(Have photos to go with this story? Email pics to Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com and dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and also list photo credit as well.)
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
BY DAN STICKRADT
WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS
Michigan Soccer Network | Premier Media Group and affiliates
BUSINESS LINE: (248) 525-2349
CELL PHONE: (248) 884-1051
TW/X: @msn_stickradt @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
NORTHVILLE, Mich. – Strange but true.
Northville has hoisted some championship trophies of various kinds over the years The school has been blessed with a lot of talent since launching its soccer program in the early 1980s. Divisional, conference tournaments, district, regional even weekend tournaments hardware has been earned and hoisted.
That’s what to be expected from a powerhouse program.
Except.
The Mustangs have never won the grand prize on the final weekend of the season. Sure, Northville has played during the final week of the season, but never on the season’s final day. It’s true.
“We’re hoping that this is the year,” admitted Henry Klimes, the veteran presence on the sideline since 1990 who has coached many fine teams and has seen a boatload of college players jog out onto the pitch donning the Northville jersey.
Sitting in sprawling western Wayne County and just south of the border of Oakland County in a hotbed for soccer talent, Northville is lucky. There is a multitude of high-level club teams in that region of the state and virtually all of the Mustangs play for one of those clubs a great portion of the year.
Still, Northville has not had the best of luck in the Class A or Division 1 state tournament over the last 40-plus years. Even recently, the Mustangs lost in the state semifinals in both 2021 and 2023. The latter was a heartbreaking double overtime loss to Troy Athens (3-2) in last year’s Division 1 Final Four. Athens went on to defeat KLAA-West rival Brighton in the state finals.
Three years ago, the Mustangs lost in the state semifinals to eventual state champion Okemos, 1-0.
“Those are always tough,” admitted Klimes. “We had really good seasons both of those years, which were two of our best years, honestly. Last year we felt we had all of the pieces to the puzzle, but we just came up short to a very good program. The same thing in 2021. We lost to Okemos and they had (the Mr. Soccer) and are always a great program.”
Northville has won three state titles in girls soccer, those coming in 1984, 2004 and 2014, and have finished as the state runner-up in 2006 and 2022. The boys soccer program at Northville surprisingly has not been invited to the final party of the season since the MHSAA first took over the sport in 1982.
In boys soccer, numerous schools to all sides of Northville have played in state title games and walked one of the state’s away with some serious hardware. Since Klimes became head coach at Northville some 34 years ago, the Mustangs have watched the like of Novi, Novi Detroit Catholic Central, Livonia Stevenson, Canton, Ann Arbor Skyline all win titles as schools within close distance to Northville. Even Walled Lake Central, Salem, Plymouth and a few others have played in a state title game.
Just to the north in talent-rich Oakland County, more than a dozen schools in that area have claimed crowns in one for the state’s divisions. But again, not Northville.
Could this be the year that the Mustangs break the hex?
It’s understandable that Northville is the Michigan Soccer Network’s top-ranked team overall in its preseason Super 50 list. The Mustangs are again loaded and have high expectations and have been ranked in the top two all season long in the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association Division 1 rankings. But will they find the right magic, the right mojo, get the right bounces or find a little bit of luck over the next few months?
Northville is not the only powerhouse program’s in the Division 1 rankings or listed as honorable mention that have yet to win a MHSAA state crown since the MHSAA adopted the sport back in 1982. Portage Central, Oxford, Berkley, Grand Blanc, Plymouth, Dearborn Edsel Ford, Hudsonville, Byron Center, Saline, Utica Eisenhower, Clarkston, and a host of other D-1 schools that have been ranked at times this year have never won a state title. Some of these schools have been to at least one state finals match or been to the Final Four or regional finals in their respective pasts. But never been able to stand on top of the pyramid at the end of the season.
Klimes hopes he has the right ingredients to make another go at it in 2024.
As one of the school’s playing every single game with a target on its back, Northville has lived up to its billing as a top-tier team this season. Through Sept. 17, the Mustangs are 8-0-2 overall and 7-0-2 in the loaded Kensington Valley Activities Association-West Division. Northville has recorded five shutouts playing a difficult schedule and have outscored the opposition 35-7 overall and 31-5 in KLAA-West games.
State-ranked Plymouth and KLAA-East member Livonia Stevenson have been able to score two goals on the Mustangs’ stingy defense, with Northville defeating Stevenson 4-2 on Sept. 6 and Plymouth earning a draw with the Mustangs with a 2-2 stalemate on Sept. 14. Novi, Howell and Salem all scored single goals against Northville in games played through Sept. 17.
With 16 players back in uniform from last year’s Final Four squad, there’s plenty of reasons to Northville’s dominance. Last year, the Mustangs outscored its opposition 78-20 overall and 19-7 in the state tournament. They finished 19-3-2 overall despite very challenging schedule and even recorded 11 clean sheets.
