Soccer finals: First-half flurry lifts Saline to D1 title

Saline slotted home all the goals needed within the first 18 minutes in a defeating Grand Blanc, 4-0, to lift the Division 1 state girls soccer title Saturday at Michigan State's DeMartin Stadium.

Molly O'Sullivan (eighth minute), Allison Luurtsema (10th) and Amanda Zylstra (17th) all struck for first-half goals while Taylor Mulder's penalty kick in the 79th closed out the scoring. Sofia Swier made four saves to earn the shutout for Saline (22-0-3).

Saline, which defeated East Kentwood 1-0 Wednesday in the semifinals, had luck on its side when O'Sullivan redirected a strike off the crossbar and into the upper left-hand corner of the net for her fifth goal of the season. Danielle Rathfon assisted.

Three minutes later, Luurtsema lofted a long shot over Grand Blanc goalkeeper's Amy Puidokas' head for her fourth goal of the season. A foul on Grand Blanc's Morgan Jewel set up a free kick, which Zylstra deposited for her fourth tally of the season. Mulder assisted.

Grand Blanc, which knocked off Troy Athens 1-0 Wednesday in the semifinals, finished the season 18-6-5.

Calvin Christian wins Division 4 crown

Hilary Curry goals in second and 65th minute led Calvin Christian to a 2-1 victory over Lansing Christian and the Division 4 state championship Saturday.

Lansing's Rebecca Hull replied on a penalty kick in the 74th minute.

Curry's first goal came on a speculative shot, which tipped off Lansing goalkeeper Rachelle Trafford's fingertips and into the net. Emily VanVliet assisted. Her second goal came on a header, again set up by VanVliet off a free kick. The goals were her 25th and 26th of the season.

VanVliet's foul set up Hull's penalty kick with six minutes left in the match. After she converted, Lansing's best scoring chance came on a corner kick, which Calvin defended. Calvin finished the season 22-3; Lansing 20-5.