OTTAWA KENT CONFERENCE—RED DIVISION:
Below are the team capsules for the Ottawa-Kent Conference-Red Division. 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 – Caledonia, East Kentwood, Grand Haven, Grandville, Holland West Ottawa, Hudsonville, Jenison, Rockford
SCHOOL: Caledonia
HEAD COACH: Sam Stearns
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 10-5-5, 6-3-5 OK Conference Red Division (third)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Kalamazoo Central (4-1); lost to Byron Center (3-0 in a D-1 districts semifinals
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: None
RETURNING STARTERS: Laney Peterson, jr. D (All-League); Gracie Gortmaker, sr. F (All-League); Kendall Maynard, jr. D (All-League; committed to Northwood); Davanlee Balczak, jr. G; Lily Gotmaker, soph. D
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Stella Haan, sr. D; Joslynn Wilcox, soph. M; Alexa Pearson, jr. D; Angela Harney, jr. D; Madison Maas, sr. D; Reese Nething, sr. D/M; Alicia Rice, jr. D/M; Katherine Schwartzfisher, sr. M/D; Isabella Teelander, jr. M
KEY NEWCOMERS: Jocelyn Herrema, sr. M/F (played ECNL 10-month with Midwest United last season; signed with Kansas)
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: Only seven players graduated and there are 14 players back, many players which were full-time or part-time starters on a team that was third in the OKC-Red. Could Caledonia challenge Hudsonville and Rockford in the league this year and crack the state rankings? Stay tuned.
SCHOOL: East Kentwood
HEAD COACH: Mark Bea, fifth season
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 2-14-3, 0-11-3 OK Conference Red Division (eighth)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost to Byron Center (4-0) in D-1 pre-district.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: None
FINAL FOUR-REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: 2015
RETURNING STARTERS: Lilianna Bear, soph. M; Christina Guillon, sr.; Breyona Ikwueme, soph. F; Shaelyn Moya, sr. M; Rebecca Moore, sr. D; Ana Guillory, sr. M; McKenna Van Overen, sr. D/M; Sofia Daniel, soph. D
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Liliana Bea, soph. M; Camryn Kolzow, soph. M; Cassie Block, soph. M; Emersyn Port, jr. M
KEY NEWCOMERS: Ella Zoerhoff, soph. F/M (played with Midwest United ECNL team last season)
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: Since reaching the D-1 state semifinals in 2015, East Kentwood has faded from the limelight. The Falcons have lost several quality players to the ranks of the Girls Academy or ECNL and have struggled to find the win column. Behind a solid sophomore class and some promising talent that elected to play high school ball this year, East Kentwood is on its way to becoming one of the great turnaround stories in D-1. The five wins in March and early April have already eclipsed last season’s win total. EK is trying to escape the OKC-Red purgatory and become relevant again.
SCHOOL: Grand Haven
HEAD COACH: Yvonne McKessy
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 4-15-1, 3-10-1 OK Conference Red Division (sixth)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Wyoming (8-0); lost to Muskegon Mona Shores (3-0) in D-1 districts semifinals.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: None
RETURNING STARTERS: Rosalee Springer, jr. M; Heidi Berkey, sr. F (All-League; All-State Honorable Mention); Ava Buitenhuis, sr. D; Caroline Hitsman, sr. D; Kathryn Klahorst, sr. D; Sarah Mayer, sr. M; Hannah Taylor, jr. M
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Hadassagh Traub, sr. D; Madeline Vanema, jr. M; Kendall Woliteshek, sr. D
KEY NEWCOMERS:
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: Grand Haven has not enjoyed much success in recent years, last winning a district in 2019 and a league title back in 2008. Last year’s team only captured four wins, so the Bucs will be shooting for much better numbers with a young team in a very deep league.
SCHOOL: Grandville
HEAD COACH: Eric Fracassi, first season
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 6-12-2, 4-8-2 OK Conference Red Division (fifth)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost to Holland West Ottawa (1-0) in D-1 pre-districts.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: 2013
RETURNING STARTERS: Olivia Miars, sr. F/M (All-League, second leading scorer); Lauren Fracassi, sr. M (All-League, All-District; former GA/ECNL player; led team in scoring last season; signed with Saginaw Valley State); Sam Larsen, jr. D/M; Mackenzie Paul, jr. G
KEY NEWCOMERS: Mia Gutierrez, jr. M (D-II prospect; played ECNL last season); Addison Holzwarth, fr. F/M; Natalie Johnson, soph. D
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: A decade ago Grandville was the D-1 state runner-up and spent several years as a top-15 program. The Bulldogs dipped a little the last 3-4 years, but could be back on the climb up with a solid core couple with some fine newcomers in the lineup. “The goal this season is to change the culture and get back to competing at the highest level. The varsity program has struggled to compete with the top teams in the OK-Red. The issue is not talent, but attitude. We only have seven seniors, and only two starters (both captains) Lauryn Fracassi and Olivia Miars. We are very young this year as part of the rebuild, with a freshman and sophomore starting in key positions for the varsity,” said coach Eric Fracassi.
