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View 2006 game photos by clicking 2006 PHOTOS. These are ALL the photos taken, so they have not been cropped or optimized for the web. Therefore, you can order prints and they should turn out good (unless the actual photo is blurred, etc). I did put up all pictures taken regardless of shot quality. Unfortunately, due to MHSAA rules, the pictures from the state finals can not be posted. OHS Girls Coaching Staff Rob Antcliff, Head Coach--Coach Antcliff returns for his 345th season as the leader of the OHS Girls Soccer Program. Rob is an OHS alumnus where he helped the OHS Boys Soccer team capture many district, regional and a state title? He brings a wealth of soccer knowledge and experience to the program. He played collegiately at Alma College and is the former director of premier programs for the Capital Area United Premier Soccer Club. Rob and his family are residents of Okemos. Melissa Samluk, Assistant Coach-- Coach Samluk begins her 8th season as assistant coach for the Chieftains. She is a teacher at Okemos High School. Brian Guggemos, Head Coach OHS Boys Soccer and Assistant Coach OHS Girls Soccer Ryan Post, GK Coach Keith Miller, Assistant Coach Tom Maier, Assistant Coach John White, Assistant Coach Wednesday, March 29 Okemos Ladies Soccer Coach Looks to Upcoming Season March 26, 2006 OKEMOS Okemos is a perennial soccer power school, and as the grass turns green it's the ladies varsity team that is now taking the field and looking to continue that rich Chieftain legacy. Okemos is returning five seniors and is looking towards another season of big accomplishments. "Actually we're looking forward to a pretty experienced team," Okemos girls varsity head coach Rob Antcliff said. "This is one of the most talented teams we've had here at Okemos since I've been here. And so we're looking to use the experience, we're going to instill some new things on offense, defense, and I'm looking for a pretty defensive team." The Chieftains will feature a balance attack that will integrate a number of younger players into the program. Though the infusion of inexperienced talent may be a challenge for most schools soccer programs, Antcliff knows exactly where his squad will turn for it's guidance. "I think our strengths are going to be in leadership, because of the seniors and our defense/team defending, but you never know," said Antcliff. "Someone could pop up and score a bunch of goals." The Chieftains season will come with its difficulties: The team will not only have to play up to the lofty Okemos soccer standards but is also dealing with the expectations of excellence in their tournaments and state title championships. Antcliff is confident though that this team through the guidance of the coaching staff will prevail in the end. "We took the approach that we're looking to advance in the districts and the regionals so that's how we've laid out the agenda for the coaching effort for the season," Antcliff said. "So we're going to be challenging them with a lot of things that we see the better teams in the state doing. We kind of compiled it all and we're going to try to make it our own." Friday, March 31 MEET THE CHIEFS Did you miss Meet the Chiefs?? Here's an opportunity for you to see what you missed.
Wednesday, April 12 Chieftains Look Set for Deep Run in State Tournament Lansing State Journal - April 9, 2006 |
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Published May 2, 2006 |
CAAC-1
Coaches predictions:
1. Okemos
2. East Lansing
3. Holt
4. Jackson
5. Grand Ledge
6. Eastern
7. Everett
8. Sexton
Top player: Sarah Horsch, Okemos
Okemos
Last season: 12-6-3, tied for first
Coach: Rob Antcliff, seventh year
Top returnees: Sarah Horsch, D, sr.; Morgan Odell, F, sr.; Elise Peaney, D, sr.; Megan Farhat, M, jr.; Emily White, D, jr.; Amanda Lewis, D, sr.; Emily Alexander, GK, sr.; Chelsey Avery, F, jr.; Teresa Buiocchi, M, jr.; Taylor, Miller, F, soph.
Other contributors: Lauren Munson, D, jr.; Alex Klim, M, jr.; Brooke Robinson, F, soph.; Mary Cooke, M, soph.; Katy Cobbett, M, jr.
Outlook:Ten starters return to what is expected to be the areas best team, including two of the areas best in Farhat and Horsch. The Chieftains have played arguably the areas toughest nonleague schedule, but that experience could help them improve on last seasons district runner-up finish.
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| 2006 Seniors (missing injured Amanda Lewis) |
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Published July 2, 2006
[Lansing State Journal]
Okemos assumes personality of its
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Late at night two weeks after winning the Division 2 state final, Okemos girls soccer coach Rob Antcliff sat down and listened to the full audio recording of the Chieftains' title game against Bloomfield Hills Lahser.
By the time it was over, he was in tears.
"I felt pretty composed for the most part throughout the tournament," Antcliff said. "I enjoyed the run. I enjoyed the intrigue of trying to outsmart the other coaches. The other night at 10 o'clock, I went on the Web site and listened to the whole game. And by the end I was crying.
"I was thinking, 'Oh my God, look at what these girls did.' "
What they did was win the first girls soccer state title for an area team.
The Chieftains went through the CAAC-1 undefeated, scoring 77 goals and giving up four in league play. They had a school-record 15 shutouts and finished 23-4-1.
Okemos had five seniors, three who started in the state final. But they also relied on two freshmen: goalie Sarah Banks, who averaged less than one goal allowed per game, and forward Nichole Schiro, who set a single-season school record with 25 goals.
