Matt Lividini saw it coming.
And he didn’t let his players forget it.
“Every day in practice it was Marian, Marian,” the New Boston Huron girls soccer coach said.
Lividini’s vision has become a reality.
Huron will play Bloomfield Hills Marian in the Division 2 state semifinals at Waterford Kettering at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 10.
“They have been super strong year after year,” Lividini said. “They have multiple state championships and have been ranked No. 3 all year. I knew we would run into them or DeWitt at this point (of the state tournament). We’ve been preparing for this game.”
The fact that Huron has been anticipating a state semifinal matchup all season is a testament to how far Lividini has taken the program.
The Chiefs had never won a regional title until last season.
Now, they are back-to-back champs despite suffering significant graduation losses from last year’s team that fell in the state finals.
“We are so excited to get back there,” Lividini said of reaching the Final Four again.
Huron, which finished the regular season ranked No. 10 in the state, faces a big test against Marian.
“The key will definitely be defense,” Lividini said. “Our defense has to be on their best game.”
The defense is where Huron suffered its greatest graduation losses.
The rebuilt unit has been outstanding again this season.
“They have been terrific,” Lividini said. “They had some big shoes to fill, but we went through regional week with two shutouts. That was a testament to how closely they have come together.”
Senior Nhi Vu leads the defense backline at center back. She is supported by junior Kayla Christesen, sophomores Maiya Thomas and Leah Purcell and freshman Lillie Susewitz.
Vu had to shift from outside back to center this spring.
“She is our strength,” Lividini said. “She comforts the younger ones. … She has done a really good job.”
If anything gets through the defense, senior goal keeper Brook Burke has been outstanding.
Play in the midfield also will be a key Wednesday.
“Marian plays very similar style to us,” Lividini said. “Our midfield always outworks the other team. They were tireless. We never have a problem there.”
Seniors Maggie Mentzer, who battled back from a knee injury this season, and Ava Banko are Huron’s key players in the midfield.
Miley Skamiera, who broke her sister’s school record for goals this season, and Avery Turk lead the offense.
Marian will be tough, but Huron likely will face an even bigger challenge if it makes it through to the championship game at 4 p.m. Saturday at Michigan State.
Defending state champion and top-ranked Hudsonville Unity Christian will play No. 7 Grand Rapids Forest Hills in the other semifinal match.
“Hudsonville Unity Christian is the most powerful team in the state in any division,” Lividini said. “They are 22-0 with 21 shutouts. They have only given up one goal all year. They are amazing. Last year I talked to a bunch of D1 coaches who said, ‘We don’t want to play them.’”
Huron fell 7-0 to Unity Christian in the championship game last season.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: New Boston Huron girls soccer team ready to take on state’s best
Reporting by Niles Kruger, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Niles Kruger, The Monroe News | USA TODAY Network
