BY DAN STICKRADT
Communications Specialist | Web And Content Editor | Director of News |
Social Media Director | Interns and Freelance Coordinator
PH: (248) 884-1051
TW: @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
(Michigan Soccer Network Communications Specialist / Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt compiles team capsules for over 460 girls soccer programs statewide. Email pertinent information to stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com. Follow on Twitter @msn_stickradt, @LocalSportsFans, or @MiSoccerNetwork and on numerous social media platforms.)
Competing Teams – Allendale, Coopersville, Fruitport, Grand Rapids West Catholic, Hamilton, Holland Christian, Hudsonville Unity Christian, Spring Lake
ROSTER CALL
All varsity girls soccer rosters in Michigan can be emailed to stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com
SCHOOL: Allendale
HEAD COACH: Santana Huerta
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD / FINISH: 7-8-3, 1-5-1 Ottawa Kent Conference-Blue Division (seventh in regular season; fifth in conference tournament; fifth in final standings, six total points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (12-0); lost in D-2 district semifinals to East Grand Rapids (3-0).
RETURNING STARTERS: Halle Steele, sr. F/M (All-League); Joslin Rood, jr. M (All-League Honorable Mention); no other players specified.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.
REMAINING ROSTER: Brooke Blackburn, jr. M; Isabella Braunschneider, jr.; Avery Brose, soph. M; Isabella Costello, jr. D/G; Emma Dehning, jr. D; Eleanor Francis, jr. D; Dennise Garcia-Lugo, sr. D; Kenzie Hessel, soph. M; Natalie Huerta, sr. M; Addison Malkowski, soph. M; Marissa Maycroft, jr. F/M; Kaelyn Reyna, sr. D; Sidney Ruster, jr. M; Amani Sango, jr. F/M; Rylee Silvis, sr. G; Isabel VanHuizen, sr. M/F.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Peyton Adams, fr. D; Sawyer Reagan, fr. M; no other players specified.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: The Falcons started the season 2-3-1 through April 17. They have been outscored 21-15 this season. Last season, Allendale finished fifth in the final Ottawa Kent Conference-Blue Division standings, recorded four shutouts and were outscored 55-46 over 18 games. Do the Falcons have enough to climb up in the standings this year?
SCHOOL: Coopersville
HEAD COACH: Arthur Dorsey
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD / FINISH: 2-13-1, 0-7-0 Ottawa Kent Conference-Blue Division (eighth in regular season standings; sixth in conference tournament; eighth in final standings with four points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-2 pre-districts to Fruitport (6-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Emma Burns, sr. (All-League Honorable Mention); no other players specified.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.
KEY NEWCOMERS: No players specified.
ROSTER: No list submitted, and no list located on the school’s athletics website or an outside source.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: It’s an amazing feat for the Broncos to be listed as honorable mention in the MIHSSCA Division 2 state rankings considering how Coopersville finished last season. The Broncos finished last in the final Ottawa Kent Conference-Blue Division standings, lost in the pre-district round of the state tournament, only recorded two shutouts and two wins, were shut out eight times on the year and outscored 75-22. Through April 17 of this year, Coopersville is 6-2-0 with five shutouts and a 27-15 scoring edge. This is almost a complete 180 and although the Broncos still have most of its rugged OKC-Blue schedule on deck, this side has improved immensely.
SCHOOL: Fruitport
HEAD COACH: Kyle Hall
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD / FINISH: 8-10-2, 2-5-0 Ottawa Kent Conference-Blue Division (sixth in regular season; finished seventh in the conference tournament; finished tied for sixth place in the final standings with five points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Coopersville (6-0); lost in D-2 district semifinals to Spring Lake (8-1).
