Laura Heyboer

Many people helped Laura become who she is.  Without any one of them, her road might have been a different one.

In Laura's case, it started at home.  Her family (including an older brother and cousins) were constantly there by her side supporting her decision to focus on soccer at an early age. 

Those of us who were fortunate enough to watch her over the years remember her at 10 and 11 playing at the Soccer Zone with her brother and his friends when the boys were in  High School.  She would play with anybody, against anybody and at any time.

Dave Whitehouse spearheaded the creation of GVSA as it split off from WMYSA in Kalamazoo in 1995-6.  He guided it through the years until it has become the 4th largest league in Michigan and it remains one of the only travel select leagues in Michigan.  Most of the other leagues are recreational.  Participation in GVSA allowed Laura to experience a significantly higher level of competition locally without forcing her to drive long distances at a young age.  This prevented burnout from occuring. 

Mike Garrett (Soccer Zone) opened an indoor facility in Jenison, Michigan in 1995-6.  There was no real travel soccer to speak of at this time in the are, simply a handful of clubs and teams.  Without this facility being built in Jenison, 4 miles from what is now considered to be one of the finest soccer schools in the Midwest (Hudsonville Unity Christian), maybe Laura and hundreds of other children like her might never have played soccer.

Wayne Vande Merwe was the first of many managers at the Soccer Zone and I think I can say with some basis for saying so, one of the best.  His love of the game and desire to build soccer in the area led him to become part of the Georgetown Rangers (now Rangers FC).  He was the areas first paid DOC and was deeply involved in the growth of that club during the early years.  His commitment to young players allowed many of the players of that time to simply play pickup all the time, using the fields whenever they were not rented.  Many of the players today who are playing in college, owe their current success to him.

Glenn Turek is a coach who believes in the fundamentals.  Laura spent many of her early years playing with him and although time fades some memories, there is no doubt that much of her skill with the ball is derived from her time with a good coach during her formative years.

Laura played on teams based in the small pond of West Michigan until the age of 13/14 when she decided that it was time to find out how she would fare in a bigger pond.

High School:  Hudsonville Unity Christian

 

Unity Christian captures 4th state soccer championship

Posted by Mark Dykstra June 17, 2008 15:46PM

KENTWOOD -- Even as it was building an ever greater discrepancy in scoring chances, Unity Christian found Williamston constructing a wall of defense equal to the task in foiling the Crusaders' bid for state soccer history.

Having made a splash by scoring 43 seconds into the game against the first-time finalist Hornets, Unity (25-1-1) then endured an own-goal and a dry spell of more than 92 minutes in the Division 3 state title game Saturday afternoon at Kentwood's Patterson Field.

Headed to overtime for the second year in a row in the final despite an 18-3 advantage in shots, the Crusaders found a dejà vu moment when Laura Heyboer scored on a header to deliver the game -ending goal and a 2-1 win.

The score came at the same north end where Heyboer ended the 2007 championship with a golden goal against Flint Powers, and this one allowed Unity to become the first girls soccer team to win four straight state crowns.

"In the overtime we got the direction we wanted to go. We had a helping wind and turned it up a notch," said Unity coach Randy Heethuis, whose team fired off seven shots in the 12:59 overtime session and did not allow any. "Laura realized the keeper was coming behind her and was able to just flick it over the top."

The finishing sequence started with a crossing pass from Darcy Van Noord to Heidi Scholten, who directed her header to Heyboer for the finishing touch. It was the 44th goal of the season and 167th in four years for Heyboer, who finished one short of the state career mark. Her 123 assists are five shy of the all-time record.

"This is absolutely amazing to me. If you asked me freshman year I would say no," offered Heyboer of running off the four titles. "We became a family and that helps us get there every time."

Midfielder Aimee Luurtsema and keeper Jill Flietstra join Heyboer as members of the last four teams, which started their finals run with a 6-0 win against Country Day in 2005 and then won nailbiters decided by a single goal the next three seasons.

"We pushed through. I don't know how to explain it," said Luurtsema. "Just to win the last one, the feeling is incredible."

Williamston had defeated Flint Powers and Country Day in its previous two tournament games and had allowed one goal in six postseason matches entering the final.

To be stunned with a score by Alexis Prins on a cross from Heyboer in the first minute, the Hornets proved they belonged with their ability to deflect shots while relying on keeper Courtney Clem to handle the ones that got through.

"I thought we played as well as we could," said Williamston coach Jim Flore. "When (Unity) knocked that one in, they picked themselves up and came back and scored."

Sara Sweeney delivered a long free kick from the right side that clipped a Crusader defender as it glanced into the net with 11:35 gone in the first half as Williamston was alive and kicking.

The Hornets were able to get Unity defenders out of shape at times with balls sent diagonally and had occasions to push forward with their front runners working alone. Their biggest asset was patient defenders, a set of four in the back that was not marking any specific player.

