Unity Christian High School in Hudsonville, Mich., won the Michigan Division 3 boys’ soccer championship recently, taking a 1-0 victory in the state championship game.
The Crusaders, who finished the season 24-1, relied on an experienced team that was seeking to bounce back after being unexpectedly eliminated in the district tournament a year ago. They won their last 20 games, 18 of them by shutout.
“We had an exceptional senior class,” said Unity head coach Randy Heethuis, who has now coached the Crusaders to four boys’ state championships. “A lot of them are going to play in college. This team had great chemistry.”
Unity relied on a stout defense that got better as the season progressed. After allowing nine goals in its first six games, the Crusaders allowed only two goals over their final 19 games.
“We got contributions from everybody, and it’s nice when it all works out like that,” said Heethuis, a member of Fairway Christian Reformed Church in Jenison, Mich.
Unity previously won Michigan state boys’ soccer championships in 2007, 2009, and 2012.
About the Author
Greg Chandler is a freelance news correspondent for The Banner. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.