Seniors Alex McCallum (All-League First Team, All-State Second Team) and Haithem Al-Zoubi (All-League First Team) form one of the state’s most deadliest 1-2 punches on the attack, while senior Gabe Rivera (M, All-League First Team) is another capable target or facilitator. McCallum is a big physical hockey player who is hard to knock off the ball, while running-mate Al-Zoubi is more of a crafty-type player on the attack. Senior Nate Ewasek (M) has seen an increased role, as has senior Jahen Roach (M) and senior newcomer Liam Rodriguez (M). Senior Collin Seargent (D, All-League First Team) is a third-year starting player on the backline, but an ankle injury during the second game of the season has shelved the talented defensive stalwart until October at the earliest.
Seniors Ryan Asfari (D) and Nick Wilson (D) and juniors Jack Eisman (D) and Thomas Slater (D) all have varsity and high club experience playing along the backline and have pinched in in Seargent’s absence.
Seniors Zach Pfeiffer (All-League First Team) and Vedanth Pochhareddy and junior Daniel Shen are all quality goalkeepers and will serve as the final line of defense. Pfieffer started many of the tournament games last season.
The Mustangs appear to be deep with many of the players on the roster gaining minutes during the opening month of the season. Seniors Kayden Bobel (F), Zane Khraizat (M), Chris Kou (M) and Josh Lee (M) and juniors Joshwin George (F), Henry Kutz (D), Lucas Rhee (M), Lucas Tanaskoski (M) and Aidan Dauti (D) have provided some depth.
With a tough schedule and with the fact that every team suffers injuries, anything can happen between now and the state tournament – and anything can happen to anyone during the postseason. Sometimes, one simply play is all that is need to survive and advance or pack up at go home.
“We do have a lot of talent on this team, but I’ve been around long enough to know that doesn’t always mean all that much once you get to the tournament. There’s so many factors (to making a run),” noted Klimes. “There’s a lot of very good teams out there, and unfortunately, a lot of those schools are in the same (few) districts. We’ve had some very good teams over the years that didn’t win our district. There’s always multiple schools in our area capable of winning a district and go far (into the tournament).”
Right now, Northville is concentrating on repeating in the talent-laden KLAA-West Division and then perhaps playing either Livonia Stevenson, Dearborn Fordson, Dearborn or Livonia Churchill in the KLAA conference championship match. Northville has a couple-game lead on Plymouth and Salem in the KLAA-West standings with some separation from the other five schools. The Mustangs control their own destiny in the league before gearing up for another potential deep tournament run.
“I knew we had a lot of players who can finish and we’ve been able to score a lot of goals,” said Klimes. “On the defensive end, we lost Collin Seargent to an injury early in the season. Collin has been up on varsity with us since he was a sophomore and was scheduled to be our (anchor) back there before he got hurt. The earliest he will be back is in October if he is even able to come back. We don’t know. We’ve had to move a few people around and have asked for some other guys to step up. We have some good depth on this team and here’s an instance where we’ve asked some other guys to slide in there. So far, they’ve done a good job.”
So far the entire Northville roster has done a good job. Will it serve the Mustangs well in the postseason enough to help deliver them to the promise land?
Stay tuned. The state tournament is less than a month away.)
(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 and dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com or submit information right on the correct link on the MSN website at https://www.michigansoccernetwork.com/reportascore. Please submit the competing teams, location and date of game, final score, overall and league records, goals, assists, goalkeepers and saves, standout defenders, players of the match, and any other pertinent details of the game. If there are courtesy action photos available, feel free to submit them at the above-listed emails.)
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
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(Have photos to go with this story? Email pics to Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com and dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and also list photo credit as well.)
BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 41-50: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/boys-soccer-super-50-teams-positions-41-50
BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 31-40: https://www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/boys-soccer-msn-super-50-teams-positions-31-40
BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 21-30: BOYS SOCCER: MSN Super 50 Teams Positions 21-30:
BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 11-20:
BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 1-10:
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(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 involving teams, players or coaches with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or call 248-884-1051 or 248-525-2349. 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 and jonathan@thepremiermediagrp.com.)
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(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 involving teams, players or coaches with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or call 248-884-1051 or 248-525-2349. 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 and jonathan@thepremiermediagrp.com.)
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Michigan-based Premier Media Group is expanding ... don't miss out on coverage
SHELBY TWP., Mich. – The Premier Media Group is expanding its broadcast net.
And we want you.
The Michigan-based PMG, founded in 2022, its flagship production the Michigan Soccer Network and all other affiliates, is actively scheduling games in a wide variety of high school leagues and conferences, small colleges, amateur, pre-professional, youth club, and other avenues of the beautiful game in Michigan.