"He had everything to do with it," senior Sarah Horsch said of coach Antcliff. "... We lost a few games at the beginning of the season and the changes he made as a coach made us a champion."
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GK Sarah Banks, Okemos freshman
D Elise Peaney, Okemos senior
F Morgan Odell, Okemos senior
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Game |
Day |
Date |
Time |
Location |
Opponent |
OHS |
OPP | |
|
1 |
M |
3-27 |
7:00PM |
Away |
Lahser |
0 |
1 | |
|
2 |
W |
3-29 |
5:30PM |
Home |
Brighton |
0 |
2 | |
|
3 |
TH |
4-13 |
7:00PM |
Away |
Holt |
4 |
1 | |
|
4 |
SA |
4-15 |
9:30AM |
Away |
Kalamazoo Central |
2 |
0 | |
|
5 |
SA |
4-15 |
12:30PM |
Away |
Portage Northern |
0 |
1 | |
|
6 |
SA |
4-15 |
3:30PM |
Away |
Portage Central |
0 |
0 | |
|
7 |
TU |
4-18 |
6:30PM |
Away |
Mason |
3 |
0 | |
|
8 |
TH |
4-20 |
5:30PM |
Away |
Everett |
10 |
0 | |
|
9 |
SA |
4-22 |
12:00PM |
Home |
Midland |
4 |
0 | |
|
10 |
TH |
4-27 |
5:30PM |
Home |
Sexton |
10 |
0 | |
|
11 |
SA |
4-29 |
10:00AM |
Away |
Traverse City Central |
4 |
1 | |
|
12 |
SA |
4-29 |
1:30PM |
Away |
Championship (vs Midland) |
2 |
1 | |
|
13 |
TH |
5-4 |
5:30PM |
Away |
Eastern |
7 |
0 | |
|
14 |
TU |
5-9 |
5:30PM |
Home |
East Lansing |
2 |
0 | |
|
15 |
TH |
5-11 |
5:30PM |
Away |
Grand Ledge |
2 |
0 | |
|
16 |
F |
5-12 |
5:00PM |
Away |
Dow |
1 |
2 | |
|
17 |
TU |
5-16 |
5:30PM |
Home |
Jackson |
7 |
1 | |
|
18 |
TH |
5-18 |
5:00PM |
Home |
LEAGUE TOURNAMENT (vs Sexton) |
10 |
0 | |
|
19 |
F |
5-19 |
5:30PM |
Home |
Lumen Christi |
5 |
0 | |
|
20 |
M |
5-22 |
5:30PM |
Home |
LEAGUE TOURNAMENT(vs East Lansing) |
3 |
2 |
OT |
|
21 |
W |
5-24 |
4:00PM |
Home |
LEAGUE FINALS (vs Jackson) |
3 |
0 | |
|
22 |
T |
5-30 |
6:00PM |
Away |
DISTRICT TOURNAMENT(vs Mason) |
2 |
0 | |
|
23 |
TH |
6-1 |
7:00PM |
Away |
DISTRICT TOURNAMENT(vs Charlotte) |
4 |
0 | |
|
24 |
SA |
6-3 |
7:30PM |
Away |
DISTRICT FINALS(vs East Lansing) |
4 |
0 | |
|
25 |
T |
6-06 |
7:30PM |
Away |
REGIONAL TOURNAMENT(vs Portage Northern) |
3 |
2 |
SO |
|
26 |
F |
6-9 |
7:00PM |
Away |
REGIONAL FINALS(vs Vicksburg) |
2 |
1 | |
|
27 |
W |
6-14 |
7:00PM |
Away |
STATE SEMI-FINALS(vs Holland Christian) |
5 |
1 | |
|
28 |
SA |
6-17 |
2:30PM |
Away |
STATE FINALS(vs Lahser) |
2 |
1 | |
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The Chieftans played a strong Brighton team, losing 0-2 in a tough-fought game. Brighton scored a goal each half to put the game away. The chieftans rallied hard in the second half with several opportunities, but couldn't find the net.
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OKEMOS The spring sports season is just getting underway, but that didn't stop the Brighton soccer team from taking on top-flight competition. In just their second game of the season, the Bulldogs (2-0) traveled to Okemos and thoroughly outplayed the Chieftains (0-2) en route to a 2-0 win on Wednesday.
"It was a dogfight," Brighton coach Deepak Shivraman said. "It was good for us to score and get our forwards some confidence playing with each other." Bri Avedisian, who scored 29 goals a season ago, picked up right where she left off. She scored both Brighton goals Wednesday evening, her first two of the 2006 season.
"Okemos is one of the best teams we play, besides Novi," Avedisian said. "So it was really good to come out with the win. We came out strong and I think it's important for us. It's a big confidence boost that we're able to work together."
Avedisian's first goal was the result of a rebound in front of the Chieftains' goal some 18 minutes into the game. Her second score came 17 minutes into the second half. Avedisian beat her defender to a long pass upfield. When Okemos goalkeeper Emily Alexander came out to challenge for the ball, Avedisian lofted it over Alexander's head, caught up to the ball, and gently rolled it into the net. "(Alexander) stopped when I was coming and I said, 'OK, I got this,'" Avedisian said. "I just tipped it over her head and went after it. I don't think she knew what hit her."
