OKEMOS - Two years after winning the state championship, Okemos could smell another finals berth.

"We got here playing our style and our system," said head coach Brian Guggemos before the game. "There are gonna be some slight wrinkles with what we do but for the most part it’s gonna be who we've been."

Okemos, 13-6, headed to Spring Arbor University to take on top-ranked Northville, 21-0 in the Division I State Semifinal last Wednesday.

Okemos senior striker Kristelle Yewah had little room to operate against the relentless Northville defense that had allowed only four goals all season.

"We knew exactly 12 and 13 they were going to be the better players coming in, and they did exactly what we expected," said senior Kristelle Yewah. "There’s only so much you can do when there are that many talented players on a team. I thought we did our best and fought to the end so I’m pretty proud of my team for that."

After a scoreless first half, Northville pulled away with a 3-0 victory.

"Don’t let the result define this experience," said Guggemos. "Let the last couple of weeks define this experience because they are disappointed right now and things didn't go the way that they thought it would go."

"But I just told them I was proud of them and thought that they fought hard, and the reason that it hurts is because they put so much into it."

Northville went on to win the state title game at Williamston High School, finishing a perfect 23-0 on the year.