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.)
Michigan Soccer Network Web and Content Editor and Director of News Dan Stickradt scouts teams 31-40 in the MSN Super 50 preseason teams to watch list. Games March 20 through April 16 were taken into consideration.
31. WALLED LAKE NORTHERN (16-3-1): Since opening its doors in 2002-03, Walled Lake Northern has regularly been a competitive bunch and last year the Knights shined in coach Mitchell Thompson’s first year at the helm. Northern won both the regular season and league tournament title in the Lakes Valley Conference before winning three games to stake claim to a Division 1 district title. In last year’s regional semifinals, the Knights gave then-state-ranked Northville everything it could handle before falling in a shootout (4-3). Seniors Kayla Budziak (D), Mia Czarnowski (D), Addison Porter (D) and Maura McClerren (M/F) and juniors Grace Vogt (M/F) and Brooklyn Zeleny (M) are all back in the starting lineup with several of these players earning All-LVC or All-District honors a year ago. Senior Addyson Keelan (M) has seen her role increase while sophomore Gabrielle Payne (G) has been a pleasant surprise in goal as a newcomer. A challenging schedule to start has the Knights sitting at 3-2-1 through April 16 with an 11-2 scoring edge but losses to state-ranked Birmingham Marian (1-0) and Milford (1-0) and a tie against Saline (0-0), a Final Four team in Division 1 last year.
32. CALEDONIA (13-5-1): This side is clearly back on the rise with six players headed to play college soccer in the future and has been resurrected in recent years under coach Sam Stearns. Last season saw the Fighting Scots win 13 games, finish second in the Ottawa Kent Conference-Red Division behind Division 1 state runner-up Hudsonville and reach the district finals. Although one key player is now on the roster at NCAA Division I University of Kansas, the talent pool is deep and has led to a 3-1-1 start through April 16 and a 9-2 scoring edge with three clean sheets. Senior Davanee Balczak (G, All-State First Team) is one of the state’s top keepers and headed to NCAA Division II power Grand Valley State. Seniors Kendall Maynard (D, All-State Honorable Mention, signed with NCAA Division II Northern Michigan), Laney Peterson (D, signed with NCAA Division I Western Michigan University), Bella Teelander (F, signed with NAIA Aquinas College), Abigail Kramer (M, signed with NAIA Olivet University) and Alexa Pearson (D, signed with NAIA Spring Arbor) and junior Josie Wilcox (M, committed to NCAA Division II Davenport University) are all players that make up a strong core of returnees. Sophomore Baylee Devries (F) is also back while freshman Averi Rosted (F) and sophomore Kortney Muller (M) lead the newcomers.
33. PLAINWELL (18-3-3): Last season was one of the best for a program used to winning. The Tigers advanced all the way to the Division 2 Final Four. Those numbers include the Wolverine Conference championship at 7-0-0, a district and regional trophy, and an 85-11 scoring edge with 15 shutouts. Some pieces to that lineup departed for the collegiate ranks but there is still plenty of talent up and down the roster. The Tigers are 4-1-1 through April 16 with four shutouts and a 24-5 difference on the scoreboard and are going after their unprecedented 11th straight Wolverine Conference title. Seniors Kayla Baar (F, All-State First Team) and Brooklyn Timpe (M) lead the charge. Seniors Emily Stoeffler (M), Evalyn Alward (M) and Cayden Henckel (D), junior Sadie Boven (M) and sophomores Alayna Eldred (F), Lily Hendershott (D), Shea Hodapp (D), Anna Schierbeek (D/M), Emma Taylor (M) and Alyssa Weldon (D/M) also return. The sole loss this year came in the opener to Hudsonville (4-0), last season’s Division 1 state runner-up.
