MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
(Editor’s Note: The Michigan Soccer Network will continue its series about an assortment of Michigan-based youth club teams that competed in various age groups at various regional and national tournaments and playoffs during the months of June, July and August for all levels of the youth soccer pyramid. Send all pertinent information including results, stats, photos, and coach’s contact information to MSN Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com and dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com or call the news department at 248-525-2349.)
BY DAN STICKRADT
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST | WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS
Michigan Soccer Network | Premier Media Group
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GRAND BLANC, Mich. – Simply put, Detroit City FC Genesee 06 Rouge girls soccer team did not win a US Youth Soccer regional championship. But it was the body of work that led this talented side to an at-large berth into the final week.
The Detroit City FC Genesee 06 Rouge finished as semifinalists at the USYS Presidents Cup U18 Midwest Regional Tournament but based on its long list of accomplishments at the regional and over the previous 10 months helped lead the team to earning and accepting a bid in the USYS President’s Cup U18 National Championships July 12-17 in Wichita, Kansas, at the Stryker Sports Complex.
Dozens of youth club teams from across the country will compete in the U13 to U19 divisions with hopes of walking off the pitch with the grand prize. Genesee-Rouge will be part of the six-team field in the U18 division.
“We were fortunate enough to get the (at-large berth). There was a little mix-up I think where two (bracket) winners that hadn’t lost met in the (semifinals) and we technically finished third (in the tournament). We didn’t win it which would have automatically allowed us to advance,” offered head coach Rob Nuckolls. “We’re glad to have the chance because I think this is a very talented group of young women who will represent our club (and Michigan) well.”
After contending in its division in the MSPSP-Premier 1 ranks last August and September, the Detroit City FC Genesee 06 Rouge finished a perfect 5-0-0 in the MSYSA State Cup Tournament with a combined 15-2 scoring edge and three clean sheets.
Genesee-Rouge defeated Battle Creek Fire SC-2006 Girls Blue (1-0), Michigan Jaguars-Dearborn 2006 Girls Green (3-0) and Oxford SC-Wildcats 2006 (4-1) in pool play. Genesee-Rouge defeated Eastside FC-Girls 06 Black (5-0) in the semifinals and the Michigan Futbol Academy Revolution NS 06 Girls Black (2-1) in the state cup finals last October (2023) to qualify for the USYS Midwest President’s Cup Regional Tournament in Sioux Falls, S.D., June 14-18 at Yankton Trail Park.
Genesee-Rouge finished 3-0-0 in the group/pool play stage at the regional, taking down Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based AYSO United-Cedar Rapids 2006 Girls (6-1), Illinois-based Tinley Park Bobcats 2006-Black (2-1) and Arlington Heights, Illinois-based Elite SC U19 Girls-Elite (2-1) to advance to the elimination rounds. The side outscored the opposition 10-3 in the group stage.
Genesee-Rouge squared off with fellow undefeated Lakeshore United FC U18-Navy 2006 in the tournament semifinals but dropped a 2-1 decision. Genesee-Rouge still earned the at-large berth for the USYS President’s Cup National Championships, one of just a few to teams that were non-winners in their respective regional tournaments.
Additionally last November 17-19, Genesee-Rouge finished 3-1-0 at the Indianapolis College Showcase in Westfield, Indiana, at the Grand Park Sports Campus, defeating Nationals Macomb Select 08 Girls-Black (2-0), Fusion FC-NKY Girls 06-Green (2-0) and Oak Brook SC WZD 2006-07-Elite (2-1) before falling in the finals to Firebirds SC 2006 Girls-Black (2-1). This helped pad the team’s impressive resume.
The team, which features several quality players from the graduating class of 2024 and 2025 mainly from the Flint-Saginaw-Bay City areas, is led by attacking midfielder Iyana Blake (Grand Blanc) center backs Abygail Burnash (Flushing), Sydney Hall (Davison) and Maria Thompson (Flint Powers Catholic), who can also play goalkeeper, midfielder Nia Smith (Davison), forwards Paige Allis (Davison), Liliana Kish (Davison) and Samantha Beller (Davison) and goalkeeper Serenity Wieszciecinski (Bay City Central) amongst others.
“We have some girls that have been outstanding all season long,” praised Nuckolls, who also coaches the girls soccer program over at Davison High School. “Iyana Blake is a real (standout). Sometimes when we need a goal or something to happen, she can take over.
“Our defense is really strong, too,” added Nuckolls. “Abby Burnash and Maria Thompson have been solid back there. It’s funny but Maria Thompson plays goalkeeper for (Flint) Powers in high school and she’s a real good goalie. But we primarily use her on the back line.”
Wieszciecinski is an underrated keeper coming out of Bay City.
“I can’t tell you how to spell her name, so we just call her Ren. But she’s a really good goalkeeper. A lot of people don’t know about her but she’s been very good for us all year,” added Nuckolls. “She’s made some impressive saves for us in a lot of games (and tournaments).
Nia Smith, former Michigan State University basketball player and member of the late 1990s/early 2000s 'Flintstones' Antonio Smith’s daughter, and Sam Beller have also emerged as rising stars out of the midfield. Beller joined the roster later in the 2023-24 season.
““Nia Smith is another underrated player. She’s so athletic and so strong,” added Nuckolls.
Liliana Alfaro (Davison Faith Baptist), Sara Snyder (Flint Powers Catholic), Lillian Kish (Davison), Payton McKay (Grand Blanc), Addison Byers (Flushing), Paige Allis (Davison), Shelby Hart (Grand Blanc), Sydney Hall (Davison), Mackenzee Alexander (Davison), Natalie Church (Flint Powers Catholic), Emree Rose (Davison), Cally Dorman (Bay City Western) and Jenna Woolman (Davison) also gained minutes on the team.
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.)
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