A Bittersweet Finale
Eva Larson and Paige Sundman, who have been teammates since the fifth grade, saw their high school careers close with a 5‑2 loss to Rockford in a Division 1 state semifinal on June 10. The game unfolded quickly as Rockford rattled off four goals within a 15‑minute, 23‑second stretch of the first half.
Their journey began on the same club team and continued for four years on Hartland’s varsity squad, where they helped the Eagles compile a 61‑18‑8 record. The team was bolstered by Brooke Anderson, Andrew Kartsounes, Audrey Muterspaugh, Leah Raap, and Reese Petack, all of whom played pivotal roles throughout the campaign.
Hartland’s schedule included a state championship game in 2024, a regional final in 2025, and a state semifinal in 2026, marking a period of sustained success for the program. The Eagles reached a 5‑2 lead early when freshman Mallory Frantti opened the scoring at the 3:28 mark, but Rockford’s relentless attack erased the advantage.
Rockford extended their lead to 5‑1 on a goal by Isla Brown with 9:49 left in the game, before Hartland’s Claire L’Esperance struck the final goal off a free kick with 2:11 remaining. The late strike provided a brief spark for the hosts, but it was not enough to change the outcome.
Both Larson and Sundman will now continue their athletic and academic pursuits at Northern Michigan University, where they hope to build on the foundation forged during their high school years. Their departure signals the end of an era for Hartland soccer, a program that has been a launching pad for several future collegiate stars.
Rockford, now set to face Troy for the Division 1 state championship at 4 p.m. Friday, June 12 at Michigan State University, will look to translate their first‑half dominance into a title.