The schedule for the fall semester is starting to fill up across Michigan.
The daily connections are being made and the spreading of our brand has brought in great reviews.
Would the coaches, administration, student-athletes, players and fans like for us to broadcast a game near you?
Regardless of the now-popular remote broadcast games, on-location broadcast games, on-location shows or in-studio daily shows, there is a simple process. Visit the website www.michigansoccernetwork.com or click below for details.
PMG will also be holding various “Win A Free Broadcast” contest at various parts of the fall, winter (indoor) and spring seasons.
"(Michigan Soccer Network) has does a great job making these kids feel special,” offered Michal Hatfield, girls soccer coach at Trenton High School who also coaches in the Detroit City FC youth club system. “The broadcasts were professionally done and we were very pleased when they did our games. They did a great job with (play-by-play), graphics and postgame interviews with the kids. And a lot of people saw it. We had uncles and aunts that have never seen their nieces play get a chance to watch them on YouTube). And all of the kids were able to jump on there (the YouTube channel) afterwards and watch the game.”
The MSN staff had the pleasure of broadcasting multiple games the last two school years for schools in the Oakland Activities Association and have received its fair share of feedback. The goal is to conduct broadcasts of games throughout the state of Michigan, especially in the larger populated regions.
“MSN has done a great job with broadcasts in our league (Macomb Area Conference),” said Trevor Foster, current head coach of the Romeo girls soccer program, goalkeepers coach for Oakland University’s soccer programs, and director at the Michigan Goalkeepers Academy. “I know the girls love it. And I know some of the parents were putting their earphones on and listening to the game when they were (in the stands) and it gives relatives a chance to watch games that they normally wouldn’t be able to.
“It’s as close to professional (broadcast) as any broadcast of high school soccer that you will see out there,” added Foster. “Plus, they do all types of (amateur and pre-professional) leagues out there (in Michigan).”
“We were very pleased, especially with the knowledge of high school soccer in the state of Michigan from the play-by-play announcers and color commentators,” said Todd Heugh, the current director of athletics at Troy Athens High School and a former coach at the school. “They put together a valuable (product) and the games are live on YouTube for everyone to watch, even if you are (a relative or an alumni) not in the area. I know coaches go on there (YouTube), too, to watch games of an upcoming opponent.”
The PMG staff has a goal of 100-plus games this fall from mid-August through November. The Michigan Soccer Network conducted a record 50 remote or in-person broadcasts during the month of June.
PMG also has contacts within Michigan, the Midwest and even in different parts of the U.S. and have become broadcast partners for more than 15 different leagues or franchises within those leagues over the past three years. PMG has multiple broadcasting rights for within the USL-League Two, USL-W League, UPSL, MWPL, NISA, WSPL and more and constantly expanding its web of coverage both on various YouTube channels and on our website at www.michigansoccernetwork.com. It has broadcasted more high school boys soccer and high school girls soccer at more than 75 high schools in Michigan.
“MSN has been a great media partner for the Bucks and AFC,” said Costa Papista, President of the Flint City Bucks and Flint City AFC of the USL-League Two and USL-W League, respectively. “The production and overall quality of our live broadcasts are professional grade. Flint City fans, sponsors and supporters greatly appreciate the MSN quality. We are always receiving excellent feedback and comments from our fans and visiting fans as well.”
And now the busy season starts in earnest with high school, college and youth club team beginning the 2024-25 school year.
To schedule a game or to consult team members of our broadcast, reach out to the following persons in the PMG family of networks: Broadcast Director Jonathan Turner, 248-525-2083, jonathan@thepremeiermediagrp.com or new Director of Scheduling / Office Manager Alaina Gagnon, at agagnon@thepremiermediagrp.com and inquire about the broadcast options, packages, special packages and more.
For news on the soccer scene in Michigan, check out the MSN website at www.michigansoccernetwork.com for daily updates, game recaps, feature stories, previews and more for teams, players and coaches from a wide variety schools, amateur teams, colleges and youth club teams.
The PMG and MSN staff will continue to reach for its goal of providing quality broadcast on any network and in-depth coverage and content on it website.
INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE
Interested in internships in broadcasting, communications, journalism, public relations or sales and marketing in the sports world? The Premier Media Group is seeking applications for current college students or students entering their senior or junior years of high school that have a career interest in working in different capacity of a constantly-evolving media world.
Contact both Broadcast Director Jonathan Turner at 248-525-2083 or jonathan@thepremeiermediagrp.com and Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at (248) 525-2349 and dstickradt@thepremeiermediagrp.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 involving teams, players or coaches with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or call 248-884-1051 or 248-525-2349. 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 and jonathan@thepremeiermediagrp.com.)
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