May 611 min read

KENSINGTON LAKES ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION GIRLS SOCCER TEAM CAPSULES 2024

BY DAN STICKRADT

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(Michigan Soccer Network Communications Specialist / Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt compiles team capsules for over 460 girls soccer programs statewide. Email pertinent information to stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com. Follow on Twitter @msn_stickradt, @LocalSportsFans, or @MiSoccerNetwork and on numerous social media platforms.)

KLAA-West Division Competing Schools – Brighton, Canton, Hartland, Howell, Northville, Novi, Plymouth, Salem

KLAA-East Division Competing Schools – Belleville, Dearborn, Dearborn Fordson, Livonia Churchill Livonia Franklin, Livonia Stevenson, Wayne Memorial, Westland John Glenn

An asterisk * denotes a player may be playing ECNL or Girls Academy this spring.

SCHOOL: Brighton

HEAD COACH: Ryan Carriere

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 10-8-3, 4-7-3 Kensington Lakes Activities Association-West Division (sixth, 15 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Holt (5-0); def. Hartland (3-0); def. East Lansing (4-0, district finals); lost in D-1 regional semifinals to Grand Blanc (1-0)

RETURNING STARTERS: Irene Kiilunen, sr. D (All-League; All-District; All-County; signed with NCAA Division II Northern Michigan University); Katie Carrico*, jr. M (All-League; All-State Third Team; may be playing GA); Anna VanKannel, sr. F (All-League Honorable Mention; All-District); Ella Vandemergel, jr. M/F (All-State Honorable Mention); Olivia Sebestyen, jr. M (All-State Honorable Mention); Ainsely Seiter, sr. M/D (All-District, All-County, All-League Honorable Mention; signed with NCAA Division II Northern Michigan University); Brynn Bobby, soph. F/M (All-District); Maya Bjedov, soph. D/F (All-District); Naomi Bongero, jr. D (All-District, All-League Honorable Mention)

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Elaina Vandemergel, jr. M; Emily Kramer, sr. M; Cameron Eberly, sr. D; Isobel Block, sr. D.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Addison Elliott, fr. M; Anna Brown-Nall, fr. G

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: The Bulldogs are always competitive, even though they sometimes are lodged in a deep district and the very deep KLAA-West Division and don’t always have a championship earned along the way. Last year Brighton had some ups and downs early but won five of its final seven games where they held a 24-4 scoring edge and captured a district title with shutout wins over Holt (5-0), Hartland (3-0) and East Lansing (4-0) before falling to Grand Blanc (1-0) in the regional semifinals. So far this season through April 15, the Bulldogs are 4-2-1 with a 17-7 edge on the scoreboard. Although the top scorer from last year departed for the Michigan Jaguars Girls Academy, there is still plenty of talent to keep Brighton competitive. There are two players signed with NCAA Division II schools and multiple players returning that earned various postseason accolades a year ago. … “We hope to build on a district championship in 2023. The core of the team was on the field for a majority of the minutes last season. The new players have added some additional depth. We will take one game at a time,” said coach Ryan Carriere. “The KLAA is always competitive top to bottom and will be no different this year.”

SCHOOL: Canton

HEAD COACH: George Easter

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 11-5-5, 7-2-5 Kensington Lakes Activities Association-West Division (third, 26 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS:

RETURNING STARTERS: Sydney Bohn, sr. D (All-League); Chloe Hendricks, sr. D (All-League); Scarlett Nuechterlein, jr. D (All-League); Alexis Pickerel, sr. M (All-League); Nora Schley, sr. M (All-League); Ava Murphy, jr. M (All-League Honorable Mention); Carly Noe, sr. F (All-League Honorable Mention); Alexis Pickerel, sr. M (signed with NCAA Division III Otterbein University); Karly Ruffner, sr. M; and Nora Schley, sr. M; Campbell Appert, jr. G (All-State Honorable Mention; will be out with injury for first half of the season); Payton Langenderfer, jr. D; Scarlett Nuechterlein, jr. D (All-State Honorable Mention; All-League).

