NORTHVILLE — Haley DePestel played junior varsity soccer for Hartland as a freshman last season, but was able to learn from some of the top players on the varsity squad.
One of them was Jenna Brock, the Eagles’ two-year starting goalkeeper who backstopped Hartland to the state Division 1 championship game in 2024 and a regional final last year.
“She never gave up and every moment, she took it,” DePestel said. “She kept going. That’s what I learned from her.”
The other was her older sister, Izzy, a four-year starting defender for Hartland.
Between the two role models, DePestel was well-prepared when the time came for her to shine between the pipes for the Eagles.
DePestel registered Hartland’s sixth straight shutout during a 3-0 victory over previously undefeated Northville in the championship game of the KLAA tournament on Thursday, May 14.
In the process, she made her big sister proud. Izzy DePestel’s career as a two-sport standout at Hartland ended with a 4-0 loss to Northville in a regional championship game last season.
“Obviously, we didn’t end good with them last year,” DePestel said. “To know (Izzy) was very happy when she saw the score of this game, I’m so proud I get to do this for her.”
DePestel has started for all six shutouts, completing four games and splitting two 8-0 blowouts with sophomore Morgan Mahoney. DePestel made five saves against a Northville team that entered the game ranked No. 3 in Division 1 with a 15-0-1 record. The one tie was a 1-1 deadlock with Hartland on April 9.
“It’s very cool,” DePestel said. “My team did so well. I’m proud of my defense. They were there for me the entire game just playing together. We deserve that so much.”
Entering the season, the starting goaltending job was DePestel’s to lose, but coach Andrew Kartsounes wasn’t sure how seamless the transition would be after two years of strong goaltending from Brock.
“We weren’t positive at the beginning of the season,” Kartsounes said. “She has been on J.V. last year. But she really came in and she was very focused this year and really matured in the position as the season has gone on.
“She’s taking control back there. Those three sophomores in the center, her and the two center backs (Addison Trammel and Ellie Curtis). They work really well together.”
Some of the pressure on DePestel was eased by a fast start offensively for the 10th-ranked Eagles (13-3-1), who led 3-0 at halftime.
Izzy Armstrong scored her team-leading 12th goal 1 minute and 18 seconds into the game. Claire L’Esperance scored on a penalty kick with 12:51 left in the half after Paige Sundman was fouled in the box. Elise L’Esperance scored from a sharp angle near the back line with 6:01 left in the half for the final goal.
Northville had allowed only nine goals in 16 games, giving up two only once. This was the first time the Mustangs allowed more than two goals in their last 29 games since a 4-3 loss at Brighton last season.
“That’s pretty huge,” said Kartsounes, whose team repeated as tournament champion. “They beat us twice last year. They knocked us out in the regional finals and both games weren’t close.
“They were undefeated coming into the game, so we knew it was going to be tough, but we’ve been playing better. Our defense has really stepped up. When our defense plays like that, we just have to get one. Today, we got three in the first half, which was tremendous.”
Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on X @BillKhan
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Hartland girls soccer extends long shutout streak to win KLAA title
Reporting by Bill Khan, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
