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 – Caledonia, East Kentwood, Grand Haven, Grandville, Holland West Ottawa, Hudsonville, Jenison, Rockford
SCHOOL: Caledonia
HEAD COACH: Sam Stearns
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 13-5-1, 5-2-0 OKC-Red (second in regular season; second in conference tournament; second place overall with 14 total points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. East Kentwood (3-0); lost in D-1 district finals to Byron Center (1-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Davanee Balczak, sr. G (All-State First Team; signed with NCAA Division II powerhouse Grand Valley State); Kendall Maynard, sr. D (All-State Honorable Mention); Laney Peterson, sr. M/D (All-League Honorable Mention; signed with NCAA Division I Western Michigan); Kendall Maynard, sr. D (All-League; All-State Honorable Mention; signed with NCAA Division II Northern Michigan)
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Bella Teelander, sr. F (signed with NAIA Aquinas College); Baylee Devries, soph. F; Josie Wilcox, jr. M (committed to NCAA Division II Davenport University); Alexa Pearson, sr. D (signed with NAIA Spring Arbor); Abigail Kramer, sr. M (signed with NAIA Olivet University)
KEY NEWCOMERS: Averi Rosted, fr. F; Kortney Muller, soph. M
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Talk about a team on the rise. Last year the Fighting Scotts improved leaps and bounds, finishing second in the OKC-Red, reaching the D-1 district finals and being listed as honorable mention in the coaches’ association polls. There are six seniors already signed with colleges, including one NCAA Division I and two NCAA Division II players. Plus, there is one junior already committed to a D-II university. This team appears to be Hudsonville’s top challenger in the OKC-Red this season. … “We’re a very strong defensive team with a lot of young attacking talent. This team is driven and works very hard, “said coach Sam Stearns. “We have what we believe to be one of the toughest conferences in the state. Hudsonville, Rockford, and West Ottawa have all been very tough opponents in the last few seasons. Hudsonville being state runner-up last year, Rockford regularly ranking in the state, and West Ottawa’s program has put up very strong results lately.”
SCHOOL: East Kentwood
HEAD COACH: Mark Bea, sixth season
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 10-9-1, 0-6-1 OKC-Red (tied-seventh in regular season; fifth in conference tournament; seventh place overall with 5.5 total points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills (8-0); lost in D-1 district semifinals to Caledonia (3-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Ella Zoerhoff, jr. M (All-State Honorable Mention; committed to NCAA Division I Toledo University); Liliana Bea, jr. M; Breyona Ikwueme, jr. F; Camryn Kolzow, jr. D/M; Alayna Godfrey, jr. D;
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Cassandra Block, jr.; Sofia Daniel, jr. G; Samantha Geurink, sr. M/G; Alja Maric, sr. D/M; Adeola Ojo, sr. D; Emersyn Port, sr. D/M; Hadleigh Robyns, jr. M/D.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Brooklyn Hill, fr. F/M; Erica Lemus, fr. M/D; Makenzie Dixon, jr. F/M; Chayse Green, sr. D/M; Lezly Ramos, jr. D; Sejla Safic, soph. D/M; Alena Salja, jr. M; Asha Salumu, jr. M/F; Sienne Vande Vegte, jr. D; Ariana Vodollari-Williams, jr. D/M.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: East Kentwood started 4-0-1 last season with its best start since 2015, before running into the gauntlet of the season with a young team and finishing down the charts in the OKC-Red and just above five-hundred overall. The Falcons do return most of its roster with some young talent infused to make sure that East Kentwood will remain a quality side all season. Zoerhoff is one of the state’s top juniors and demands respect every time she touches the ball and there is also a collection of players who are trying to make a name for themselves. Could the Falcons be a sleeper-type team this season.
SCHOOL: Grand Haven
HEAD COACH: Adam Dean
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 8-8-1, 4-3-0 OKC-Red (tied-fourth in regular season; third in conference tournament; fourth place overall with 10.5 total points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-districts to Muskegon Mona Shores (2-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Rosilee Springer, sr. D (All-League Honorable Mention); Avery Christensen, sr. D (All-League); Josie Ross, soph. M (All-League Honorable Mention); no other players specified.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Kendall Munford, fr. F; Mallory Woiteshek, fr. M (6-foot-3); No other players specified.
REMAINING ROSTER: Andrea Sweet, jr. M; Emma Burns, soph. D; Emma Wilkinson, jr. D; Gillian Sorrelle, jr. M; Hannah Taylor, sr. G; Kate Hitsman, jr. F; Kendall Gillias, soph. F; Milani Wilson, fr. M/F; Mya White, jr. D; Olivia Wert, jr. D; Sophia Megna, jr. G; Taylor Gillis, fr. D; Teigan Colvin, soph. M.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Grand Haven finished around the five-hundred mark last season and in the middle of the pack in the OKC-Red. With a small senior class, the Buccaneers may have to look to its younger players for production. Grand Haven will likely more built for the future than in 2024, but one can never tell. The Buccaneers are 2-1-1 to start the season and they did post a 1-1 draw with perennial power Portage Central on April 13.
