Pi-Hi V: Pioneers win fifth straight field hockey title

BIRMINGHAM -- With cross-town rivals Pioneer and Huron squaring off in the Michigan High School Field Hockey Association state finals at Detroit Country Day on Saturday, the question wasn't whether or not the trophy would come back to Ann Arbor. The question was whether or not its address would change.

Early on it looked like Huron would be able to dethrone the Pioneers, as the River Rats outshot the four-time defending state champs 11-1 in the first half. But Pioneer goalkeeper Emma Hamstra stood on her head in net, turning every single shot away.

"I have never seen something like that," said Hamstra of Huron's first half rush, "but my team has been preparing me every day in practice for a game like that, and I'm thankful for that."

Emy Guttman provided the offense in the second half, netting two goals, as Pioneer won its fifth consecutive state championship, 2-0. (Rest of the story | Boxscore)