Harbor Springs celebrated its first state championship in girls soccer on Saturday, as the Rams downed Royal Oak Shrine 2-0 in the Division 4 final at a packed stadium in East Lansing.
Defensive Masterclass Fuels Historic Win
The Rams' defense set the tone early, limiting Shrine's chances while goalkeeper Lillian McShannock turned in eight spectacular saves that kept the opposition at bay. Stefi Reskevics broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, slotting a precise strike that put Harbor Springs ahead.
Award-winning coach Aaron Riley praised the collective effort, highlighting the back line's discipline and McShannock's composure under pressure. "We knew we had to be solid at the back, and the girls executed that plan perfectly," Riley said.
Mark Soma, the Shrine head coach, acknowledged the narrow margin but expressed pride in his squad's performance. "It was a hard-fought game, and while the result didn't go our way, the girls left everything on the field."
Lizzie Bassett sealed the victory with a calmly taken penalty in the closing stages, capping a 2-0 result that also marked the Rams' fourth shutout in six postseason matches. The team's defensive consistency, anchored by McShannock, proved decisive against a resilient Shrine side.
With the trophy in hand, Harbor Springs looks to build on a season that has seen them combine gritty defending with timely offense, a formula that could carry them deep into future tournaments.