SCHOOL: Grandville
HEAD COACH: Eric Fracassi
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 8-12-1, 2-4-1 OKC-Red (sixth in regular season; sixth in conference tournament; sixth place overall with six total points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Jenison (3-0); lost in D-1 district semifinals to Holland West Ottawa (4-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Mackenzie Paul, sr. G; Sam Larsen, jr. D/M; Mia Gutierrez, sr. M (D-II prospect); Addison Holzwarth, soph. M/F; Natalie Johnson, jr. M/CB; Kendall Gray, soph. D; Ryan Mattice, sr. F (All-League Honorable Mention)
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Clare Pham, sr. G; Avery Polinskey, sr. M/F; Averee Vand Kerkoff, sr. M; Samantha Larsen, sr. D; Bella Cardenas, sr. M; Kenna Bookwalter, sr. M/F; Elara Choudhuri, sr. D; Cheyenne Klunder, sr. CB.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Lane Taylor, jr. G; Skyelar Albrecht; Rylee Sheridan;
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Last year there were only seven seniors and only two started. The Bulldogs finished under five-hundred but with a bulk of its key players back there could be more improvement on the way. Can Grandville climb back into the top half of the league where they were a mainstay a decade ago? Based on results from the opening weeks of the campaign, it’s been a mixed bag of results for the Bulldogs. They did upset state-ranked and Division 2 state-finalist East Grand Rapids and tied Byron Central, but suffered lopsided defeats by the hands of perennial power Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central and D-2 state semifinalist Plainwell. Can this team become more consistent this season or will the inconsistency continue and force the Bulldogs down the pecking order in the OKC-Red?
SCHOOL: Holland West Ottawa
HEAD COACH: Brent Wycoff
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 11-9-2, 4-2-1 OKC-Red (third in regular season; fourth in conference tournament; third place overall with 11 total points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Grandville (4-0); lost in D-1 district finals to Hudsonville (4-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Chelsea Overbeek, sr. M (All-League, All-District); Rogen McLean, sr. G (All-League, All-District); no other players specified.
REMAINING ROSTER: Sidney Kuyper, sr. G; Jasmine Bollinas, sr. D/M; Leslie Moreno, sr. M; Olivia Luhmann, jr. M; Josie Kuyers, sr. M/F; Kayden Panse, sr. M/F; Zoe Urbina, sr. M/F; Valerie Rosas, jr. M; Taryn Reimink, jr. M; Samantha Bolt, sr. M; Jillian Garcia, sr. F; Heather Cieholski, jr. M; Julia Frampton, jr. M/F; Lyndsay Neitzel, sr. D/M; Brooke Pedersen, sr. D; Ainsley Gibbs, sr. M; Elle Wheelock, sr. D/M
KEY NEWCOMERS: Monroe Nienhuis, soph. F/M; Abby Kuiper, soph. M/D; Amani Kurtie, fr. D/M; Addison Scholten, jr. M; Sydney Wilcox, jr. D/M.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: West Ottawa did crack into the D-1 Top 15 for one week last season before running into a gauntlet of tough opponents and fading to an 11-9-2 overall record. West Ottawa is 2-3-0 through April 13 to start the campaign but those losses are to Richland Gull Lake, Muskegon Mona Shores and Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern.
SCHOOL: Hudsonville
HEAD COACH: Holly VanNoord, seventh season (70-30-24)
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 19-3-2, 7-0-0 OKC-Red (first in regular season, first in conference tournament at 3-0-0; first overall with 16 total points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Muskegon Mona Shores (3-0); def. Holland West Ottawa (3-0, district finals); def. Byron Center (1-0, regional semifinals); def. Portage Central (1-0, regional finals); def. Northville (2-0, state semifinals); lost in D-1 state finals to Rochester Stoney Creek (2-1)
RETURNING STARTERS: Kendall Aikens, sr. M (All-State First Team; All-State Dream Team; Miss Soccer candidate; Grand Valley State); Reid DeGoede, sr. G (split time in 14 shutouts); Lauren Moylan, soph. M/F (All-League Honorable Mention; already being recruited by NCAA Division I schools); Lexi Armstrong, jr. M; Brooke Harmsen, sr. M/D; Adelyn Raad, sr. D; Maislin Joldersma, sr. F (All-League, 16 goals); Allyson Merrihew, sr. D.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Vaarra Hefer-Zik, jr. M; Ashley Johnson, sr. F; Gracie Beld, sr. F; Allyson Oly, sr. D; Sofia Delinck, sr. D; Nora Klein, sr. D; Campbell VandenHuevel, jr. M; Kate Albrecht, sr. D; Cadence Williams, jr. F; Hattie Chirco, sr. G.
