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
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Chalk up win No. 1 for the Western Michigan women’s soccer team.
The Bronchos opened the season with a dominating 3-0 non-conference victory over Northern Kentucky University on Thursday afternoon at the WMU Soccer Complex.
Jen Blitchok (Grandville/Midwest United ECNL) netted the brace to pave the way for WMU (1-0-0). Abby Werthman (Livonia Stevenson/Madonna University) also scored for the Bronchos.
It was Werthman who scored the first goal of the season for Western Michigan and it later proved to be the game winner at the 25:48 mark in the first half. Jenna Blackburn (Grand Blanc) and Heidi Thomasma (Grandville Calvin Christian) set up the goal which gave the home-standing Bronchos a 1-0 led at the half.
Blitchok netted her first of two goals at the 50:58 mark, this time off passes from Werthman and Emily Paggett (South Lyon East).
Blitchok later capped the scoring at 63:28 off helpers from Brooke Bailey and Paggett.
Ava Wilberding (Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central/Northern Michigan transfer) recorded her first shutout in her first start for Western Michigan, making six saves for the clean sheet.
The Bronchos dominated from start to finish, collecting a commanding 31-10 shot advantage, including 14-6 with shots on frame. WMU also held a 6-1 edge on cornerkicks in the match.
The Broncos will be back in action next Thursday against Iowa. The game is set for 2:30 PM at the WMU Soccer Complex and will be streamed on ESPN+.
Courtesy Photo | Western Michigan University Athletics
Western Michigan University celebrated three goals and a season-opening 3-0 win thursday against Northern Kentucky.
EASTERN MICHIGAN GAINS 250TH PROGRAM WIN AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY’S EXPENSE
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY 1, OAKLAND UNIVERSITY 0: Sophomore Cameryn Susey's 85th-minute match-winning goal opened a new era for the Eastern Michigan University women’s soccer team under first-year Head Coach Taylor Clarke as the Eagles topped Oakland University, 1-0, Thursday at Scicluna Field in the opening match of the 2024 season for both teams.
It was just the second career-goal for Susey and it came late in the second half to propel the Eagles to the non-conference win. Olivia Sipsock and Mary Grimes picked up assists on the game-winning play.
The win marked the 250th win in program history for EMU and moved the Eagles’ all-time record to 4-9-2 against Oakland. The triumph also snapped a 22-game home losing streak for Eastern Michigan.
Ella Holland registered just one official save for Eastern Michigan, which held a 10-5 shots advantage in the game, including 5-1 with shots on frame. EMU also held a 8-4 edge off cornerkicks.
MICHIGAN FALLS LATE TO UTAH VALLEY
UTAH VALLEY STATE 2, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 1: Faith Webber scored twice, including the game-winner with just 21 second remaining in leading Utah Valley to the season-0opening 2-1 non-conference victory over host Michigan in a game played in Ann Arbor.
Avery Kalitta (Saline Washtenaw Christian/Michigan Hawks ECNL) sent in a cross from the right side to set up Jenna Lang with a hear with 1:30 remaining in the contest to bring the game level at 1-1, only to see the Wolverines concede the late goal in the waning seconds.
Webber, a former standout from Grand Blanc High School, the Nationals Girls Academy and Delta Community College, put Utah Valley up on the board first at the 64:05 mark, finishing off a cross from Nixan Jackson.
Utah Valley (1-0-0) picked up five saves on the night from CJ Graham, who recorded the shutout between the pipes. Stephanie Sparkowski had six saves for Michigan (0-1-0).
Utah Valley held a 20-11 shots advantage in the contest, including 8-6 with shots on goal, and also held a 3-2 edge off cornerkicks.
(The Premier Media Group and Michigan Soccer Network will post results of college men’s soccer and college women’s soccer each day in our college roundup at www.michigansoccernetwork.com. The roundup will include game wraps from Michigan-based NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, NCCAA and NJCAA schools. Email game wraps, box scores and courtesy photos to MSN Web and Content Editor | Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com and dstickradt@thepremeirmediagrp.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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