Three area teams still chasing state titles as MHSAA sports season hits final week
Three Greater Lansing teams are still playing for state titles as another busy high school sports year enters its final week.
The area has had seven state championship teams this school year, with Lansing Christian boys golf and Lansing Catholic boys track claiming state titles this spring. There’s a chance for two championships on the pitch, with Haslett and Williamston girls soccer still alive, and one on the diamond with Pewamo-Westphalia baseball.
Here’s what to know as all three attempt to end their seasons by making school history and raising state title trophies at Michigan State on Saturday.
Hornets back on the doorstep again
The latest state semifinal run for Williamston girls soccer is the second straight under the direction of coach Steve Horn. The Hornets were stopped by Detroit Country Day in last year’s Division 3 semifinal. This year’s semifinal date for top-ranked Williamston is against No. 3-ranked Pontiac Notre Dame Prep at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Parker Middle School in Howell.
The Hornets are trying to reach the state championship game for the first time since 2010. Williamston has two title game appearances in program history – the other was in 2008 – and is seeking its first championship.
With a win Wednesday, Williamston would advance to face No. 2-ranked Hudsonville Unity Christian or No. 6-ranked Elk Rapids in the title game Saturday at Michigan State's DeMartin Stadium.
With Williamston's season on the brink, Ella Kleiver delivers two big goals in regional semis
Vikings shooting to add to historic run
Haslett has never been to a soccer state championship game and has a chance to continue its strong run as it faces reigning state champion and No. 2-ranked Bloomfield Hills Marian in its Division 2 semifinal 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Northville.
The No. 7-ranked Vikings hadn’t won a district title since 2014 before ending that drought through this spring. And they rallied from a four-goal deficit to knock off South Lyon East for their first regional championship. The regional final had been the ending point to several of the other top seasons in program history for Haslett, including 2002 and 2014.
If Haslett gets past Marian, which is chasing a fifth straight state crown, it would face either No. 4-ranked Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central or No. 6-ranked Richland Gull Lake in Saturday's title game at DeMartin Stadium.
Related: In comeback for the ages, Haslett girls soccer rallies from 4 goals down to reach state semifinals
Pirates eye first title game since 1991
Pewamo-Westphalia also had to rally to get this point, surging past Lansing Catholic late to win its Division 3 quarterfinal Saturday at Davenport. With that win, the Pirates find themselves at this stage for the third time in program history and second time in four years.
P-W reached the state semifinals in 2019 and had its run ended by eventual state champion Homer. The Pirates will be trying to reach a championship game for the second time in program history when they face No. 16 Detroit Edison at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Michigan State’s McLane Stadium. P-W also reached the state title game in 1991.
The Pirates’ run to this point has included a win over No. 3ranked Hemlock. P-W is the only unranked team among the final four in Division 3. Top-ranked Buchanan and No. 5 Standish-Sterling are the other teams in title contention.
Related: Pewamo-Westphalia baseball rallies to reach state semifinals for third time in program history
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Prep sports: What to know as 3 Greater Lansing teams chase state titles
