The Detroit Lions have clear expectations for defensive tackle Brodric Martin heading into the upcoming 2025 NFL season.
In 2024, injuries slowed the progress of a developmental player who was expected to build upon his rookie campaign. After suffering a knee injury in the preseason finale, Martin was sidelined until late-November.
Upon returning, Martin appeared in just two games and played only 28 defensive snaps. In his two NFL seasons, the Western Kentucky product has played in five games and totaled four tackles.
Heading into his third season, general manager Brad Holmes expects the 25-year-old to be more consistent.
“Look, he’s got to be consistent,” Holmes said. “Obviously, you guys all know I was very clear and transparent that he was more in the developmental project bucket when we took him. But, now it’s time for him not to just — because he brought flashes in the preseason. When he came from his injury, he brought flashes, but, you know, he had some low points as well.
“So, we need to see more of the consistency of the flashes, and he just needs to be a consistent player,” Holmes explained further. “And he knows that. We’ve had transparent conversations, and so he knows that he needs to be a consistent player. He’s got all the ability, he’s got all the physical tools to be a consistent player.”
Alim McNeill will not be available for Detroit to start the 2025 season, as he works his way back from a torn ACL suffered in December.
In free agency, the team added Roy Lopez and could add more defensive tackles in the NFL draft.
Derrick Harmon and Kenneth Grant have recently been mocked to the Lions in many of the latest projections.
For Martin, taking strides forward will be paramount for a defensive line in need of depth and productivity on a team playing a first-place schedule.
This article was produced by the staff at Detroit Lions On SI. For more, visit si.com/nfl/lions
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Brodric Martin reacts after knocking down a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
SEATTLE (AP) — Riley Greene homered and Javier Báez hit a two-run double in Detroit’s six-run first inning, helping the Tigers beat the Seattle Mariners 9-6 on Monday night for their first victory of the season.
Báez, Dillon Dingler and Trey Sweeney each had three of Detroit’s 18 hits. Kerry Carpenter had two hits and two RBIs.
The Tigers were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in their season-opening series.
Randy Arozarena, Cal Raleigh and Luke Raley homered for Seattle. Julio Rodríguez had two hits and scored two runs.
Mariners right-hander Emerson Hancock (0-1) recorded just two outs before he was pulled.
Carpenter singled in Justin-Henry Malloy, and Greene hit a solo drive for his first homer of the season. Dingler and Sweeney each hit an RBI single before Baez chased Hancock with his first double of the year.
Tigers rookie Jackson Jobe permitted three runs and three hits in four innings in his first career start. He struck out three and walked four.
Tyler Holton (1-0) got the win, and Brant Hurter pitched three innings for the save.
Key moment
Baez’s first-inning double broke the game wide open. Hancock was one strike away from getting out of the inning, but Baez’s hit went off the wall in left.
Key stat
Eight players had at least one hit for Detroit.
Up next
Tigers right-hander Casey Mize will start Tuesday against Seattle ace Logan Gilbert (0-0, 1.29 ERA).
— By SHANE LANTZ, Associated Press
Detroit Tigers third baseman Javier Baez (28) greets right fielder Zach McKinstry (39) and center fielder Riley Greene (31) as they celebrate a 9-6 win over the Seattle Mariners in a baseball game Monday, March 31, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
While one of the two Waterford schools will go back into the Oakland Activities Association wearing the boys basketball crown of their former conference, the other is still searching for its way.
At least the latter, Waterford Kettering, has picked the man the Captains hope can steer the ship out of the storm, announcing on Monday the hiring of former college and NBA player and coach Rex Walters as their new head coach.
In a social media post entitled ‘We Got Our Guy,’ the Captains listed off the resume of the 55-year-old Walters, and it is extensive:
– Played at Northwestern and Kansas.
– Drafted with the 16th pick in the first round of the 1993 NBA Draft (held at the Palace of Auburn Hills, and headlined by local star Chris Webber).
– Played professionally for 10 seasons, with NBA stops with the New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat.
– Assistant coaching stops at Valparaiso and Florida Atlantic, before acting as the head coach of FAU and San Francisco, where he earned WCC coach of the year honors in 2014.
– Head coach of the Pistons G-League team in Grand Rapids, the Drive, a season on the Pistons bench as an assistant, single seasons at Nevada and Wake Forest, a season with the New Orleans Pelicans and two with the Hornets.
“Big Thank You to AD Shane Hynes, Principal Ben Harwood, Waterford AD Allison Sartorius and the Search Committee for the opportunity to work with the Young Men at Waterford Kettering,” Walters posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Excited to get to work and get back on the Basketball Court!”
He’ll have to continue the rebuilding job that longtime Oakland County coach Steve Emert began over the last three seasons.
While cross town rival Waterford Mott has had a share of the last four Lakes Valley Conference titles, the Captains have been on the opposite end of the standings each of those seasons. The last time they were relatively level was the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, when they finished tied with each other for sixth place (both 3-5).
From that 7-10 season, though, the Captains went 2-19 in the single season (2021-22) under Stefon Wilson, then went 10-59 overall in Emert’s three seasons (3-45 in LVC play).
“Congratulations Coach Walters. You will enjoy working with the student/athletes and the parents in the Kettering community,” Emert replied to a a Facebook post of this story.
