Troy Bethany Christian advances in sixth MACS soccer final in seven years
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
CLARKSTON — Perhaps a string of bad weather has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Rochester Hills Christian.
The Eagles, who had its state semifinal girls soccer game in the Michigan Association of Christian Schools tournament washed out Thursday and Friday, finally came back and played Davison Faith Baptist late Saturday afternoon at Clarkston Springfield Christian.
The Eagles defeated Faith Baptist, 5-3, which is significant on so many levels. Originally, Rochester Hills Christian was to be without eight seniors, gone for a school-related function out of state, the past several days and would have had to play with only 13 players total.
The washouts put the game back to Saturday with those eight seniors getting off the plane and heading right to the game field for the game.
The win puts Rochester Hills into Tuesday’s delayed MACS 3:30 p.m. state final against arch-rival Troy Bethany Christian, also at Springfield Christian.
Bethany Christian is making it sixth appearance in the MACS finals in seven years, missing the final game last season.
“I don’t believe we have ever played in the finals for girls (sports),” said Rochester Hills Christian coach Jerry Slota, who won a MACS state title as a player in the fall of 1989 with boys soccer. ”I know we haven’t done so with girls soccer. I’ve been here all 14 years we’ve had a program and we have only made it to the semifinals a couple of times but not the finals.
This is indeed the first MACS state finals appearance for girls sports at Rochester Hills Christian. The girls volleyball team reached the quarterfinals and the girls basketball team the state semifinals earlier this school year, both as the No. 1 seed. The soccer team held the No.3 seed heading into the tournament.
Tied 2-2 early in the second half, Caroline Milsk scored three straight to help the Eagles take command.
Jenny Proter and Brooke Adams also scored for Rochester Hills, which was tied 1-1 at the half. Junior Alise Dubay assisted on all five goals for the Eagles (11-2-2). Senior Megan Steiner recorded 10 saves in the win.
“Alise makes a huge difference. What an athlete,” said Slota. “She’s assisted all five goals today. She’s been playing like that all season. She takes are corners and a lot of our (restarts).That club soccer is really paying off.”
Krysti St. Amand scored twice for Davison Faith Baptist (8-3-1), scoring on a 35-year free kick in the first half. Kara Moore scored a late goal for Faith Baptist.
“It took us a while to get going because we had some girls gone for a week,” said Slota. “I n the second half, we played really well. I don’t think we could have done this without all of those seniors.
“This is the first time we’ve made it this far, so the girls are really excited,” concluded Slota.
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Category: High School, Prep Wraps, Rochester Hills Christian, Troy Bethany Christian