RETURNING STARTERS: Kendal Kolberg, jr. F; Mallory Smith, sr. M; Gracelynn Olson, soph. D; Rhiannon Raleigh, sr. M; Kenzie Pate, jr. D; no other players specified.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: McKenzie Beardsley, jr. M; Jorja Blackmer, sr. M; Aliviya Bosch, sr. D; Lindsey Fairfield, sr. F; Emma Gilbert, sr.; Reese Jacobs, sr. M; Riley Kettel, sr. G; Raena Norbotten, jr. D; Aris Ogden, sr. D; Lauren Riedel, sr. D; Morgan Wescott, sr. M.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Isabel Hanson-Wilbur, fr. D; Jaelyn Baldwin, soph. M; Haylee Beery, soph. D; Makayla Boelkins, jr. M; Lainey Bol, jr. M; Kendalynn Gangwer, jr. D; Jolie Guevara, jr. F; Emma Hueller, sr.; Violet Olinghouse, soph. F; Emma Woycehoski, jr. D.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: After finishing in sixth in the OKC-blue last season and being knocked out in the district semifinals, Fruitport hopes to make steady improvements over last season. The Trojans were outscored 54-44 last season, posted six shutouts and were shut out five times. This season Fruitport started 1-4-0 and were outscored 11-5. Kendal Kolberg has emerged as a goal scorer and if the back line can shore up than the Trojans have a chance for major improvement.
SCHOOL: Grand Rapids West Catholic
HEAD COACH: Ryan Smith
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD / FINISH: 14-4-3, 4-1-2 Ottawa Kent Conference-Blue Division (tied for second in the regular season standings; finished fourth in the conference tournament; finished third in the final standings with 11.5 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS:
RETURNING STARTERS: Claire Smith, sr. M (All-State First Team; All-League; nine goals, 25 assists; signed with NCAA Division II St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas); Abigail Druelle, sr. F (All-State Third Team; All-League; 25 goals, eight assists); Natalie Kwaitkowski, sr. M/D (All-District); Cassandra Sisk, sr. D (All-League Honorable Mention; All-District); Molly Perez, jr. D; Elisha Dykstra, jr. M/F.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Georgia Readwin, jr. D.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Hadley Giradot, fr. M; Katelyn Adams, soph. G; Claire Arends, sr. M/F; Lily LeSarge, sr. D/M; Avery Dusseau, fr. M.
REMAINING ROSTER: Sarah Jager, soph. G; Mylee Dykstra, soph. G; Margaret Nowak, soph. D; Sophia Makarewicz, jr. F/M; Peyton Duffy, jr. M; Sophia Putz, jr. F. Audrey Savickas, soph. D.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Talk about a team that has come on strong in recent year, West Catholic has logged a ton of time in the Division 3 stater rankings or listed as honorable mention the last 3-4 years. Last year the Falcons were logged in a tough conference and district but still managed a 59-20 scoring edge, eight shutouts, 14 wins a third-place finish in the OKC-Blue behind state powers Hudsonville Unity Christian and Spring Lake, and lost in the district semifinals to another power, Grand Rapids Catholic Central. This year West Catholic is off to a 4-2-1 record against quality competition and the senior-laden Falcons have a 17-16 scoring edge and two shutouts. This is a fast-rising program that could make races in the league and district interesting this season. Coach Ryan Smith has done a quality job turning this team into a highly-respected program. … “We’re a senior laden team with a lot to prove. These seniors won districts their freshman year but have been bounced too early the last couple of seasons. A very difficult regular season schedule should help this team be prepared for a long postseason run. Our conference includes defending state champ Unity Christian and perennial D-2 powers Spring Lake and Holland Christian. Our district this year also includes Unity Christian. We will continue to rely on our returning all starters Claire Smith and Abby Druelle but should have many pieces around them this spring. This program has come a long way the last 4-5 years as these seniors have put West Catholic on the Michigan high school soccer map. Now, they want to take them to the next level. This is the last season of the OK Blue as we know it as realignment looms for next fall. The OK Blue has been arguably the toughest conference for boys soccer and girls soccer the past few seasons. State champs and Final Four finishers are regular occurrences. Last year’s state champ Unity Christian hasn’t ever lost in the OK Blue. West Catholic, Spring Lake and Holland Christian would love to change that. Last year West Catholic gave Unity Christian one of their better matches of the season in a 2-0 Unity win in an early May matchup of No. 1 vs No. 2 in the state., Allendale, Hamilton and Fruitport typically have good programs as well,” said Coach Ryan Smith.