There will at least be a modicum of familiarity with the OAA for Walters, who got a look at the league when his younger son, Gunner, played for Rochester Adams before graduating in 2022.
San Francisco head coach Rex Walters talks to his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Gonzaga in Spokane, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. Walters has been named the head boys basketball coach at Waterford Kettering. (YOUNG KWAK — AP Photo, file)
Detroit City Football Club has called Hamtramck home since 2016. The team moved from its original grounds at Cass Technical High School and raised almost $750,000 to upgrade historic Keyworth Stadium.
Now, DCFC plans to build a new stadium in Corktown.
The club bought the vacant Southwest Detroit Hospital in 2024. Owners plan to demolish the building and clean up the property on Michigan Avenue near I-75 and I-96.
Co-owner Alex Wright says they want a modern facility.
“A lot of the stuff we’re doing is behind the scenes currently, but it’s something that we want to be a special place, a community place, and very much the next step in sort of the vision of building our ambition of being Detroit’s soccer team,” Wright said.
Soccer seeds bear fruit
Detroit City Football Club have played at Keyworth Stadium since 2016.
A new stadium would be the next step in DCFC’s evolution. The club started in 2012, playing against regional teams in the amateur National Premier Soccer League. It quickly became one of NPSL’s most successful clubs. After moving to Keyworth in 2016, City was playing before sellout crowds.
In 2025, USL petitioned the U.S. Soccer Federation to create a new pro division that would compete on the same level as Major League Soccer. Alex Wright says building a new soccer-specific stadium would improve DCFC’s chances of promotion.
“A lot of that has to do with the facility you play in,” he said. “We feel confident that we will be eligible to be part of that inaugural class of USL Division One.”
Breaking ground, building the game
The first step is demolishing the old hospital, which could cost up to $6 million. The Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority voted unanimously to reimburse the club’s demolition costs over 21 years. Wright says while he expects some hiccups along the way, they should not derail construction.
An overview of the development area.
“This isn’t something we want to drag out for a generation,” he said. “We want to have a stadium where we’re kicking a ball in 2027.”
Wright says the stadium campaign is the latest effort to grow soccer organically in Detroit. He says the owners will not be absentee landlords.
“The three of us that are working full-time for the club, we’re within biking and walking distance of this location,” he said. “Find me another ownership group in America that can walk to the stadium they’re building.”
Wright says the new stadium could have up to 15,000 seats — almost twice Keyworth’s capacity. He expects to break ground this summer with more details and designs to come.
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ROYAL OAK – The host Royal Oak Ravens scored in the opening minute and rolled to a 3-0 win over the Novi Wildcats Tuesday night.
Kaitlyn Eberhardt got behind everyone to slot a shot into the empty net just 53 seconds into the game and stake the Ravens to an early lead.
After a rough start, the Wildcats settled into the game, and the teams went back and forth without creating many chances. Royal Oak had the better of play, but it wasn’t until the final minute of the opening half that the Ravens scored again as Reagan Mason tapped in a cross from in tight to double the advantage before halftime.
Novi’s best chances came in the second half, but Ravens goalie Kayla Faulkner came up big when needed, particularly with a pair of quick leaping saves midway through the second half. Eventually, the Ravens added another goal, the final one coming by Alexis Zimmy to close things out.
Overall, Royal Oak’s offense looked to be in midseason form despite this being their first game of the season.
“We’ve got tons of speed on this team, and they mesh really well,” Ravens head coach Melissa VanGorden said. “The team itself has really come together. We’ve really build a culture to get everybody to play for ‘we’ before ‘me’ type of mentality. I think everyone is stepping up into roles that they know they can perform well in. So we’re mixing it up and going out there and having fun.”
Royal Oak’s Gracie Jagodzinski (17) rushes in to defend as Novi’s Steph Crawley prepares to drive the ball during a 3-0 Ravens’ victory Tuesday evening. (TIMOTHY ARRICK – For MediaNews Group)
Novi goalie Riley Boujoulian made six saves for the Wildcats, who are still putting things together due to injuries and availability. The Wildcats were missing a handful of players Tuesday night and had a different lineup from last week’s win over Livonia Stevenson that opened their spring.
“We have a little bit of a younger team and a lot of injuries, and I think things sped up for us,” Wildcats assistant coach Ken Fenchel said. “I think it’s just getting used to everything all at once, early-season stuff, and it’s stuff that now we have a chance to work on it and get better the rest of the year.”
Royal Oak (1-0), who won its playoff opener last season over Ferndale before losing to regional finalist Troy, has a scrimmage on Wednesday before taking quite a bit of time off. The Ravens’ next official game is not until after spring break when they travel to Clarkston to open up OAA White play on April 8.
“I think it was a good game for us to start with and come out strong. We know Novi is talented. They have a lot of good players,” VanGorden said.
Novi (1-1) hosts Swartz Creek on Thursday before going on spring break as well.
“I think we had a little bit better second half. We changed some things around, and it gave us a chance to improve, and we’ll try it again on Thursday,” Fenchel said. “Overall, I was happy that we got going a bit and that we stuck with it,” he added.
