BLUE WATER AREA CONFERENCE:
Below are the team capsules for the Blue Water Area Conference. Rounds of Emails were sent to the athletics departments and coaching staffs of every girls soccer program in the state where coaches emails were available in March. To submit information for missing schools, submit additional information, or to make corrections, please email Web and Content Editor Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or text to (248) 884-1051.
Teams – Algonac, Almont, Armada, Croswell-Lexington, Imlay City, North Branch, Richmond, Yale
SCHOOL: Algonac
HEAD COACH: Chris Viney
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 12-3-2, 9-2-2 BWAC (third)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. St. Clair Shores South Lake (8-0); lost to Macomb Lutheran North (2-0) in a D-3 districts semifinals match.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: None
RETURNING STARTERS: Piper Baumgarten, sr. F (two-time All-League); Natalie Boulier, sr. M/F (two-time All-League); Annie Baumgarten, soph. M; Jena Dusenberry, soph. M; Caroline Roland, soph. M; Melissa Brockley, jr. G.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES:
KEY NEWCOMERS:
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: Algonac posted one of its best seasons to date in 2022, finishing third in the BWAC. This season the Muskrats are expected to compete with Armada, Almont and Richmond for the top spots in the league race. Algonac has been off to the races this season, going 5-0-0 to start with a commanding 32-7 scoring edge with two clean sheets.
SCHOOL: Almont
HEAD COACH: Michael Kepler
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 12-9-0, 8-6-0 BWAC (fifth)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Yale (5-0); def. Armada (2-1, 2OT, D-3 district finals); def. Richmond (3-1, 2OT); lost to Flint Powers Catholic (4-0) in the D-3 regional finals.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: None
RETURNING STARTERS: Jesse Kautz, jr. F A9ll-League, Al-District, All-State Honorable Mention; had 34 goals and 13 assists last season); Avery Peake, soph. CB (All-League, All-District); Katie Cafek, sr. CB (All-District); Sophia Griffiths, jr. M (All-District); Taylor Garabedian, sr. D (All-District)
KEY NEWCOMERS: Loa Battaglia, fr. M; Natalia Radisavlievic, fr. M; Hannah Glassford, fr. D
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: After finishing fifth in a competitive BWAC last season, the Raiders caught fire, winning a district crown, winning two tournament games via double-overtime, and reaching the D-3 regional finals before succumbing to state powerhouse Flint Powers Catholic (4-0). This season Almont is more seasoned and experienced and should contend in the BWAC and for another district title. So far this season Almont has outscored the opposition 25-11 with two shutouts over a 3-1-2 start. Almont does have a quality freshmen group that boasts three starters. If the Raiders can develop a new goalkeeper out of this group this will be a team to watch.
SCHOOL: Armada
HEAD COACH: Neal Todd
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 12-6-1, 11-2-1 BWAC (first)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Croswell-Lexington (7-1); lost to Almont (2-1, 2OT) in a D-3 district finals match.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: None
RETURNING STARTERS: Megan Barnett, soph. M; (All-District; All-League Honorable Mention); Ellie Ryzyi, soph. F (All-District; All-League Honorable Mention); Evie Henry, soph. D; Ashlyn Upton, soph. F (All-League, All-District); Gabbie Lukowski, soph. M (All-District); Jordan Maletta, sr.; Eryn Pace, sr. M (All-League, All-District); Kenzi Russ, sr. G (All-District); Maleah Shalvis, jr. D; Sydney Upton, jr. M.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Ava Peterson, sr.; Brianna Stockton, sr.; Ruby Amthor, soph. D; Paige Ramono, soph. D.
KEY NEWCOMERS:
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: The defending league champs have picked up right where it left off last season, outscoring the opposition 23-6 with two shutouts as part of a 4-2-0 start. The Tigers should battle Algonac, Almont and Richmond for the league crown this season and contend for a trophy in a crowded district. The strength lies in the sophomore class where five of the 10 returning starters are from that class. Overall, there are 14 returnees.
