May 96 min read

NORTHWEST CONFERENCE GIRLS SOCCER TEAM CAPSULES 2024

BY DAN STICKRADT

Communications Specialist | Web And Content Editor | Director of News |

Social Media Director | Interns and Freelance Coordinator

E: stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com

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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.)

Competing Teams – Benzonia Benzie Central, Buckley-Mesick Unified, Kingsley, Leland, Maple City Glen Lake, Suttons Bay-North Bay Unified.

No Soccer Programs – Frankfort, Onekama

ROSTER CALL

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

SCHOOL: Benzonia Benzie Central

HEAD COACH: Chris Batchelder, first season.

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 3-12-1, 1-8-0 Northwest Conference (sixth, three points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-4 pre-districts to Big Rapids Crossroads Academy (6-0)

RETURNING STARTERS: Kadence Popour, jr. F (All-League; 16 goals last season)

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Alyssa Dippel, jr.; Sam Zylstra, soph.; Leila Rothermel, soph.; Hannah Rood, soph.; Cambrie Lawrence, sr.; Jessica Whaley, sr.; Silja Schmidt, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Hannah Batchelder, fr. G; Ella Hankins, fr.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: New coach Chris Batchelder inherits a program that has not enjoyed tremendous success in girls soccer. The Huskies boys soccer team has had some success in the last decade, including one NCAA Division I player coming from their ranks. In girls soccer, Benzie Central is coming off a 3-12-1 campaign and sixth-place finish in the league. Ava Bechler opted not to return to the goalkeeper spot and only five players on the roster started or played significant minutes last season, when the Huskies were outscored 90-19 and shut out six times. Benzie Central, located just east of the towns of Benzonia and Beulah, has started slow at 0-7-0 through April 22, but some younger players are gaining some valuable minutes during this rebuild. AS of early April, there were only 11 players on the team as the school is trying to get more student-athletes out for soccer. … “We only have one way to go, and that’s up,” said coach Chris Batchelder.

SCHOOL: Buckley-Mesick Unified

HEAD COACH: Rachel Wienclaw, first season.

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 6-9-2, 2-7-1 Northwest Conference (tied-fourth, seven points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Brethren (2-0); lost in D-4 district semifinals to Shelby (4-2)

RETURNING STARTERS: Amelia Valentine, soph. F; Isabel Terry, jr. M; Emma Cooper, jr. M; Maddie Chilson, soph. F; Taylor Yuresko, sr. CB (All-League); Avalon Velentine, sr. M (All-League); Maddie Sladek, jr. G; no other players specified.

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.

KEY NEWCOMERS: No players specified.

ROSTER: No list submitted, and no list located on the school’s athletics website or an outside source.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Last season the Bears were plagued by some inconsistency, putting up decent numbers in certain games but being shut out six times. That ended with Buckley being outscored 44-37 with just three shutouts and a district semifinals loss to Shelby. Buckley appears to be looking up as their 3-6-1 overall record through April 22 includes a 20-18 scoring edge with multiple close games. The Bears could end up finishing higher than fourth this season if they can put it all together. This is the first head coaching job for Rachel Wienclaw, a 2018 graduate of Mesick and a former assistant coach at Muskegon Mona Shores.

SCHOOL: Kingsley

HEAD COACH: Amanda Acosta, first season.

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 2-11-1, 2-7-1 Northwest Conference (tied-fourth, seven points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-3 pre-districts to Grayling (3-1)

RETURNING STARTERS: Bailey Charter, jr. M/F (All-League); Emma Johnson, sr. M; Lily Mitchell, jr. G/D; Marisa Graham, jr. F; Hanna Curtis, jr. M/F; no other players specified.

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Grace Beeman, G; Trinity Forro; Makayla Birgy; Emilee Robinson, soph. M/F; no other players specified.

KEY NEWCOMERS: No players specified.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Kingsley is coming off a season where the Stags were outscored 62-18 and only recorded two wins on the pitch. Despite being outscored 29-14 through April 22, Kingsley has displayed some improvements, especially on the offensive end of the pitch.

SCHOOL: Leland

HEAD COACH: Joe Burda, 15th season.

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 8-6-2, 7-1-1 Northwest Conference (second, 22 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-4 district semifinals to Harbor Springs (3-2)

RETURNING STARTERS: Willa Murray, soph. F (All-League; All-State Honorable Mention); Mallory Loew, sr. M/D; Emerie Burda, soph. D (All-League); Addi Waskiewicz, sr. F (All-League); Elli Miller, sr. G.