SCHOOL: Holland West Ottawa
HEAD COACH: Brent Wyckoff
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 10-7-3, 7-4-3 OK Conference Red Division (fourth)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Grandville (1-0); lost to Hudsonville (4-0) in D-1 district semifinals.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: None
RETURNING STARTERS: Brenna Rohloff, sr. D/M (All-League); Kayden Panse, jr. F; Maylee Levandoski, sr. D/M; Josie Kuyers, jr. M/F; Jillian Garcia, sr. M; Elaina Dishinger, sr. M; Samantha Bolt, jr. M/F; Chelsea Overbeek, jr. M/F; Addison Scholten, soph. F; Sydney Wilcox, soph. M
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Rogen McLean, jr. G; Heidi Gomez, sr. M; Hailee Gomes, sr. M; Jadah Martinez, sr. M/F; Allison Cicholski, sr. D; Brooke Pederson, jr. D
KEY NEWCOMERS: Leslie Moreno, jr. M
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: With 16 returning letterwinners, 10 of which were regular starters, West Ottawa could challenge the front runners in the OKC-Red this season with an experienced squad.
SCHOOL: Hudsonville
HEAD COACH: Holly VanNoord, sixth season
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 18-1-2, 13-0-1 OK Conference-Red Division
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Holland West Ottawa (4-0); def. Byron Center (3-1, district finals); def. Rockford (1-0); lost to Portage Central (1-0) in D-1 regional finals
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: None
RETURNING STARTERS: Sammy Sokolove, jr. D/F (All-League; All-State Honorable Mention; committed to University of Cumberlands); Kendall Aikens, jr. M (All-League; All-State Third Team; 19 goals, eight assists, committed to Grand Valley State); Raeleigh Woodwyk, sr. F (All-State Honorable Mention; signed with Grand Valley State); Clara Feenstra, sr. G (All-State First Team; seven goals allowed, 14 shutouts); Reid DeGoede, sr. G (Hope College); Kailey Herr, sr. D; Adelyn Raad, jr. D; Lexi Armstrong, soph. M
KEY NEWCOMERS: Lauren Moylan, fr. M
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: Last season was perhaps the best in program history. Hudsonville won the OK Conference Red Division and district championships and reached the D-1 regional finals for the first time. The Eagles return 10 players that started games last season, including three of last year’s six All-State players, and welcome back several upperclassmen that have signed or committed to play in college. Hudsonville was a staple in last year’s rankings and one of a hdful of team in D-1 who have a realistic chance of playing during the season’s final week.
SCHOOL: Jenison
HEAD COACH: Phil Zuber
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 4-11-5, 2-8-4 OK Conference Red Division (seventh)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Grand Rapids Union (3-1); lost to Rockford (3-0) in D-1 district semifinals.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: None
RETURNING STARTERS: Ella Chatfield, jr. M (All-League); Sofia Diaz, sr. CB (All-League; Olivet Nazarene University); Natalie Keena, sr. D; Tressa Meeuwes, sr. M (Olivet College); Aaleyah Marcellus, sr. M (Roosevelt University); Jaelyn Lehti, soph. M; Bella Berry, soph. F; Cora Ballinger, soph. D; Claira DeYoung, sr. F (Grand Rapids Community College)
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Josie Postema, sr. F; Kate Steinstra, sr. D; Naomi Diekman, soph. M
KEY NEWCOMERS: Ella Meyering, fr. CB; Alexis Bartz, sr. G; Reese Stedman, fr. F
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: After finishing seventh in one of the top leagues in the state, Jenison should be more competitive this season thanks to nine returning starters, 12 total returnees and a solid freshmen class. “I am excited about our team this year. We are returning a huge chunk of our starting lineup from last year. I think we should be very competitive," said coach Phil Zuber.
SCHOOL: Rockford
HEAD COACH: Stu Quackenbush
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 16-3-2, 11-2-1 OK Conference Red Division (second)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Jenison (3-0); def. Muskegon Mona Shores (1-0, district finals); lost to Hudsonville (1-0) in D-1 regional semifinals
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: None
RETURNING STARTERS: Willa Cairns, sr. M (All-League, All-District); Halle Barnard, sr. D (All-League; committed to Hope College); Emma Colby, sr. G (fourth-year varsity; 28 career shutouts); Adalyn Currie, sr. D; Ally Devries, jr. F/M (All-District); Ryan Whitford, sr. M
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: Rockford is coming off a season where the Rams won 16 games, finished second is a talented-laden OK Conference-Red and won a district title. Despite losing one All-State player and four All-League selections to graduation, Rockford is a top-15 team in D-1 this season and capable of advancing deep into the postseason. Rockford’s boys team reached its first Final Four last fall and finished as the D-1 state runner-up. Can the Rams equal that performance in girls soccer?
