Elk Rapids Wins State Soccer Title in Double Overtime
Noah Liggett's second-overtime goal lifted Elk Rapids past Williamston 1-0 for the Michigan boys soccer championship.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Soccer
Elk Rapids boys soccer won the Michigan state championship with a 1-0 victory over Williamston in Grand Ledge. The lone goal came from Noah Liggett in the second overtime session, and the win extended Elk Rapids' scoreless streak to 15 straight games.
Why it matters
The title marks Elk Rapids' second state finals appearance in three years, following a loss in the finals two years ago. It returns the program to the championship level it last reached with back-to-back titles in the late 1990s.
The title game was decided 1-0 after two overtime periods, with Elk Rapids' defense holding Williamston scoreless through regulation and the first extra period. The win stretched the team's scoreless streak to 15 consecutive games.
The players
Noah Liggett
Elk Rapids forward who scored the winning goal in the second overtime session of the state championship game.
Elk Rapids boys soccer
The Elk Rapids High School boys soccer program in northern Michigan, which captured the state title.
Williamston boys soccer
The Williamston High School boys soccer program, which lost the Michigan state championship final to Elk Rapids.
The details
Noah Liggett scored the only goal in the second overtime session of the Michigan state title game in Grand Ledge. Elk Rapids reached its second state finals in three years after losing in the finals two years ago.
Timeline
Late 1990s: Elk Rapids won back-to-back state titles.
Two years before the 2026 title: Elk Rapids lost in the state finals.
November 7, 2026: Elk Rapids defeated Williamston 1-0 for the state championship.
Season Trajectory
The state title caps a run of recent finals appearances for Elk Rapids, which returned to the championship game after a loss two years earlier. It places the program back among Michigan's state champions alongside its back-to-back titles from the late 1990s.
The title moves Elk Rapids into the top tier of Michigan high school soccer for the season's end. Fans following the state's prep rankings and postseason honors will see the program's 15-game scoreless streak and state crown reflected in those standings.
The takeaway
Elk Rapids' title shows how a single goal in extra time can decide a state final after a long scoreless stretch. Readers following Michigan prep soccer can track how the program's recent finals appearances shape its standing in future seasons.
Further reading
For more high school coverage, see Soccer on Wisevoter.