Royal Oak netminder Kayla Faulkner make sure that Kaitlyn Eberhardt's goal less than a minute into the game stood up as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 Tuesday night in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak.
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
Novi goalie Riley Boujoulian kept things close, but in the end Royal Oak prevailed with a 3-0 victory Tuesday, March 30, 2025. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
Royal Oak netminder Kayla Faulkner make sure that Kaitlyn Eberhardt's goal less than a minute into the game stood up as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 Tuesday night in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
Novi's Abby Jackson (14) and Royal Oak's Olivia Bates battle for the ball during a Ravens' 3-0 victory Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
Royal Oak's Gracie Jagodzinski (17) rushes in to defend as Novi's Steph Crawley prepares to drive the ball during a 3-0 Ravens' victory Tuesday evening. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
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A goal just 53 seconds into the game was all that Royal Oak needed as the Ravens downed Novi 3-0 in their season opener Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Royal Oak. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
Novi's Abby Jackson (14) and Royal Oak's Olivia Bates battle for the ball during a Ravens' 3-0 victory Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
DEARBORN — After being postponed a day prior due to weather, the originally-scheduled softball matchup between Detroit Country Day and Dearborn Divine Child took place on Tuesday at Levagood Park.
Tuesday was officially the season opener for Divine Child, who last played a pair of scrimmages against Ohio-based teams back on March 15 before having their original season opener vs Northville canceled on March 20. Country Day meanwhile opened up its spring campaign last week on March 19, falling by a final score of 3-1 at home vs Milan.
It was ultimately a good first dress rehearsal for the preseason state-ranked and host Falcons, who needed just five innings of work to earn a 13-0 shutout win over the visiting Yellowjackets.
Tuesday was the back end of a home-and-home series between the two programs. A season ago, it was an eerily similar outcome for Divine Child, who scored 12 of their 14 runs from the third inning onward in a road shutout of Country Day.
This time around, the Falcons more of a concerted effort to assert themselves early against the ‘Jackets, scoring a dozen runs through the first three innings including a big six-run second inning.
The scoring for DC began in the first with an RBI triple from freshman Aubree Soto, who then scored on the ensuing at-bat from a pop-fly single off the bat of Jessica Nelson.
Things opened up considerably with that aforementioned crooked number in the second for Divine Child, who at one point saw six consecutive batters reach base safely. Included in that stretch were a pair of home runs from Nelson as well as Lexi Hansen along with a double from Natalie Hansen.
Nelson, who finished 3-for-3 with five runs batted in, did the rest in the circle for the No. 8-ranked Falcons. The senior hurler allowed just four baserunners — three hits and one base on balls — to Country Day hitters through five innings of work.
Elsewhere for Divine Child, it was largely the top of the batting order doing the most damage. The leadoff hitter Lexi Hansen and the No. 3 hitter Soto each turned in two-hit games.
Country Day meanwhile had encouraging starts in each trip to the plate, getting the leadoff hitter to reach base two times. They also got a one-out double from Evie Greenwald in the top of the first but could not cash in.
Divine Child’s Aubree Soto, #15 in black, tries to turn a double play after getting a force-out of Country Day’s Mirissa Brown at second base in the Falcons’ eventual 13-0 win over the Yellowjackets on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
Greenwald was responsible for two of the Yellowjackets’ three hits in Tuesday’s loss, the other being an infield single from Mirissa Brown to begin the second. Brown later in the inning was forced out at second on a fielder’s choice.
The hitting success from Divine Child came at the expense of Country Day pitcher Juliette Hauser. The sophomore, who also drew a walk against Nelson, spun all four innings for the visitors, tossing just over 100 pitches and fanning seven Falcons hitters.
UP NEXT
It is a very quick turnaround for both teams as they are back on the diamond on Wednesday, March 26.
Divine Child (1-0) is back on the road for a doubleheader against Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, while Country Day (0-2) will vie for its first win once more when they travel to Wixom St Catherine for a single game.
Divine Child’s Zoe Ryan, #6 in black, crosses home plate ahead of a throw to Country Day catcher Evie Greenwald during the Falcons’ home opener vs the Yellowjackets on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
After being postponed a day prior due to weather, the originally-scheduled softball matchup between Detroit Country Day and Dearborn Divine Child took place on Tuesday at Levagood Park in Dearborn.
Tuesday was officially the season opener for Divine Child, who last played a pair of scrimmages against Ohio-based teams back on March 15 before having their original season opener vs Northville canceled on March 20. Country Day meanwhile opened up its spring campaign last week on March 19, falling by a final score of 3-1 at home vs Milan.
It was ultimately a good first dress rehearsal for the host Falcons, who needed just five innings of work to earn a 13-0 shutout win over the visiting Yellowjackets.
Photo gallery is courtesy of Alexander Muller.