The Bulldogs possessed the ball and controlled the tempo for most of the game and Okemos only threatened a handful of times. When the Chieftains did make a run, Brighton's defense was outstanding. Goalkeeper Sam Suter stopped all four shots she faced.
The result wasn't just an important early season win for the Bulldogs. This year's team boasts 15 returnees from last year's Division 1 state runner-up squad, along with an impressive influx of new talent.
"We're coming together and we're playing better up top," said freshman forward Sloane Levin, who assisted on Avedisian's second goal. "I think the chemistry is just going to keep getting better and better. This was definitely a big step."
The Bulldogs depth was also a key in Wednesday's win. Brighton played 21 players against Okemos without letting down from one lineup to the next. "The playing time is really divided and I didn't think it looked like we lost a beat at all," Shivraman said. "It says a lot about our level of depth and the confidence the new players are playing with." Brighton was aggressive on both ends of the field and regularly beat Chieftains' players to the ball. The Bulldogs managed seven shots on goal, but had at least a dozen more quality scoring chances that sailed high or wide.
"This is probably the best depth we've had in the last three or four years," assistant coach Jeff Vandemergle said. "It's nice because it shouldn't change the tempo of the game when we sub in and out. A lot of teams don't have that, so we're thankful." The general consensus was that playing an important game against a quality opponent early in the season can only help a team trying to find its identity and learning to play with a few new faces.
"It really tests the kids," Vandemergle said. "It really shows us what we need to work on when we play a good team like Okemos. It kind of puts things in perspective." The Bulldogs certainly aren't shying away from top competition. On Tuesday, Brighton travels to Flint Powers, who reached the Division 3 semifinals last season.
Originally published March 30, 2006
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| All Tournament Team Selections |
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High school soccer roundup |
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Midland Daily News |
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TRAVERSE CITY -- The Midland High soccer team split two games Saturday at an invitational in Traverse City. TRAVERSE CITY -- Midland High's junior varsity blue team won the Spring Cup Soccer Invitational at Traverse City on Saturday. |
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Published May 23, 2006
OKEMOS - Chelsey Avery scored the game-winning goal in overtime to give Okemos a 3-2 victory over
East Lansing on Monday as the Chieftains won a CAAC-1 tournament semifinal.
"It was a classic Okemos/East Lansing battle," Okemos coach Rob Antcliff said. "Both teams came out
very fired up and ready to play." The Chieftains were led by a goal and assist apiece from Nicole Schiro
and Megan Farhat. "We played a solid game. I thought that East Lansing rose to the occasion," said
Antcliff, who is in his seventh season. "We had beaten them earlier in the year. I thought they had
stepped up their game." Mia Miller and Kori Reinhart led the Trojans with a goal and assist each.
Okemos will host the Jackson/Holt winner in the championship game at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Okemos 3, East Lansing 2 (OT)
East Lansing goals--Miller, Reinhart. Assists--Miller, Reinhart. Okemos goals--Schiro, Farhat, Avery. Assists--
Farhat, Schiro, Odell. In goal--Heppler (EL) 10 saves, Banks (O) 2 saves, Alexander (O) 1 save. Records--
East Lansing 10-6-1 (4-3-1), Okemos 15-4-1 (8-0).
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MASON - Nichole Schiro scored the first of her two goals 7:02 into the opening half Tuesday to give Okemos the lead
for good in a Division 2 district soccer game. The Chieftains peppered Mason goalkeeper Christina Droscha with 24
shots and controlled the play for most of the 2-0 victory. "Coming out, we wanted to put pressure on their back line,"
Okemos coach Rob Antcliff said.
Big things are expected of the Chieftains after they cruised through Capital Area Activities Conference-1 play with a 9-0
record. They are 17-4-1 overall and ranked No. 6 in Division 2.
Antcliff said he believes the opening district game is the "hardest to win," and getting the victory over Mason (10-6-2)
will help his team build. "It's a one-game season," he said. "And it gives you momentum by letting your team know,
yes, you can do it during the regular season and in the postseason as well."
Okemos plays the winner of Charlotte and Waverly in a quarterfinal at 7 p.m. Thursday at Mason.
Schiro, a freshman forward, was a little nervous before her first district game, especially because it was against
the Bulldogs. "It was a big rival, so you're very anxious to start the game," she said. Senior forward Morgan Odell
assisted on Schiro's first goal. The second goal, which Schiro lofted over Droscha, was unassisted.
Antcliff described the young goal-scorer as an all-around threat. "There aren't that many players that have the skills to
finish, and she's got the skills to do that," Antcliff said. "It's nice because of her athleticism, she can get to balls
that most people think will go out of bounds or the keeper will get."
Droscha, a senior, had 22 saves. "She's outstanding," Mason coach John Gillengerten said. "She kept us in the game
tonight."
Freshman Sarah Banks and senior Emily Alexander combined for the Okemos shutout, stopping one shot each. The goalkeepers rarely saw action thanks to a suffocating Chieftains defense that rarely allowed the Bulldogs near the
Okemos goal.
Gillengerten knew his team would "have their hands full" once they drew Okemos in the opening round. "They're a
very good team, the best in the area," he said. "I think they'll win the district."
