CADILLAC — At this point in the season, teams will accept any way of keeping the season alive.
So a one-goal game – achieved on a penalty kick try in the game’s final minutes – to get a 1-0 victory and keep the 2026 season is going just fine by Harbor Springs.
Playing in a Division 4 regional semifinal Tuesday, June 2 in Cadillac against Midland Calvary Baptist, the Rams received a penalty kick opportunity inside the game’s final five minutes, which Stefi Reskevics pushed through.
It was Reskevics’ fifth goal in three postseason games, including second that became a game-winner.
“Stefi was upset with herself after the first half,” Harbor Springs coach Aaron Riley said, referring to a scoreless opening half. “But, like the leader she has been for us, stepped up to take the penalty with the game on the line.”
The win advances Harbor Springs (17-1-2) into a Division 4 regional championship game in Cadillac at 6 p.m., Thursday, June 4. They’ll take on either Shelby (9-6-3) or Ovid-Elsie (15-7) in that championship.
Riley was happy with the pressure his team came out with against Midland Tuesday, seeing great passes and shots that really put Midland on their heals early.
No scores came out of a first half, and deep into the second half, though Harbor stayed on the attack, led by Reskevics and freshman Maeve Riley, much like it’s been throughout the 2026 season.
“Maeve played above her years tonight and played more like an upperclassman with her energy, passing and dribbling, keeping us aggressive,” Aaron Riley said. “She had a couple great passes that we just couldn’t finish in the first half. The team didn’t get frustrated and kept calm knowing that one will go in eventually.”
The good news about most of the night was that Harbor’s defense kept them in it until the end.
“I always believe defense is key to winning championships, and they proved it again tonight with Julia (Clarke), Makenna (Brey), Lilly (Barnadyn), Addy (Zulski), Taya Price, Keeler (Brainerd) and Meme (Animikwam),” Riley added.
Lillian McShannock also picked up the shutout in the net behind the standout defense, the team’s 10th on the season.
In a season that’s come with a 17-1-2 record now, the Rams appear to be hitting their stride with another chance at a trophy ahead. A near two-week layout came to close the regular season, but since things have been rolling again, so too have the Rams.
A lot of that, Riley believes, comes from the leadership from his core senior group, many four-year players and starters within the lineup.
“Our senior have been nothing more that spectacular with their intensity and desire to win,” Riley said. “Lizzie (Bassett) Fran (Warren) and the Barnadyn’s (Sophie and Lilly) know what’s at stake with the playoffs, and they don’t want this season to end without at least one more trophy presentation.”
A win on Thursday would then place the Rams in a Division 4 semifinal in Cedar Springs on Tuesday, June 9. Harbor last played in a regional championship in 2023.
Reach Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com and follow him on X @DrewKochanny and Instagram @drewkochanny
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Another late score lifts Harbor Springs soccer into D4 regional title game
Reporting by Drew Kochanny, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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