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
Country Day’s Addie Hartley, left, tries to field a throw down to second base on a stolen base attempt from Divine Child’s Katie Modrzejewski in an early-season matchup on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
Divine Child’s Aubree Soto, #15 in black, tries to turn a double play after getting a force-out of Country Day’s Mirissa Brown at second base in the Falcons’ eventual 13-0 win over the Yellowjackets on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
Divine Child’s Zoe Ryan, #6 in black, crosses home plate ahead of a throw to Country Day catcher Evie Greenwald during the Falcons’ home opener vs the Yellowjackets on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
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The Dearborn Divine Child needed just five innings to earn a 13-0 win in their season opener at home vs Detroit Country Day on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
Country Day’s Addie Hartley, left, tries to field a throw down to second base on a stolen base attempt from Divine Child’s Katie Modrzejewski in an early-season matchup on March 25, 2025. (ALEXANDER MULLER — MediaNews Group)
For a while now there has been tons of money in sports. Professional athletes have been cashing in for decades, but in recent years, student athletes and sports fans have been officially brought into the fold. The NCAA’s name, image and likeness policies have given student athletes the opportunity to be paid. Student athletes with some of the top deals are making around $4-6 million.
Sports betting has raised the stakes on games for fans who are looking to turn a quick profit, and it’s growing. Michigan’s revenue from internet sports betting increased 23% last year. But gambling experts are concerned that sports betting could lead people to develop a gambling addiction.
Today on The Metro, we explore the sports betting boom along with its potential consequences. Plus, we discuss whether paying student athletes is good for sports.
Guests:
Rachel Volberg: A professor of epidemiology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst who researched problem gambling.
David Ridpath: A professor of sports management at Ohio University, and an expert in the NCAA, athlete/coach issues, intercollegiate sports and sports administration.
Risa Isard: Professor in sports management at the University of Connecticut
Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.
More stories from The Metro on March 19, 2025:
DTE Energy recently filed another request for its plan to raise rates. The request comes just months after Michigan regulators approved another DTE rate increase. In January, the utility was OKed to raise rates by $217 million. Khary Frazier with Soulardarity, a nonprofit working to make energy accessible and affordable to all, joined The Metroon Wednesday to discuss how high energy costs affect metro Detroiters.
The city of Detroit recently doubled funding for homeless shelters and increased outreach to people on the street who are experiencing homelessness. But Detroit housing analyst Alex Alsup says officials aren’t getting to the root of the homelessness problem. Alsup sat down with Metro Producer Sam Corey to discuss why programs that help reduce tax foreclosures are key to reducing homelessness.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
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WATERFORD – Marian started extremely fast Thursday night and cruised to a 7-1 victory over Waterford Kettering in the season opener for both sides.
The Mustangs got on the board less than two minutes into the game when Emerson Walton’s shot hit the post, caromed out front, hit a defender in the shins, and deflected back into the open net to give them a 1-0 lead on their first shot.
Six minutes later, Marian made it 2-0 on another deflection with Giulianna Agrusso getting credit for the goal.
For the first 20 minutes of the game, all the bounces went Marian’s way, and when the Captains got a bit rattled, the Mustangs took full advantage to stretch their lead out even more and make sure that the Captains would not be able to come back. Marian kept the pressure on Kettering and did everything it could to create its own breaks, and it paid off. Bella Musachio and Emma Wyciskalla also scored for the Mustangs, who expanded their lead to 4-0 just 17 minutes into the game.
“We have prided ourselves on starting quickly in games, and you can see that with three goals in the first (nine) minutes of the game,” Marian head coach Danny Price said. “You need a little bit of luck sometimes. Some of the things that eluded us last season during the run were a little bit of lady luck. We got it tonight, but the pressure we put them under the first five, 10 minutes was incredible. So that is something we have been working on is going at teams and not letting up and having that fire in our belly.”
Marian’s Reese Frauenheim (18) and Waterford Kettering’s Brooklin Wolosonowich work for possession of the ball during a 7-1 Mustangs’ victory Thursday evening in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK – For MediaNews Group)
After that, the Captains finally started to settle down and find their way into the game. Kettering was much better in the final 60 minutes and started creating offensive chances of its own, particularly in the later part of the first half. The Kettering pressure would pay off with a goal late in the first half when freshman Savannah Sartorius headed in a ball from a corner kick to get the Captains on the board. That made it 5-1 at the time, which was the halftime score.
“I think the girls figured it out. It took us a little bit to kind of mesh and see how everyone was moving and what our style of play was going to look like. But after the first 20 minutes, we started to figure it out a little bit more,” first-year Kettering head coach Justice Tillotson said.
In the second half, Marian again dominated possession, but the Captains were much better defensively than they had been early in the game, though the Mustangs still added a couple more goals.
“The effort level and pressing style, it never dropped, and that’s what we’re most proud of as a coaching staff is making sure that at this program they have to work hard. They know that, and they did that in the second half, and that’s what I’m proud of,” Price said. “It was a really good team performance,” he added.
Being the first game for both teams and the coaches, each learned a bit about their teams, which have only been together for about a week with practice officially starting just last week.
“I messed around with one or two different formations, kinda wanted to see what the younger girls could do,” Tillotson said. "I wanted to get a lot of girls playing time, especially those younger ones to see where I can put them and what things can look like moving forward."
Marian will be back in action next week when the Mustangs play another non-conference game against Detroit Country Day.
Waterford Kettering, meanwhile, will have some time to regroup. The Captains are off for nearly two weeks before playing Auburn Hills Avondale after they return from spring break at the beginning of April.
Marian's Bella Sheena (8) and Waterford Kettering's Mia Gower battle for the ball during the Mustangs' 7-1 victory Thursday night in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford.
