian
4 – Plainwell
4 – Plymouth Canton
4 – Richland Gull Lake
4 – Troy
3 – Ann Arbor Greenhills
3 – Bloomfield Hills Lahser*
3 – Northville
3 – Troy Athens
3 – Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-Clarkston Everest Unified
2 – East Grand Rapids
2 – Freeland
2 – Lansing Christian
2 – Livonia Churchill
2 – Livonia Stevenson
2 – Plymouth
2 – Rochester Adams
2 – Utica Eisenhower
2 – Williamston
1 – Boyne City
1 – Clarkston Everest Collegiate-Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Unified
1 – East Grand Rapids
1 – Essexville-Garber
1 – Fenton
1 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
1 – Grandville
1 – Grosse Ile
1 – Grosse Pointe North
1 – Harbor Springs
1 – Hudsonville
1 – Jackson Lumen Christi
1 – Livonia Ladywood*
1 – Montrose
1 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian
1 – Okemos
1 – Plymouth Salem
1 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
1 – Portage Central
1 – Portage Northern
1 – Royal Oak Shrine Catholic
1 – Rochester
1 – Rochester Stoney Creek
1 – Saginaw Eisenhower*
1 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic
1 – Spring Lake
1 – Stevensville-Lakeshore
MOST MHSAA STATE RUNNERS-UP FINISHES WITHOUT A STATE TITLE:
5 – Brighton
5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
4 – Grand Blanc
2 – Freeland
2 – Utica Eisenhower
1 – Boyne City
1 – Clarkston Everest Collegiate-Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Unified
1 – Essexville-Garber
1 – Fenton
1 – Grandville
1 – Grosse Ile
1 – Grosse Pointe North
1 – Harbor Springs
1 – Hudsonville
1 – Jackson Lumen Christi
1 – Livonia Ladywood*
1 – Montrose
1 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian
1 – Portage Northern
1 – Rochester
1 – Saginaw Eisenhower*
1 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic
1 – Spring Lake
1 – Stevensville-Lakeshore
MHSAA STATE SEMIFINALS LOSSES:
9 – Flint Powers Catholic
8 – Troy
7 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day
6 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
6 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian
6 – Plainwell
6 – Portage Central
6 – Rochester Adams
5 – Brighton
5 – DeWitt
5 – Holland Christian
5 – North Muskegon
5 – Northville
5 – Portage Northern
5 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic
4 – Dexter
4 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett
4 – Harper Woods Regina / Warren Regina
4 – Hudsonville Unity Christian
4 – Jackson Lumen Christi
4 – Kalamazoo Christian
4 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley
4 – Richland-Gull Lake
4 – Rochester
4 – Suttons Bay
3 – Birmingham Marian
3 – Frankenmuth
3 – Freeland
3 – Grosse Pointe South
3 – Lansing Christian
3 – Livonia Ladywood*
3 – Midland Dow
3 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
3 – Trenton
3 – Utica Ford II
2 – Ann Arbor Greenhills
2 – Bad Axe
2 – Dearborn
2 – Elk Rapids
2 – Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port-Laker
2 – Fenton
2 – Fremont
2 – Grand Rapids Catholic Central
2 – Grand Rapids Christian
2 – Grandville Calvin Christian
2 – Grosse Pointe North
2 – Harbor Springs
2 – Kalamazoo Central
2 – Linden
2 – Livonia Stevenson
2 – Macomb Lutheran North
2 – Midland
2 – Novi
2 – Saginaw Eisenhower*
2 – Troy Athens
2 – Utica Eisenhower
2 – Williamston
1 – Ann Arbor Huron
1 – Ann Arbor Pioneer
1 – Ann Arbor Skyline
1 – Birmingham Seaholm
1 – Boyne City
1 – Byron Center
1 – Charlevoix
1 – Chelsea
1 – Clawson
1 – Dearborn Divine Child
1 – East Kentwood
1 – East Lansing
1 – Farmington
1 – Farmington Hills Mercy
1 – Flushing
1 – Grand Blanc
1 – Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian
1 – Grosse Ile
1 – Hart
1 – Haslett
1 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep
1 – Kalamazoo Loy-Norrix
1 – Lapeer East*
1 – Lake Fenton
1 – Livonia Churchill
1 – Ludington
1 – Madison Heights Lamphere
1 – Maple City Glen Lake
1 – Marine City Cardinal Mooney
1 – Marshall
1 – Mattawan
1 – Muskegon Catholic Central
1 – Muskegon Oakridge
1 – Muskegon Orchard View
1 – Okemos
1 – Paw Paw
1 – Plymouth Canton
1 – Royal Oak Kimball*
1 – Saginaw Heritage
1 – St. Clair Shores South Lake
1 – Spring Lake
.
