WATERFORD — The hole was too deep for New Boston Huron girls soccer to escape.
Bloomfield Hills Marian, ranked No. 3 in the state, built a 3-0 halftime lead and cruised past Huron 4-1 in the Division 2 state soccer semifinals on Wednesday, June 10.
Marian scored nine minutes into the game, then made it 2-0 eight minutes later. The killer was a third goal with 5:16 left in the half.
“We were finally starting to play our game down 2-0,” Huron coach Matt Lividini said. “It looked like we might possibly pull back into it, but they scored off a corner kick.”
It was a well-executed corner.
“An open player in front headed it right in,” Lividini said. “They are definitely a good team.”
Bloomfield Hills Marian’s Clair Dauer battles New Boston Huron’s Maggie Mentzer for possession during the Division 2 girls soccer state semifinal on Tuesday, June 10, 2026, at Waterford Kettering High School.
Huron played even with Marian after the intermission.
“The second half was 1-1, but we couldn’t get those three goals back,” Lividini said.
Avery Turk scored Huron’s goal off an assist by Miley Skamiera.
“In the beginning, we were just a little too timid a little too long,” Lividini said. “That was the story of the game.”
Huron, which fell in the state finals last season, wound up one step short of that and finishes with an 18-4 record.
Bloomfield Hills Marian’s Leah Nalichowski attacks during the Division 2 girls soccer state semifinal on Tuesday, June 10, 2026, at Waterford Kettering High School.
“When you get to the Final Four, two teams have got to advance and two have to go home,” Lividini said.
Leah Nalichowski, who played on a high-level club team before returning to high school soccer this spring, scored the first three goals for Marian.
“She said she wanted to focus on her academics, going into nursing, and asked if she could come back after missing the last two seasons,” Marian coach Danny Price said. “Of course, I was going to bring her back. She’s a super talented player. She’s scored 30 goals this season and has like 15, 16 assists. I think she’s had a hand in almost 50 goals this season, and she has been absolutely incredible for us.”
New Boston Huron’s Ava Banko halts a possession during the Division 2 girls soccer state semifinal on Tuesday, June 10, 2026, at Waterford Kettering High School.
Two of her goals came on headers off corner kicks.
“She’s a fox in the box, is what I like to say,” Price said. “She knows where to run a defender and spin a defender. I’m super happy to have her.”
The Huron players were disappointed, but not devastated by the loss.
“I love to see they’re in high spirits and they should be,” Lividini said. “There are 106 teams in Division 2, and there were only four left playing tonight. The fact we were right back here, where we were last year, in the Final Four, they did everything I asked of them.”
Marian (21-2) will face defending state champion and top-ranked Hudsonville Unity Christian (23-0) for the state championship Saturday at Michigan State.
Unity Christian beat Huron 7-0 in last year’s championship game.
The Chiefs graduate seven seniors.
“We’ll be right back,” Lividini promised.
New Boston Huron’s Savannah Elliott and Avery Turk smile after the Division 2 girls soccer state semifinal on Tuesday, June 10, 2026, at Waterford Kettering High School.
PREP BASEBALL
Monroe, Bedford trio All-SEC
MONROE – Carson Liedel and Asher Simmons of Monroe made the All-Southeastern Conference Red team selected by league coaches along with Jaxson Lestock of Bedford.
Honorable mention choices were Evan Bullard, Jason Bryant Chase Atkins and Brody Leonhard of Bedford and Monroe’s Daley Cosby.
Landon Loveland of Monroe and Bedford’s Nick Coberley made the All-Sportsmanship Team.
Carlson players honored
Gibraltar Carlson landed Joe Borowski, Kyle Salisbury and Keith Salisbury on the All-Downriver League team selected by league coaches.
PREP SOFTBALL
Four Marauders picked
Addison Skinner, Kennedy Warren, Averie Gendron and Addison Burgei of Gibraltar Carlson were selected to the All-Downriver League team.
The same four made the Division 1 All-District team.
GOLF
Ace for Costanza
David Costanza used a 9-iron to shoot a hole-in-one on the 100-yard No. 17 hole at Giant Oak Golf Course on June 9.
ADULT SOCCER
Bello scores six
Habeeb Bello scored six goals to lead Atletico to an 8-5 win over Hot Spurs in the Monroe Adult Coed Indoor Soccer League at LevelUp Training Sunday.
Jake Winter tallied two goals for Hot Spurs.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Huran girls soccer loses MHSAA state semifinal match
