For two best friends at in Grand Rapids, Mich., winning a girlsā soccer state title had been a dream since they were 10 years old.
South Christian High School claims the girlsā soccer state title.
āWeāve been working so hard all these years, and we have wanted it ever since we were little girls,ā said Cassidy Bosselaar, who played varsity soccer at the school for four years.
Their dream became a reality when Bosselaar, Kayla Diemer, and their teammates won the Division 3 girlsā soccer state championship game.
Diemer, a member of Hillside Community Christian Reformed Church in Cutlerville, Mich., scored the gameās only goal in the second half.
āI remember passing the ball to Cierra Buist. Cierra passed it to Kayla [Diemer], Kayla dribbled around two of the Notre Dame Prep players, and it was a perfect shot right into the corner,ā recalled Bosselaar.
The Sailors also ousted Unity Christian High School in the regional finals, defeating the school that had won seven of the last eight state titles.
āThe whole four years Iāve been [at South Christian], weāve never beaten Unity,ā explained Diemer. āWe were beating big teams, so I knew itād be a good season.ā
For many of the girls, who had playing on club teams together since middle school, fellow players were more than just teammates.
āWhen I was a freshman, the seniors motivated me to be the best player I could be,ā said Diemer. āI wanted to be like the seniors when I was a freshman; I wanted to be a leader to the freshmen and show them the role model that I had.ā
As for the future, another dream is coming true for Bosselaar and Diemer.
āKayla [Diemer] and I have been best friends since like second grade, and it was our dream to play college soccer together,ā said Bosselaar.
Both Diemer and Bosselaar will play soccer together next year at in Palos Heights, Ill.
About the Author
Ryan Struyk was a former Banner news correspondent for classes Grand Rapids South and Thornapple Valley.