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Cam Flees, sr.; Hadley Bison; Brianne VanSteenhouse; Lillian Connor; Kally Sluiter; Maya Hamelin; Maya Warner; Elise Vann, G; Ariah Amin.

KEY NEWCOMERS: No players specified.

ROSTER: No list submitted, and no list located on the school’s athletics website or an outside source.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: The longtime powerful Comets dipped to an 8-6-2 record last season and without its last league game against Benzonia Benzie Central not being made up due to multiple cancellations, Leland finished second in the conference overall. That was during a year where the Comets outscored their opposition 35-18 with seven shutouts. So far this season through April 22, Leland is off to a 7-1-0 start which includes a 31-7 scoring edge and four more clean sheets. Things are looking brighter for these Comets, who would love nothing more to reclaim the Northwest Conference title this season and make a deep run in the Division 4 state tournament.

SCHOOL: Maple City Glen Lake

HEAD COACH: Eric Lothardt

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 10-2-1, 8-1-1 Northwest Conference (first, 25 points).

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Suttons Bay-North Bay Unified (3-0); lost in D-4 district semifinals to Charlevoix (1-0)

RETURNING STARTERS: Paige Steffke, sr. M (All-League); Autumn Staley, sr. D; Ava Raymond, sr. M; Emanuela Alaimo, jr. D; Maggie Diotte, jr. F; Peace Hawley-Joppich, fr. F/M.

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Mia Luthardt, fr. M; Nora Ciolek, fr. D; Taylor Randolph, fr. D.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: The defending league champion Lakers were hard hit by graduation and despite three promising freshmen, only have 11 players on the roster early in the campaign. The school is trying to get more student-athletes out for soccer. Last year the Lakers captured the conference championship at 8-1-1 (25 points) and were humming around before being upset in the Division 4 district semifinals to Charlevoix. That was the only time all season the Lakers were shut out and it came at the most crucial time. Several starters and reserves departed via graduation. This year through April 22, Maple City Glen Lake is off to a 3-3-0 start, scoring just nine goals and conceding 20. That signals a rebuilding campaign, and it is already a numbers game for the Lakers with so few players on the roster.

SCHOOL: Suttons Bay-North Bay Unified (Northport, Lake Leelanau St. Mary’s)

HEAD COACH: Randy U’Ren, fifth season.

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 7-6-3, 6-2-2 Northwest Conference (third, 20 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS:

RETURNING STARTERS: Amanda Tarsa, sr. D/M (All-State Honorable Mention); Megan U’Ren, soph. M; Megan Lint, soph. M/F; Lauren Lint, sr. F/M

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Adrienne Schaub, sr. D; Clarice Bardenhagen, soph. D; Sophia Bardenhagen, sr. D; no other players specified.

KEY NEWCOMERS: No players specified.

ROSTER: No list submitted, and no list located on the school’s athletics website or on an outside source.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: After a 7-6-3 campaign where the Norsemen outscored the opposition 45-17 with seven shutouts, Suttons Bay is off to a 9-2-0 start and engaging in a heated race with Leland for Northwest Conference supremacy. The Norsemen hold a 49-9 scoring edge through April 22 and have recorded six shutouts and have not been held off the scoreboard yet this season.

ROSTER CALL

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

2023 NORTHWEST CONFERENCE GIRLS SOCCER TEAM

FIRST TEAM

Goalkeepers:

Claire Dutton, Kingsley sr.

Ava Bechler, Benzonia Benzie Central jr.Forwards:

Gemma Lerchen, Maple City Glen Lake sr.

Kadence Popour, Benzonia Benzie Central soph.

Lauren Lint, Suttons Bay-North Bay Unified jr.

Willa Murray, Leland fr.

Midfielders:

Paige Steffke, Maple City Glen Lake jr.

Ruby Hogan, Maple City Glen Lake sr.

Bailey Charter, Kingsley, soph.

Addi Waskiewicz, Leland jr.

Megan U'Ren, Suttons Bay-North Bay Unified fr.

Avalon Valentine, Buckley-Mesick Unified jr.

Defenders:

Danielle U'Ren, Suttons Bay-North Bay Unified sr.

Grace Diotte, Maple City Glen Lake sr.

Emerie Burda, Leland fr.

Brooklyn Barker, Benzonia Benzie Central sr.

Taylor Yuresko, Buckley-Mesick Unified jr.

2023 MID-MICHIGAN ACTIVITIES CONFERENCE GIRLS SOCCER TEAM

No list submitted.