Novi -- The monkey is off the Mustangs' back.

After three years of frustrating losses to their rival, No. 1-ranked Northville finally broke through April 18 to beat the three-time defending Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 Champion Novi Wildcats 1-0.

Northville won the 2004 Division 1 championship under Head Coach Ron Meteyer. But since then, the Wildcats have had the Mustangs' number.

The Wildcats have eliminated the Mustangs from the state playoffs each of the past three years. Last year, the Wildcats beat the Mustangs 3-1 on June 13 in the semifinals and topped them 3-0 in the regular season on April 21. In 2006, Northville reached the Division 1 final, only to be topped by Novi 3-1. In the regular season Novi beat Northville 2-0. Novi eliminated Northville 4-1 in district play in 2005 after tying the Mustangs 4-4 in the regular season.

Friday night's game had the intensity deserving of a match-up between winners of the past four state titles.

The Mustangs dominated the first half against the Wildcats but couldn't find the net. Novi came on strong in the second half and cut down dramatically on the Mustangs' scoring chances in the second half.

Northville senior tri-captain Theresa Yankovich scored the only goal they would need with 23:42 left on the clock. Yankovich dribbled the ball 60 yards overcoming three challenges, then dished the ball to sophomore Lauren Lokey. Lokey passed it back to Yankovich who fought off another challenge and drilled it in the back of the net for the game-winner.

"That was simply Theresa wanting it more than anyone else," said Meteyer.

Goalie Elana Ryznar and the Mustang defense fought off several Wildcat challenges in the second half to earn the shutout.

It’s a huge monkey off our backs," said Meteyer. "The girls really wanted this one."

Northville moved to No. 1 in Division 1 in the April 14 coaches' poll. Novi dropped to No. 5 after a 1-0 loss to Grosse Pointe North last Friday. The game was stopped due to lightning after completing only one half. The Wildcats bounced back to be Bloomfield Hills Lahser and Hartland earlier this week. Novi now sits at 6-2-0.

Northville is now 5-0-2 and have outscored their opponents 30-3. The Mustangs tied Livonia Churchill 3-3 on April 7 and fought to a scoreless tie to Canton on April 14.