MHSAA boys soccer state finals: Troy Athens tops Brighton in OT for Division 1 title
GRAND LEDGE — Jacob Derby figured he had a team that could be in the mix.
With his Mason boys soccer program losing just three players from a team that broke through and captured its first district title since 2015, the sixth-year coach sensed this fall could be special.
Things turned out just that way for the Bulldogs.
Mason put together its most successful season since finishing as the 2015 state champion, capturing league, district and regional titles.
And while the Bulldogs didn't get the ending they wanted Saturday — losing to Grand Rapids Christian, 3-0, in the Division 2 state final — Derby believes Mason took another step forward.
"I don't want to talk in absolutes, but I think (this run has) brought Mason back to the level of 20 years ago where we were having a lot of success consistently every year," Derby said. "I'm hoping and praying that we can continue that; that (success) will stick. I think these guys, not only being here, but adding accolades and trophies that they've reset the culture and got Mason back to hopefully (a spot) where we can be here consistently."
Junior captain Alex Palmer, who has played a part in the program's growth the last couple seasons, also believes the Bulldogs proved a lot in a season in which they were consistently ranked among the top 15 teams in Division 2.
"We showed that we're back and we're always going to be one of the top teams in the area, no matter who says what and how bad a season we had the previous season," Palmer said. "We always know once the season resets we're a whole new team and we're a whole new group of guys and we have a whole new mission to try to achieve."
Mason, which gave up two goals in the early stages of the second half in the title game, has a chance to build on its success with a large core of its team slated to be back again next fall. The Bulldogs will lose just three players from a squad that had a five-win improvement this fall while finishing 13-3-5.
"Although not winning it all and we can't add another star to our crest, we will be remembered and this group will be remembered," Derby said. "The thing I look forward to the most is we only graduate three seniors and I have all the faith in the world that these guys are going to put in the work and do everything they can to be back."
Division 1
Troy Athens 2, Brighton 1 (OT): JD Hupman's goal in overtime was the difference for Athens (20-3-2) to claim its seventh state title and first since 2019. Colin Robertson scored with just under 10 minutes left in the match for Brighton (19-4-2), but Brody Fahnestock's long strike with under two minutes to go forced overtime.
Division 3
Hudsonville Unity Christian 3, Birmingham Detroit Country Day 2: Jack Kamminga's goal in the 71st minute lifted Unity Christian (21-2-1) to its third state title and first since 2018. With the match tied, 1-1, Stephen Brentano scored in the 45th minute to give Country Day (19-3-2) a 2-1 lead. But Colin Nieuwenhuis responded some 15 minutes later to tie the game again. Unity Christian's Isaac Eppinga and Country Day's Alex Eby scored in the first half. Alen Deppe made 14 saves for Unity Christian.
Division 4
Muskegon Western Michigan Christian 3, Madison Heights Bishop Foley 0: Charlie Buursma broke the scoreless tie in the 45th minute for Western Michigan Christian (21-2-3), who repeated as state champion. It's the program's ninth state title and third since 2019. Tekalegn Vlasma score twice in a span of four minutes (52' and 56'), and both goals were assisted by Buursma. Daniel Manisian had 14 saves for WMC. Greg Altman scored nine shots for Bishop Foley (18-4-1).
Free Press staff reports contributed.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: MHSAA boys soccer state finals: Troy Athens takes Division 1 title
