MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
BY DAN STICKRADT
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST | WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS
BUSINESS LINE: (248) 525-2349
CELL PHONE: (248) 884-1051
TW/X: @msn_stickradt @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
SAGINAW, Mich. – If one had a batting average of 14-for-27, one could also say that would be really good.
Really good.
In baseball, that would be an average of .519.
Talk about impressive.
Davison Faith Baptist has put up similar numbers, albeit in another sport. On the soccer pitch, the Eagles have earned 14 Michigan Association of Christian Schools state crowns in girls soccer – all over a 27-year span. That’s around one title every other year.
The school also owns four state runner-up trophies with 18 state finals appearances. Since the MACS began sponsoring a state tournament for girls soccer back in 1997, the school has reached the finals 18 of 27 years, an average of .667 of the time. No other high school in the MACS even comes close to that in girls soccer in terms of titles.
The Eagles put the finishing touches on the 14th state crown on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University back in mid-June with a 2-0 victory over Vassar Juniata Christian. Faith Baptist also defeated Wolverine Christian Conference rival Clinton Township Faith Christian 1-0 in the semifinals.
Courtesy Photo | Davison Faith Baptist Athletics
“I knew that it was up there because I could see all the banners up in the gym,” admitted first-year head coach Caleb Felber. “I knew it was more than 10 and I also knew we had four or five runner up teams. There’s a lot of history. I’ve only been a part of two (state titles). I was an assistant last year (2023) and then became the head coach this year. I wasn’t around for most of these championships, obviously, but I’ve heard about some of them. Our school has been blessed.
“I know our boys team has won a few titles. I’m not sure how many, but I’m sure it isn’t as many as our girls (soccer) team,” predicted Felber.
The Eagles finished the season 12-1-0 overall, with the lone loss coming in the rain and sleet last April to Troy Bethany Christian in the season opener. Davison Faith went on to win the Wolverine Christian Conference with a 5-1-0 record and finished unbeaten in non-conference games. The 12-game unbeaten streak is one of best in school history.
“We lost our opener or one of our first games, and it was really bad weather. Really rainy and windy and cold,” recalled Felber. “But after that we went on to win the rest of our games. We really played well late in the season, too.”
Overall, the Eagles held a 56-12 scoring edge with three clean sheets this season. The only time Faith Baptist was shut out was the aforementioned season opener to Bethany Christian. The three shutouts came in the final four games of the season.
In the state semifinals, Faith Baptist edged Clinton Township Faith Christian in the third time the Eagles defeated the Patriots, who are also in the same four-school Wolverine Christian Conference. There was no third time was a charm for the opposition this time. Faith Baptist blanked Bridgeport Baptist (8-0) in the first round.
In the state finals, sophomore forward Allie Peters had a goal and an assist, while freshman Alyssa Ahrens scored the other goal for the Eagles. Ahrens only played in eight games due to injury but still found time to net a team-best 22 goals on the season and was quite active around the net during the tournament run. Peters had six goals and six assists this year.
“Alyssa didn’t get (All-WCC First Team), but she was our best offensive player. She’s a very gifted, young player who I think plays for the (Michigan) Jaguars. She’s going to be a good one. She just has a (knack) for the goal and how to finish. Even though she missed some games, I was really surprised that she wasn’t voted for all-league,” said Felber.
Senior center back Ellie Bowen was a steady presence in the backfield for a team that featured seven seniors on a 24-player roster. Bowen was the Team MVP and Conference MVP of the Wolverine Christian Conference despite the four-year starter playing on the backline.
“Ellie Bowen really led us this year. She was the League MVP and the anchor of our defense,” noted Felber. “We didn’t give up a ton of chances in some games and we didn’t allow very many goals in our last few games. Ellie was a big part of that.
“We didn’t really have an experience goalie this year, so I was a big worried at the beginning of the season. Who would step up?,” recalled Felber. “We had a hockey player step forward and she worked really hard to learn the position –very athletic but no experience. But she got better and better as the season went along.”
Senior Addy Wright, the athletic, converted hockey player, logged most of the minutes between the pipes, as the Eagles needed someone to step up and fill a void of a standout keeper from the 2023 season.
Senior midfielder Amy Ahrens netted four goals with 14 assists this year, freshman midfielder Kallie Kook, senior midfielder Morgan Burton (four goals, two assists) and the aforementioned Peters were also amongst the team’s top players.