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
Marian's Reese Frauenheim (18) and Waterford Kettering's Brooklin Wolosonowich work for possession of the ball during a 7-1 Mustangs' victory Thursday evening in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
Marian's Bella Sheena (8) and Waterford Kettering's Mia Gower battle for the ball during the Mustangs' 7-1 victory Thursday night in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
Waterford Kettering's Savannah Satorius (24) comes up with a header for a goal during a 7-1 loss to Marian on Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
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The elements were definitely in play as Marian defeated Waterford Kettering 7-1 in an early spring soccer matchup Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
Waterford Kettering's Savannah Satorius (24) comes up with a header for a goal during a 7-1 loss to Marian on Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Waterford. (TIMOTHY ARRICK - For MediaNews Group)
BLOOMFIELD HILLS – The Bloomfield Hills Black Hawks and Farmington Hills Mercy Marlins played to a 0-0 draw to open their respective soccer seasons Wednesday night.
The game went up and down the field quite a bit, but for the first half, neither team could create many scoring chances as the defenses won all the key challenges.
In the second half, though, Bloomfield Hills started to generate some offense. The Black Hawks had eight shots on goal from intermission on and put the Mercy goal under some duress on a handful of occasions. The Blacks Hawks’ best chance came with 4:35 left when a loose ball eight yards out led to a point-blank opportunity. But Marlins goalie Joran LeVasseur made an outstanding reflex save to preserve the shutout.
“We were dynamic all over the field. Early-season games are just not the finished product, but I liked what I saw. We’ll just continue to get better and just continue to work on things, and I can’t wait to have more time to practice and just work with the group,” said Bloomfield Hills head coach Alan Zakaria, whose team is coming off a regional finals appearance.
Bloomfield Hills’ Sofia Spano (24) clears the ball from Farmington Hills Mercy’s Izzy Van Hoof (R) during the match played on Wednesday at Bloomfield Hills HS. The Marlins and Black Hawks played to a scoreless draw. (KEN SWART – For MediaNews Group)
LeVasseur was outstanding all night, but especially in that second half. In addition to finishing with 11 saves, she also made several key interventions, coming off her line to claim balls or disrupt attacks before they could lead to scoring opportunities for the Black Hawks.
“She saved us. If it wasn’t for her, that scoreline is probably not going to be the same, so all credit to Jordan. It’s not a surprise she’s a D1 college commit (Eastern Kentucky) and you can see why,” Mercy head coach Tom James said.
With this being the first official game for each team, both coaches were pleased with what they saw from their respective squads.
“I thought it was a good performance. We created good chances, solid defensively. Obviously, we haven’t had a chance to train much, so we haven’t really worked on much. But I’m pleased with what I saw so far. The spirit is good. The camaraderie is good. The leadership is good, and I’m really pleased with that,” Zakaria said.
Mercy, who finished 9-5-6 last spring, will be back in action immediately, hosting Detroit Country Day on Thursday night in another non-league game as the Marlins prepare for the start of Catholic League season in early April.
“I’ll take this result on the road against a pretty good team here. We’re working a lot of new players into the rotation,” James said. “So I thought they did pretty well, and I think it’s a good building block for the rest of the season. But we’re right back at it tomorrow. Country Day is always good and well coached, so that should be a great game too,” he added.
Bloomfield Hills does not play again until after Spring Break. The Black Hawks next take the field on April 1 when they will face Birmingham Groves in an OAA crossover contest.
Farmington Hills Mercy's Brynn Reichert (22) heads the ball away from Bloomfield Hills' Sofia Spano during Wednesday's season opener for both teams in Bloomfield Hills. The Marlins and Black Hawks battled to a scoreless draw. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS.
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Farmington Hills Mercy's Ruby Tobar (R) stretches to clear the ball from Bloomfield Hills' Kathryn Ho (25) during the match played on Wednesday at Bloomfield Hills HS. The Marlins and Black Hawks played to a scoreless draw. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Farmington Hills Mercy's Brynn Reichert (22) heads the ball away from Bloomfield Hills' Sofia Spano during Wednesday's season opener for both teams in Bloomfield Hills. The Marlins and Black Hawks battled to a scoreless draw. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills' Caroline Reynolds (L) and Farmington Hills Mercy's Sofia Finelli (15) keep their eyes on the ball during the match played on Wednesday at Bloomfield Hills HS. The Marlins and Black Hawks played to a scoreless draw. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Bloomfield Hills' Sofia Spano (24) clears the ball from Farmington Hills Mercy's Izzy Van Hoof (R) during the match played on Wednesday at Bloomfield Hills HS. The Marlins and Black Hawks played to a scoreless draw. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
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Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills Mercy battled to a scoreless draw in the first match of the year for both teams. The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Bloomfield Hills HS. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
Farmington Hills Mercy's Ruby Tobar (R) stretches to clear the ball from Bloomfield Hills' Kathryn Ho (25) during the match played on Wednesday at Bloomfield Hills HS. The Marlins and Black Hawks played to a scoreless draw. (KEN SWART - For MediaNews Group)
MIAMI (AP) — Cade Cunningham banked in a 3-pointer with less than a second remaining, giving the Detroit Pistons a 116-113 win over Miami on Wednesday night and sending the Heat to their ninth consecutive loss.
