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 Schools – Algonac, Almont, Armada, Croswell-Lexington, Imlay City, North Branch, Richmond, Yale.
ROSTER CALL
All varsity girls soccer rosters in Michigan can be emailed to stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com
SCHOOL: Algonac
HEAD COACH: Chris Viney
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 12-5-0, 10-4-0 Blue Water Area Conference (third, 30 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. St. Clair Shores South Lake (8-0); lost in D-3 district finals to Warren Regina (8-0).
RETURNING STARTERS: Jenna Dusenberry, jr. M (All-League Honorable Mention); Caroline Roland, jr. M (All-League); Melissa Brockery, sr. G; Mai Thiel, jr. D; Annie Baumgarten, soph. F.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.
KEY NEWCOMERS: No players specified.
ROSTER: No roster submitted, and no list located on the school’s athletics website or an outside source.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: The Muskrats are coming off one of their best seasons to date, which included an impressive third-place finish in the BWAC, a birth in the district finals, an 84-38 scoring edge and five shutouts. Half of that roster graduated, as the Muskrats are in a slight rebuilding mode. Algonac started 0-4-0 through April 20 and outscored 16-2 as its top two goal scorers from last season graduated.
SCHOOL: Almont
HEAD COACH: Michael Kepler
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 13-4-3, 10-1-3 Blue Water Area Conference (second, 33 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Yale (8-0); def. Richmond (5-3, district finals); lost in D-3 regional semifinals to Flint Powers Catholic (8-0).
RETURNING STARTERS: Jesse Kautz, sr. F (All-League, All-State Honorable Mention; 2022 League MVP; 84 career goals through 2023); Avery Peake, jr. CB (All-League); Sophia Griffiths, sr. M (All-District); Lola Battaglia, soph. M/F (All-League Honorable Mention; 23 goals last season); Natalia Radisavlievic, soph. M; Hannah Glassford, soph. D.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Tara Tenzca, jr. M.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Callie McCarthy, fr. F; Jillian Rienas, fr.; Anna LaBroski, fr. G; Nora Yarbrough, fr M/F Lily Longo, fr.; Maria Griffiths, fr.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Almont has not won a conference championship since 2018 despite consistently being one of the top teams in the league over the last decade and winning a district trophy last season – the sole school to do so from the BWAC. The Raiders have also won over 30-=plus games the last three years. Last year Almont outscored the opposition 73-43 with five shutouts and this year are 6-2-0 through April 20 with a 29-7 scoring edge and five more clean sheets. The Raiders have been listed as honorable mention or state-ranked in Division 3 off-and-on during the 2023 and 2024 campaigns, thanks largely to its offensive firepower. Is this the year Almont wins both league and district championships?
SCHOOL: Armada
HEAD COACH: Neal Todd
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 8-7-2, 7-6-2 Blue Water Area Conference (fourth, 23 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Otisville-LakeVille (10-3); lost in D-3 district finals to Flint Powers Catholic (8-0).
RETURNING STARTERS: Megan Barnett, jr. D(All-District); Ellie Ryzyi, jr. M/F (All-League, All-District); Evie Henry, jr.; Ashlyn Upton, jr. (All-League, All-District); Gabbie Lukowski, jr. (All-District); Maleah Shalvis, sr.; Sydney Upton, sr. M.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Ruby Amthor, jr.; Paige Ramono, jr.; Isabella Chirco, soph.; Abigail Denoyer, soph.; Genevieve Henry, jr.; Samantha Pado, sr.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Alyson Lemmert, fr.; Tessa Long, fr.; Alayna Marecki, fr.; Madelyn Phelps, fr.; Avry Sommer, fr.;
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE:
SCHOOL: Croswell-Lexington
HEAD COACH: Karl Stanbridge
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 4-15-1, 3-11-1 Blue Water Area Conference (seventh, 10 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Port Huron (3-1, 2OT, SO); list in D-2 district semifinals to St. Clair (8-0).
RETURNING STARTERS:
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Emma Adams, soph.; Samantha Allen, sr.; Kelsey Coombs, sr. M (All-League Honorable Mention); Sierra Cooper, jr.; Kayla Galbraith, sr.; Ayden McComb, sr.; Miranda Mott, jr.; Eliza Nelson, sr. G (All-League); Jaylin Schmidt, sr.; Kaylianne Suratt, jr.; Tayler Suratt, soph.; Breana Temple, jr.; Eva Thompson, jr.; Noa Gonzales, sr.; Ainara Pulido-Gonzalez, sr.; Charlotte Duda, sr.; Rosalie Pomaville, soph.; Mary-Kate Thibodeau, sr..
KEY NEWCOMERS: Breanna Hammond, soph.; Natalie Holes, fr.; Greta Pursche, sr.; Eliza Thompson, fr.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Croswell-Lexington ventured from late in the 2017 season until last year without a win and turned a corner last year with four wins. Even though the Pioneers were outscored 81-17 and blanked 10 ties, they saw huge improvements overall. This year the program started 2-3-0 and only outscored 14-6, as the Pioneers continue to climb. Eliza Nelson is one of the top goalkeepers in the BWAC despite conceding a large number of goals next to an inexperienced defense last season.
SCHOOL: Imlay City/Dryden Unified
HEAD COACH: Karl Kunz, first season.
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 7-11-1, 5-8-1 Blue Water Area Conference (fifth, 16 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Marysville (2-1, 2OT); lost in D-3 district finals to St. Clair (8-1).
RETURNING STARTERS: Wren Dennis, jr. M (All-League); Audrey Napolitano, sr. D; Caila Fitchett, soph. M (All-League Honorable Mention)
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Danielle Aguilar, fr.; Daniela Deluca, fr.; Kendal Donahue, fr. G; Melanie Galliana, fr.; Aryana Atkinson, fr.; Analley Rios, fr.
