By KYLE DUDA

Special to The Oakland Press

TROY — After coming up short in last year’s state championship game, Madison Heights Bishop Foley’s girls soccer team had one main rule to abide by for the duration of the season: “Just don’t talk about it.” The “it” being another crack at winning the state championship.

But after handily defeating Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central, 2-0, during Wednesday’s Division 4 state semifinal matchup at Troy Athens, adding another state championship to the collection of banners in the school’s gym — Bishop Foley has 11 state titles in girls soccer — remains the only thing left for the Ventures (12-5-6) to accomplish this season.

With the win, the Ventures are headed to Grand Rapids, where they’ll take on Kalamazoo Hackett.

“I think it still stings from last year,” Bishop Foley head coach Aaron Miller said, referring to the 1-0 loss to Grand Rapids Christian in last year’s championship game. “It definitely motivates them.”

The hungry Ventures were led offensively by Kayla Cross.

Cross utilized her size, speed and superb ball handling to consistently keep the Panthers’ defenders on edge and finished the first half with four shots on goal — one of those shots sailed past the goalkeeper to put the Ventures on the board with 11:35 remaining in the first half.

It was Cross’ 20th goal of the season.

“She’s always getting a goal or an assist for us,” Miller said, adding that Cross has garnered a point in every postseason game.

With a 1-0 cushion, the Ventures’ defense buckled down. The turning point defensively, according to Miller, came when he put Megan O’Neil on the Panthers’ star sweeper.

O’Neil and her fellow defenders were able to shut down the opposition and make things easier for goalkeeper Amanda Mancini, who only faced two shots on net in the second half.

Things continued to go well for Bishop Foley late in the second half, as Amber Williamson’s attempt to cross the ball in the box bounced off of a defender’s leg and into the back of the net to give the Ventures an almost insurmountable 2-0 lead with 12:20 remaining in the game.

Although it wasn’t the prettiest goal, Williamson certainly deserved some positive karma from the soccer gods, as she showed exceptional skill on the offense end and finished the game with three shots on net.

The Panthers, who moved the ball well in early portion the first half with their well-executed long passes through the teeth of the defense, appeared out of rhythm for the duration of the game and couldn’t quite muster any steady attacks on the offensive end. The offensive deficiency allowed the Ventures to cruise to yet another state championship game berth, the 16th in school history.

Miller said the difference between this year’s team and last year’s all boils down to experience.

One of the most “unique” aspects of the current squad, according to Miller, is its resiliency.

During its regional final matchup against Ann Arbor Greenhills, Miller felt no uncertainty heading into overtime with the score tied at 2-2.

“I just knew his team would gut it out,” he said.

And the Ventures, obviously, did just that, as Cross came up with the golden goal in overtime.