34. ANN ARBOR PIONEER (11-6-1): After finishing fourth in the Southeastern Conference-Red Division last season, the Pioneers are hoping to slide up and challenge defending champion Saline and Ann Arbor Skyline this season behind new coach Andy Irvine. Through April 15, Pioneer has outscored its opposition 24-3 with three shutouts and posted a 5-1-0 record. The sole loss came against state-ranked Canton (3-1). Juniors Ivy Wilhelm (D/M, All-State Honorable Mention) and Georgia Wilhelm (M), seniors Lydia Behold (D/F), Daryn McDaniel (M) and Zoel Williston (D/M) and sophomore Quincy Behm (F) are returning starters. Senior Jessica Jia (D) and juniors Sadie Wilkins (F), Maya Borgsdorf (M) and Molly Burke (G) also return. There are 11 newcomers on the roster with freshmen Ava Fortini (D/M), Lucinda Gubbini (M) and Milly Sandstorm (F) vying for playing time. Last year Pioneer still outscored the opposition 64-22 with nine shutouts but graduated 11 players and lost three more to the Michigan Hawks ECNL and Nationals Girls Academy.
35. BRIGHTON (10-8-3): The Bulldogs are always competitive, even though they sometimes are lodged in a deep district and the very deep KLAA-West Division and don’t always have a championship earned along the way. Last year Brighton had some ups and downs early but won five of its final seven games where they held a 24-4 scoring edge and captured a district title with shutout wins over Holt (5-0), Hartland (3-0) and East Lansing (4-0) before falling to Grand Blanc (1-0) in the regional semifinals. So far this season through April 15, the Bulldogs are 4-2-1 with a 17-7 edge on the scoreboard. Although the top scorer from last year departed for the Michigan Jaguars Girls Academy, there is still plenty of talent to keep Brighton competitive. Junior Ella Vandemergel (M/F, All-State Honorable Mention) and junior Olivia Sebestyen (M, All-State Honorable Mention) are coming off great years which saw them land high postseason honors. Seniors Anna VanKannel (F), Irene Kiilunen (D) and Ainsley Seiter (M/D), junior Naomi Bongero (D) and sophomores Brynn Bobby (F/M) and Maya Bjedov (D/F) all earned various postseason accolades and are returning starters. Seniors Emily Kramer (M, injured at the start of last year), Cameron Eberly (D) and Isobel Block (D) and junior Elaina Vandemergel (M) also return, while freshmen Addison Elliott (M) and Anna Brown-Nall (G) are key newcomers.
36. ROCHESTER STONEY CREEK (26-1-1): This may seem a little low for the defending Division 1 state champions who have been a staple in the preseason Top 50 for the last decade-plus. But few teams in Michgan graduated 15 players and nine starters from the roster like the Cougars. This team is much younger, but the cupboard is far from bare. Seniors Sarina Shaw (M) and Olivia Lombardo (M) both started last season, while senior Lauren Palmer (M/F) added some scoring punch off the bench and senior Kaitlyn Krier (F) suffered a season-ending knee injury early last season. Seniors Lily Stickney (M), Angie Toma (M/F, signed with NCAA Division III Adrian College) and Tigi Maio (CB) also have experience. Senior Alyssa Welker (D) missed last season with an injury and sophomore Jessica Kennedy served as the understudy in goal but should get significant more playing time this year. Junior Gianna Kay (D/M) sat out last season after transferring from Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, and both senior Erin Rice (G/M) and junior Delaney Batur (D/M/F) spent last season playing with Nationals Girls Academy in their age groups. There are several other newcomers gaining valuable minutes playing a difficult schedule for the Cougars, who started 2-2-2 with a 9-7 scoring edge.