"She's one of the top goalkeepers in the state," said Flore of sophomore Clem, who totaled 13 saves. "Very focused and those defenders help make her good. My defense played incredibly."

Sweeney and Andrea Watts were three-year starters who certainly earned their post-game medals on Saturday.

"They played very good team defense, as good as we've seen all year," said Heethuis. "And they were always a threat with the counter attack. We knew their two outside backs were very good and (Watts) and (Sweeney) played outstanding."

Unity had an 11-1 shot advantage in the second half and looked to have taken the lead 4:40 into the half on a quick combination on which a Prins goal was disallowed by offsides. The Crusaders continued to pressure for the next two minutes and then late in the half had a shot hit the crossbar with 4:17 to play and another angled attempt by Heyboer rolled barely wide with 22 seconds left.

"We built confidence, especially in the overtime," said Flietstra, who had four saves. "We dominated completely, had momentum and finished strong."

The Crusaders, who did not win a district championship until their ninth year as a program in 1998, ran their record to 107-1-1 for the past four years. An 86-game winning streak ended this season with a 1-1 tie against Grand Rapids Christian in the fifth game and Unity had a 98-game unbeaten string snapped by a 2-1 loss to Forest Hills Central, which won its second straight Division 2 state title on Saturday.

© 2008 Michigan Live. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

Bloomfield Force U18 Girls "Builds a team" to Win US Youth Soccer National Crown

National Champions  8/11/2008

To simply qualify as a Regional champion for the Final Four of youth soccer is an amazing accomplishment in itself. For a club that started out with only four teams in the early nineties to now have over 30 teams and now a national champion is nothing short of miraculous. But to these Force girls, simply getting to this event was not enough, these girls wanted it bad. The team has been together since they were U10 and although many people had doubts whether a smaller club like the Force could do it they proved that they could. This was 9 years of hard work and dedication by many people.

On Wednesday July 25, 2007 the Bloomfield Force U18 girls embarked on a week long journey to the top of youth soccer in their age bracket. The Force girls whom won Region 2 championships with a 6-2 drubbing of St. Louis Soccer Club in the final back in late June now had to face Solar from Texas in game one (Region 3 Champs). On a beautiful but slick surface the Force started sluggishly with Solar taking a shock lead following a corner kick that could not get cleared. It was evident that Solar had a great game plan and tried to hold on to their 1-0 lead. They did until midway through the second 45 minute half when Laura Heyboer anticipated a back header from the stellar Solar backline defenders and she pounced to round the keeper and smash the ball into the empty net. With the ref signaling that only two minutes of injury time would be played the Force were preparing for the final score to be a draw. Then another mazy run by Heyboer (Michigan State) forced a corner that she hurriedly delivered onto the head of Amanda Bowery (Michigan). Her header was parried by the Solar keeper and Selena Stanski (our Canadian forward, U of Detroit) pounced on the rebound to win the game for Force.

The girls then had over 24 hours to rest and a massive game against two-time national champ Slammers coming up. In all honesty the Slammers were probably favored coming into the round robin tournament due to their experience of winning it twice before. But Force felt a psychological advantage due to the fact that they beat Slammers in the Surf cup final exactly one year ago. Force raced to a 2-0 lead within twenty minutes. Goals coming from midfield maestro and co-captain Lindsey Haroutunian (Villanova) and Jackie Carron (Michigan) who is simply one of the best defenders in the nation. Unfortunately, Force then suffered a double blow in the game. Slammers came fighting back and tied the game at 2-2 and then Selena Stanski was injured and broke her arm adding to our long list of injuries which included co-captain Allison "beef jerky" Drutchas (Davison) and Brittany "Skittles" Boeckel. Other players playing through injuries included Deana Kinter (Eastern Michigan), Nicole Dulyea (Western Michigan), Kelsey Tait (Michigan State) and Courtney Shegos (Michigan State). All of these girls have recovered and were extremely brave and instrumental in the Force title win. This game was almost as epic as the repeat which would take place two days later with a national crown on the line.

Game three was against an extremely talented World Class Arsenal team coached by the U16 girl's National team coach. Force only needed a tie and with only 8 minutes left the lead that Laura Heyboer had given them seemed good enough until Arsenal finally got one past the brilliant Jill Fliestra (Michigan State). With the clock winding down and nerves high the Force counter attacked through Heyboer (co-captain) and her long run was rewarded with the winning goal - Bloomfield Force through to the National Final game.

The National Final was exactly that, the best two teams in the nation. It was an epic battle that was extremely technical, tactical and physical. Both teams playing four ninety minute games in four days is quite extraordinary.

