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.)
SUPER 50 POSITIONS 21-30
Michigan Soccer Network Web and Content Editor and Director of News Dan Stickradt scouts teams 21-30 in our Super 50 preseason teams watch list. Games March 20 through April 16 were taken into consideration.
21. RICHLAND-GULL LAKE (12-6-1): Coach Jeff Corstange returns to his former position at Gull Lake where he captured three D-2 state titles from 2013-2015. Not to mention he guided the Blue Devils boys soccer team to a state title in 2022. No surprise of the 4-0-0 start through April 15 where the Blue Devils have chalked up an offense that holds a 16-1 edge and a stout defense with three clean sheets. This team will compete for the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference title. Lilah Smith (D/M, All-State Second Team) is one of the state’s top juniors who has already committed to NCAA Division I University of Toledo. Junior classmate Taygan Corstange (F, All-State Honorable Mention) is a two-sport standout who recently committed to NCAA Division I Wright State for volleyball. Seniors Maggie Westra (M) and Kendall Wank (D) and sophomore Bella Carr (G) also earned some postseason honors last season. Junior Madielyn Smith (M) and sophomore Charlye Reiner (M) have moved into starting roles and sophomores Ali Bates (F), Maya Murphy (M) and Kamryn Kruger (M) and the freshman trio of Kenadie Schumann (D), Tessa Cothron (F) and Caroline Clancy (F) are part of a very promising cast of newbies.
22. BYRON CENTER (14-4-4): Still unranked in Division 1 as of April 16, legendary coach John Conlon has this team humming along to a 3-1-1 start through April 16. That includes a 11-3 edge on the scoreboard and two shutouts. Senior Claire VanZanten (F, All-State Honorable Mention) is a Dream Team candidate, while seniors McKenna Lang (M/F) and Addison Alexander (M/F) and juniors Jordan Kearns (M/D), Emily Wray (D) and Kayla Roussey (M) also return. Freshmen Ella Leyendecker (F), Katelin Leifer (G) and Leah Willey (F), seniors Bella Teller (G), Lauren Van Hooren (F) and Makenna Lance (F) and juniors Jordyn Zimmer (D), Lily Gould (M), Addison Gilpin (D) and Melanie Brougham (D) are all contributing. Last season the Bulldogs won a district championship in Division 1 while in 2021 they reached the Division 2 Final Four as a program.
23. EAST GRAND RAPIDS (18-3-3): East Grand Rapids made a great comeback in 2023, making its first run to the Division 2 state championship game since 2009. The Pioneers held a 74-22 scoring edge with 10 shutouts and once again are a top-15 school in the Division 2 rankings and one of five quality teams in the OKC-White Division. In 2024, East Grand Rapids started 4-2-0 through April 15 with three shutouts while outscoring the opposition 21-4. The Lynn twins, sophomores Gracie Lynn (M) and Reese Lynn (M) combined for 42 goals last season and are future NCAA Division I players. Juniors Brecken Grashuis (CB), Jori Mehney (CB), Hendrika Maher (F), Avery Leete (F) and Mollie Brandstadt (M/F) and sophomore Caitlin Brown (D) also return to the starting lineup. Seniors Kersten Sykes (F), Anna Kelsch (D) and Samantha Peot (M) and juniors Priya Patra (F), Jemma Doublestein (D), Keila Gort (F) and Addison Behler (D) also return to the experienced roster.
24. NORTHVILLE (18-1-4): The two-time defending KLAA-West Division champs reached the Division 1 state finals in 2022 and the Final Four in 2023. Last season’s run included 14 shutouts and an impressive 51-13 scoring differential coming out of one of the state’s toughest leagues. So the Mustangs’ 2-4-1 start is somewhat stunning. Northville still holds a 12-11 scoring edge with three shutouts through April 16, but has been plagued by inconsistency. Part of the problem has been that seven players gradated, another went to play ECNL and another All-State player opted not to return. Seniors Helena McLellan (M, All-State First Team), Natalia Leavens (M), Katie Gonzales (M), Avery Peters (D) and Caroline Meloche (D) and juniors Simran Magnan (G, All-State Second Team) were all represented on the All-KLAA team last season and form this year’s absence. Senior Kailyn Morrison (M/F, All-State Second Team, Miami-Ohio) is not rostered this season for undisclosed reasons.
