DeWitt downs Haslett, advances to district soccer final

EAST LANSING – When it comes to the big moment, the Haslett girls soccer team has had DeWitt's number in recent years.

The Panthers, who won their Division 2 district from 2010-12, have been eliminated by the Vikings in the district tournament the past two seasons.

And in Thursday night's district semifinal at the East Lansing Soccer Complex, DeWitt made sure recent history didn't repeat itself.

The Panthers defeated Haslett, 3-0, and will advance to face St. Johns in Saturday's title game.

"This was a huge game for us," said junior Callee Fisher, who scored DeWitt's final goal. "Going in, we didn't want our season to end ... This is a team we wanted to beat, and we know we can make a run now."

Allison Sims scored the Panthers' first goal with about 10 minutes remaining in the first half. The junior ripped a shot about 18 yards away from goal, and the ball maneuvered its way through the outstretched arms of Viking keeper Tommie Schwab.

With 2:17 remaining in the half, DeWitt sophomore Maddie Dickens rattled a shot off the crossbar, nearly giving the Panthers a two-goal lead. Ten seconds later, however, Erika Curley launched a shot that found the back of the net.

"We tried to get one or two early in the first half so that we could get the momentum," said DeWitt coach Jamal Mubarakeh, who picked up his 601st career win. "By the end of the game we started making a lot of good runs and passes, and none of the players had pressure after that."

The Panthers continued to be aggressive at the start of the second half, which led to Fisher's goal just four minutes in.

DeWitt's ability to possess the ball seemed to be the difference in the ball game. The Panthers were able to create several scoring opportunities, while keeping the Vikings' defense on their heels, due to solid passing in the midfield.

Haslett struggled with possession, at times, and was never really able to get into a rhythm in the attacking third because of it.

"We gave them the ball a little too often," Haslett senior Adrianna Stolicker said. "We didn't have time to swing the ball, get possession, or move the ball up.

"They've always been a really solid team. They're really strong, aggressive and athletic. We knew coming in that we were going to have to give it our all the whole game."