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Saline – The location was different but the date and the thrilling result was the same for Ann Arbor Huron.
The River Rats won an exciting shootout with No. 8-ranked Livonia Churchill to win the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1, Region 2 Championship on June 5 at Hornet Field.
It was a year ago to the day that Ann Arbor Huron also beat another higher ranked team
in then No. 1 Northville in a shootout after 110 minutes of scoreless play at
After graduating 13 seniors from that state championship team, Huron was not expected to go far in this year’s playoffs. But they held Churchill scoreless after two overtimes to force the shootout.
After Churchill’s first penalty shot hit the post, Huron senior Lisa Masini calmly nailed a shot into the left corner to put them up 1-0. Churchill tied it on their next shot, only to see junior Meg Boyer find the right corner of the net to go back ahead 2-1.
Huron senior goalie Emily Brunnschweiler made a diving save on Churchill’s next shot to keep the lead at 2-1. Churchill senior goalie Stefanie Turner returned the favor on Huron’s next shot.
Churchill’s next shot sailed wide right to set up a potential game-winner by junior Ainsley McCallister. She nailed a shot into the left corner for the win.
The River Rats had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation as senior Kendal Ufer had a breakaway with less than a minute on the clock. But her shot was stopped by Turner.
Huron improves to 17-2-2 and advances to play unbeaten and No. 1-ranked Portage Central at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, in a semifinal rematch at a location to be determined. Huron beat Central 1-0 in one of last season’s semifinals.
