ANN ARBOR >> East Grand Rapids spoiled a fairy tale ending to the 2025 boys lacrosse season for Detroit Country Day on Friday.

Looking for its first back-to-back state championship as a program, the Yellowjackets trailed the Pioneers from the start and suffered a 15-10 defeat at the University of Michigan.

“It was a great year. We just came up a little bit short,” Country Day coach Chris Garland said. “Congrats to EGR on a great year. I am really proud of our guys. It stinks to not get that final win, but we’ve made this final four years in a row for the first time in Country Day history. I am really proud of the guys for that.”

A second championship was going to be extra sweet for Garland and the Yellowjackets, as he is stepping down as head coach after six seasons to move to Baltimore, Md.

On top of four consecutive state finals appearances, including a 2024 championship, Garland put together a 100-26 record with Country Day. The 100 wins is second-most in DCD history.

“I think things are in better shape and I am really proud of what we have accomplished here,” Garland said of his time with the Yellowjackets. “I have to thank the parents, the coaches, and the kids for all they gave. I will really miss the kids and the school, but I know the next coach will do a great job.”

East Grand Rapids (20-3) claimed its first championship since 2021 with the win. The Pioneers looked hungry for the start, jumping out to a 4-1 lead after one and a 7-2 lead at halftime.

Throughout the first half, EGR controlled possession as junior faceoff man Kaden Goossens was a perfect 11-for-11 from the faceoff X.

“The biggest difference for us was the faceoff X,” East Grand Rapids coach Kyle Osipoff said. “Getting scored on, or scoring goals, knowing you have the opportunity to get the ball back every time is huge. Kayden Goosens did a phenomenal job for us, and he is a major part of why we got that win tonight.”

The extra possessions led to a 23-14 shot advantage for EGR in the first half, putting Country Day (20-4) on its heels.

“We just couldn’t get into a rhythm,” Garland said. “They won faceoffs and took the air out of the ball and we just couldn’t get it back. (EGR) scored some really good goals early and we got in a hole that we just couldn’t get out of.”

In the third, Country Day attempted to get the offense going, but the Pioneers had an answer every time. DCD wasn’t able to string together consecutive goals until the fourth quarter, but was already down 14-5 by the time it did.

The Yellowjackets finished the game scoring five of the final seven goals, but couldn’t get the deficit within five.

“We started to win some draws and got more opportunities to score,” Garland said. “Our defense started playing better as well, creating turnovers, but we just couldn’t quite catch up.”

Country Day was led in the game by Keaton Yearego, Luke Fisher, and Rhys Kenney, who each scored twice. Joseph North had one goal and two assists.

Goossens finished 26-of-29 from the faceoff X for EGR. Gavin Buck led the offense with four goals, while Bennett Winkel and Dylan Buck each had three goals. Owen Stropkai tallied five assists.