BY DAN STICKRADT
WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR
Twitter: @MiSoccerNetwork
TRENTON, Mich. – Sometimes a school will find just enough magic in the postseason to prevail.
In recent years, Trenton is one of those schools.
The Trojans, honorable mention in the polls heading into the state tournament, tripped up previously-unbeaten and 10th-ranked New Boston Huron Tuesday night 2-1 in a game that featured two full 10-minute overtime periods and a shootout to decide the winner in a Division 2 district finals clash.
Trenton outlasted Huron 5-3 in the shootout to advance to next week’s regionals at Dearborn Divine Child, where the Trojans will face the winner of Friday’s district finals match between Garden City and Divine Child.
“This was two really good teams and only one team could advance. I’m proud of these girls because Huron had a great season. They won their league and hadn’t lost yet this season,” noted Trenton coach Michael Hatfield, whose program won its second straight district title and 11th in the last 13 seasons. “We thought it would be a one-goal game and could go to overtime or a shootout. We found a way to win. We played a really tough schedule this season in the non-conference and played some Division 1 teams. I think that helped prepare us for the tournament and for games like this.”
The game featured a pair of conference champions – Downriver League champion Trenton (16-5-2) and first-time Huron League champion New Boston Huron – and lived up to its billing as one of the top district finals in Division 2. The game was actually played early, as the district semifinals were moved up to last Friday before the holiday weekend and the district finals moved up to Tuesday night at Trenton.
The two teams did not disappoint in the classic.
Trenton, which has consistently been one of the top Downriver area schools over the last 25-plus years, came through again in a tight game against a program which enjoyed the best season in its history.
The Trojans took a 1-0 lead with 26:34 remaining in the first half as junior Kate Haveman corralled a pass from Gonyea and blasted home her shot from close-range. It was the 14th goal of the season for Havemen, who missed around half of the season with an injury but returned three weeks ago and has rounded back into form.
“Having Kate back has made a difference, because it gives u really three goal scorers (in the attack) that other teams have to try to mark. She missed a good month or so, but we brough her back around three weeks ago and she’s now healthy,” said Hatfield, whose team reached the Division 2 regional finals last season before bowing out to eventual state champion Grosse Pointe North.
New Boston Huron (14-1-3) tied the game after goalkeeper Leila Gorno tripped up a Huron player in the box and was issued a yellow card. Gorno had to sit out the ensuing penalty kick, so Trenton put in All-State forward Claire Gonyea into the goal. Huron junior leading goal-scorer Riley Cassette was able to convert her penalty shot to tie the game at 1-1 with 3:50 left in the first half.
It was the 24th goal of the season for Cassette.
Neither side could score in the second half or during the two 10-minute overtime periods.
In the shootout, Gorno got her shot at redemption and stopped Huron’s fifth shooter, Maggie Mentzer,
“Leila didn’t have to make a bunch of saves, but she came through when we needed her and then she stopped their fourth, so we came up and buried our last and that was it,” said Hatfield. “But this was a total team effort. We played great defense and Huron has a lot of very talented players and all we allowed was the penalty kick. We found a way to win a close game. And that’s what it’s all about at this stage (of the tournament). Every team is good, so they’ll all be close games.”
Gonyea, who signed withNCAA Division I Eastern Michigan University, Chloe Wishart, Avery Schultz, Kate Haveman and Lily Mulford converted their penalties in succession for Trenton during the shootout.
Gabriella Emelian, Lily Cholette and Ava Banko scored the first three penalty kicks but the Chiefs missed their fourth. Trenton’s Mulford scored her team’s fifth shot to clinch the deal, sending the Trojans racing into the center of the park for midfield jubilee celebration.
Senior Leila Gorno finished with four saves throughout 100 minutes of action. Brooklyn Burke made six saves for Huron.
(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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