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Caitlin Noe, sr. D (missed last season with an injury); Addie Lockhart, jr. D; Sasha Qureshi, sr. M; Julia Tasker, sr. G (signed with NAIA University of Michigan-Dearborn); Grace Tarquinto, sr. F (signed with NCAA Division III Otterbein University)

KEY NEWCOMERS: Taylor Steinagel, sr. D/F (played last three years with the Michigan Hawks ECNL; signed with NCAA Division I Stony Brook University); Kayla Rankin, sr. F.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: A nickname change from the Chiefs to the Cobras is about all that changed. In terms of soccer, Canton has high expectations and should be one of the better teams in the conference and contend for a district trophy this season. The now-Cobras were a hard team to figure out last season. They were shut out eight times but still posted 10 shutouts on their own and outscored the opposition 38-12. Canton put it all together at the end of the campaign, advancing to the Division 1 regional finals before falling to Saline (1-0). This season the Cobras are locked into a multi-team race in the depth-laden KLAA-West Division and lodged in the D-1 Top 15 behind a 5-1-2 start through April 16. Canton has already outscored the opposition 26-9 with four shutouts and that is with a tough schedule. Canton last played in the state finals back in 2016. … “We only graduated four (players), two of which were starters. So, we are essentially returning the 2023 regional finalist team we had last year and have added a few strong impact players specifically in the forward and defensive positions. Our goal is to return to the regional finals, and make it to the semi-final round, but we know that’ll be more difficult this year as our district has added both Northville and Livonia Stevenson. So, I expect the team that comes out of our district will go pretty far in the tournament. Our regional goalkeeper from last year, Campbell Appert, will be out the majority of our season due to an ankle injury, but we do have other solid GKs on the team,” said coach George Easter.

SCHOOL: Hartland

HEAD COACH: Andrew Kartsounes

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 10-5-3, 8-3-3 Kensington Lakes Activities Association-West Division (second, 27 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS:

RETURNING STARTERS: Isabella DePestel, jr. D (All-League); Sophia Pietila, jr. D (All-League); Emma Swirczek, sr. M (All-League; signed with NCAA Division II Northern Michigan University); Emma Kastamo, sr. M (All-League; signed with NCAA Division II Northern Michigan University); Addie Frantti, jr. M (All-League); Alyse Daavettila, sr. F (All-League; All-State Third Team); Josie Cheyne, sr. F (All-League Honorable Mention); Ellie Laier, sr. D (All-League Honorable Mention); Paige Sundman, soph. F.

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Avery Gehres, sr. M; Bella Hammond, sr. F; Josephine Wiasnewski, jr. D; Jayna Kennell, sr. F; Gracie Kastamo, soph. M; Addison Cirka, jr. D/F; Lizzie Armor, sr. M; Jenna Pietila, sr. D; Brooke LeGault, sr. F; Eva Larson, soph. D/M; Catie Fisher, sr. D.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Claire L’Esperance, fr. M; Emma Storm, fr. D; Jenna Brock, jr. G.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Last year’s KLAA-West Division runner-up returned 20 letterwinners from last year and are as stacked as any team in the two-division KLAA. Playing in one of the state’s top conferences in the state, the KLAA-West Division, Hartland has enjoyed a lot of success in recent years. The Eagles captured their first and only state crown in 2021 (Division 1) and opened the year well inside the top 10 in Division 1 this year. Through April 16, Hartland stood 6-1-0 including a 2-1 season-opening loss to Salem (2-1), have pitched two shutouts and outscored the opposition 24-7. Last year the Eagles outscored the opposition 33-20 with seven shutouts but were second in a loaded KLAA-West and return a ton of talent this year. There are nine returning starters and 20 total returnees as the Eagles hope to make another run this year and go after championships along the way.

SCHOOL: Howell

HEAD COACH: Ashley Savage

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 2-14-3, 0-12-2 Kensington Lakes Activities Association-West Division (eighth, two points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-districts to East Lansing (2-0).

RETURNING STARTERS: Maddie Peitila, sr. M (All-League); Marleigh Chapman, jr. G; Riley Livermore, soph. M (All-League Honorable Mention); Selah Luethy, sr. D.

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Olivia Harrison, sr. D; Bella David, soph. D/F; Kaarina Laakso, sr. M; Ava Sredzinski, soph. D; Hannah Ralko, soph. D; Michon Maiberger, sr. F; Christina Minton, soph. F; Myla Blankenbaker, soph. F; Eden Varney, jr. M/F; Katherine McKalko, sr. D.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Lily Manning, fr. M/F; Kallie Lai, fr. M; Sydney Lamb, fr. D/M; Lillian Altermatt, fr. D; Anastasia Grimm, fr. G/F.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: There are close to 40 players in the entire program unlike two years ago when the Highlanders didn’t have a junior-varsity program. Coach Ashley Savage is trying drastically to build up the team’s competitiveness but with five freshmen and a roster full of underclassmen it is a difficult position to be in each year. The KLAA-West and the top half of the KLAA-East are loaded and boast rosters which have numerous high- and medium-level club soccer players while Howell does not. Last season the Highlanders were outscored 57-20 and shut out 12 times. This season began with a 0-5-1 stretch where the Highlanders remained scoreless. Meanwhile, several league foes are ranked in the top 15 or honorable mention in the Division 1 polls and have rosters full of future college players.

