Hartland wins first KLAA ladies soccer title in shootout over Brighton

[ad_1] HARTLAND — Whatever the end result, Hartland and Brighton ought to be battle-tested heading into the state ladies soccer event after their traditional battle Friday evening.

Not solely did they get to play three aggressive KLAA event video games underneath the league’s new end-of-season format, however they took one another to a shootout earlier than Hartland prevailed, 3-2.

The Eagles needed to come again twice to tie the sport in regulation time, with freshman Elise L’Esperance scoring late within the second half to power a shootout. The KLAA selected to determine video games with shootouts with out first taking part in two 10-minute overtimes as is customary within the MHSAA state event.

The groups had been tied 3-3 after every had 5 photographs within the shootout. Within the sudden-death spherical, freshman Samantha Morrish scored to place Hartland on high and senior goalie Jenna Brock made a diving save to safe Hartland’s first KLAA championship.

Hartland made the KLAA championship recreation twice underneath the outdated crossover format, dropping 3-1 to Plymouth in 2013 and 1-0 to Livonia Stevenson final season.

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“We had Novi, Salem and Brighton, undoubtedly three good groups as a result of we had been within the high bracket,” Hartland coach Andrew Kartsounes stated. “All of the groups up there are fairly good. It’s undoubtedly extra of a event form of state of affairs. That’s good apply for us. Right here’s a possibility to do a shootout, which we usually wouldn’t have accomplished till event time, so it’s a very good alternative to apply that.”

Brock made two saves within the shootout, together with one on Brighton’s fifth try that may have given the Bulldogs the victory. She additionally obtained a chunk of a shot that discovered the web.

“Making saves on two in a row was enormous,” Kartsounes stated. “She had a very good recreation. Brighton had fairly a number of probabilities. Jenna made some good saves and actually stepped up on the finish of the shootout.”

Brighton’s Addison Elliott and Ella Vandemergel scored in regulation. Gracie Kastamo had Hartland’s different objective.

The objective that pressured time beyond regulation was scored by a freshman who started the season splitting time between the junior varsity and varsity. L’Esperance not too long ago turned a full-time varsity participant.

“She scored 20-plus targets on J.V.,” Kartsounes stated. “We had been hoping she would be capable to add to our scoring on varsity. She’s had a pair targets and assists thus far, none greater than this one although.”

Hartland (12-4-1) will start district play at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Might 21 at house towards Lakeland. Brighton (13-4-1) will host Lansing Everett in a first-round district recreation at 6 the identical evening.

For Brighton and Hartland to have a rematch, each groups must attain the regional championship recreation June 5 at Grand Blanc. Hartland is 4-0-1 in its final 5 conferences with Brighton.