Seniors Hannah Park (D), Addison Raffle (D), Angelina Kardadimas (D), Whitney Males (D), Cecelia Finkbeiner (CB) and Sydney Pedrosi (M/F), junior Ava Unger (M/F) and sophomore Julianna Bohlen (F/M) also have varsity experience. The Mustangs are in the middle of the pack in a loaded KLAA-West but still have time to right the ship.
25. BELLEVILLE (17-3-0): Two years ago Belleville made a surprise run to the Division 1 regional finals. Now there are no more surprises from the Tigers. Belleville captured its first KLAA-East Division crown last season before bowing out to power Ann Arbor Skyline in a deep district. That campaign saw the Tigers post a 92-16 scoring edge with 12 shutouts and despite being younger this year are off to a 6-0-0 start through April 15 with four more shutouts and a 19-2 scoring edge. Senior Olivia McCluskey (D), juniors Chloe Abney (M), Mackenzie Simpson (F) and Addison Tulik (G) and sophomores Claire Davis (D) and Kayle Rupnow (M) all earned either All-League or All-League Honorable mention in the KLAA. Juniors Payton Mathis (D) and Aubrey Adcock (M) have seen increased roles. Seniors Brooke Hickman (M), Avery Batchelder () and Molly Parsons (F), junior Megan Roth (D) and freshmen Audrey Volk (M) and Sydney Lasenby (F) have all joined the fold.
26. OXFORD (12-5-3): The defending OAA White Division champion Wildcats were promoted to the OAA-Red Division this season and are much better than their 3-3-0 through April 15 record indicates. Senior Ella Boyd (F, All-State Honorable Mention, signed with NCAA Division II Northwood University) and senior keeper Korinne Ihrke (All-State Honorable Mention; signed with NCAA Division II Ferris State University) give the team two future college players. Sophomore Maddy Boyd (F) and juniors Sam Zeiter (D) and Ryan Walters (F) also return with each of them earning various types of postseason honors last year. Senior Maggie Casper (D), juniors Anna Terenzi (F), Allison Hufstedler (D/M) and Amelia Brown (M) and sophomore Sierra Owens (D) also return for Oxford. Freshmen Addison Dahkle (M/F) and Olivia Smith (M), sophomore Avery London (D/M), juniors Piper Boyt (M/F), Vivian Cruz (F) and Camryn Budzik (F) and senior Ava Bailey (M) have also gained plenty of playing time. Oxford was snakebit last season when Ihrke was hurt in warmups just minutes before its district semifinals clash last season with Clarkston and the Wildcats didn’t have a seasoned backup.
27. CLARKSTON (12-10-0): After a rough season-opening loss to Rochester Adams, Clarkston has rebounded nicely with some key wins over quality programs. There are several players on the roster who will suit up in college next year. Senior Emma Bradley (M, NCAA Division II Saginaw Valley State) Macie Moscovic (D/M, NAIA Baldwin-Wallace College), Ava Tereau (F/M, originally committed to NCAA Division I Delaware State) and Avery Perkins (M/F), who played ECNL last season and originally committed but has since reopened her recruiting. Junior McKinlee Brumm (D, NAIA or Division III recruit) and seniors Kennedy Mareches (D, NAIA or Division III recruit), Izzy Shaw (G) and Nicole Lemker (D/F) are also returning starters. Sophomore Emilia Cantinella (12 goals as freshman), junior Lana Sloan (M, Division I and Division II recruit), who played with Nationals GA last season, and freshmen Alexa Knights (F) and Natalie Mora-Garcia (M/F) are amongst the contributors on a deep team. Clarkston is 5-1-1 through April 15, outscoring the opposition 18-11.