Cunningham had his ninth triple-double of the season — 25 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for the Pistons, who trailed for most of the second half and never led by more than two until the final second.
Bam Adebayo finished with 30 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the Heat, who are stuck in their longest losing streak since an 11-game slide during the 2007-08 season.
Miami was ahead 93-88 going into the fourth quarter and led by eight in the final period. The Heat lost for the NBA-leading 12th time this season when holding a lead at any point in the fourth.
Takeaways
Pistons: How times have changed. Detroit was a 5-point favorite going into the game according to BetMGM Sportsbook — ending a streak of 20 consecutive Heat-Pistons games since February 2019 in which Miami was favored. Detroit hadn’t been such a big favorite over Miami since it was a 6.5-point pick on Jan. 1, 2017.
Heat: Tyler Herro had 29 points for Miami, and the Heat outscored the Pistons by eight points in the 37 minutes he was on the floor. But the Heat got outrebounded 47-37 and gave up 70 paint points.
Key moment
Cunningham had Detroit’s final two baskets — both 3-pointers in the final 57 seconds.
Key stat
Cunningham is the fourth player with two triple-doubles against Miami in a season, joining James Harden (2016-17), Domantas Sabonis (2023-24) and Nikola Jokic (this season).
Up next
Detroit goes to Dallas on Friday, before playing seven of its final 11 games at home. Miami plays the second game of its five-game homestand Friday against Houston.
— By TIM REYNOLDS, Associated Press
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) defends Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
ANN ARBOR — If it’s true a positive performance in a bowl game can be a springboard into the next season, then Michigan’s defensive players must be feeling pretty good.
Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, entering his second season with the Wolverines, certainly is upbeat about his group as the team opened spring practice Tuesday. Michigan finished last season, highlighted by strong defensive performances, with three straight wins. They included a 13-10 upset at Ohio State and then a 19-13 upset of Alabama in the bowl game in which starters Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Josaiah Stewart, Makari Paige and Will Johnson did not play.
In the final four games, starting at Indiana, Michigan allowed an average 48.7 yards rushing, 172.5 passing and 221.2 total yards. The Wolverines gave up an average 12.2 points. For the season, the defense ranked No. 5 against the run (90.7), 10th in total defense (307.0), 19th in scoring (19.9) and 63rd against the pass (216.3).
“It gave people excitement,” Martindale said Monday of Michigan’s late-season defensive surge and what it means for this fall. “There wasn’t anybody banging on the door saying they wanted to transfer. They’re excited about this season and where we’re going with it.”
Michigan will be without defensive standouts like Graham and Johnson, projected first-round NFL Draft picks next month, and Martindale and his staff are tasked with replacing that talent. The bowl game offered some evidence what this defense could look like this fall — the Michigan players at the recent NFL Scouting Combine all pointed to edge Derrick Moore as the one they think will be a standout — but the Wolverines made some significant additions in the offseason. They signed tackles Tre Williams and Damon Payne from the transfer portal, and Martindale likes the experiene they bring to the room.
Still, he cautioned that while the outlook is good, this is a work in progress, and the work begins during spring football practices.
“It’s just not like something that happens overnight,” Martindale said. “We’ve been trying to replace them through recruiting and the development of the other guys. We did a nice job in the portal with the two veteran tackles that we got in here, so it’s gonna be interesting to see how it all works out. But also, I feel really confident in the depth that we have in that room. I feel more confident now than I did last year at this time with the depth, just starting off initially.”
Martindale several times mentioned how pleased he is with the depth on defense. It also will benefit from the consistency of having him back for a second straight season. Martindale came to Michigan before the 2024 season after 20 seasons in the NFL, and he did interview for two NFL coordinator positions this offseason.
He’s ready for a second season at Michigan, though, and said he feels more comfortable and is used to life in Ann Arbor. Martindale also said having the same coordinator for a second straight season should not be undervalued. He is the architect of the defense from the Baltimore Ravens that Mike Macdonald installed at Michigan in 2021 and Jesse Minter built on in 2022 and 2023. Macdonald and Minter were on the Ravens staff with Martindale, so there is continuity on defense.
“These kids are more resilient than anybody realizes, the way this thing goes with people going in the portal and coming out of the portal and all the other movement in college football and the NFL,” Martindale said. “Every year is a new year, and they’re excited and ready to go. There is comfort that I was here last year and all the staff’s back, so it’ll help us.”
What hasn’t changed is Martindale’s feistiness when he’s asked about the perception that he blitzes too much. That has been a criticism that followed him from the NFL, and it irks him.
“It’s like big-time wrestling. You throw something out there and it catches on social media,” Martindale said. “I know that you guys (in the media) all have a job to do, and everybody has an opinion. It was just like when we played Ohio State compared to Alabama, it was two different game plans. That’s what I was proud of. Not that it was two different game plans was I proud of it, but the execution of the two different game plans. Ohio State, the guys executed the game plan and they played physical with it.