SCHOOL: Northville

HEAD COACH: Jeannine Reddy

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 18-1-4, 11-0-3 Kensington Lakes Activities Association-West Division (36 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS:

RETURNING STARTERS: Simran Magnan, jr. G (All-League; All-State Second Team); Helena McLellan, sr. M/F (All-League; All-State First Team; signed with University of Western Ontario); Katie Gonzales, sr. M (All-League); Natalia Leavens, sr. M (All-League; All-State Honorable Mention; signed with NCAA Division II Ferris State University); Caroline Meloche, sr. D (All-League); Avery Peters, sr. D (All-League); Kailyn Morrison*, sr. D/M (All-League; All-State Second Team; may be playing ECNL; signed with NCAA Division I Miami University-Ohio).

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Hannah Park, sr. D; Addison Raffle, sr. D; Angelina Kardimas, sr. D; Whitney Males, sr. D; Allyson Yezback, sr. F/M; Cecelia Finkbeiner, sr. M; Sydney Pedrosi, sr. M/F.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Zaina Fakhoury, fr.; Gianna Viola, jr. G; Annabelle Hummel, jr.; Ava Unger, jr.; Veronica Wu, jr.; Kendall Leutheuser, jr.; Julianna Bohlen, soph.; Sara Bambenek, jr.; Anna Schleicher, jr.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Coming off back-to-back Final Four runs in Division 1, including the 2022 state runner-up slot, Northville has had some struggles and inconsistent play during the first month of the season. Through April 17, Northville stands just 2-4-1 overall with three shutouts, being shut out three times and just outscoring the opposition 12-11. Compared to last year’s 18-1-4 record, 51-13 scoring edge and 14 shutouts and that’s a step back. There is still plenty of talent on this team, although seven players graduated, and two other starters left the program for other reasons. Helena McLellan is a dynamic player up top who signed with the University of Western Ontario after earning All-State accolades last year. Natalie Leavens is headed to NCAA Division II Ferris State, Simran Magnan is a returning All-State player in goal and several others are entertaining playing in college or have the talent to do so.

SCHOOL: Novi

HEAD COACH: Todd Pheiffer

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 8-8-3, 6-5-3 Kensington Lakes Activities Association-West Division (fourth, 21 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. South Lyon (3-0); lost in D-1 district semifinals to Livonia Stevenson (1-0).

RETURNING STARTERS: Grace Kwasniewicz, sr. D (All-League); Talie Burns, sr. M (All-League; All-State Third Team; unsigned); Anna Lindsey, sr. M (All-League); Riley Boujoulian, soph. G (All-League); Izzy Armstrong, soph. F; Lindsay Dahlinger, sr. F (All-League Honorable Mention; signed with NCAA Division II Wisconsin-Parkside); Cara Tortelli, soph. M; Michella Tortelli, sr. F (All-League Honorable Mention; signed with NCAA Division II University of Alabama-Huntsville); Grace Wou, sr. M (missed most of last season with an injury); Cassidy King, jr. D (All-League Honorable Mention).

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Aditi Senthil, sr. M; Kylie Endress, sr. M.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Danica Smith, fr. F; Sonja Baptist, jr.; F; Brooke Sedewitz, jr. F; Kira Kozlowski, jr. D; Riley Forsyth, jr. D; Reagan Cho, jr. M; Camber Smith, jr. D; Emersyn Doyle, jr. M; Maya Smith, jr. D; Allie Niehaus, jr. D; Izzy Vargas, jr. D.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Novi returns a ton of talent from last year’s fourth-place finisher in the KLAA-West Division. That team pitched seven shutouts and outscored its opposition 33-22 with many tight, one-goal games. Novi started 0-4-0 to start this season but plenty of time to right the ship. The Wildcats were outscored 15-7 which is puzzling with all of the potential college players and players that earned at least All-League or All-District honors last season. Talie Burns is a D-I or D-II talent but is still undecided if she would like to play in college, plus Michella Tortelli and Lindsay Dahlinger have already inked to NCAA Division II schools.