Slammers controlled the first 20 minutes of each half but Force had the better of the last 25 minutes of each half. Each team had several chances with the best ones falling to Force. When it seemed like Force would prevail at some point the Slammers were awarded a dubious free kick on the edge of the box. The Slammers girl bent the free kick over the wall and into the top corner for a 1-0 lead with only 11 minutes on the clock.

This was devastating to the girls especially to a brilliant back-line led by one of the players of the match Sara Stanzcyk (UCONN), Courtney Shegos, Caroline Zambricki (Michigan) and Jackie Carron.

As the minutes rolled away Force kept playing and in a crazy 2-3-5 formation actually grabbed an amazing equalizer in the 90th minute of play. Heyboer whipped in a great ball and Amanda Bowery somehow got on the end of it to send the game to extra-time.

In extra-time the Force midfield dominated with Caitlin Murnahan (Mars Hills), Co-captain Kelsey Tait (Michigan State), Jessie Leonard (Boston College) and Danni Halewyn (Central Michigan) who was one of the Force most consistently excellent players during the week.

The game had no break through in extra time so it went to penalties. Marie Zaccagni (Northwood) coolly slotted to keep Force in it then Slammers missed to leave the game poised at 5-5. It was down to Nicole Dulyea to win a national championship with one PK and she did (other scorers on the pk's were Sarah Stanzcyk, Kelsey Tait, Jessie Leonard and Heyboer). As you can imagine the scenes of jubilation were incredible and will live long in the memory. Years of hard work from Andy Wagstaff, Paul Doroh, Marc Frankland and Dr. Mike Haroutnunian who got the team into so many top events and led the club throughout the last 8 years as Force President. Golden boot winner was Laura Heyboer and Golden Glove went to Jill Fliestra. Now it is time for Force to build more championship teams.

Kind regards,
Andrew Wagstaff
President & Director of Coaching,
Bloomfield Force
(w) 248-545-4380

 

.
Force U19 Girls win second National Championship

Under-19 Girls Force v Slammers  7/27/2008

http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/

The Force FC (MI) Under-19 Girls successfully defended their national championship today, and once again they did it in dramatic fashion with a comeback win over Slammers FC (CA-S). The Force and Slammers rivalry has existed for years and games are always a battle.

Last year Force produced an injury time goal to send the game to overtime in the national championship, and eventually won in a shootout. This year Force scored twice in the last 13 minutes to overcome Slammers' 7th minute goal.

Force coach Andy Wagstaff described the game as "a Blockbuster." The Michigan side was slow off the blocks as they looked a little sluggish through the first half. Force was caught off guard by Slammers' unorthodox formation. Resembling a 4-4-2, Slammers man-marked the Force forward and eventual golden boot winner, Laura Heyboer.

While Force was adjusting, Slammers worked their traditional attack down the flanks, and capitalized on one seven minutes into the game. After a cross from the right side a scramble ensued in the box, and the ball eventually found its way into the net.

The goal didn't faze Wagstaff. He believed in the character of his team and felt Slammers early goal might have been an advantage for Force.

Head coach Andy Wagstaff said, "Sometimes a team can score too early and then lose that edge because they know they have the lead, and it can fire up the other team."

Force was more motivated after the goal, but the two highly talented teams cancelled each other out through the rest of the half.

As the second half wore down, without an equalizer, Force moved to three forwards. This made an immediate impact with 25 minutes left to play as Force started bearing down on the Slammers goal.

With 13 minutes left I the game, a fantastic individual effort by Kelli Walker produced the equalizer. Walker did a great job to keep the ball in play as a defender tried to shield it out. Walker then slid the ball across the box where Heyboer flicked it back toward the 18. Dani Haelewyn met the ball with her late run and shot into the upper corner to level the game at 1:1.

Wagstaff had the urge to switch back to two forwards, but assistant Marc Frankland felt they had Slammers against the ropes. The coaches decided to go for the jugular and win the game in regulation, and it paid off with seven minutes left. With a direct free kick near half line, Allison Drutchas sent a long diagonal ball into the Slammers area. An onrushing Amanda Bowery got to the ball first and flicked the serve into the net for the go-ahead goal.

Force felt the time had come to move some players back and they were able to close the game out 2:1 for their second consecutive national championship.

"Nothing against our girls, but Slammers are probably more athletic, a little quicker and faster. But the shear character these girls have, the desire and chemistry, not many teams have had this level. To come back being resilient, plugging away, to win back-to-back national championships, not many teams have experienced this," said Wagstaff.


 

more later...  