SCHOOL: Hamilton
HEAD COACH: Tyler Robinson
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD / FINISH: 10-7-1, 3-3-1 Ottawa Kent Conference-Blue Division (finished fifth in the regular season; finished eighth in the conference tournament; finished tied for sixth in the final standings with five points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Hamilton (2-0); lost in D-2 district finals to Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg (1-0).
RETURNING STARTERS: Kendall Petoskey, sr. CB (signed with NCAA Division I Missouri State University); Abigail Heneveld, sr. D/F; Shayna Kragt, sr.; Maya Ludema, jr.; Madelyn Stoel, jr.; no other names specified.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Caia Andrews, sr.; Taylor Becksfort, jr.; Larissa Brondyke, sr. F; Abrianna Carpenter, sr.; Emma-Lynn Gauthier, sr.; Taylor Heer, soph.; Raquel Martinez, sr.; Madden Miller, jr.; Sierra Rietema, jr.; Abigail Stoel, jr. D; Joselyn Paskvan, soph.; Ester Lauer, jr.; Emma O’Connor, sr.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Ella Acherhof, fr.; Emily Berkimer, soph.;, sr.; Annika Johnson, soph.; Ava Slotman, jr.; Aubanie TenBrink, jr.; Maeve Wrenn, sr.; Zoey Hippey, fr.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Hamilton started the year 3-30 with a 16-13 edge on the scoreboard and two shutouts. Last season the Hawkeyes held a 41-23 upper hand on the scoreboard with seven shutouts and were shut out four times. Hamilton also reached the district finals. With 18 returning letterwinners and a future NCAA Division I center back in Kendall Petoskey, this team should remain competitive. The only problem for Hamilton is that its league is loaded and so is the district.
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
HEAD COACH: Elliot Slenk
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD / FINISH: 9-4-4, 3-2-2 Ottawa Kent Conference-Blue Division (finished fourth in the regular season; finished third in the conference tournament; finished fourth for in the final standings with 11 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Fennville (8-0); lost in D-3 district finals to Hudsonville Unity Christian (4-0).
RETURNING STARTERS: Sarah Geerlings, jr. M (All-League); Tianna Stygstra, sr. F (All-League); no other players specified.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Anika Melcher, jr. F/M; Chloe Nyikes, sr. M; Cara Rigterink, soph. G/M; Ella Novakowski, sr. G; Ellen Wierda, sr.; Emma Houskamp, sr. M; Jaylyn Harsevoort, sr. D; Lily Terpstra, sr. F; Megan Grassmid, sr. M/D; Olvia Culver, soph. F; Renna Gravenhof, soph. M/D; Jenna Hofman, jr. F; Kylie Reed, soph. D.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Amelia Hanczuk, fr. F; Izzy Lehr, fr. F; no other players specified.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: The Maroons were a defensive-minded team last season, outscoring the opposition 40-24 but 13 of those goals against came by eventual state champion Hudsonville Unity Christian in three matchups with the Crusaders. The other 11 goals came against the other 14 opponents. The Maroons ended up with eight shutouts. So far this season through April 17, Holland Christian is 4-2-0 with a 12-5 scoring edge and two more clean sheets.
