Butch Harmon
Sports Scene
Thanks to a combination of outstanding individual talent and great teamwork, the Okemos girls soccer team enjoyed a season to remember this spring.
The Chieftains, who have some of the top soccer players in the state, overcame a rugged schedule and then navigated through a state tournament full of hurdles to capture the Division 1 state championship.
Nothing was easy for Okemos, which defeated Troy 2-0 in the Division 1 state title game after turning back Rochester Adams 1-0 in overtime in the semifinal. The title was the first state soccer title for Okemos since the 2006 team won the Division 2 state title.
“We didn’t give up a goal,” coach Brian Guggemos said. “We played three of four teams in the top five; I don’t think anybody can say we backed into [the title.]”
Okemos turned in a big defensive effort in the state title win. Senior goalkeeper Molly O’Connor stopped everything Troy sent in her direction, as the Chieftains recorded their 20th shutout of the season. Okemos also finished the season allowing just six total goals, capping the year with a 24-1-1 record.
“The numbers are really nice when you think about them, but the only thing that really matters is the [state championship medal,]” said Guggemos.
Offensively, the Chieftains had production from a number of areas. Sophomore Kristelle Yewah set up the first goal with a pass to junior Emma Baker. Fellow sophomore Ashton Miller set up the second goal as she set up junior Liz Mullin.
One of the biggest hurdles Okemos faced came in the regional semifinal when it faced perennial state powerhouse East Kentood. Okemos traveled to Kentwood to face the sixth-ranked Falcons on their home turf. The match was a defensive battle from beginning to end. The two squads failed to score during regulation and then battled to a scoreless tie after two overtime periods.
O’Connor came up with some key saves late in the second half and in the overtime periods to keep Kentwood off the scoreboard.
The match then went to a shootout to decide the winner, and O’Connor again came up big. After East Kentwood scored on its first shot of overtime, O’Connor stopped the next three Falcon shots, while Okemos scored on its first three shots of the shootout to clinch the win.
“I think Molly is one of the most underrated goalies around,” Guggemos said. “I’m so proud of her. She is a three-year varsity player and has done a great job for us. Our players have a ton of confidence in her, and it’s great to have her back there.”
O’Connor was one of three Okemos players who earned first-team, all-state honors this season. Miller, a sophomore, was named to the all-state Dream Team and earned first-team honors, while senior Sarah Kovan also earned first-team honors.
Senior Vanessa Lacosse was named third-team, all-state, while Yewah was named honorable-mention, all-state.
For Miller, being named to the dream team was just another of a long list of honors earned by a player who is arguably the finest high school soccer player in the state. She has already committed to play college soccer at Duke University, and last spring she worked out with the United States Under-17 national team.
“She’s as technically a gifted player as any player I’ve had,’ Guggemos said. “She can use both feet, can make all the plays, is crafty, and has a great shot. Not only is she very gifted, but she works real hard at her craft. She is just a special player.”
Miller is not the only Okemos player who is headed on to Division 1 soccer after leaving Okemos. Kovan will be taking her talents to Michigan State University next season, while Lacosse is headed to the University of Iowa next season.
“Kovan is a two-year captain for us,” Guggemos said. “She is a great worker and one of the greatest leaders I’ve had. I’ve had her since the sixth grade, and she has been a joy to coach.
Vanessa is a gamer. She’s a talker and the rah-rah captain for us. She has a knack for getting everyone involved. Those two have been outstanding captains for us.”