It was only fitting that two teams from the SEC, and two of the best programs in the state over the past decade, would meet in the first MHSAA field hockey state finals on Saturday at Northville. From a historical perspective, Pioneer and Dexter have been the elite of the sport for years.
The two programs combined to win five of the final six Michigan High School Field Hockey League Division 1 championships, with Dexter claiming a couple of Division 2 titles over the last three years. The Dreadnaughts won the MHSFHL Division 2 state titles in 2022 and 2023 and five overall while Pioneer entered Saturday’s game as the three-time defending D-1 state champions.
This was the first year the sport flew under the MHSAA flag with just one championship game – and what a game it was.
SEE WLAA-D PHOTOGALLERY – 130 PHOTOS
There was a point in the second half where it felt like the team that scored next would win the game even though Pioneer had a 2-0 lead. The Dreadnaughts were buzzing and did everything on the offensive end except get the ball in the goal – in part because of some big saves and a tough Pioneer defense.
Neither team would score again after Pioneer’s second-half goal made it 2-0, and the most successful program in the history of the Michigan High School Field Hockey League (30 state titles in 45 years) won the first ever MHSAA field hockey state title.
Pioneer, the No. 1 seed, finished the season with a 15-6-1 record. Dexter finished 15-4-4.
SEE WLAA-D PHOTOGALLERY – 130 PHOTOS
The Pioneers earned this title because of its stingy and strong defense. Pioneer, with freshman goalie Mara Boullion in the net, didn’t give up a single goal during the entire MHSAA Tournament. Boullion stopped all seven shots from the Dreadnaughts, and the Pioneer defense denied all 10 penalty corner opportunities for Dexter to keep the Dreads off the scoreboard.
Pioneer opened the scoring with 4:03 remaining in the first quarter on a goal by junior Zoe Shuchman following a scramble in front of the Dexter net after a penalty corner.
A turnover led to Pioneer’s second goal. Pioneer senior Maggie Lamb took advantage of the opportunity, breaking in all alone and beating Dexter goalie Audrey Owen-Smith. It was Lamb’s 10th goal of the season and gave the Pioneers a 2-0 lead with 2:47 left in the third quarter.
Dexter outshot Pioneer 9-7.
SEE WLAA-D PHOTOGALLERY – 130 PHOTOS