SCHOOL: Croswell-Lexington
HEAD COACH: Karl Stanbridge
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 0-15-2, 0-11-2 BWAC (eighth)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost to Armada (7-1) in A D-3 pre-districts match.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: None
RETURNING STARTERS:
OTHER KEY RETURNEES:
KEY NEWCOMERS:
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: The Pioneers struggled last season with a young team and did not record a single victory enroute to an eight-place finish in the BWAC. Cros-Lex did record a pair of ties within the league last season. So far the waters have been a little rough again in 2023 as the Pioneers have been outscored 26-3. But the Pioneers have registered a win on this campaign following a 2-1 triumph over North Branch in mid-April.
SCHOOL: Imlay City-Dryden Unified
HEAD COACH: Bailey Boyer
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 8-8-2, 8-4-2 BWAC (fourth)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost to Goodrich (5-1) in a D-2 pre-districts match.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: None
RETURNING STARTERS: Jessica Peters, sr. F (two-time All-League; Division I recruit who signed with St. Clair Community College); Lesly Arreguin, sr.; Mirna Flores, sr.; Alondra Hernandez, sr.; Promyce Searles, sr.; Annah Taylor, sr.; Cassandra Verellen, sr.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Wren Dennis, soph.; Ayleen Hernandez, jr.; Jazmyne, jr.; Kaitlyn Orduna, soph.; Alycia Robertson, soph.; Cristol Torres, soph.; Dalia Torres-Garcia soph.; Kimberly Zepeda, soph.
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: Since nearby Dryden has not had enough players for a team in several years, the school co-ops with Imlay City, which enrollment-wide has bumped up the Spartans into Division 2 for the postseason. The program does boast one of the league’s top players in Jessica Peters, who recently signed with St. Clair Community College after being a Division I recruit. The team has started slow in 2023, going 1-5-1 in the first month and being outscored 36-20. The Spartans have to find a way to shore up its backline and not try to outscore opponents in high-scoring affairs.
SCHOOL: North Branch
HEAD COACH: Elizabeth Lovasz
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 4-12-0, 3-10-0 BWAC (sixth)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost to Flint Kearsley (3-2) in a D-2 pre-districts match.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: None
RETURNING STARTERS:
OTHER KEY RETURNEES:
KEY NEWCOMERS:
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: After winning only four games last season, North Branch has found the pathway to success even tougher in 2023. The Broncos started 0-7-0 in the first month and have scored only one goal in that stretch. A high-volume of quality players have graduated the last two years which has left the program with tons of inexperience.
SCHOOL: Richmond
HEAD COACH: Steve Schuster
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 12-3-1, 10-2-1 BWAC (second)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Otisville-LakeVille (8-0); lost to Almont (3-1, 2OT) in a D-3 district finals match.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: None
RETURNING STARTERS: Kosette Bartels, sr. CB (two-time All-League); Haley Klarich, sr.; Olivia McIntyre, sr.; Sarah Yelencich, sr.; Rylee Jacques, jr. M/F (two-time All-League)
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Kaylee Backers, soph.; Abby Dobrasko, jr.; Sidney James, soph.; Elizabeth Klocher, soph.; Lelayna Parada Juarez, soph.; Aubrie Rush, soph.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Annabelle Fair, fr. M; Claire DeFauw, fr.; Aubrie Fink, fr.; Kaleigh McNamara, fr.; Emma Moore, fr.
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: Richmond finished second in the BWAC before a nail-biting loss inn overtime to Almont in the district finals ended its season. The Blue Devils only graduated two players and lost four others for other reasons but have a very talented class infused into a group of 11 returnees. The Blue Devils hopes that is the right recipe for success in a deep league of contenders that includes Algonac, Almont and Armada along with Richmond.
SCHOOL: Yale
HEAD COACH: Clifton Anthony Martin
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 1-14-2, 0-12-2 (seventh)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost to Almont (5-0) in a D-3 pre-districts match.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: None
RETURNING STARTERS:
OTHER KEY RETURNEES:
KEY NEWCOMERS:
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: After winning just one game last season, Yale has shown some signs of improvement this season behind a 3-3-0 start. The program has already pitched two clean sheets and only been outscored 18-14 after struggling to keep the ball out of the net last season.
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