“And so, the scheme is the scheme. It’s the same scheme for the last three years. Do I take pride in it? Did I let both Jesse and Mike know that we held Ohio State to 10 points and they didn’t? Yes, of course I did. But we’ll see what we can do with what we have. It’s new people. It’s a new year. It’s the same thing I said before last year — it’s going to be different. Don’t know how it’s going to be different, but it’s going to be different, and we’ll see how we adjust during the season and starting with spring ball here. I’m really excited about that, seeing the guys compete.”
Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore (8) reacts to breaking up a pass against Southern California in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (PAUL SANCYA — AP Photo, file)
One of the first encouraging signs came midway through the first half in Michigan’s first game at the Big Ten tournament.
That’s when big man Danny Wolf and point guard Tre Donaldson ran pick-and-roll action from the top of the key. Wolf got the ball, shot-faked, drew two Purdue defenders and threw a pass over to Donaldson for a deep 3-pointer.
Donaldson’s reaction said it all.
“Tre hit that first 3, I just saw a big smile on his face, and I knew he was going to keep going,” Wolf said after Friday’s 86-68 win over Purdue, the first of three victories on the way to capturing the conference tournament title.
“I saw more smiles from my teammates than I’ve seen in a while, which is awesome.”
Things didn’t just look different for the Wolverines, who had limped into the postseason on a three-game skid. Things felt different before they ever stepped on the Gainbridge Fieldhouse court.
During the four-day gap between Michigan’s regular-season finale and Big Ten tournament opener, the team had two of its best practices in months. The sessions were as competitive and as physical as they’ve been this season. The mood shifted and the spirits went up.
“The energy in the locker room — I feel like everybody is much more connected and confident in each other,” guard Roddy Gayle Jr. said. “I feel like we’re rolling right now.”
And now is the best time for that to be happening, with Michigan riding its tournament title run into Thursday’s March Madness matchup against UC San Diego in Denver.
For the Wolverines to be at their best, they need every player to be at his best. After relying on 7-footers Vlad Goldin and Wolf to carry the load much of the past month, Michigan’s backcourt stepped up and raised their level of play.
For starters, there’s Donaldson, who wasn’t pleased with his performance the past couple of weeks. He bounced back by scoring in double figures in all three Big Ten tournament wins. He came away with several 50-50 balls and had a hot stretch against Purdue. He dished out a season-best nine assists against Maryland. He did much of the damage in the decisive 11-2 run in the closing minutes against Wisconsin.
Most notably and importantly, he delivered in crunch time. He scored two clutch baskets in the final 28 seconds against Maryland, including the game-winner on a last-second layup. He drilled a lead-changing 3-pointer with 1:54 to go and made two critical free throws after grabbing a key defensive rebound late against Wisconsin.
“He took control when he needed to take control. That’s what point guards do,” guard Rubin Jones said of Donaldson. “I’ve been telling him you’ve got to get back to yourself. Tre’s best way is when he’s playing with energy, kind of talking to the (other) team, talking crazy. That’s what fuels him to get going.
“I told him to try to get back to that. I’m on him if I don’t see that. If he makes a wide-open layup and he doesn’t say nothing, I’m like, ‘Bro, come on. Get back to you.’ That’s who Tre is. He got back to that.”
Gayle snapped a 13-game, 0-for-18 drought from beyond the arc against Maryland, knocking down his first 3-pointer since Jan. 24. He joked that he didn’t know how to react when he made that shot because it had been so long since he’d seen one drop.
While Michigan coach Dusty May said the best part is seeing Gayle “having fun hooping again,” that deep ball wasn’t the play that stood out to him. Rather, it was when Gayle got into what May described as a “rugby scrum” and helped strip the ball away from the Terrapins.
Gayle, who suffered a hamstring injury against Wisconsin, brushed off the stress and pressure he put on himself worrying about his shooting numbers and “let that burden go.” He put an emphasis on making the little plays that make a big difference, like the one May referenced.
“Conversations with coaches and the respect I got from my teammates goes a long way to where I know that they’re confident in me, and I give all I have and lose myself in the game,” Gayle said.
“Coach came to me and said he needed me to play hard. He kind of questioned if I do play hard. I had to prove him wrong. … I feel like I needed to give a lot more, whether that’s on the glass or running in transition.”
Then there’s Jones and freshman LJ Cason, who both entered the postseason shooting below 25% from 3-point range. Against Purdue, Jones stepped into and drained two 3-pointers. For the first time in a long time, he simply let it fly and shot without thinking twice.
With freshman Justin Pippen in concussion protocol and not making the trip to Indianapolis, Michigan needed more from Cason. He answered with a season-high five assists against Purdue and a season-high five boards against Wisconsin. He was aggressive on offense. And when the Badgers started to pull away in the second half of Sunday’s low-scoring title game, Cason hit two 3-pointers that kept the Wolverines in it.
“Me, Roddy, LJ, we haven’t been shooting the best, but we came into this tournament like it’s a new season for us and we’re going to shoot the ball with confidence,” Jones said. “Going into March Madness, that’s perfect for us.”
Confidence is key, and it’s a word that came up frequently in the postgame locker room. It’s also something that grew and reached an “all-time high,” according to guard Nimari Burnett, as Michigan ripped off three wins in different ways against strong competition in the Big Ten tournament.
It was quite the quick reversal, going from a disappointing finish in the regular season to a thrilling start in the postseason.