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Published June 2, 2006
Lansing State Journal
MASON - Nichole Schiro set a single-season record for goals with 23 as she scored to help Okemos to a Division 2 district semifinal victory. Morgan Odell set a single-season assist record for Okemos with 14 and also added a goal. Brooke Robinson and Sera Tekin also contributed goals for Okemos. Liz Fulgham had nine saves for Charlotte. "Charlotte made us work hard for everything." said coach Rob Antcliff. "I was very impressed with Charlotte's effort, and I was very pleased with how our girls kept their composure." Okemos plays East Lansing at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Mason for a district title.
By Matt Kemper
For the Lansing State Journal
Taylor Miller had a goal and an assist as Okemos beat East Lansing 4-0 in the district final. Nichole Schiro, Morgan Odell and Sera Tekin also scored for the Chieftains (19-4-1). Sarah Banks and Emily Alexander combined for the shutout. Emma Heppler had three saves for the Trojans (13-6-1).
Okemos will play Portage Northern at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Parma County Western. "Our mind-set is it's going to be a very tough matchup," Okemos coach Rob Antcliff said. "But with the way the girls are playing now I think we're a tough matchup for anyone in the state."
(NOTE: Per Rob's e-mail - the game is at 7:30PM on Tuesday)
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| (Photo by Scott Yoshonis | Lansing State Journal) | |
Published June 4, 2006
[From the Towne Courier]
MASON The seventh-ranked Okemos girls' soccer team opened their quest for the state title with a comprehensive 2-0 over hosts Mason in their district quarterfinal game on May 30.
Okemos freshman phenom Nichole Schiro scored both goals in the game, both in the first half.
Schiro's first goal came after Okemos dominated possession for the first eight minutes of the game, and found room to attack down the right flank. Chieftain senior Morgan Odell got free of her defender near the corner flag, passed the ball on the ground to Schiro at the corner of the six-yard box at the near post, who turned and fired into the upper 90 seven minutes into the game.
The Bulldogs stepped up their intensity after that, and enjoyed long spells of possession, although they found themselves in their own half for most of it. A couple of forays into the Okemos end came to nothing, as Mason was unable to get forward with any numbers.
Schiro scored the second goal after a scramble in the Mason penalty area found her with the ball at her feet at the top of the box. She deftly chipped the ball over the head of Mason goalkeeper Christina Droscha and just under the crossbar, giving Droscha absolutely no chance, and giving Okemos a 2-0 lead with 18:44 left in the first half.
Meanwhile, on the other end, Mason simply couldn't take advantage of the few chances they created. The Bulldogs had two free kicks in the space of two minutes within 25 yards of the Okemos goal, one on the left and one on the right, and both crosses went harmlessly over the crossbar.
Mason started the second half much better, and had their best scoring chance of the game less than four minutes into it, as their only real possession of the entire contest in the Okemos penalty area ended with a corner kick, which came to nothing.
The Bulldogs continued to take the play to the Chieftains, and began winning more balls in the midfield, neutralizing any hope of a counterattack, although Mason had few good scoring chances to show for their hard work.
Droscha was called upon again to keep her team in the game, with a tough save on a long shot to the near post which appeared to handcuff her, but she recovered and made the save without giving up a rebound with about 26 minutes left in the game.
That was just about the time that Okemos took the game back over, and the Bulldogs were unable to mount any sort of sustained attack for the rest of the contest.
The Chieftains almost had a third goal as a far-post header went just wide with 18:53 on the clock, and a Mason defensive mix-up in their own penalty area led to a huge save by Droscha seven minutes later.
The last good scoring chance of the game came after Mason failed to clear an Okemos corner kick, and Schiro missed the near post, and her hat trick, by less than a foot with 6:25 on the clock.
Chieftain head coach Rob Antcliff saw his side give a total team effort.
"We came out and gave 100 percent in some very hot and humid conditions," Antcliff said. "The game plan was that we are a very deep team, so we were able to get all of the kids out there and have them perform. Fresh legs was the key for us."
Another key was what the players did with those fresh legs.
"I thought our forwards did a nice job of running at the defenders, they did a great job of that," Antcliff said. "The thing I like about this team is that we can change our game to fit the opponent and the conditions. They adjust very well, so I'm very lucky that way."
And, Mason head coach John Gillengerten gave credit where it is due.
"They are a very skilled team, and I think we got out-worked today," Gillengerten said. "It didn't allow us to play our normal game. They're a very good team, the top team in the area, and they deserved to win today."
The win took the Chieftains' record to 17-4-1, and sent them into the district semifinal against Charlotte for the right to face either East Lansing or Fowlerville in the district final. Those games took place after this paper went to press.
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Published June 7, 2006
Okemos survives in shootout, 3-2
Farhat's goal sends Chieftains into regional title game
By Gillian Van Stratt
For the Lansing State Journal
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Northern soccer loses heartbreaker
Portage Northern lost to Okemos, 3-2 in a shootout, in a Division 2 girls' soccer
regional semifinal game.
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By Howard Thomas
hthomas@kalamazoogazette.com
388-8541PARMA Megan Farhat scored in a sudden-death shootout to lift Okemos to a 3-2 victory over Portage Northern in a Division 2 girls' soccer regional semifinal game Tuesday night.
