Eva Larson and Paige Sundman, who have been teammates since fifth grade, saw their high school soccer careers end with a 5-2 defeat to Rockford in a Division 1 state semifinal.
Their partnership spanned club teams, four years on Hartland’s varsity squad, and a collective record of 61 wins, 18 losses and eight ties, a run that included a state championship game in 2024, a regional final in 2025 and a state semifinal this year.
The 2026 semifinal opened with freshman Mallory Frantti striking first for Hartland just 3 minutes and 28 seconds in, but Rockford answered with four unanswered goals in a 15‑minute, 23‑second burst that shifted momentum.
Looking Ahead to College Soccer
Both players will continue their education and soccer journeys at Northern Michigan University, where they hope to build on the foundation forged on the Hartland pitch.
Coach Andrew Kartsounes praised the seniors for embodying leadership and work ethic, noting that the lessons they absorbed from the 2021 championship team helped shape their final season.