In this file photo, Fremont junior Mia Clemence poses for a portrait during CatchMark SportsNet girls basketball media day prior to the 2023-24 season. (Courtney Jimison | CatchMark)
Mia Clemence has been recognized in various places as one of the very best girls soccer players in the West Michigan Conference and around the area.
On Tuesday, she again showed why.
The Fremont junior netted a first-half hat trick and the Packers made it stand in a 3-2 victory over Howard City Tri County in a Division 3 regional semifinal at Brookwood Athletic Complex in Clare.
With the win, Fremont (16-4-1) advances to Thursday’s 5 p.m. regional final against Freeland (14-4-5), which defeated Traverse City St. Francis 2-0 in the other semifinal Tuesday.
Tri County closes the season with a 17-8 record.
Fremont got off to a quick start when Maddie Mater found Clemence, who finished a shot four minutes into the match. Clemence scored again when she received a ball from Ella Shriver midway through the first half. Seven minutes later, she completed the hat trick and gave the Packers a 3-0 lead on a through ball from Grace Evans.
Tri County did not go away, however.
Rebecca Duvall put the Vikings on the board on a pass from Savannah Thompson with 25 minutes left in the game. Ashley Campbell pulled her team within 3-2 with 11 minutes remianing, but Fremont held off Tri County the rest of the way.
Fremont had an overwhelming advantage in shots on frame, 20-3. Tri County keeper Athena Herrington made 17 saves, while Fremont keeper Hallie Snyder made one stop.
Tuesday’s victory was the second for Fremont over Tri County this season. The Packers beat the Vikings at home, 5-2, in a nonleague match on May 3.