Prior To MSU: Two-time Michigan Miss Soccer and two-time Gatorade Player of the Year ... Only player in state history to win each award twice ... Finished career as state's all-time points leader (290) ... Ranked second all-time in Michigan girl's soccer history in goals (167) and assists (123) ... Selected to NSCAA All-America team twice ... Led team to 107-1-1 record and four state championships under coach Randy Heethuis ... Scored 80 points (44g, 36a) en route to second Miss Soccer award as a senior ... Tallied 41 goals and 24 assists and was named Gatorade Player of the Year during 28-0-0 junior year ... Totaled 76 points (42g, 34a) and was named Miss Soccer as a sophomore in 2006 ... Led team to state title as a freshman, scoring 40 goals with 29 assists ... Four-time first-team all-state selection ... Served as team captain for three seasons ... Won State Cup and national title with club team Bloomfield Force ... Won Golden Boot award as most outstanding player at national tournament ... Named MVP of 2006 San Diego Surf Cup ... Played on ODP State Team for seven years (2001-07) ... Played on U15 Women's National Team in 2004 ... Competed on Women's National Pool Team for three years.

Personal: Born July 20, 1989 ... Daughter of Dale and Joy Heyboer ... Graduated from high school Cum Laude ... Kinesiology major.

                                

Unity Christian forwards Laura Heyboer, left, and Jessica Vegter celebrate after Heyboer scored off a pass from Vegter at the Division III regional ch

Freshman forward Laura Heyboer trips and falls chasing the ball during the second round of the NCAA women’s soccer tournament Sunday at Notre Dame.

The MSU women’s soccer team huddles for a quick pep talk before the second round of the women’s soccer NCAA Tournament at Notre Dame on Sunday. The Spartans lost to Notre Dame 1-0.

Michigan State forward Laura Heyboer is the TopDrawerSoccer.com Rookie of the Season. The former Bloomfield Force standout took the Big 10 by storm this year, recording 19 goals and 9 assists while helping lead the Spartans to an NCAA Tournament berth.

Laura Heyboer recorded a hat trick in her first soccer game at Michigan State and has been on a roll ever since.

Just 17 games into her collegiate career, the two-time high school Miss Soccer from Hudsonville is the nation's leading scorer with 18 goals and 44 points. She has almost twice as many goals as any other Big Ten Conference player.

Heyboer points to MSU's 3-1 victory against league-leading Penn State earlier this month as a turning point for the team. MSU had not beaten the Nittany Lions since 1995, and the defeat remains Penn State's only conference loss.

Laura Heyboer

School: Unity Christian

Sport: Soccer

Grade: Senior

ON THE FIELD

The state's only two-time Miss Soccer scored the winning goal in Saturday's 2-1 overtime win against Williamston in the Division 3 state championship game.

OFF THE FIELD

Favorite class: Senior biology

Post-school plans: Coach

Pet peeve: People who are late

Favorite singer: Chris Brown

Favorite athlete: Lindsay Tarpley

Laura Heyboer was named SoccerBuzz.com Freshman of the Year.

Ten players are making a return appearance to the team – goalkeeper Aubree Southwick (Sr., San Ramon Valley HS/Danville, Calif.); midfielders Tahnai Annis (Sr., Pickerington North HS/Pickerington, Ohio), Jennifer Baumann (Sr., Catholic Memorial HS/Waukesha, Wis.), Hope Ward (Sr., Kingwood HS, Kingwood, Texas) , Stefanee Pace (Sr., Kearny HS/Kearny, N.J.) and Christine Nairn (Sr., Archbishop Spalding HS/Severn, Md.); forwards Laura Heyboer (Jr., Unity Christian HS,

Hudsonville, Mich.), Courtney Jones (Sr., Monte Vista HS, Danville, N.J.), Tiffany McCarty (St. John's College Prep HS, Washington, D.C.) and Briitiny Rhodes (Padua Academy/Wilmington, Del.). Nine players on this year's squad also were named to the 2007 Girls Youth All-America team.

Laura Heyboer

F, Fr., Michigan State, Hudsonville, Mich.

Ninth in the nation in points per game (2.13)…eighth in the nation in goals per game (0.875)…had a three-goal performance against Oakland (Aug. 22) in her first intercollegiate game…Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year…led the league with 21 goals and 51 points.

The Spartans congratulate junior forward Lauren Hill on Friday after her assist to freshman forward Laura Heyboer, which tied the game against Michigan. The final score was 1-1.

Unity Christian soccer players Jillian Honderd (6), Aimee Luurtsema (3) and Laura Heyboer (11) celebrate after winning the Division 3 state soccer title.

LINKS to articles:

Heyboer, Jones Lead 2008 NSCAA/adidas Girls High School All-America Team >>>

Heyboer Named To EA Sports All-America Team >>>

MSU's Heyboer bursts onto national soccer scene >>>

Laura Heyboer Named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year >>>

Heyboer Named SoccerBuzz.com Freshman of the Year >>>

Heyboer Selected to NSCAA/adidas All-America Team >>>

Heyboer Nominated for National Player of the Year >>>

Soccer star Laura Heyboer has Olympics in sight >>>