“We got knocked down a notch. Then our guys showed up the last week with a reinvigorated mindset,” May said. “When you put in the work and believe in yourself and you have teammates and a staff that believes in you, I think good things typically happen more times than not.
“It’s a group that didn’t waver with their conviction to work and stand together. … For them to have the renewed energy, it just shows what type of guys they are.”
But the Wolverines didn’t necessarily find anything new in Indianapolis. They recaptured their swagger and mentality that Donaldson described as “we’re going to be the biggest dogs, not the small dogs” on the court.
As Wolf put it, the Wolverines know what they’re capable of. They showed it earlier in the season. They simply “got back to our old form.”
That’s a positive sign as they ride a wave of momentum into the NCAA Tournament and the most exciting time of the year.
“We re-found our sense of unselfishness, our sense of playing hard, a little bit of our sense of pace and our sense of physicality most importantly,” forward Will Tschetter said.
“We needed to get back and rediscover our identity. That’s exactly what we did, and we need to continue to stay true to that.”
Michigan guard Tre Donaldson (3) drives past Maryland center Derik Queen (25) on his way to the game winning basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (MICHAEL CONROY — AP Photo)
The Detroit Lions have retained more of their defensive line depth.
Pat O’Connor, whom the team added during the summer prior to last season, has re-signed with the team ahead of the 2025 season. O’Connor was a big part of the team’s interior defensive line rotation last season, as injuries necessitated him having an increased role.
O’Connor did not make the team initially out of training camp, but remained with the team on the practice squad. By midseason, he was on the active roster and contributing on the defensive line.
The Eastern Michigan product was originally drafted by the Lions in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft. However, he did not make the team, and eventually landed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
O’Connor played his way into a role with Tampa Bay, spending six seasons with the team including the 2020 campaign in which the team won the Super Bowl.
In his career, O’Connor has appeared in 80 games. He played in 12 games last year for Detroit, totaling 18 combined tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. The Eastern Michigan product had 10 pressures and a 55.3 pass-rush grade per Pro Football Focus.
Unfortunately, O’Connor’s season came to an end after he suffered a calf injury in the regular season finale, and he was deemed inactive for the team’s playoff loss to the Washington Commanders.
The Lions also re-signed Levi Onwuzurike last week as part of the initial wave of free agency. A 2021 second-round pick, Onwuzurike returns to Detroit on a one-year, $5.5 million contract.
This article was produced by the staff at Detroit Lions On SI. For more, visit si.com/nfl/lions
Detroit Lions defensive end Pat O’Connor (95) is introduced before the start an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Detroit, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (CARLOS OSORIO — AP Photo)
The large script “Tigers” signage that long has sat high atop the left-field scoreboard at Comerica Park has been taken down, and it’s set to be replaced by Opening Day with signage that bears the name of Detroit’s ballpark.
The Tigers confirmed the change Monday, saying the script “Tigers” signage, which could be illuminated with different colors but mostly was orange and black like Tigers stripes, “had reached its mechanical end of life.” Signage that reads “Comerica Park,” in white lettering with “Comerica” in bigger letters than “Park,” now will take over that prime real estate atop the scoreboard, between two light towers and two Tigers statues.
“Comerica Park” was spelled out on the scoreboard, above the videoboard and below “Tigers” signage (“Tigers” signage was first big, block letters, before being replaced by the script version), when the ballpark opened in 2000, and it was there through 2023. Before the 2024 season, the Tigers introduced a larger, state-of-the-art videoboard; the new screens, which take up more than 15,000 square feet, ended up monopolizing the space ― the border of the old, smaller videoboard ― where “Comerica Park” used to be spelled out.
“With the added branding and video capabilities that have been created by the new videoboard, the sign will revert to its original display of the ballpark’s name, as is customary throughout ballparks in Major League Baseball,” the Tigers said in a statement to The News on Monday.
In 1998, two years before the ballpark opened, Comerica Bank, founded in Detroit in the 1800s but now headquartered in Dallas, reportedly paid $66 million for 30 years of naming rights. The contract was reportedly extended in recent years, and runs through at least 2034. For naming rights, companies expect to meet a certain threshold of brand visibility. “Comerica Park” signage will be exposed to millions of eyeballs in 2025, in person and on TV broadcasts.
The Tigers have made numerous changes to Comerica Park in recent years, including the upgraded videoboard, as well as upgrades to the ballpark’s sound system and lighting. Out of view of fans, the Tigers also have upgraded the team plane, locker rooms, weight rooms and dining facilities.
This season, the Tigers are set to introduce new, uber-luxury box seats behind home plate, between the first- and third-base dugouts. The seats are wider, cushier and can be heated or cooled, they come with in-seat service, and are being sold starting with the home opener, Friday, April 4, even as the area remains under construction. The Home Plate Club, a private bar and dining area with private bathrooms for the ticket-holders of those luxury seats, is scheduled to open at some point during the 2025 season, and is being constructed under the stands. The Tigers haven’t publicly disclosed the cost of the new luxury seats, which will include parking and a private park entrance for ticket-holders.
Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws the first pitch of the game at Tigers Opening Day at Comerica Park. (ROBIN BUCKSON — The Detroit News)
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