28. SPRING LAKE (17-3-2): 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 seams 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 up last season’s league runner-up (OKC-Blue Division) and district championship where the Lakers outscored its 22 foes 79-25 with 10 shutouts. Seniors Clara Saunders (M, All-State First Team), Jessica Stewart (G, All-State Second Team), Ella Andree (M, All-State Second Team, NAIA St. Mary’s College), Brooke Bolthouse (D, All-State Honorable Mention), Kylie Shelton (M) and Ella Rabideau (D) all found their way onto the All-OKC-Blue Division list. Seniors Kiele Stephenson (M/D) and Clara Howe (F/M), junior Lauren Nicles (D) and sophomore Lucia Folkert (D) also start. Freshman Aveya Patino (F) has helped on the attack. Spring Lake is one of the many D-2 programs in the Grand Rapids/Muskegon area capable of making a long tournament run this season.
29. MILFORD (11-3-3): Milford opened up the 2023 season with five shutouts and ended up with one of its best seasons in school history. The Mavericks won 11 games, finished second in the Lakes Valley Conference and outscored the opposition 57-11 with 11 shutouts. Milford was upset in the district semifinals to end its season. The bad news for opposing teams is that most of that roster is intact. So far in 2024, Milford opened 4-1-0 through April 16 with a 22-4 scoring edge and three clean sheets. Seniors Riley Mitchell (F), Brynn Dudley (D), Rylee Felton (M, University of Cincinnati), Allison Hooks (D, University of Miami-Ohio) and Ava Warner (F) all earned All-LVC honors last season. Seniors Tessa Wilson (D), Allison Deep (D) and Leah Giese (F) also are returning starters, as are sophomores Camryn Bladzik (M), Lauren Bradley (F) and Lindsey Mitchell (D). Amongst the newbies are freshmen Taylor Vogel (D) and Ani Linson (M). Can the Mavericks win a conference or district title this year or maybe more?
30. MATTAWAN (12-5-1): Last year’s Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference champions are reloading slightly but are off to a 3-1-0 start with a 22-3 edge on the scoreboard. That is preceded by last year’s campaign which saw eight shutouts and a 62-20 scoring differential. Sophomore Cassidy Parmalee (F) will step up into the lead role on offense with juniors Ella Hanley (M), Ava White (M/F), Emma Glenn (D) and sophomore Amara Torrey (G) also returning starters. Senior Madeline Schneider, (D), juniors Elise Bibart (G/D), Courtney Cutler (F), Molly Grassl (D), Ella Hanley (M) and Kearsten Schultz (D/M) along with sophomore Savannha Waterlander (M/F) have seen their roles and playing time increase. Freshman Anna Hoogerheide (M/F) is one of 10 newcomers trying to make a name for themselves.
THE MOST IN STATE TOURNAMENT HISTORY--GIRLS SOCCER
(1983-2003)
Compiled by MSN’s Dan Stickradt
Note: An asterisk* denotes a school that no longer exists..
