Dan Stickradt
Special to Sports Scene
EAST LANSING — Although she does not spend much time talking about her personal trials, Maddie VanDyke has truly learned how to help turn tragedy into triumph.
Pushed to forward from her natural center back position, VanDyke scored the game-winning goal in top-ranked Unity Christian’s 2-1, double-overtime, victory over third-ranked Detroit Country Day in the Division 3 state final June 12 at Michigan State University’s DeMartin Stadium.
VanDyke scored on a breakaway, corralling a long through pass near midfield from senior Bethany Balcer and racing in and chipping in a shot from 16 yards out that crossed the line before defenders could clear the ball. There was 4:12 left in the second extra session.
“We had a lot of chances. We kept trying and trying,” said VanDyke, a first-team all-state defender last season. “It was a great ball from Balcer, and I was able to go in and score. I was just trying to help my team win.”
Poetic justice? VanDyke’s father, Rod VanDyke, passed away last October in a tragic accident, so this moment of glory brought a special emotion to her coach and those around the Unity Christian program.
“Tears,” said coach Randy Heethuis. “I mean not only winning a state championship, but for it to end that way with Maddie scoring the game-winner. It has been a rough, rough year for her family. This couldn’t have happened to a better kid to win it for us. She’s a very private person and doesn’t talk about it a lot. She deserves it.”
Despite out-possessing Country Day for over 90 percent of the contest, the Crusaders (24-1) had to come back after trailing 1-0 at halftime for the second straight season.
Unity Christian surrendered two goals in the postseason and outscored the opposition 124-8 over 24 games entering the title match. It finally netted the equalizer in the final with 16:57 remaining. Junior forward Abby Neinhuis got on the end of Balcer’s cross and knocked it home from close range.
The Crusaders outshot Country Day 31-4, including 15-4 shots on frame, and held a 10-0 edge on corner kicks but could not muster another goal until the 96th minute. The game-deciding goal gave Unity Christian its ninth state title — second most in MHSAA girls’ soccer history — in 12 trips to the final game over a 14-season span.
“Every year is different, because every year is a different group of kids,” said Heethuis. “Kids graduate every year and new kids come in. We lost two seniors to knee injuries during our run, so we didn’t have as much depth. But we had plenty of kids that stepped up and played great. These kids played for each other.”
Country Day (18-4-2) scored on its first shot attempt of the game, a nice individual effort. Sophomore Lauren Alshab beat her mark down the left side before uncorking a lethal shot from 21 yards out that landed top shelf inside the right goal post.
The Yellowjackets rarely threatened again, attempting just two second-half shots and none during the two overtime periods.
It was the final game for veteran Coontry Day coach Bob Bukari, who has coached in Oakland County since 1979. He began his coaching career at Birmingham Seaholm right before his graduation from Oakland University.
“We were tired. Our previous two games we went to a shootout, and you could see the fatigue on us during the second half and overtimes. Our legs just weren’t there,” said Bukari, who has been either a head coach or an assistant coach in Country Day’s boys’ and girls’ soccer programs since 1986. “I’m proud of my girls for the run we had and our effort. There’s no shame in losing to a team like that. They were the better team.
“I will miss the competitive atmosphere of games and the kids,” continued Bukari, who will serve as a volunteer part-time assistant next school year to help with the transition. “Being able to coach kids like this and see them develop is special.”