The final whistle sounded at the East Lansing venue, sealing a 1‑0 victory for Birmingham Detroit Country Day over Grand Rapids West Catholic in the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Division 3 girls soccer championship.
A Defensive Masterclass
Aliya Saad, a freshman forward, found the net in the second half, delivering the only goal of the match with a quick strike that caught the opposing keeper off guard.
What defined the team’s performance, however, was a defense that yielded just one goal throughout the tournament and only twelve all season, a unit orchestrated by senior captain Jenna Shaban, the returning Defensive Player of the Year.
Coach Laura Hamway praised the squad’s unity, noting that Shaban’s ability to direct the back line and foster communication was the catalyst for the collective effort.
Shaban, who will attend Harvard University next fall, reflected on the season’s work ethic, emphasizing that relentless communication and disciplined defending were the foundations of their success.