MOST MHSAA STATE TITLES:
12 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley
11 – Hudsonville Unity Christian
9 – Birmingham Marian
7 – Novi
6 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day
5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
5 – Kalamazoo Christian
5 – Livonia Stevenson
4 – Grandville Calvin Christian
4 – Richland Gull Lake
4 – Troy Athens
3 – East Grand Rapids
3 – Flint Powers Catholic
3 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep
3 – Northville
3 – Plymouth Canton
3 – Troy
2 – Grand Rapids South Christian
2 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett
2 – Lansing Christian
2 – Okemos
2 – Portage Central
2 – Rochester Adams
2 – Rochester Stoney Creek
2 – Royal Oak Shrine Catholic
1 – Ann Arbor Greenhills
1 – Ann Arbor Huron
1 – Birmingham Groves
1 – Birmingham Seaholm
1 – Bloomfield Hills
1 – Clawson
1 – Dearborn
1 – Grosse Pointe North
1 – Hartland
1 – Livonia Churchill
1 – North Muskegon
1 – Plainwell
1 – Plymouth Salem
1 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
1 – Saginaw Eisenhower*
1 – Saginaw Heritage
1 – Saline
1 – Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-Clarkston Everest Unified
1 – Williamston
MOST MHSAA STATE FINALS APPEARANCES:
17 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley
15 – Hudsonville Unity Christian
13 – Birmingham Marian
11 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day
9 – Flint Powers Catholic
9 – Kalamazoo Christian
8 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep
8 – Richland Gull Lake
7 – Livonia Stevenson
7 – Novi
7 – Plymouth Canton
7 – Troy
7 – Troy Athens
6 – East Grand Rapids
6 – Northville
6 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
5 – Plainwell
5 – Brighton
5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
4 – Ann Arbor Greenhills
4 – Grand Blanc
4 – Grandville Calvin Christian
4 – Lansing Christian
4 – Rochester Adams
4 – Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-Clarkston Everest Unified
3 – Bloomfield Hills Lahser*
3 – Livonia Churchill
3 – Okemos
3 – Portage Central
3 – Rochester Stoney Creek
3 – Royal Oak Shrine Catholic
3 – Williamston
2 – Freeland
2 – Grand Rapids South Christian
2 – Grosse Pointe North
2 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett
2 – Plymouth
2 – Plymouth Salem
2 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
2 – Saginaw Eisenhower*
2 – Utica Eisenhower
1 – Ann Arbor Huron
1 – Birmingham Groves
1 – Birmingham Seaholm
1 – Bloomfield Hills
1 – Boyne City
1 – Clarkston Everest Collegiate-Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Unified
1 – Clawson
1 – Dearborn
1 – Essexville-Garber
1 – Fenton
1 – Grandville
1 – Grosse Ile
1 – Harbor Springs
1 – Hartland
1 – Hudsonville
1 – Jackson Lumen Christi
1 – Livonia Ladywood*
1 – Montrose
1 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian
1 – North Muskegon
1 – Portage Northern
1 – Rochester
1 – Saginaw Heritage
1 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic
1 – Saline
1 – Spring Lake
1 – Stevensville-Lakeshore
MOST MHSAA STATE RUNNERS-UP FINISHES:
6 – Flint Powers Catholic
5 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day
5 – Brighton
5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
5 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep
5 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley
4 – Birmingham Marian
4 – Grand Blanc
4 – Hudsonville Unity Christian
4 – Kalamazoo Christian
4 – Plainwell
4 – Plymouth Canton
4 – Richland Gull Lake
4 – Troy
3 – Ann Arbor Greenhills
3 – Bloomfield Hills Lahser*
3 – Northville
3 – Troy Athens
3 – Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-Clarkston Everest Unified
2 – East Grand Rapids
2 – Freeland
2 – Lansing Christian
2 – Livonia Churchill
2 – Livonia Stevenson
2 – Plymouth
2 – Rochester Adams
2 – Utica Eisenhower
2 – Williamston
1 – Boyne City
1 – Clarkston Everest Collegiate-Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Unified
1 – East Grand Rapids
1 – Essexville-Garber
1 – Fenton
1 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
1 – Grandville
1 – Grosse Ile
1 – Grosse Pointe North
1 – Harbor Springs
1 – Hudsonville
1 – Jackson Lumen Christi
1 – Livonia Ladywood*
1 – Montrose
1 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian
1 – Okemos
1 – Plymouth Salem
