A Comeback for the Ages
The Gaylord High School girls soccer team entered the final stretch of the Big North Conference season under intense scrutiny after a surprising defeat to Traverse City West left their title hopes hanging by a thread.
But the team answered the challenge with a commanding 4‑0 win over Petoskey, a performance that turned the tide and secured the conference championship, the first for the program since 2002.
Khloe VanOosten opened the scoring with two goals in the first half, while Molly Hicks added the second half’s third goal, giving the squad a 3‑0 lead at the break. Ella Cherwinski capped the victory with the final marker in the second half.
Coach Chris Adams praised the squad’s resilience, noting that the players “rose to the occasion when it mattered most,” and highlighted the collective effort that made the turnaround possible.
Looking Ahead to the Postseason
With the regular season now behind them, the team is turning its focus to the postseason, aiming to translate their conference momentum into a deep run in the state tournament.