Oct. 7, 2025- BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI For one quarter it seemed as though the Lady Pioneers viewed this game against the Bloomfield Hills Blackhawks with indifference as the seedings had already been released by the MHSAA on Friday, Oct. 3. However, once the team found their rhythm, the goals came and the team became much more focused on their passing. After a disappointing weekend in Ann Arbor, where they took a tough loss against Ann Arbor-Huron and a cancelled much-anticipated rematch of last season's Regional Final versus Pinckney, the girls needed the first 15 minutes to find their form. The midfield was dominated by the outstanding play of Toccoa Lepley ('29), who was able to bring speed and ball control to the right side and Avery Albers ('27) and Peyton Astrauskas ('26) holding the action on their stick in the center. The Lady Blackhawks have the top scorer in the state in Silja Spitznagel, who not only leads in total points, but also has the most goals in the state. Spitznagel seemed to be a non-factor in the first quarter from her defensive midfield position, and after the first quarter was moved to a more attacking position. This resulted in a few more touches on the ball, but as EGR exerted its superior passing, Spitznagel seemed to be pressing harder and with less effectiveness in distributing to teammates. Meanwhile, the rejuvenated Lady Pioneers found consistency in their transfers and communication between every player, from the starters to the substitutions, who rotated in regularly. Midway through the second quarter, the thrust in the offensive circle resulted in the Blackhawks goalkeeper creating an obstruction and a resulting penalty stroke. Astrauskas coolly stepped forward and, without delay, on the whistle flicked a laser past the keeper in the top left corner. The momentum, already shifting toward the Pioneer side of the field, now fully rested with the blue and gold. A second goal before the half on a screaming reverse stick sweep, from Dutch exchange student Neel van Woudenbergh, put the Lady Pioneers firmly in front heading into halftime. Van Woudenbergh gathered in a loose ball on the right side of the circle and with a quick step to the left went down low to release a shot from a sharp angle that caught the goalkeeper and defense unsuspecting. Once the third quarter started, EGR began even more passing as they transferred the ball from the left to the right through both the midfield and the defense. The Lady Blackhawks began to chase as the time became of the essence. And as they continued to scramble, the Lady Pioneers took advantage by drawing multiple penalty corners in the offensive circle. In the middle of the quarter one of those corners resulted in another crack off the stick of Astrauskas. After an insert from Addi Storrs ('26) the ball ended up being worked around from Albers to Astrauskas who had a clear lane for a shot. And she did not waste the opportunity as her backboard-seeking missile of a drive slapped the boards almost as soon as she had finished her follow through. With the 3-0 lead, EGR focused on maintaining control and not allowing the Lady Blackhawks to get Spitznagel the opportunities she was accustomed to throughout the season. After the game, the hospitality and generosity of Bloomfield Hills was on full display as they provided the EGR Field Hockey Program a pizza dinner with vegetable platters and an abundance of desserts before the team's two and a half hour bus ride home. Although the team arrived near midnight, the satisfaction of a well-played and disciplined team effort felt very much worth the trip to the east side of the state. From top of the roster to the bottom, each player contributed to the victory as the hustle endured for the full sixty minutes realizing that this type of focus is what is necessary as the MHSAA State playoffs begin next week. With the potential for a deep run in the Regional and State playoffs, the team is looking to capitalize on the diversity of the contributors with four players ranked in the top 20 point scorers in the state. Beyond that, the team has another three players ranked in the top 50. The balance of this team is what will allow them to compete versus the top teams in the state. The Lady Pioneers will begin their title quest on Monday, Oct. 13 against the Hartland Eagles in Hartland.