SCHOOL: Hudsonville Unity Christian
HEAD COACH: Randy Heethuis
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD / FINISH: 21-1-2, 7-0-0 Ottawa Kent Conference-Blue Division (first in regular season; first in conference tournament; first in final standings with 16 points
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS:
RETURNING STARTERS: Ava Lutke, jr. F/M (All-State First Team; All-League; 28 goals, 17 assists; recently committed to NCAA Division I Michigan State university); Stella DeSmit, sr. F (All-League Honorable Mention; All-District; 12 goals, nine assists); Emily Timmer, sr. M; Vivian Nagelkirk, sr. M.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Ava Steen, soph. D; Tessa Ponstein, soph. M; Anna Newhof, sr. G; Ellie Wiersum, sr. M; Ava Landstra*, soph. M; Julianna Morales, sr. D.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Brooklyn Holtrop, fr. M; Kyla Kobrzycki, fr. M; Karli Rose, fr. D; Addi Pell, soph. F; Emma Vruggink, soph. M; Kiersten White, soph. M; Kennidee Crump, jr. G; Sierra Grooters, jr. D/M; Ella Sage, jr. M; Hannah Moelker, jr. M; Avery Dekker, soph. D; Brooke VandenBos, jr. F.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: The question often asked is how well would Unity Christian do in Division 1 or Division 2? Although their talent level speaks volumes that they would still compete at a fairly high level if placed in those divisions, the Crusaders can still point to their history as being one of the top teams in the state overall year-in and year-out. Unity Christian does face D-1 and D-2 schools in the regular season on an annual basis and fares quite well against them. Last year’s team outscored the opposition 113-8, posted 16 shutouts and a team 0.34 goals-against-average, and only lost an early-season game to Division 2 state-ranked Richland Gull Lake. Over the past 10 games alone, Unity held a 55-3 scoring edge with seven clean sheets, while in the state tournament they outscored their six foes 35-0. Looking at the all-time numbers including postseason success, the Crusaders have 11 state titles (second all-time), four state runners-up (tied for seventh), 19 Final Four appearances (second) and 15 state finals appearances (second). This year’s group is somewhat younger with only eight varsity returnees but that hasn’t slowed the Crusaders. Through April 17, Unity Christian is again 5-0-0 with a 21-1 scoring edge and four shutouts. … “We only return eight players from last year’s title team, so we have a lot of young players this year who can hopefully hit the ground running and learn quickly. We will lean heavily on our returning upperclassmen to provide leadership. The OKC-Blue should be very competitive this year. I think we were hit the hardest with graduation, so we will have to see how it shakes out, but I expect a lot very close games,” said coach Randy Heethuis.
SCHOOL: Spring Lake
HEAD COACH: Becky May
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD / FINISH: 17-3-2, 6-1-0 Ottawa Kent Conference-Blue Division (second in regular season standings; second in conference standings; second in final standings with 14 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Fruitport (8-1); def. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (5-0, district finals); def. Bay City Western (2-1, regional semifinals); lost in D-2 regional finals to East Grand Rapids (2-0).
RETURNING STARTERS: Clara Saunders, sr. M (All-State First Team; All-League); Ella Andree, sr. M/F (All-State Second Team; All-League; signed with NAIA St. Mary’s College); Jessica Stewart, sr. G (All-State Second Team; All-League); Brooke Bolthouse, sr. D (All-State Honorable Mention; All-League); Kyle Shelton, sr. M/F (All-League); Ella Rabideau, sr. D.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Kiele Stephenson, sr. M/D; Clara Howe, sr. F/M; Lauren Nicles, jr. D; Lucia Folkert, jr. D/M.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Aveya Patino, fr. F; Peyton Nein, fr. F; Addison Schmidt, fr. G/D; Baylee Andree, fr. F/M; Macy Subka, fr. M/F; Amelia Arnold, fr. D/M; Emily Hylant, jr. F/M; Naomi Force, jr. M; Zoe Dull, jr.; London Holcomb, jr. G; Alyssa Ellison, soph. M/F; Lexi Joy, soph. F/M; McKenzie Judge, soph. M; Socee Bismarck, sr. D; Tessa Carter, fr. D; Zoe Dull, jr. M; Gabbie Tober, fr. M; Gabriella Padula, jr. M/F.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Two years ago, the Lakers had Meah Bajt ringing up the scoreboards and setting records up top. Last year was a more collective effort. Regardless, Spring Lake always seems to be a factor in league races and long tournament runs. The Lakers are again a state-ranked side in Division 2 and off to a 2-1-2 start with a 9-5 scoring edge and two shutouts against quality competition. That follows last season’s league runner-up in the OKC-Blue Division and district championship where the Lakers outscored its 22 foes 79-25 with 10 shutouts.
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer of teams or players with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com, or call 248-884-1051. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com.)
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