SOUTHFIELD — Ann Arbor Fr. Gabriel Richard and Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart played each other twice in the last month.
On April 17, “They broke off seven straight goals,” Irish coach Chris Merucci said. “Then we broke off like nine straight goals. It’s something about this matchup that it runs a lot on emotion and momentum.” Richard won 14-9.
On May 9 at Lawrence Tech University, Sacred Heart led 3-0 after the first quarter, tied 4-4 at the half, led 9-6 after three quarters and 10-6 two minutes into the fourth quarter.
“Everyone was scoring in bunches,” Merucci said, “and I was convinced that whoever had the last run was gonna win it.”
The Fighting Irish concocted the last “bunch”: five goals in a row in a frantic four minutes to lead for the first time in the game, 11-10, and held on to claim the Catholic High School League Cardinal Division girls lacrosse championship, their second (the other in 2024).
“This team, more than any other team I’ve ever coached, they love each other," Merucci said. "They don’t get down on each other. And that’s what I think is the biggest thing about these big runs. They’re a resilient bunch. They play for each other, and I couldn’t be more proud.”
“It’s a feeling of mixed emotions because we played incredible,” Sacred Heart’s first-year coach Kate Mezwa said. “And so it feels great to walk off the field being really proud of how we played. And unfortunately, little errors led to some goals on their end and time ran out.”
Mezwa, a 2011 graduate of Sacred Heart, continued: “I’m really optimistic and excited that we’re graduating just two seniors. We’ve got one of the strongest underclassmen teams that I’ve ever seen in Sacred Heart history. We’ve got really strong offenders, midfield and defenders that are registered for summer camps and summer leagues. We’ve got good plans, so I think that we can come back.” Sacred Heart won the CHSL title in 2015.
Scoring for Gabriel Richard: five by freshman Pilar Goetz, and one each by Maddie Hodrosky, Estelle Moldovan, Erinn Lanigan, Julia Dombrowski and Mimi Fitzpatrick.
Scoring for Sacred Heart: four by Marlie Hock, three by Olivia Miller, two by Zoe Drolet, and one by Ana Bojaj.
Looking ahead to the state playoffs: Both teams are in Division 2. Gabriel Richard’s (13-2) opponent to be determined, while Sacred Heart (11-4) will meet Lapeer (5-5) on May 15.
Marian wins its 11th lacrosse title
Bloomfield Hills Marian’s task to win its 11th CHSL Bishop Division girls lacrosse championship May 9 at Lawrence Tech University wasn’t as arduous as anticipated with the arrival of the Toledo St. Ursula Academy squad minus nine members of the team, including five starters.
Coach Paul Sieben explained: “They ordered the tickets for a concert a long time ago before we knew we were gonna win a chance to play in the final. So it’s OK.”
Marian scored 11 times before St. Ursula got a goal with 16 seconds remaining in the second quarter. The Arrows “won” the second half 7-3 for a 14-8 final score.
“I’m thrilled that the girls that were here stepped up and never gave up even though we knew the odds were against us,” Sieben said. “The young girls that got to play got that good championship experience. And the 'Bekas, who have been our leaders and captains whole year, they came through for us.”
He was referencing the Hebeka twin seniors, Anna (4 goals) and Eliza (3), who have nearly identical season and career statistics, too: Anna had 44 goals this year and 100 in her career, and Eliza, 41 goals and 118. Senior Sidney Pollex scored the other goal.
Marian coach Lou Conroy said St. Ursula's squad would take away some positives, regardless.
“Well, the team still worked well together in the first quarter and in the second quarter," Conroy said. "I wanted them to focus on still continuing to play as a team. I don’t like running the scores up. So, we put in some of the people who got some more playing time, and we were lucky enough to get that.”
Eight players combined for Marian’s scores, led by four from Meghan MacMichael, two each from Grace Dry, Caroline Carter and Caroline Quaine, and single goals by Carey Conroy, Molly Conroy, Ari Stapleton and Vivian Flowers.
Marian (9-1) will play Lapeer (5-5) May 15 in the opening round of state playoffs.
Contact Don Horkey at dhorkey4@gmail.
