Birmingham Public Schools
Birmingham, Michigan
Bulldogs Show Heart on and off the Field in “Stick It to Cancer” Thriller
BIRMINGHAM, MI — Under a perfect spring sky at Seaholm High School, the Birmingham Bulldogs—a unified force of student-athletes from both Groves and Seaholm—took to the turf Tuesday night for a game that meant far more than just points on a scoreboard.
The annual “Stick It to Cancer” fundraiser game brought the community together to raise money for cancer charities, with players dedicating their performance to family members impacted by the disease. A moving pre-game video on the scoreboard featured players sharing stories of their loved ones, setting a poignant tone for an evening defined by perspective and perseverance.
JV Sets the Tone with Epic Rally
The night kicked off with a spark of “never-quit” energy from the Junior Varsity squad. Trailing 8-3 in the third period, the Bulldogs mounted a furious comeback against the Hartland Eagles. With the clock winding down and the crowd on its feet, Ryder Fenton found the back of the net with just three seconds remaining to secure a dramatic tie, proving early on that the Birmingham sideline was ready for a fight.
Varsity Battle: A Seesaw Affair
The Varsity matchup was a high-stakes clash as both teams jockeyed for crucial seeding in the upcoming MHSAA tournament. Hartland jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Bulldogs refused to let the game slip away.
Will Forberg ignited the Birmingham offense late in the first half, scoring off a crisp assist from Caleb Garrett. The second quarter saw Nolan Knudsen and James Liebler hammer home goals, keeping the Bulldogs within striking distance despite a heavy offensive push from Hartland’s Clayton Penzien.
Third Quarter Surge
The third quarter was a showcase of Birmingham’s offensive depth. Trailing early in the half, the Bulldogs found another gear. Will Forberg connected with Brody Feldmaier for a goal, followed quickly by another strike from Liebler. Noah Bigelman then leveled the momentum, scoring off a Forberg assist to bring the Birmingham fans to a roar.
The Bulldogs’ man-up offense capitalized on Hartland penalties late in the third, with Liebler scoring again off a Caleb Garrett assist to keep the game a one-score affair heading into the final frame.
Perspective in the Finale
The fourth quarter was a physical, defensive battle characterized by a flurry of penalties on both sides. Noah Bigelman notched his second goal of the night off an assist from Nick Holcomb, and Caleb Garrett found the net with just over two minutes remaining to keep the pressure on.
In a “heartbreaker” finish, Hartland managed to cling to a narrow lead as the final whistle blew. However, as the teams shook hands under the stadium lights, the scoreboard was only part of the story. The “Stick It to Cancer” event was a massive success, raising significant funds and honoring those who have faced much tougher battles than a lacrosse game.
The Bulldogs (Groves/Seaholm) will look to carry this momentum into another home stand this week. Birmingham travels to Cranbrook this Thursday the Varsity begins at 6:00 p.m.
BIRMINGHAM PLAYER STATISTICS
James Liebler
- Goals: 3
- Assists: 0
- Total Points: 3
Will Forberg
- Goals: 2
- Assists: 1
- Total Points: 3
Caleb Garrett
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 2
- Total Points: 3
Noah Bigelman
- Goals: 2
- Assists: 0
- Total Points: 2
Nolan Knudsen
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 0
- Total Points: 1
Brody Feldmaier
- Assists: 1
- Total Points: 1
Nick Holcomb
- Assists: 1
- Total Points: 1
STATISTICAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Hat Trick: James Liebler led the Bulldog attack with three goals, finding the net in each of the final three quarters.
- Playmaker: Caleb Garrett recorded a team-high two assists to go along with a late fourth-quarter goal.
