(Lorenzoni photo) Kingsford’s girls soccer team poses after capturing the U.P. girls soccer championship, Saturday in Marquette. It’s the first U.P. title for the Flivvers in the 11 years of the U.P. tournament. From left, standing are Mya Fox, Mila Hendricksen, Marcella Martonen, Liz Penegor, Brooke Bittinger, Cassie Lehto, Lexie Vross and Sarah Scullon; kneeling are Maria Fornetti, Erika Malone, Alyssa Englund, Peyton Johnson, Megan Bittinger and Christina Englund. Not shown are Taylor DeMay, Kayla Lehto and Mia Counter.

MARQUETTE — Kingsford girls soccer team battled through the heat playing three games in one day with limited substitutions to beat Marquette, 3-2 for the U.P. crown, here Saturday in the U.P. girls soccer championship tournament. This is the first U.P. title for the Flivvers, as Marquette has dominated the U.P. event winning nine of the last 11 tournaments.

The Flivvers, down by two goals early in the first half scored the next three goals of the game to win.

“It was a tremendous physical game with all the drama you could pack into one event. It was our third game of the unseasonably hot day and the girls were exhausted. We had multiple girls playing with injuries and even lost one of our starting defenders midway through the final game,” said Kingsford head coach Jon Lorenzoni.

Kingsford has13 girls available to play versus Marquette fielding 22 on their sidelines.

“When we went down 2-0 it did not look good for us. It did not look like we would have the energy to come back. Even in the last 5 minutes when we had the lead, the girls on the field could hardy move, let alone guard Marquette like they normally do,” Lorenzoni stated.

“Marquette’s Britton sisters Paige and Hattie and Bella Lorens are a handful to guard even when not tired. They have a ton of speed and power that you have to account for at all times and can score in a heartbeat. We had to drop forwards back to midfield so we could get some help to cover them. We are so proud of how the girls responded in this game,” Lorenzoni added.

Kingsford (10-1-1) qualified for the finals by eliminating Houghton, 5-0 and Marquette’s JV squad, 8-0 in the preliminary rounds.

Kingsford’s scoring was led by sophomore Maria Fornetti who netted six goals and five assists on the day. Sophomore Erica Malone followed with five goals and junior Brooke Bittinger scored two with two assists.

Senior Liz Penegor tallied a goal with three assists, while freshman Megan Bittinger and senior Christina Englund each scored a goal.

“Our girls have put on a scoring frenzy this season scoring 69 goals while only conceding eight goals in 12 games. We really have to credit our defense this season. Our goalie sophomore Alyssa Englund has been outstanding earning eight shutouts this year,” Lorenzoni said.

Goalie Englund is protected by a back line that is anchored by sophomore Lexie Vross.

Christina Englund, sophomore Sarah Scullon, senior Cassie Lehto and sophomore Peyton Johnson finish up the back line, while Brooke Bittinger along with sophomore Taylor DeMay plug the top of the line playing defensive midfielders.

Kingsford has one remaining game in their against rival Iron Mountain, Thursday at St Mary’s Field on Pine Mountain Road.