06/15/2006

Norse fall to champions

Unity Christian runs streak to 54

from staff reports

SPARTA — Suttons Bay got to find out what's so special about Hudsonville Unity Christian and sophomore Laura Heyboer.

Heyboer, on the U.S. national team, scored four goals and assisted on the other as Unity Christian won its 54th straight game, 5-1, in the Division 3 soccer semifinals.

"She was something," said Suttons Bay coach Ryan DeFour, whose team was in the soccer semifinals for the second time in school history. "She had four of their five goals. They're a special team."

"They're an amazing team," senior forward Victoria Alfonseca added. "They have a lot of skill and I'm glad we were able to play a team like that so the younger girls will have something to look forward to.

"It was a great experience to be in the Final Four. I was excited when I woke up this morning and was thinking about it all day."

Despite the daunting task of facing Unity Christian (27-0), which hasn't lost since the 2004 state final, the Norse were able to keep it close early.

Suttons Bay trailed 2-1 on an unassisted tally by sophomore Erin Sneed from about 25 yards away. After a corner kick, the ball came out to Sneed, who put a floater over the outstretched hands of the goalie and into the back of the net.

Unity Christian scored two more goals before the intermission and Heyboer scored another 30 seconds into the second half in Suttons Bay's final game of the season.

Despite the loss, DeFour said the year was successful.

"I'm extremely proud of them," said DeFour, who loses just four seniors. "They've done everything I asked of them ... everything. They came out and played hard for 80 minutes against this team and they knew it would be tough."

Alfonseca said the Norse had a couple of other chances to get on the board, but just couldn't get it into the net.

Detroit Country Day (14-6-4), the last team to beat Unity Christian, advanced to the state final with a 2-0 victory over Williamston.