The Chiefs outscored Northern, 4-3, in the shootout, which was tied 3-3 after the first round. Okemos opened a 2-0 lead in the first round of the shootout.
Brooke Somers, Sara Howland and Anna Caplis scored shootout goals for the Huskies.
Sarah Meyer scored less than two minutes into the game to give Northern the early lead. Howland scored with 17:22 left in regulation to force overtime.
Northern junior forward Sarah Bouali suffered a head injury midway through the first half in a collision with Okemos' Emily White. After a 30-minute delay, both players were transported to a local hospital. Bouali received several stitches to close a cut.
Prep soccer: Chieftains make early lead hold up
[FROM THE LANSING STATE JOURNAL] PARMA - All season, Okemos has used a seemingly endless stream of subs to win games. That strategy worked again Friday, as the No. 6 Chieftains beat Vicksburg 2-1 in a Division 2 regional final. The Chieftains (21-4-1) advance to a Division 2 state semifinal against Holland Christian at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central. Okemos used all 17 of its players, none less skilled or slower than another, to hold on to a 2-0 first-half lead that almost got away from them. "We had a game plan coming in, and our game plan was to attack their backs and get a lot of pressure on them," Okemos coach Rob Antcliff said. "That worked in the first half. "We told them to do the same thing in the second half and unfortunately, I think we got a little panicky and we got away from that game plan." What worked in the first half was the relentless attack of Okemos' speedy forwards. Fifteen minutes into the game, sophomore defender Lauren Roffle placed an indirect kick over the heads of the Vicksburg defenders, allowing senior forward Morgan Odell to punch in the score from a few yards out. Ten minutes later, Taylor Miller came out of the backfield and crossed it to a wide open Megan Farhat for the Chieftains' second goal. Okemos outshot the Bulldogs 13-2 in the first half. In the second half, Vicksburg's Sam Meyers broke through what had been an impenetrable Chieftain defense, which had a school record 15 shutouts this season, and set up Lizzie Ross for a score. "I think we sort of came out cold (in the second half), and we started panicking," said Okemos midfielder Heidi Breckner. "We weren't staying focused." "We had to refocus and give it our all." |
By Howard Thomas
hthomas@kalamazoogazette.com388-8541
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| Regional Champions! |
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Okemos soccer defeats EL, Charlotte, Portage NorthernMASON Okemos girl's soccer coach Rob Antcliff knew his players would have to be ready for their District 2 title game against longtime rivals East Lansing. What he didn't expect was four goals. "We were ready to play," Antcliff said. "We wanted to show what a good team we are, and how we have one of the best teams in as many years. East Lansing and Okemos is always a big game." Charlotte In order to face the Trojans, a lofty and resiliant Charlotte team stood in the way. Okemos up-ended Charlotte in the first game of the districts with a 4-0 win. In the game, Nichole Schiro set a single-season record for goals with 23 as she scored to help the Chieftains over the Orioles. Morgan Odell also set a single-season record in assists with 14 and also added a goal. Brooke Robinson and Sera Tekin also scored. "Charlotte is an up-and-coming team, and they were very anxious to play some top-flight talent," Antcliff said. "The cornerstone of their team is hard work. I was proud of our girls as they kept their composure. The game got chippy at times." East Lansing Okemos had goals scored by Nichole Schiro, Morgan Odell, and Sera Tekin. Taylor Miller had a goal and one assist. Sara Banks and Emily Alexander combined for the shutout. East Lansing goalie Emma Hepler had three saves for the Trojans, who finished the season 13-6-1. The Chieftains win set up a match-up against Portage Northern at Parma County Western in the first round of regionals. "I had a lot of time before the game to interact with the girls, and I could see it in their voice, and their posture," Antcliff said. "They seemed focused and ready to play." Portage Northern In the first game of the Division 2 regional semi-final, No. 6 Okemos got by No. 4 Portage Northern, winning a 3-2 sudden death shootout in Parma June 6. Regulation ended in a 2-2 tie, and after two scoreless 15-minute overtime periods, the game ended with a goal by Okemos junior Megan Farhat, who snuck one past Portage Northern goalkeeper Mollie Brooks. Both teams suffered losses when players Emily White of Okemos and Sarah Bouali of Portage Northern collided in the first half. Both players were taken to a local hospital. White received 27 stitches and suffered from a mild concussion. The game got off to a quick start with goals by both Okemos and Portage Northern 2 1/2 minutes into the game. "I was really proud of the girls for keeping it together after getting scored upon so quickly," Antcliff said. "We've relied on depth all year long. That was really the difference in the game." Before the shootout, Antcliff told his players to relax, and to remember that win or lose, their season was a success. "I just told the girls to relax and focus," Antcliff said. "They have their own routine, and I told them no matter what happens, nothing can take this away from us. At the end of the day, it's just soccer. We just need to keep things in perspective." Okemos, now 20-4-1, played Vicksburg in the regional final June 9, after the Towne Courier went to press. |