REMAINING ROSTER: Marifer Lara, soph.; Jazlyn Folino, soph.; Lakynn Alessandrini, jr.; Hannah Garnell, sr.; Lucia Calleja, sr.; Xenia Suistunov, sr.; Victoria Kluss, sr.; Jocelyn Mohler, soph.; Marisol Cardenas, soph.; Ximena Ruiz, soph. M; Kierstyn Stankevich, jr. F/M.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: New coach Karl Kunz is no stranger to the w soccer world, coaching since the late 1970s. He is trying to build back up the Spartans, who were all over the amp last season. Imlay City/Dryden scored 60 goals last season but conceded 76 and had four shutouts on the year. The team lost in the Division 3 district finals to St. Clair. The defense still needs work, as the Spartans have been outscored 30-8 as part of the team’s 3-3-0 start through April 20.
SCHOOL: North Branch
HEAD COACH: Elisabeth Loursz
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 0-17-1, 0-13-1 Blue Water Area Conference (eighth, one point)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-3 pre-districts to Marysville (3-0).
RETURNING STARTERS: No players specified.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.
REMAINING ROSTER: Evelyn Baker, jr.; Rylin Fritz, soph.; Audrie Ouellette, jr.; Emma Preston, sr.; Allison Weathers, sr.; Aubrey Fritz, jr.; Brook Wentzel, soph.; Ada Brusie, soph.; Alivia Swoish, soph.; Sophia Wilson, soph.; Addison Thom, soph.; Hannah Thomas, soph.; Valeria Manzanares, soph.; Kara Richards, soph.; Elisa Hol, sr.; Breanna Dodds, sr.; Lauren Leach, jr.; Isabella Schank, sr.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Sophia Leach, fr.; Kellcie Smith, fr.; Rachel Link, fr.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: After last season’s results, all or any improvements will be welcome. North Branch ventured through a tough rebuilding season last year, finishing dead last in the BWAC, winless, shut out 14 times and outscored 115-4. The Bronchos have already come to life this season with a 2-4-0 record through April 20 and only being outscored 23-6. The Bronchos have two more wins than last year and already scored two more goals. A bulk of the roster returned and a promising freshman class arrived. But this team is still very young with nine sophomores and three freshmen on the roster, so North Branch will continue to build through its younger players.
SCHOOL: Richmond
HEAD COACH: Steve Schuster
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 12-1-2, 12-0-2 Blue Water Area Conference (first, 38 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-3 district semifinals to Almont (5-3).
RETURNING STARTERS: Annabelle Fair, soph. F/M (All-State Honorable Mention); Elizabeth Kocher, jr. F (All-League); Kaylee Backers, sr. G (All-League Honorable Mention); Aubrie Rush, jr. F (All-League Honorable Mention); Rylie Jacques, sr. M (All-League).
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.
KEY NEWCOMERS: No players specified.
ROSTER: No list submitted, and no list located on school’s athletics website or on an outside source.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Everything fell into place for the Blue Devils until it didn’t. Richmond finished the league and regular season in 2023 unbeaten. The Blue Devils outscored the opposition by an impressive 82-18 margin with seven shutouts and was never kept off the scoreboard. Richmond’s postseason run was short-lived, as the Blue Devils were grounded by league rival Almont (5-3) in a district semifinals loss. Richmond began the season 3-1-1 through April 20 with a 21-4 scoring edge and two more clean sheets. The defending BWAC champion Blue Devils are expected to engage in the league race again this season with Almont and Armada thanks to a dynamite offensive attack and stout defense.
SCHOOL: Yale
HEAD COACH: Clifton ‘Anthony’ Martin, first season.
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 6-11-2, 4-8-2 Blue Water Area Conference (sixth, 14 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-3 pre-districts to Almont (8-0).
RETURNING STARTERS: Kimberly Martin, sr. M (All-League); no other players specified.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.
KEY NEWCOMERS: No players specified.
ROSTER: No list submitted, and no list located on school’s athletics website or on an outside source.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: After a sixth-place finish in the BWAC last season, the Bulldogs hope to climb up a few spots this season, Last year Yale was outscored 56-32 with five shutouts but was blanked seven times on the year. Through April 20 this season, Yale is 1-4-0 and outscored 19-5.
ROSTER CALL
All varsity girls soccer rosters in Michigan can be emailed to stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com
2023 ALL-BLUE WATER AREA CONFERENCE GIRLS SOCCER TEAM
Jessie Kautz, AlmontAvery Peake, AlmontKatie Cafek, AlmontNatalie Boulier, AlgonacPiper Baumgartern, AlgonacDanielle Roland, AlgonacEllie Ryzyi, ArmadaAshlyn Upton, ArmadaEliza Nelson, Croswell-LexingtonJessica Peters, Imlay CityWren Dennis, Imlay CityAmber Howell, North BranchElizabeth Kocher, RichmondAnnabelle Fair, RichmondRylee Jacques, RichmondKosette Bartels, RichmondEve Dixon, YaleKimberly Martin, Yale
HONORABLE MENTION
Taylor Garabedian, Almont
Lola Battaglia, Almont
Mia Thiel, Algonac
Jenna Dusenberry, Algonac
Kelsey Coombs, Croswell-Lexington
Sam Allen, Croswell-Lexington
Cassie Verellen, Imlay City
Laila Fitchett, Imlay City
Aubrey Fritz, North Branch
Allison Weathers, North Branch
Aubrie Rush, Richmond
Kaylee Backers, Richmond
Lucy Morris, Yale
Aieronna Keller, Yale
LEAGUE MVPJessica Peters, Imlay City
COACH OF THE YEARSteve Schuster, Richmond
(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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