37. BLOOMFIELD HILLS (9-5-1): Two years ago as a state-ranked team coming out of the loaded Oakland Activities Association Red Division, the Blackhawks only lost three games that season and put it all together for the Division 1 state championship run. There is a handful of holdovers from that squad and three that will play at NCAA Division I institutions in the future. Jenica Opdahl (G, All-State Honorable Mention) is headed for the Air Force, senior Tess Wright (D/M) will play at Indiana State and junior Emma Henry (M, All-State Third Team) is committed to the University of Detroit-Mercy. Senior Ava Duquette (M/F) and juniors Sophia Spano (M/F), Elaina Perrotta (D/M), Lauren Cuson (D) and Chloe Salo (F) are also returning starters. Juniors Lily Ehmann (M) and Lauren Barocky, (M/F) have seen increased roles, while freshman Olivia Carlson (F) is part of a promising group of newcomers. Through April 15, Bloomfield Hills is 2-3-0 but owns two shutouts and a 5-4 scoring edge.
38. ROMEO (14-4-5): This program’s rise over the last decade has been noteworthy. The Bulldogs went from the middle-of-the-pack in the Macomb Area Conference-Blue Division to the White Division and to the Red Division a couple of years ago. Three years ago, Romeo captured its first-ever district trophy and won one of the state’s deepest Division 1 districts. Coming off a season where they won 14 games and finished second in the MAC-Red Division, Romeo should still be dangerous and has several players signed to play in college. Seniors Ava Kelley (M, signed with NCAA Division II Saginaw Valley State), Addison Ayris (CB, signed with NCAA Division I University of Detroit-Mercy), Annelise Frank (CB, signed with NAIA Rochester University), Clare Carody (M), Jillian Wilkinson (F, signed with Rochester University) and Lydia Hill (F) are all well-seasoned players and returning starters. Senior Ava Blomquist (F) played with the Nationals Girls Academy last season, and freshmen Lexi Meier (F) and Allison Szalewicz (M) have stepped right into a potent lineup. Romeo has played a tough non-conference schedule through April 15 and began 1-3-1 but is expected to be one of the top teams in Macomb County and the MAC-Red Division.
39. STEVENSVILLE-LAKESHORE (10-4-2): Last season the Lancers were in and out of the top 15 in Division 2 before being ousted in the district semifinals to Plainwell, which reached the Final Four. This season Lakeshore is inside the top-15 and 4-1-0 through April 15 with the only loss coming against defending Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference champion and Division 1 Portage Central (2-0). The Lancers own a 17-5 scoring edge thus far with one shutout. Juniors Emily Lockman (CB/F, All-State Honorable Mention), Preslee Perkins (F/M), Megan Wurster and senior Abby Hoss (D) all earned postseason honors of various sorts last season, while junior Jennah White (D/M) and seniors McKenna Keim (M) and Sophie DeLaForet (G) are also returning starters. Sophomore Hannah Reusser (M/D), junior Mia Bradley (F), seniors Kassidy Jackson (M/F) and Makena Mihalik (M) and sophomore Ailee Sustrich (F) have all aided the cause.
40. MIDLAND (15-5-1): The Chemics will drop down to Division 2 enrollment-wise this year but they are still a very good side who will be one of the top teams in the Saginaw Valley League this season – a league that is much deeper than in recent years. This team tied for fourth place in the SVL last season. In the Division 1 state tournament last year, Midland upended rival Midland Dow 2-1 in a shootout in the district finals before falling in the regional semifinals to state powerhouse Portage Central (1-0), another game that reached a shootout. There’s plenty of returning talent, led by juniors Lizzy Streibel (M) and Theresa Wilk (M), both who earned All-League status last year. Seniors Kennedy Thurlow (M), Marianna Etienne (D) and Paige Freed (D) and juniors Sydney Fulcher (F), Niobe Marchalant (G), Ellary Laverty (F/D) and Morgan Ludwig (D/F) are also returning starters. Seniors Brianna Gilmore (D), Coco Hurtubise (D), Kennedy Eyre (M) and Madalynn Emeott (M), juniors Ashley Sterling (D), Alahna Beckett (M/F) and Claire Carpenter (F) and sophomore Ava Kontranowski (M) are seeing increased playing time. The Chemics started the season 2-1-1 with one clean sheet and an 11-6 edge on the scoreboard.
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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