Country Day smothers GR West Catholic for D-3 girls soccer title

EAST LANSING – Aliya Saad set a high bar for herself as she looks forward to the next three years of soccer with Birmingham Detroit Country Day.

With less than 10 minutes left in the first half of the MHSAA girls soccer Division 3 championship game, the freshman scored to lead Country Day to a 1-0 victory over Grand Rapids West Catholic on Saturday, June 13, at DeMartin Field.

“It feels great knowing that my next three years ahead of me are going to be big ones to live up to," Saad said. “I’m just so glad I could put that ball into the back of the net for my teammates, my seniors, my captains, the people who can’t come back [next] year.”

DIVISION 1: Rockford rolls over Troy in MHSAA girls soccer D-1 title game

Saad received the credit for her offense, but it was the Yellowjackets' defense that ultimately carried the team to its first championship since 2021 (and its seventh overall).

Saad’s winner was one of 15 shot attempts Country Day took throughout the game. West Catholic, conversely, was only able to get one shot attempt all afternoon, and that one wasn't even on net.

West Catholic did make a formation adjustment in the second half of the game but it didn’t alter Country Day’s defensive scheme.

The Falcons had a chance to tie things up in the final minute,when  freshman midfielder Lexy Druelle attempted three flip-in passes to try and create a shot for her team.