EL ends season against OkemosMASON East Lansing goalie Emma Heppler barely broke a sweat in her team's dominating 10-0 District 2 semi-final victory over Fowlerville June 1. The Gladiators simply looked overwhelmed as East Lansing had no problems taking the ball to the net. The team got three goals out of Mia Miller and Kori Reinhart. East Lansing also got goals by Courtney McNaughton, Kat Moraniec, Kelly Bernero, and Katie Boss. Haleigh Lane had fourteen saves for the Gladiators who finished the season 4-14. Heppler had two saves for the Trojans. The victory set up a district finals match with fellow soccer rivals Okemos. Okemos Okemos staved off the Trojans in the District title game, defeating East Lansing 4-0 . Hepler had three saves in the loss. Taylor Miller had a goal and an assist for the Chieftains, while Nichole Schiro, Morgan Odell and Sara Tekin also added goals in the victory. Although East Lansing Coach Nick Archer expressed a little disappointment in the loss, he knew Okemos was a strong team. "We played them a couple times and took them to overtime," Archer said. "They were in the flow, and they are just a strong team. They are strong, physical team. They are very strong. I just wish we could've played them a little tighter." Archer is already looking forward to next season after a fourth place finish in the league, and a crop of eight junior's who should help contribute next year. "This was a good group of senior's who gave us some good years," Archer said. "We're definitely going to miss them, but we are also looking forward to next year and playing well." The Trojans ended the season 13-7-1. |
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Thursday, June 15, 2006
By Kelly Hill
The Grand Rapids Press
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Prep soccer: Chiefs' title area's 1st
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The Associated Press
EAST KENTWOOD, Mich. (AP) Megan Farhat scored twice and Okemos defeated
Bloomfield Hills Lahser 2-1 in the state Division 2 championship game Saturday.
After a scoreless first half, Farhat used an assist from Taylor Miller for her first
goal in the 44th minute.
Lahser (17-1-6) tied it in the 61st minute when Lindsey Harouthunian helped
Jordan Horvath put the ball past Okemos goalie Sarah Banks.
Farhat notched her second goal two minutes later for Okemos (23-4-1).
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Schulz: Chieftains' success seen in black and blueKENTWOOD - The Okemos girls soccer team left here Saturday with medals, photos and a big, gleaming trophy to commemorate its Division 2 state title. But the Chieftains won't need any of them to recall their thrilling 2-1 win against Bloomfield Hills Lahser. Someday, when they look back on Saturday, they'll see crutches, stitches and a big, bulky cast as the true testament to their triumph, their team and, most of all, their toughness. The first state championship won by a mid-Michigan girls' soccer team came with scars. The kind Okemos' Megan Farhat, Emily White and Amanda Lewis proudly will show off for years to come. The tale of those three wounded warriors - two of whom played hurt in the title game - says it all about a Chieftains squad that gritted its teeth to get it done. First, Farhat, who broke her left wrist in Wednesday's semifinal win. She had it in a cast and wrapped in foam (to protect foes) on Friday. She couldn't practice with the contraption and didn't learn whether referees would allow her to wear it until 15 minutes before the game. Still, nobody on the Okemos sideline was surprised to see the junior forward with the foam-covered forearm that felt "hot and heavy" take the field - or score both goals in the victory. "She said, 'I'm playing,' " coach Rob Antcliff said. "I didn't have any say." Farhat fell on her left wrist as she drove home the game winner. There was a flash of pain and, for an instant, she thought she'd aggravated the injury. But as it turns out, scoring goals - and winning state titles - is quite a painkiller. Worked for White, a junior who split her head open after colliding with an opposing player during Okemos' regional semifinal win. She needed 27 stitches to close a wound that stretched from the middle of her forehead straight up into her blond hair. Still, White was in the lineup for the state semifinals and Saturday's title game. She popped three Advils, pulled on padded headgear to protect the freshly closed gash on her skull and got down to her dirty job as a defender holding back Lahser's aggressive attack. "It's a little bit painful," White said afterward with a shrug and a smile. "But it's worth it." Lewis, a senior, underwent her third knee surgery on Wednesday. Her left knee cap came loose during the season because of ligament damage, causing severe cramps up her legs and into her hips and back whenever she played. The decision to undergo the operation and end her high school career before the biggest games of her young life was excruciating for the starting center midfielder. "There were a lot of tears," Antcliff said. Lewis was still groggy from surgery on Wednesday evening when she talked to her teammates before their semifinal victory. The Chieftains put her cell phone call on "speaker" and took it into their pregame huddle. On Saturday, Lewis was on crutches but back on the sideline, cheering and doing anything else she could - including fixing Farhat's socks on the sideline late in the second half - for her team. "She's one of the toughest girls on our team," Farhat said. "She plays through more pain than I can tell you. She's such a trooper." She certainly wasn't alone. All of the Chieftains withstood temperatures in the mid-90s and a first-half onslaught by Lahser. "We're mentally tough and we play through anything," Farhat said. Nobody doubted that Saturday as cameras clicked to capture the Chieftains showing off their shiny medals and hoisting their hardware. Still, crutches, stitches and a big, bulky cast should stand as the lasting image of a special team. "I don't think any of them are feeling any pain right now," Antcliff said with a grin. |
KENTWOOD Okemos girls soccer coach Rob Antcliff could only come up with one word to
describe his team's season and state title run.