MOST MHSAA FINAL FOUR APPEARANCES:
(Combined state championship, state runners-ups and Final Four losses)
21 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley
19 – Hudsonville Unity Christian
18 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day
18 – Flint Powers Catholic
16 – Birmingham Marian
15 – Troy
13 – Kalamazoo Christian
12 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
12 – Richland Gull Lake
11 – Northville
11 – Plainwell
10 – Brighton
10 – Rochester Adams
9 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep
9 – Livonia Stevenson
9 – Novi
9 – Portage Central
9 – Troy Athens
8 – Plymouth Canton
7 – Lansing Christian
7 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian
6 – Ann Arbor Greenhills
6 – East Grand Rapids
6 – Grandville Calvin Christian
6 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett
6 – North Muskegon
6 – Portage Northern
6 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic
5 – DeWitt
5 – Freeland
5 – Grand Blanc
5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
5 – Holland Christian
5 – Jackson Lumen Christi
5 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
5 – Rochester
5 – Williamston
4 – Dexter
4 – Grosse Pointe North
4 – Harper Woods Regina / Warren Regina
4 – Livonia Churchill
4 – Livonia Ladywood*
4 – Okemos
4 – Suttons Bay
4 – Utica Eisenhower
4 – Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-Clarkston Everest Collegiate Unified
3 – Bloomfield Hills Lahser*
3 – Dearborn
3 – Fenton
3 – Frankenmuth
3 – Grosse Pointe South
3 – Harbor Springs
3 – Midland Dow
3 – Rochester Stoney Creek
3 – Royal Oak Shrine Catholic
3 – Saline
3 – Trenton
3 – Utica Ford II
2 – Ann Arbor Huron
2 – Bad Axe
2 – Birmingham Seaholm
2 – Boyne City
2 – Clawson
2 – Elk Rapids
2 – Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port-Laker
2 – Fremont
2 – Grand Rapids Catholic Central
2 – Grand Rapids Christian
2 – Grand Rapids South Christian
2 – Grosse Ile
2 – Kalamazoo Central
2 – Linden
2 – Macomb Lutheran North
2 – Midland
2 – Plymouth
2 – Plymouth Salem
2 – Saginaw Eisenhower*
2 – Saginaw Heritage
2 – Spring Lake
1 – Ann Arbor Pioneer
1 – Ann Arbor Skyline
1 – Birmingham Groves
1 – Bloomfield Hills
1 – Byron Center
1 – Charlevoix
1 – Chelsea
1 – Clarkston Everest Collegiate/Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Unified
1 – Dearborn Divine Child
1 – East Kentwood
1 – East Lansing
1 – Essexville Garber
1 – Farmington
1 – Farmington Hills Mercy
1 – Flushing
1 – Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian
1 – Grandville
1 – Hart
1 – Hartland
1 – Haslett
1 – Hudsonville
1 – Kalamazoo Loy-Norrix
1 – Lapeer East*
1 – Lake Fenton
1 – Ludington
1 – Madison Heights Lamphere
1 – Maple City Glen Lake
1 – Marine City Cardinal Mooney Catholic
1 – Marshall
1 -- Mattawan
1 – Montrose
1 – Muskegon Catholic Central
1 – Muskegon Oakridge
1 – Muskegon Orchard View
1 – Royal Oak Kimball*
1 – St. Clair Shores South Lake
1 – Stevensville-Lakeshore
Note: An asterisk* denotes a school that no longer exists.
To update, email Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or text to (248) 884-1051.
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS STATE TITLES:
11 – Davison Faith Baptist
4 – Midland Calvary Baptist
4 – Troy Bethany Christian
2 – Clinton Township Faith Christian
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS STATE RUNNERS-UP:
3 – Rochester Hills Christian
3 – Davison Faith Baptist
2 – Troy Bethany Christian
1 – Clarkston Springfield Christian
1 – Clinton Township Faith Christian
1 – Vassar Juniata Christian
X – Bloomfield Hills Christian
X – Bridgeport Baptist
X – Carson City Fellowship Baptist
X – Corunna Immanuel Christian
X – Gaylord Grace Baptist*
X – Gladwin Skeels Christian
X – Holland Calvary Baptist
X – Holt Capitol City Baptist
X – Laingsburg Christian
X – Lake Orion Baptist
X – Lake Orion Shalom Baptist*
X – Midland Calvary Baptist
X – Midland Christian*
X – Oxford Christian Academy*
X – Rockford Oakfield Baptist*
X – Ruby Faith Baptist*
X – Saginaw Community Baptist
X – Saline Washtenaw Christian
X – Sterling Heights Christian*
X – Waterford Oakdale Christian Academy
X – Wixom Christian
X – Ypsilanti Calvary Christian*
X – Ypsilanti Faithway Baptist*
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS FINAL FOUR APPEARANCES:
X – Rochester Hills Christian
X – Davison Faith Baptist
X – Troy Bethany Christian
X – Clarkston Springfield Christian
X – Clinton Township Faith Christian
X – Vassar Juniata Christian
X – Bloomfield Hills Christian
X – Bridgeport Baptist
X – Cadillac Heritage Christian
X – Carson City Fellowship Baptist
X – Corunna Immanuel Christian
X – Fostoria Baptist
X – Gaylord Grace Baptist*
X – Gladwin Skeels Christian
X – Holland Calvary Baptist
X – Holt Capitol City Baptist
X – Laingsburg Christian
X – Lake Orion Baptist
X – Lake Orion Shalom Baptist*
X – Midland Calvary Baptist
X – Midland Christian*
X – Oxford Christian Academy*
X – Rockford Oakfield Baptist*
X – Ruby Faith Baptist*
X – Saginaw Community Baptist
X – Saline Washtenaw Christian
X – Sterling Heights Christian*
X – Waterford Oakdale Christian Academy
X – Wixom Christian
X – Ypsilanti Calvary Christian*
X – Ypsilanti Faithway Baptist
Note: There are five seasons in the MACS state tournament where there is no state champion listed.