1 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
1 – Portage Central
1 – Portage Northern
1 – Royal Oak Shrine Catholic
1 – Rochester
1 – Rochester Stoney Creek
1 – Saginaw Eisenhower*
1 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic
1 – Spring Lake
1 – Stevensville-Lakeshore
MOST MHSAA STATE RUNNERS-UP FINISHES WITHOUT A STATE TITLE:
5 – Brighton
5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
4 – Grand Blanc
2 – Freeland
2 – Utica Eisenhower
1 – Boyne City
1 – Clarkston Everest Collegiate-Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Unified
1 – Essexville-Garber
1 – Fenton
1 – Grandville
1 – Grosse Ile
1 – Grosse Pointe North
1 – Harbor Springs
1 – Hudsonville
1 – Jackson Lumen Christi
1 – Livonia Ladywood*
1 – Montrose
1 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian
1 – Portage Northern
1 – Rochester
1 – Saginaw Eisenhower*
1 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic
1 – Spring Lake
1 – Stevensville-Lakeshore
MHSAA STATE SEMIFINALS LOSSES:
9 – Flint Powers Catholic
8 – Troy
7 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day
6 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
6 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian
6 – Plainwell
6 – Portage Central
6 – Rochester Adams
5 – Brighton
5 – DeWitt
5 – Holland Christian
5 – North Muskegon
5 – Northville
5 – Portage Northern
5 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic
4 – Dexter
4 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett
4 – Harper Woods Regina / Warren Regina
4 – Hudsonville Unity Christian
4 – Jackson Lumen Christi
4 – Kalamazoo Christian
4 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley
4 – Richland-Gull Lake
4 – Rochester
4 – Suttons Bay
3 – Birmingham Marian
3 – Frankenmuth
3 – Freeland
3 – Grosse Pointe South
3 – Lansing Christian
3 – Livonia Ladywood*
3 – Midland Dow
3 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
3 – Trenton
3 – Utica Ford II
2 – Ann Arbor Greenhills
2 – Bad Axe
2 – Dearborn
2 – Elk Rapids
2 – Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port-Laker
2 – Fenton
2 – Fremont
2 – Grand Rapids Catholic Central
2 – Grand Rapids Christian
2 – Grandville Calvin Christian
2 – Grosse Pointe North
2 – Harbor Springs
2 – Kalamazoo Central
2 – Linden
2 – Livonia Stevenson
2 – Macomb Lutheran North
2 – Midland
2 – Novi
2 – Saginaw Eisenhower*
2 – Saline
2 – Troy Athens
2 – Utica Eisenhower
2 – Williamston
1 – Ann Arbor Huron
1 – Ann Arbor Pioneer
1 – Ann Arbor Skyline
1 – Birmingham Seaholm
1 – Boyne City
1 – Byron Center
1 – Charlevoix
1 – Chelsea
1 – Clawson
1 – Dearborn Divine Child
1 – East Kentwood
1 – East Lansing
1 – Farmington
1 – Farmington Hills Mercy
1 – Flushing
1 – Grand Blanc
1 – Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian
1 – Grosse Ile
1 – Hart
1 – Haslett
1 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep
1 – Kalamazoo Loy-Norrix
1 – Lapeer East*
1 – Lake Fenton
1 – Livonia Churchill
1 – Ludington
1 – Madison Heights Lamphere
1 – Maple City Glen Lake
1 – Marine City Cardinal Mooney
1 – Marshall
1 – Mattawan
1 – Muskegon Catholic Central
1 – Muskegon Oakridge
1 – Muskegon Orchard View
1 – Okemos
1 – Paw Paw
1 – Plymouth Canton
1 – Royal Oak Kimball*
1 – Saginaw Heritage
1 – St. Clair Shores South Lake
1 – Spring Lake
MOST MHSAA FINAL FOUR APPEARANCES:
(Combined state championship, state runners-ups and Final Four losses)
21 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley
19 – Hudsonville Unity Christian
18 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day
18 – Flint Powers Catholic
16 – Birmingham Marian
15 – Troy
13 – Kalamazoo Christian
12 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
12 – Richland Gull Lake
11 – Northville
11 – Plainwell
10 – Brighton
10 – Rochester Adams
9 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep
9 – Livonia Stevenson
9 – Novi
9 – Portage Central
9 – Troy Athens
8 – Plymouth Canton
7 – Lansing Christian
7 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian
6 – Ann Arbor Greenhills
6 – East Grand Rapids
6 – Grandville Calvin Christian
6 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett
6 – North Muskegon
6 – Portage Northern
6 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic
(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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