Novi -- Three-time defending Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 Champion Novi beat Birmingham Groves 5-0 May 29 to advance to the District 9 final against Livonia Stevenson Friday.

   The Wildcats dominated play in the first half but were unable to find the back of the net.

   Novi finally broke through with 35:21 left in the second half as senior Jenna Carosio blasted home a goal on an assist from senior Jamie Fratto.

   The Wildcats then scored three more goals in a two-minute, 34-second span to put the game away. Senior Alyssa Fraser scored at the 27:48 mark. Assists went to sophomore Morgan Haffey and senior Katie Chaklos. Carosio got her second goal 13 seconds later on an assist from senior Veronica Salens. Chaklos got past the Groves' goalie with 25:14 on the clock on assist from senior Shannon Cody.

Fratto closed the scoring at the 19:55 mark, assisted by Chaklos.

   "We played with a little more urgency in the second half," said Head Coach Brian O'Leary.

Stevenson beat North Farmington 1-0 in overtime on a penalty kick to advance in the other half of the district. Stevenson and Novi will meet May 30 at 7 p.m. at Meadows Middle School for the title. The two teams met earlier in the season, tying 0-0.