HARTLAND — Ryan Skomial is confident she can find capable goalies to keep Hartland’s girls lacrosse team competitive well into the future.
But whoever stands between the pipes for the Eagles will be no Claire Pielack, who has repeated as Livingston County’s Player of the Year.
“I have dreaded this moment,” Skomial said while recapping Pielack’s incredible four-year career as Hartland’s starting goalie.
Skomial is as familiar as anyone with the history of girls lacrosse in Livingston County. She was a record-setting player at Hartland before graduating in 2013. After a career at Grand Valley State, she coached three years at Brighton as an assistant and interim head coach before returning to Hartland as head coach in 2025.
She has seen nearly every great player who has come through the county. As goalies go, Pielack is the best.
Skomial didn’t hesitate when asked if Pielack is the best goalie ever at Hartland.
“Yeah, no doubt,” she said. “She’s probably one of the best, if not the best, goalie to come through Livingston County in a long time. The only one I can think of is Gabi Buckenberger from Brighton. I thought she was phenomenal, as well.
“Claire is unbelievably talented. She was so loud, so communicative on the defensive end. She was a great leader. She ticked all the boxes of what you’re looking for in a great player and great goalie.”
Hartland reached at least the state Division 1 semifinals all four years Pielack was in net, advancing to the state championship game last year. The Eagles led 3-2 at halftime before losing 9-4 in the state semifinals this season to a Rockford team that rolled past defending champion South Lyon 15-9 in the title game in Howell.
“It was definitely bittersweet not going to states again after we got a taste of it last year,” Pielack said. “Going to the semis, I’ll always be grateful for it. Not a lot of kids get to say they went all four years. I know a couple girls on the Rockford team. Knowing they took it all the way, I’m super happy for them. We went to the game and cheered them on. I’m super bummed we didn’t get to go, but I’m happy they won.”
A state championship is the only thing that eluded Pielack during her four years at Hartland.
She made All-America and first-team all-state each of her last two years after being a third-team all-stater as a freshman and sophomore.
“Being part of such a highly respected program was such a privilege,” Pielack said. “I’m super thankful I got to add on to it and continue building the legacy. It will continue growing over the next couple years.”
Pielack didn’t begin playing lacrosse until eighth grade when a basketball teammate said her club team needed a goaltender. Pielack not only quickly became one of the best goalies in Michigan, but she’s now giving back to that program by coaching its youngest players before heading on to college at Nova Southeastern in Florida.
“It’s fun,” she said. “It’s something new. I get to give back to the sport and the girls. It’s so cool to see. I didn’t get to start until eighth grade. To see these girls in sixth and seventh grade, they’re so talented already. I’m so grateful to get to see them so young and growing into better athletes.”
Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on X @BillKhan
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Hartland girls lacrosse goalie repeats as Livingston County’s top player
Reporting by Bill Khan, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Bill Khan, Livingston Daily | USA TODAY Network