KEY NEWCOMERS: No list submitted.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Hudsonville opened the season ranked No. 1 in the state in the coaches’ association polls – and for good reason. The Eagles return seven regular starters plus a goalkeeper that split time last season with another keeper who graduated. There are 10 others back from last year’s state runner-up team in D-1. Kendall Aikens is a legitimate Miss Soccer candidate who is a prized recruit by Grand Valley State while sophomore Lauren Moylan is a big-time NCAA Division I recruit being courted from all over the country. Maislin Joldersma scored 16 goals last season and there are a host of other quality players up and down this deep roster. Last year the Eagles outscored the opposition 71-12 with 15 shutouts and 11-2 in the postseason. Hudsonville was a D-1 regional finalist in 2022 and the D-1 state runner-up to Rochester Stoney Creek last season. Can the Eagles take the next step in 2024? The pieces to the puzzle are there but the tough regular season schedule and tough potential state tournament pathway will not be easy. Hudsonville began the season 2-0-1 with wins over D-2 state semifinalist Plainwell (4-0) and D-3 top-ranked Grand Rapids South Christian (2-0) while tying D-2 second-ranked Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (1-1).
SCHOOL: Jenison
HEAD COACH: Phil Zuber
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 4-11-4, 0-9-1 OKC-Red (tied-seventh in regular season; eighth in conference tournament; eighth place overall with 2.5 total points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-districts to Grandville (3-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Ella Chatfield, sr. M (All-League); no additional players specified.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Emmalise Bylsma, fr. D/M/F
REMAINING ROSTER: Ruby Grisco, soph. G; Mackenzie Goulette, sr. D; Jaelyn Lehti, jr. M/F; Kamryn Sweers, jr. M; Olivia Stienstra, jr. M/F; Layne Wisniewski, jr. D/M Live Holten, sr. M/F; Ella Mayering, soph. D/M; Brooke Hodges, jr. D/M; Naomi Diekman, jr. D/M; Cora Ballinger, sr. D/M; Reese Stedman, soph. M/F; Madison Wood, soph. M/F; Maylie Buist, sr. M.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: After finishing last in the OKC-Red last season, the Wildcats will continue to climb upward after a major rebuilding season. Placed in a loaded league and district, Jenison is often a victim of its surroundings as the Wildcats could likely fare better in a different league. Jenison is one of many schools that could change divisions for all sports next school year as the OKC is planning on re-alignment for the six-division mega conference of 48 schools – the largest in Michigan.
SCHOOL: Rockford
HEAD COACH: Stu Quakenbush
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 9-6-3, 4-3-0 OKC-Red (tied-fifth in regular season; seventh in conference tournament; fifth place overall with 6.5 total points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Grand Rapids Union (3-0); lost in D-1 district semifinals to Byron Center (3-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Mackenzie Blackmore, sr. D/M; Avery Rose, sr. D; Morgan Vanos, sr. M; Celeste Tracy, sr. D; Ally Devries, sr. F/M
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Audrey Muterspaugh, soph. M; Wilma Holmgren, sr. D; Kaleigh Miller, jr. D; Ryan Whitford, jr. M; Grace Young, soph. F/M.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Alexys Phillips, sr. F/M; Keaton Morris, sr. D; Paige Shepherd, fr. G; Sierra Majeski, jr. G; Amelia Chapin, fr. M; Sawyer Lenon, soph. F/M; Georgia Bosscher, soph. F; Isla Brown, soph F/M; Rylan Porter, soph. M; Abigail Battreall, soph. F/M; Laney Carlson, soph. F; Molly Simmons, soph. D; Reese Petlack, soph. D.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Last year started out with a bang, as the Rams were ranked in the top 15 in the state after winning a district in 2022 and boasting a senior-heavy team. Then the injuries started to mount. Rockford ended up fifth in a crowded OKC-Red and did not advance beyond the second round of the postseason tournament. This year’s team is a bit under the radar, but with a very good sophomore (10) and freshmen (2) class on varsity already making an impact, this team could do well this season and should be very good the next couple of years. Last year’s JV-A team finished unbeaten and scored a boatload of goals in the process and several of those young players are up in a varsity uniform this year. Last year saw Rockford post nine clean sheets and outscore its 18 foes by a 31-16 count at the varsity level. The Rams started 3-0-2 this year with a 17-2 scoring edge and three shutouts.
(MSN will compile a random sampling of game results from around the state each day. To send in results from high school varsity, club, amateur, pre-pro, semi-pro or professional soccer, email all pertinent details to Communications Specialist / Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com.)
(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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