HOLLAND, MI — In a game decided by inches, experience triumphed over momentum as top-ranked Hudsonville Unity Christian edged Grand Rapids Christian 1-0 in Tuesday’s Division 2 girls soccer state semifinal at Holland Christian High School.

The win sends Unity Christian (21-0-2) back to the state championship for the fourth consecutive season and sets up a marquee matchup with No. 4 New Boston Huron (22-1-1) at 4 p.m. Friday at Michigan State University’s DeMartin Stadium.

For a program with a dozen state titles under its belt — a Michigan record — this year’s run has added significance. It’s Unity’s first season in Division 2 after a reclassification due to enrollment, but the Crusaders haven’t missed a beat. In fact, they’ve now gone 17 consecutive postseason games without surrendering a goal — a streak stretching back to 2023.

Still, Unity had to earn every inch of this one.

Despite a lopsided 6-0 Crusader victory over GR Christian back in March, Tuesday’s rematch was anything but a walkover. The Eagles, who entered the postseason with a 6-9-2 record, played like they belonged — and nearly stunned the state’s top-ranked team with two near-misses in the first half.

“The margin between winning and losing is so small at this level,” said Unity head coach Randy Heethuis. “A few inches here or there and it’s a totally different game. But our girls battled, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

After Unity controlled the opening stretch, GR Christian fired a warning shot when sophomore Charley Hassenrik weaved into the attacking third and slipped a cross just inches past a sliding Julia Timmer at the back post. Minutes later, Unity capitalized on their own golden moment.

Senior Ava Lutke — a future Michigan State Spartan — threaded a pinpoint pass to sophomore Kyla Kobrzycki, who sliced through the Eagles’ back line before launching a shot into the top corner from the top of the box with 19:07 remaining in the first half.

“We’ve got a number of players that can score,” Heethuis said. “But Kyla stepped up. We told her: ‘One, two, three touches — get it off quick.’ And she buried it.”

For Kobrzycki, the moment was everything.

“It was so relieving,” she said. “It felt so good, and 1-0 — that’s a great way to start the game.”

But the Eagles weren’t done. In the 33rd minute, Hassenrik again broke free and fired a low shot past Crusader keeper Payton Barendsen — only to watch it clang off the far post and roll back across the goal line. Barendsen quickly recovered and pounced on the loose ball to preserve the shutout.

From there, GR Christian keeper Rogue Tholen did everything she could to keep her team within striking distance. The freshman made multiple diving stops in the second half, including a point-blank denial of Kobrzycki in the 69th minute.

With time winding down, the Eagles mounted one final push, earning a free kick from 45 yards out. But Unity’s defense held firm, sending the Crusaders to East Lansing yet again.

“We’re just extremely pleased and feel so privileged to get there again,” Heethuis said. “We get to spend three more days together, and that’s what we’re shooting for — girls playing a game they love with girls they love for a God they love.”

Meanwhile, the loss marked the end of a remarkable playoff run for GR Christian, who upset three ranked teams — Forest Hills Eastern, Northern, and Central — en route to the program’s third-ever semifinal appearance.

“We knew this would be a massive test,” said Eagles coach Tim TerHaar. “But we also knew we were a different team than we were back in March. The girls gave a master class in defending tonight. They battled.”

TerHaar credited the growth of his players, including seniors Kaitlynn Trook, Kate VandenBerg, Molly Hassenrik, Ava Barton, and Julia Timmer, who helped lead the Eagles to an 11-10-2 finish.

“We came in just wanting to make tonight a celebration of what we’ve accomplished,” TerHaar said. “It stings now, but in time, these girls will realize just how special this run was.”

Now, Unity Christian turns its focus to New Boston Huron, with a chance to become the state’s 25th undefeated champion — and the first since 2019.

“It’ll be East Lansing, a really nice pitch,” Heethuis said with a smile. “We’ll lace them up and go at it.”