Chemistry.
The Chieftains won the Division 2 state title game June 17 with a 2-1 victory over no. 1
Bloomfield Hills Lasher, giving Okemos and the mid-Michigan area its first girls state champion
in soccer.
"I feel very happy, and I feel very elated for the girls," Antcliff said. "This was just a job well
done. They worked so hard all year. This is very gratifying as a coach."
Okemos avenged a earlier season loss to Lasher when they lost a 1-0 match in the very first
game of the year. Antcliff said drawing Lasher in the final game was a blessing in disguise.
Lasher was undefeated going into the game with Okemos, and they finish the season 17-1-6.
Despite having a cast on her arm due to a broken wrist, Junior forward Megan Farhat had both
goals in the team's victory.
Farhat was unsure whether or not the refs would let her play until just 15 minutes before the
start of the game at Crestwood Middle School.
Lasher's lone goal came from sophomore Jordan Horvath, who beat Okemos defender Emily
Horsch to get an open shot.
"We weren't intimidated at all," Antcliff said. "We were actually looking forward to playing them
again. We had said all season that in order to be the best, you have to beat the best."
The Chieftains certainly lived up to that statement, ranked no. 6 entering the tournament and
beating Mason, Charlotte, and East Lansing in what might be the toughest district draw in recent
tournament history. Okemos then defeated a tough Portage Northern team, ranked no. 4 in the
state, and Vicksburg in the regional finals.
Okemos defeated Holland Christian in the semi-final on its way to state final match-up with
Lasher.
"We had probably the toughest district draw," Antcliff said. "But I told the girls, we wanted it
this way. We wanted to play Lasher so nobody can doubt how good we really are."
Antcliff easily admitted the first half of the Lasher game was probably one of his team's worst
halfs all season, but he knew the team would pull it together.
"I thought our depth really helped us," Antcliff said. "There were some girls with smaller roles
who really stepped it up. It was 100 degrees on that turf, and they were all nervous. The girls
on the bench really stepped it up."
Rob cites the role his five seniors Amanda Lewis, Elise Peaney, Sara Horsch, Morgan O'Dell,
and Emily Alexander all made to get the team to the state finals.
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By Chris Langrill
C & G Assistant Sports Editor
EAST KENTWOOD This wasnt the way it was supposed to end for Division 2s most talented girls soccer team.
But, just the same, the top-ranked and previously undefeated Bloomfield Hills Lahser squad had to swallow a tough pill following its 2-1 loss to No. 6 Okemos High in the state championship game June 17 at Crestwood Middle Schools Pat Patterson Athletic Field.
It was a rematch of the first game of the regular season, which Lahser won, 1-0, on the way to the 17-0-6 mark it brought into the final.
The Knights, whose soccer IQ coach Rick Larson compared to that of a very high-quality college team afterward, were in this game from beginning to end but couldnt capitalize on the breaks they needed to pull it out.
During a first half in which Lahser dominated the flow of play and got great pressure from its forwards and attacking midfielders, the squad rang two shots off the crossbar and had a few other quality chances from in close either broken up or sail just wide of the goal.
Then, during a more back-and-forth second 40 minutes, Okemos got the games first score from junior Megan Farhat at the 44:21 mark. Lahser responded a little more than 10 minutes later when junior Lindsey Haroutunian found a streaking Jordan Horvath (sophomore), who collected the long pass, beat her defender and buried the shot to even things at 1-1. But the tie was short-lived, as, just two minutes after that, Farhat struck again, getting the winner off a deflection from inside the penalty area.
In his final speech of the season following the presentation of medals and trophies, Larson had a simple message for his dejected girls.
I told them that times like this either bond you or separate you, he said to reporters shortly after that talk. We need to find a way to get through this. Its very disappointing, but we know theres a side over there, Okemos, that played hard, too. Theyre a good team, and you always want to beat a team that beat you.
Okemos coach Rob Antcliff, whose squad finished 23-4-1, had nothing but praise for the opposing coach and his players.
That is an excellent team, said Antcliff, who noted he watched the game tape of the season opener about 10 times over spring break. After that first game, I said to myself, Gosh, theyre so incredibly organized. They play how youre supposed to play. Their defense was fantastic today, and if they put in one or two of those shots that hit the crossbar, its a different game. But its a great bookend for us to beat them.
As far as Larson is concerned, this is by no means the end of the road for his Knights, who won the programs first-ever regional title and final four game for their maiden voyage to the finals. Larson, who led the Madison Heights Bishop Foley girls to five state titles during his years there, took Lahser as far as the district finals in 2004 and the regional finals last season.
Not to be lost among all the playoff success is the fact that the Knights have only dropped two games the past two seasons in the states most revered league, the Oakland Activities Association Division I; they were co-champs in 2005 and finished just off the pace of champion Rochester High this spring. And consider this: Lahser is the only member of the league that doesnt play in the states Division 1 come tourney time.
With several top players expected back for 2007, Larson said his squad would push hard to win the state crown next season.
Haroutunian, while making her way back to the team bus, agreed with him.
Were always going to have high expectations, said the midfielder. Its going to be tough because we lose some good seniors, but we have the experience of being in a state final now, to go with the skill and ability, to try and do it next year, for sure.
