Michigan high school girls soccer: Grosse Pointe North wins Division 2 on penalty kicks

EAST LANSING — After suffering an early two-goal lead to East Grand Rapids, Grosse Pointe North girls soccer never relented.

They forced a 20-minute overtime period, and the match was ultimately decided by penalty kicks, where North goalkeeper Grace McCormick stood out in the 3-2 victory for the Division 2 state championship on Friday at the DeMartin Soccer Complex on Michigan State's campus.

Mia Stephanoff scored the game-winner after regulation and the overtime periods.

"It's very on brand for us," North coach Olivia Dallaire said. "It shows the resiliency of the girls, their ability to refuse to lose as it came down to the wire and I'm just so proud of them."

East Grand Rapids got possession early and capitalized when Reese Lynn passed to her twin sister, Gracie, at the top of the box where she put it away in the top right corner, just past McCormick's outstretched hands.

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Not long after, Reese burying a penalty kick near the same pocket of the goal her sister had just minutes before, giving her team an early two-goal lead.

But North didn't back down from the challenge.

Meredith Dodenhoff took a shot from the far-left side that found its way into the gloves of goaltender Makenna Gessner before bouncing off into the back of the net. The goal revitalized the North offense that was off to a sluggish start to begin the half.

North seemed more aggressive in the second half, getting significantly better scoring opportunities. However, EGR also continued to get good scoring chances. Avery Leete drew McCormick out from the goal, leaving an empty net but her shot just rolled past.

EGR had a chance to extend its lead on a free kick from Henny Maher, but it sailed over the net, keeping it a one-goal match. Both McCormick and Gessner continued to make clutch saves, only adding to the intensity as the match winded down.

Just when it looked as if no more goals would be scored, a breaking point was reached.

North's Amelia Streberger put the play in action by getting around multiple defenders, finding herself in great position that led to a corner kick. That chaotically resulted in a tied game with under 15 minutes to go on an own goal.

The two teams remained deadlocked until the end of the second half, resulting in two 10-minute overtime periods. In the second extra session, Gracie Lynn and Margaret Periard both had chances for East Grand Rapids and Dodenhoff got a final shot on goal with seconds winding down, but no one could capitalize.

During the penalty kicks, Gracie Lynn's shot sailed high over the net, but Gabby Miller's found the back of the net, giving North the lead. Reese Lynn and Toki Budelmann nailed their shots for East Grand Rapids, as did Streberger for North and the teams were tied at 2-2 after three rounds.

McCormack came in clutch, coming up with two big saves to crown North the victors, 3-2, completing an incredible comeback.

"A goalkeeper can make or break your team," Dallaire said. "She's been a four-year starter for us and I've just loved to watch how much she's matured on and off the field."

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: MHSAA girls soccer: Grosse Pointe North wins Div. 2 on penalty kicks