Leone's Header Sends De La Salle to Third Straight D-2 Final
A late goal by Settimo Leone secured a 3-2 win over DeWitt, setting a matchup against undefeated St. Joseph.
By Lily Carter ·
Settimo Leone headed the ball into the net with 55 seconds remaining in the second half to give Warren De La Salle a 3-2 victory over DeWitt. The goal sent the sixth-ranked Pilots to their third consecutive Division 2 state championship game. The match took place on a rainy Wednesday evening at Waterford Kettering.
Leone credited his practice routine for the decisive play. He noted that he and his teammates drill headers regularly, focusing on directing the ball into the corners. He said he stayed composed in the moment and executed the move he had rehearsed. His coach, Thaier Mukhtar, described the finish as a world-class header. The goal was set up by a crossing pass from Leone's cousin, Marco DiLuca.
The Pilots controlled the early stages of the match. Andrew Corder scored two goals in the first eight minutes to put De La Salle ahead 2-0. The lead evaporated when DeWitt's Mason Raborn fired a shot into the far corner with 26:58 left in the first half. Leone said the team stepped off the gas during that period. He acknowledged the squad must learn to maintain intensity, especially with the final game approaching.
De La Salle struggled to clear the ball from their defensive area. Coach Mukhtar identified a bad clearance as the reason DeWitt returned to the game. The issue resurfaced late in the second half. De La Salle failed to clear the ball after a free kick. Jake Wever capitalized on the error to tie the score 2-2 with 4:17 left in regulation. Mukhtar called that goal a heartbreaker but noted the team woke up after conceding it.
The Pilots held possession in the DeWitt zone for the remainder of the game after the equalizer. They had won their last two state titles and often face high expectations as the defending champion. Mukhtar stated that preparation and experience helped the team handle the pressure. He said the staff knew DeWitt would rely on set pieces and instructed players to clear the ball and avoid fouls. While the execution was imperfect, the team found a way to win.
De La Salle will face top-ranked St. Joseph in the final. St. Joseph holds an undefeated record of 23-0-0. The Bears defeated previously unbeaten Holland 6-0 in their semifinal match. The championship game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Grand Ledge High School. Leone said the win over DeWitt is in the past. He is now focused on preparing for the upcoming Saturday contest.
Mukhtar agreed with his player that the team must shift its attention immediately. He stated that the squad has preparation work to do but will be ready. He expressed confidence that the team is always prepared for such challenges.
