Butch Harmon
Sports Scene
The senior members of the DeWitt soccer team set the bar so high during their four-year run that it would take nothing less than a state title to eclipse what they accomplished.
During their four years at DeWitt, the seniors on the soccer team have advanced to the state semifinals three straight years. In each of the last three seasons, the Panthers not only reached the state semifinals, but also made their competitors go into overtime to oust them.
“The special thing about this year is the senior class,” coach Jamal Mubarakeh said. “Our senior class as a whole is a group of real good leaders. They are good people and they have done a lot to help the underclassmen and to leave a legacy here at DeWitt. What they showed the underclassmen this year will help the team next year. This senior class is always going to be remembered, and I am proud of all of them.”
DeWitt’s senior class was comprised of forwards Erica Goodenough and Addison Schaar; midfielders Callen O’Keefe, Molly Benton, and Katy Stephan; and defenders Alex Toth, Jessica Smith, and Emmalee Skorich.
The seniors came within minutes of advancing to the Division 2 state championship game. DeWitt took a 1–0 lead against Plainwell in the semifinal when Callen O’Keefe scored a first-half goal. That goal looked like it would hold up until Plainwell tied the match with 4:21 remaining in the second half. Plainwell scored the only goal in overtime to clinch the win and a berth in the state championship match.
“It’s a tough way to lose,” Mubarakeh said. “We were up the whole match until less than five minutes to go. We worked real hard but we had one let down and they cashed in, but that’s soccer, that happens.”
Making the Panthers’ postseason run even more impressive was the fact that they did most of it despite injuries to two of their top offensive players. DeWitt overcame those injuries to earn a 1-0 win against Grand Rapids Christian in the Division 2 regional at Cedar Springs.
DeWitt finished the season with a 21-1-1 record.
A number of Panthers earned all-state honors this season, led by Erica Goodenough who was named to the all-state dream team. Senior forward Addison Schaar earned first-team, all-state honors in D2 while junior goalkeeper Lauren Earley, sophomore midfielder Natalie Knauf, and junior midfielder Taylor Radel each earned honorable-mention, all-state honors.