Gull Lake advances to state finals in soccer

Gull Lake is taking care of business. And the Blue Devils are in the business of winning soccer games.

Now, the Blue Devils have just one more job to do: Win one more game.

Gull Lake defeated East Grand Rapids, 5-1, in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 state semifinals in Grand Rapids on Wednesday.

The Blue Devils advance to play in the state finals on Saturday, where they will face DeWitt in a 3 p.m. contest at Comstock Park High School.

Gull Lake had reached the state semifinals two years ago, but saw its season end before the big game. A loaded No. 1-ranked Blue Devil squad lost in the districts last year. Those results, even if they were frustrating, have helped Gull Lake this year.

"When we got this far two years ago I think we were in awe of the moment. We were maybe just happy to be there," said Gull Lake coach Matthew Streitel. "Then, when we lost last year so early, we were motivated ever since to get back here again.

"This year, it has been a different atmosphere on this team. We have taken a business-like approach. We are happy to be winning these games, but we aren't satisfied yet. We know we still have work to do and that's the approach we have taken all year."

Gull Lake led 1-0 at halftime off a goal by DeWitt Renwick, finding itself in a tight contest. However, when the Blue Devils scored first in the second half on a goal by AJ Boucher, Gull Lake was off and running.

Eron Sylejmani added a goal to make it 3-0 and Tyler Corstange made it 4-0 before East Grand Rapids could respond. Riley Folk added the late goal for the Blue Devils.

"When we scored our second goal two or three minutes into the second half, we kind of rode that momentum from there and we thrived on that," Streitel said. "Our intensity was really good all night and our defense was strong. And when we had the opportunity, we really capitalized on our set pieces."