Troy

Troy High’s postseason run ends with loss in state title tilt

By Jason Carmel Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by David Schreiber Troy High senior forward Irene Young, right, and the Colts finished as runner-up in the MHSAA Division 1 girls soccer state championships for the second straight year. Photo by David Schreiber Troy High senior forward Irene Young, right, and the Colts finished as runner-up in the MHSAA Division 1 girls soccer state championships for the second straight year.

EAST LANSING — Fourth-year Troy High girls soccer coach Brian Zawislak will have to wait at least one more year to bring the school another Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 girls soccer title.

The Colts fell 2-0 to Okemos June 16 at Michigan State University in the D-1 state championship game.

“It’s tough, because the girls wanted (the championship) so bad, and that’s all we’ve talked about all year,” said Zawislak, who led Troy High to the title game for the second straight year. “We were playing some of our best soccer at the end of the season and in the tournament. We just ran into a great team.”

In the loss, the Colts (19-3-3) allowed twice as many goals as they had in the entire postseason. Troy High outscored its opponents 11-3 in seven postseason contests.

The Colts were seeking their first state championship since 2003.

“It’s really tough to end it like this because I love playing with this group. We’ve really accomplished a lot,” said Troy High senior forward Irene Young, who played in 25 playoff games in her four years as a member of the Colts varsity squad.

“(Okemos) is really talented, but I’m really sad it’s over.”

Troy High has experienced more success in each postseason under Zawislak. The Colts advanced to the D-1 quarterfinals and semifinals in 2009 and 2010, respectively. The last two seasons, they have battled their way to the state championship game.

The Colts fell 1-0 to Novi in the 2011 title game.

“We really wanted to get this done for these seniors,” Zawislak said of his six seniors. “They’ve done so much to establish this program. Hopefully, the younger players keep what the seniors started going.”

Three of those seniors, including Young, played in 25 postseason games over the course of their prep careers.

“I’ve definitely learned a lot being a part of this team,” said Young, who will play at the University of Louisville next season. “I’ve learned how to be a leader and how to stick with a team. Those are things I can carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Next season, Troy High could return 17 of 23 players. That includes junior keeper Alison Holland, who Zawislak said he believes is the best goalie in the state.

“A lot of keepers build up stats against poor competition, but (Holland) is out there against the best teams in the state, game in and game out,” Zawislak said. “In two years, she’s got 39 wins and a lot of shutouts.

“The seniors have done a lot and will be remembered, but we’ve got to keep what they started alive.”
 

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Jason Carmel Davis at jdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1107. Follow Jason Carmel on Twitter.