SCHOOL: Plymouth

HEAD COACH: Victor Plasse

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 5-10-3, 3-9-2 Kensington Lakes Activities Association-West Division (11 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Wayne Memorial (8-0); lost in D-01 district semifinals to Salem (2-1).

RETURNING STARTERS: Grace Cheetam, sr. G (All-League Honorable Mention); Kendall Elmy, sr. M (signed with NCAA Division II University of Purdue-Northwest); no other players specified.

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Niyah Armstrong, soph. M/F; Emma Johnson, soph. D/F; Abby Knauf, sr. D; Victoria Powell, jr.; Zaynab Saab, sr. D/F; Ivy Turnquist, jr. f/D; Kady Knauf, sr. D; Isabella Fabrizio, sr. D; Grace Milliken, sr. F/D; Ashley Vernier, sr. D.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Cailyn McClain, fr. M; Olympia Dixon, fr. D; Reagan Fluharty, fr. F; Abigail Tiplady, fr. D; Lexi Messina, fr. D; Samantha Portman, fr. D; Kierra Quigley, fr. F; Leyanna Husssein, fr. G; Jillian Steffan, fr. M; Camryn Wingrove, jr.; Kenleigh Ball, soph.; Abigail Keuhneman, soph. F; Chloe Deptula, sr. F; Keylene Miller, soph. D; Broooke McMann, jr. D; Caitlyn McDaniel, jr. F; Camryn Wingrove, jr. M; Chloe Deptula, sr. F; Gabby Sudia, soph. D; Kenleigh Ball, soph. F/M; Mady McCarthy, soph. F; Mahika Upasani, soph. M; Maria Capaldi, soph. D; Maya Awad, jr. M; Payton Cook, soph. M; Victoria Powell, jr. D/F.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: The Wildcats were a strange team last season. Plymouth had 12 seniors but only finished 5-10-3, victims of numerous one-goal games. Plymouth was outscored 30-28, registered five shutouts but was blanked eight times. This team is loaded with freshmen and sophomores this year, so better times may be in the future. The Wildcats started 2-2-2 with a 13-8 scoring edge through April 17, about halfway to their goals total last season. This team could be improved despite its obvious youth on the roster.

SCHOOL: Salem

HEAD COACH: Kyle Karns

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 10-8-3, 5-6-3 Kensington Lakes Activities Association-West Division (fifth, 18 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Westland John Glenn (8-0); def. Plymouth (2-1); lost in D—1 district finals to Canton (3-0).

RETURNING STARTERS: Cali Schwartzenberger, jr. D (All-League Honorable Mention); Elaine Rama, sr. D (All-League Honorable Mention); Lauren Fowler, soph. F (All-League Honorable Mention); Morganne Jones, sr. G (signed with NAIA Siena Heights University); Lauren Driscoll, sr. M; Katie Sarkesian, jr. M; Isabelle Prantera, jr. M; Aubrey Krischano, soph. F.

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Miranda Sanford, sr. F/M (signed with NAIA Siena Heights University)

KEY NEWCOMERS: Claire Hammill, sr. M (played last three years with the Michigan Hawks ECNL; signed with NCAA Division I Rutgers University); Katie Parana, sr. F/M (played with Michigan Jaguars GA last season)

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: A quick glance at the loaded KLAA-West Division and one can see Hartland, Salem, Canton, Northville, Brighton, Novi and Plymouth all beating up on one another and Salem is in the thick of that race. Through April 16, the Rocks are 5-1-1, have outscored the opposition 20-6 with two shutouts, and are the only school to beat current Division 1 top-10 Hartland this season. That’s a step up from last year when Salem was a bit inconsistent with a 40-34 edge on the scoreboard, just three shutouts and a fifth-place finish in the league. This year’s group has eight returning starters back in the fold. The Rocks graduated four All-KLAA players but with its experience plus Claire Hammill coming over from the ECNL ranks and will play in the Big Ten Conference at Rutgers University has helped this team spend the first few weeks in the Division 1 top-15 rankings. … “We were a young team last year, and most of our core has obviously returned. We added some additional experience to our roster this year and that should mix well with our already talented group,” said coach Kyle Karns. “The KLAA is always tough. Canton and Northville return a lot of their team from their great seasons last year. With our added pieces, and another season of experience for our younger core, I anticipate a competitive race for the division title.”

ROSTER CALL

All varsity girls soccer rosters in Michigan can be emailed to stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com

2023 ALL-KENSINGTON LAKES ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE GIRLS SOCCER TEAM