Seniors Leah Callahan (D), Katie Peters (F) and Anna Fike (D), juniors Kaylee Auclair (M), Gigi Montgomery (M), sophomores Emily Calahan (M), Ellie Adams (D) and Bailey Burton (F), and freshmen Brienna Adams (M), Zoey Ferrell (D), Julianna Backowski (G), Sydney Armstrong (D), Addy Hose (D), Maggie Turner (M), Charlotte Dobbertin (M), Ava Mack (M) and Elli Churchill rounded out the roster for Faith Baptist.
“We have a lot of very athletic girls, and some are really good in other sports, but we are trying to get some of them to get involved in club soccer,” said Felber, who played at Genesis Home School (Indianapolis, Ind.) and also for some high-level clubs in central Indiana. I think if we can get a few others to do that, then I think we can be really good in the future. We only graduated (seven) of our 24 players. So, we’ll return a lot next year.”
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
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.
COLLECTING MEMORBILIA … THE STUDIO WALLS
SHELBY TWP., Mich. – The Michigan Soccer Network is decorating its studio and conference room walls with soccer-related memorabilia – mainly with Michigan-affiliated teams and franchises or out-of-state programs and franchises with Michigan-affiliated players, coaches and administration.
This includes high school varsity from any school in Michigan with soccer programs, youth club (MLS Next, ECNL, Girls Academy, National Academy League, Elite-64, MSPSP, MSYSA or USYS-affiliated clubs), colleges and universities (NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, NJCAA, NCCAA, USCAA), amateur/pre-professional teams (USL-League Two, USL-W League, Michigan Soccer Association, Midwest Premier League, UPSL, along with NWSL, UWS, WPSL, GLWSL, etc.) and various professional and semi-pro levels (MLS, USL-Championship, MLS Next-Pro, NISA, USL-League One, etc.)
GAME RESULTS FOR ALL LEVELS
SHELBY TWP., Mich. – The Michigan Soccer Network, Premier Media Group and all affiliates, will continue to compile a random sampling of game results from around the state each day. To send in game and tournament results (game wraps, box scores, statistics, coach’s quotes, photos, video clips) from high school varsity, collegiate, youth club, amateur, pre-pro, semi-pro or professional soccer for teams within Michigan’s borders or with ties to Michigan players, email all pertinent details to Communications Specialist / Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or submit information right on the correct link on the MSN website at www.michigansoccernetwork.com.
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
(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.)
ALL-STATE SOCCER LINKS 2024 -- GIRLS SOCCER
2024 MIHSSCA DIVISION 4 ALL-STATE GIRLS SOCCER TEAMS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/2024-mihssca-division-4-all-state-teams
2024 MIHSSCA DIVISION 3 ALL-STATE GIRLS SOCCER TEAMS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/2024-mihssca-division-3-all-state-teams
2024 MIHSSCA DIVISION 2 ALL-STATE GIRLS SOCCER TEAMS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/2024-mihssca-division-2-all-state-teams
2024 MIHSSCA DIVISION 1 ALL-STATE GIRLS SOCCER TEAMS:
MIHSSCA DREAM TEAM REVEAL SHOW 2024: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/girls-soccer-all-state-dream-team-offensive-defensive-players-of-the-year-are-a-talented-bunch
GIRLS SOCCER: All-State Dream Team, Offensive, Defensive Players of the Year are a talented bunch: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/girls-soccer-all-state-dream-team-offensive-defensive-players-of-the-year-are-a-talented-bunch
GAME RESULTS FOR ALL LEVELS
SHELBY TWP., Mich. – The Michigan Soccer Network, Premier Media Group and all affiliates, will continue to compile a random sampling of game results from around the state each day. To send in game and tournament results (game wraps, box scores, statistics, coach’s quotes, photos, video clips) from high school varsity, collegiate, youth club, amateur, pre-pro, semi-pro or professional soccer for teams within Michigan’s borders or with ties to Michigan players, email all pertinent details to Communications Specialist / Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or submit information right on the correct link on the MSN website at www.michigansoccernetwork.com.
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
(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.)
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
GAME RESULTS FOR ALL LEVELS
SHELBY TWP., Mich. – The Michigan Soccer Network, Premier Media Group and all affiliates, will continue to compile a random sampling of game results from around the state each day. To send in game and tournament results (game wraps, box scores, statistics, coach’s quotes, photos, video clips) from high school varsity, collegiate, youth club, amateur, pre-pro, semi-pro or professional soccer for teams within Michigan’s borders or with ties to Michigan players, email all pertinent details to Communications Specialist / Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or submit information right on the correct link on the MSN website at www.michigansoccernetwork.com.
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