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Coaches constantly search for different strategies and new systems to upgrade their teams. Credit Okemos coach Rob Antcliff with picking up a few pivotal pointers from Bloomfield Hills Lahser.
Okemos traveled March 27 to Bloomfield Hills for a season-opening game against highly-regarded Lahser, and returned to the Lansing area having suffered a 1-0 defeat. That victory started a string of 23 consecutive games without a defeat for Lahser.
As it turned out, the Knights closed the season against that same Okemos squad last Saturday in the Division 2 state championship game played at Crestwood Middle School in East Kentwood. This time it was Lahser enduring a long bus ride home.
Okemos defeated Lahser, 2-1, to win its first ever girls soccer state crown while dealing the Knights their only loss of the season.
Antcliff said he learned a lot about Lahser in that season-opening game.
"Lahser is an excellent team. After the first game of the season, I said, 'Oh my God, they are so incredibly organized and they move as a unit,'" said Antcliff, who has 109 victories at Okemos in seven years as head coach.
"So I sat down at spring break and watched our game tape from that first game probably 10 times. My wife wanted to divorce me. I started stealing stuff from them, thinking, OK, this is how you're supposed to play because, I'll tell you what, they play like you are supposed to play.
"It was very odd that we got to play them again. But, organized, that's the first thing that came to my mind about (Lahser)," he added. "These kids know exactly where to be, when to be there, and (Lahser) coach (Rick) Larson has them fine-tuned."
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A first time titleist was guaranteed in the Division 2 girls soccer state championship game played Saturday afternoon in East Kentwood.
Unfortunately for Bloomfield Hills Lahser fans, it wasn't the Knights.
Okemos, playing in only its second state title game, captured the Division 2 crown with a sizzling 2-1 triumph over Lahser in a scorcher played in 90-degree temperatures that featured three second-half goals. The Chieftains lost the 1991 Class A title to Troy Athens in their only other finals appearance.
Lahser, meanwhile, concluded its best season in school history with a 17-1-6 overall record. The No. 1-ranked Knights entered the championship game with an undefeated record, including the school's first regional and semifinal victories.
"It's very disappointing. We as a group are responsible and we just have to know that there is a side over there in Okemos that really, really played hard and did what they were supposed to do today," Lahser's third-year head coach Rick Larson said.
"We're a good team, and our schedule proves we're a good team. We played seven or eight district champions as a team and we expect to do things. When you get through OAA Division I with two losses in two years, you expect in the Division 2 (state tournament) that some good things are going to happen for you.
"I told the girls that times like this either bond you or separate you, and we need a way to bond through these hard times," he added. "It's a blessing and a curse to go into a final undefeated. Okemos knows what it's like to be on the other side of victory this year, and they played hard."
Lahser played like the state's top-ranked team with a strong first half against No. 6-ranked Okemos, a team the Knights defeated 1-0 in the season's first game.
Playing with a wind advantage, sophomore forward Jessica Reed lofted a long shot that hit the crossbar above the outstretched arms of Chieftains freshman goalie Sarah Banks. With three minutes left before halftime, junior Kristin Abbott blasted another shot off the crossbar from 40 yards out.
In between those chances, Lahser senior Caity Murnahan made a sliding shot only to be stopped by Banks, who made a sliding save. Lahser had two corners to none for Okemos and generally controlled play in the opening half, but couldn't score.
Just four minutes into the second half, Okemos junior forward Megan Farhat netted the game's first goal when she slipped in past the Lahser defense and tipped in a goal off the outside of her right foot.
The Knights tied the score 15 minutes later when sophomore Jordan Horvath stole the ball from an Okemos defender and beat Banks with a rolling shot into the lower left corner of the net.
The tie didn't last long.
Farhat, playing with a broken left wrist suffered in the semifinal win over Holland Christian, scored the eventual game-winner with 17 minutes remaining. Her shot from the left side of the net deflected off a Lahser defender and into the far corner, past the outstretched arms of Knights goalie Natalie Krane, who had no chance at stopping the ball.
Late in the game, Lahser had a couple of scoring opportunities off a restart, but shots by junior Lindsay Haroutunian and Murnahan never found the back of the net.
"You hit the bar a couple of times and it's difficult," Larson said. "I think their first goal kind of got us going a bit. We've played from behind before, so we were very familiar with it."
Okemos coach Rob Antcliff, in his seventh season, said his team rebounded very nice after a shaky first half.
"I told the girls at halftime that was the worst half of soccer we played all season long," he said. "I think our depth helped us. In that first half when we weren't playing so well, I was able to pull off our starters and calm them down.
"They got fired up in the second half and did a really nice job," he added. "Our plan was to try and put pressure on the Lahser forwards, but it was not working in the first half. I thought we did a better job of that in the second half and we limited the space where they could move."
Larson, who led Bishop Foley to six state titles in 10 years before coming to Lahser, is satisfied with the progress of his team's program.
"With their ability to take in information and apply it within the game, I thought we were extremely ready coming into today's game," Larson said.
"In my three years (at Lahser), we had a district final loss, a regional final loss and state final loss. Those are our three last losses of the year and we just want to progress as a program. We will push for getting here again next year."
Originally published June 22, 2006
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