Note: An asterisk* denotes a school that no longer in operation or the high school portion of the school has closed.
MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
(founded in January 2023)
MCSAA—STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
1 – Rochester Hills Christian
MCSAA—STATE RUNNER-UPS
1 – Saline Washtenaw Christian
MCSAA—FINAL FOUR APPEARANCS
1 – Rochester Hills Christian
1 – Saline Washtenaw Christian
1 – Bloomfield Hills Christian
X – Cadillac Heritage Christian
X – Waterford Oakdale Christian Academy
X – Bridgeport Baptist
X – Flint Waterbrook Christian
X – Smith’s Creek Blue Water Christian Academy
X – Burton CenterPointe Christian Academy
X – Hastings Barry County Christian
MCSAA—STATE FINALS RESULTS
2024: To be determined
2023: Rochester Hills Christian 5, Saline Washtenaw Christian 2
To update, email Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or text to (248) 884-1051.
MICHIGAN HOME SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
/ WEST MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN HOME SCHOOL ASSOCIATION:
MOST MHSSA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Note: No list complied; incomplete information
X – Brighton East Michigan Home School Panthers
X – Byron Center West Michigan Home School Heat
X – Canton Home School United
X – Howell HAACH Home School Cougars
X – Hudsonville Home School Hornets
X – Kalamazoo Home School Cougars
X – Lansing Area Home School Dragons
X – Lansing CHAP Home School Chariots
X – Lansing Home School Crusaders*
X – Lapeer Faith Home School Falcons
X – Lapeer Home School Lakers
X – Romeo Summit Home School Mountaineers
X – Saginaw Mid-Michigan Christian Home School Educators Eagles
X – Sterling Heights Life Summit Eagles
X – Traverse City Home School Bulldogs
MOST MHSSA STATE RUNNERS-UP:
X – Brighton East Michigan Home School Panthers
X – Byron Center West Michigan Home School Heat
X – Canton Home School United
X – Howell HAACH Home School Cougars
X – Hudsonville Home School Hornets
X – Kalamazoo Home School Cougars
X – Lansing Area Home School Dragons
X – Lansing CHAP Home School Chariots
X – Lansing Home School Crusaders*
X – Lapeer Faith Home School Falcons
X – Lapeer Home School Lakers
X – Romeo Summit Home School Mountaineers
X – Saginaw Mid-Michigan Christian Home School Educators Eagles
X – Sterling Heights Life Summit Eagles
X – Traverse City Home School Bulldogs
MOST MHSSA FINAL FOUR APPEARANCES
X – Brighton East Michigan Home School Panthers
X – Byron Center West Michigan Home School Heat
X – Canton Home School United
X – Howell HAACH Home School Cougars
X – Hudsonville Home School Hornets
X – Kalamazoo Home School Cougars
X – Lansing Area Home School Dragons
X – Lansing CHAP Home School Chariots
X – Lansing Home School Crusaders*
X – Lapeer Faith Home School Falcons
X – Lapeer Home School Lakers
X – Romeo Summit Home School Mountaineers
X – Saginaw Mid-Michigan Christian Home School Educators Eagles
X – Sterling Heights Life Summit Eagles
X – Traverse City Home School Bulldogs
To update, email Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or text to (248) 884-1051.
MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION:
MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION—STATE FINALS RESULTS
MCSAA STATE CHAMPIONS:
2023: Rochester Hills Christian
MCAA STATE RUNNER-UP:
2023: Saline Washtenaw Christian
(This is a newly-created state governing body of small Christian schools from a variety of conferences or independents that used to participate in state tournament by the Michigan Association of Christian Schools (MACS), Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), or various schools who have not participated in postseasons in recent years. )
To update, email Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or text to (248) 884-1051
(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 of teams or players with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com, or call 248-884-1051. 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.)
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