DEWITT — Hartland will head into the girls soccer state tournament on as big a high as any team in Michigan.
The Eagles beat two highly ranked undefeated teams in their last two regular-season games, the most recent victory being a dramatic 1-0 decision over DeWitt on Monday, May 18.
The victory came four days after 10th-ranked Hartland won the KLAA tournament championship with a 3-0 victory over a third-ranked (Division 1) Northville team that entered the game with a 15-0-1 record.
DeWitt entered Monday’s game with a 15-0 record and a No. 5 ranking in Division 2.
“It’s huge,” Hartland coach Andrew Kartsounes said. “When we’re playing well and playing as a team, we can compete with anyone in the state. It gives us some confidence going in.”
Hartland will have seven days off before playing its first postseason game against the Lakeland-Walled Lake Northern winner in a district semifinal at 7 p.m. May 26 at Hartland. The Eagles may find creative ways to remain sharp.
“We might bring a few alumni in and have some fun there,” Kartsounes said. “We have graduation coming up, so a lot going on with the seniors. We’ll work around our practice.”
Hartland won the game in the final minute when senior defender Eva Larson scored on a header off a corner kick by Elise L’Esperance. It was the third goal of the season for Larson, who is known more for her defensive play.
Haley DePestel made five saves to register Hartland’s seventh consecutive shutout.
“We weren’t quite sure how we were going to handle this one coming off the big win against Northville,” Kartsounes said. “It ended up being a really good game. Both teams really fought hard and played for the win. It was a great game. We kind of figured out what we were doing, stayed with it and got that late goal to win it.”
Ypsilanti 2, Pinckney 1
Four-year starter Julia Garcia scored for Pinckney in her final home game.
Boys golf
Chemic City Invitational
Hartland shot 302 to take first place out of seven teams at Midland Country Club.
Wyatt Johnson of Hartland was the medalist with a 73. Aidan Oake tied for second with a 74, Michael Maurin tied for eighth with a 77 and Liam Kastamo was 12th with a 78 for the Eagles.
Boys lacrosse
South Lyon 17, Howell 6
Michael Gaulin scored four goals and one assist and Ryan O’Dea had two goals and four assists for Howell in a season-ending regional loss. Miles Flood made 18 saves for the Highlanders.
Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on X @BillKhan
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Hartland girls soccer hands DeWitt first loss in dramatic fashion
Reporting by Bill Khan, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
