Marian's Elizabeth Doman (10) watches her header get past East Grand Rapids goalie Greer Bratschie, giving the Mustangs a 1-0 lead they would use to win the Division 2 girls soccer title.

By KYLE DUDA

Special to The Oakland Press

TROY — Birmingham Marian’s Elizabeth Doman donned the hero’s cape and took to the air to lead the Mustangs past East Grand Rapids, 1-0, in the Division 2 girls soccer state championship game at Troy Athens.

Doman navigated her way through a sea of bodies to locate the ball and scored the game’s lone goal on an airborne header thanks to a superb indirect free kick, 24-yards deep, from Courtney Andries.

The goal came with 7:07 remaining in the second half, putting an emphatic end to a physical game where defense reigned supreme, and scoring chances for both teams were few and far between.

“I saw (the ball) coming. It was a great ball by Courtney and I was hoping I wasn’t offsides,” Doman said. “I saw the ball hit the back of the net. I love seeing it happen. It’s just a mind blower. I collapsed to the ground and everyone piled on me.”

Taking it to the air is nothing new for the fearless Doman.

“Liz has scored nine goals, and it seems like they were all in the air and with her head,” Marian head coach Barry Brodsky said.

Doman and Andries have also enjoyed a solid rapport for the duration of the season. The two have had the uncanny ability to connect with one another on corner kicks.

For the Mustangs, who conclude their season 22-2-1, the state championship marks the third state title in girls soccer since 2003 — Marian won state championships in 2003 and 2004.

In 2004, the Mustangs got the best of East Grand Rapids, 3-0.

Sara Zawacki and her relentlessness also played an instrumental role in Marian’s lone goal.

Zawacki dribbled up field, withstood a collision with two defenders and side-stepped another before she was taken out from behind by an opposing player, setting up the game-changing free kick late in the second half.

The physical play was expected on both sides, especially with so much on the line.

“It’s been physical the last couple of weeks,” East Grand Rapids head coach Hollie Bonnema said. “It’s expected when you’re playing for everything, especially with the seniors.”

In the first half, neither team had much success on the offensive end, as each team mustered just three shots on net — none of them came in the box.

East Grand Rapids appeared poised to make a run, as Kelly Foy, Betsy Ronda and Madi Morgan delivered some well-executed passes to wreak some havoc on Marian’s side of the field.

Marian, however, regrouped whenever the Pioneers threatened.

Marians’ Elizabeth Tresnak and Martha Stevens both had solid scoring chances in the first half, but their shots were ultimately gobbled up by East Grand Rapids’ goalkeeper, Greer Bratschie.

Bratschie finished with 10 saves.

Marian’s Anina Cicerone used her one-on-one abilities to get past defenders for much of the afternoon, but once she got near the box, the Pioneer defenders closed out, forcing Cicerone to settle for a contested shot.

“Our defense played excellent,” East Grand Rapids head coach Hollie Bonnema said. “We just couldn’t get it going on offense. We never got into our flow.”

The Marian defenders had plenty to do with that in the second half.

Defensively, the Mustangs received stellar play from Martha Stevens, Casey Ayres and Doman, thus making life easier for senior goalkeeper Whitney Sarkis, who emerged with yet another shutout.

The Mustang defense buckled down, preventing the Pioneers from getting a single shot on net in the second half.

Team defense and stellar goalkeeping has been Marian’s calling card for the duration of the season.

The most goals Marian has given up in a game all season is two, and it only happened on one occasion, a 2-1 loss to Troy Athens in the regular season.

In their seven playoff games, the Mustangs outscored their opposition, 18-2.

“When you have an all-state keeper and such a great defense, it’s tough to get a goal against us,” Brodsky said.

As for next season, the young Mustangs should remain in contention, as they are set to return a plethora of star players.

While the future looks bright for Marian girls soccer, the Mustangs still must find a way to replace their four senior captains — Sarkis, Ayres, Cicerone and Andries — who Brodsky said have served as the team’s anchors.

Despite the loss, Bonnema said she is proud of her team and its 20-5 record.

East Grand Rapids entered the championship game on a goal-scoring frenzy, as the Pioneers outscored their opponents, 25-3, in six playoff games.

The Pioneers scored 10 or more goals in five games this season, including one playoff game, a 10-0 victory over Wyoming Rogers in a district semifinal matchup.

Marian’s 1-0 victory marks just the third time all season the Pioneers have been held scoreless.