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Writer's pictureDan Stickradt

BOYS SOCCER: Top-ranked Notre Dame Prep shuts down No. 5 Flint Powers Catholic in top-five battle








MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews


BY DAN STICKRADT

WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS

Michigan Soccer Network | Premier Media Group and affiliates

BUSINESS LINE: (248) 525-2349

CELL PHONE: (248) 884-1051

TW/X: @msn_stickradt @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork

 

FLINT, Mich. – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep went into Monday with a large target on its back.

A very large target.


The Fighting Irish were ranked No. 1 in the state in Division 3 with a fine start, as the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association listed NDP in the top spot of the top-15 rankings released Sunday night on the Michigan Soccer Network High School Rankings Show. That is the first time since the school switched from Pontiac Oakland Catholic to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep in 1995 that has occurred.


The latest victim came in a top-10 showdown, as the Irish toppled fifth-ranked Flint Powers Catholic 1-0 on Monday night at Flint Atwood Stadium.


“I know we have never been No. 1 before since we were (moved to) Pontiac in the 1990s,” recalled Rob Suffrendini, wo is in his 10th season as has coach at NDP and has coached at a wide variety of clubs and high schools in the Detroit area. “I think there was one year where we got up to third in the rankings, but never No. 1. I think it’s good for these guys because they have worked hard and they have some really big goals for this season. But it also shows the people are respecting our program.”


The Irish have started 5-0-0 on the season after the first nine days of competition – one of the best starts in program history. Notre Dame Prep also won two games on Saturday to claim the NDP Tournament and followed that up with the win over the talented Powers Catholic side.


“I tell you what, Powers is very good. Very well coached,” admitted Suffrendini. “I don’t think we had our best game. We played a lot better on Saturday at our tournament and we were a little sluggish at times. We found a way to beat a very good team when we didn’t play our best. Powers is going to beat some teams, no doubt. They are definitely on of top teams in Division 3.”


Rodrigo Encinas scored the game’s only goal in the second half off a pass from Mike Khouri. That was all of the offense that Notre Dame Prep needed in this match.


Junior Nick Grembi picked up his fifth clean sheet of the season. Notre Dame Prep has outscored the opposition 16-0 so far this season, and that included a 4-0 win Saturday over Warren De La Salle -- the top-ranked team in Division 2 – in the finals of the four-school NDP tourney. De La Salle returned its whole roster from last season.


“Our goalkeeping has been solid. Our defense has been solid so far this season,” said Suffrendini “We didn’t score a ton in this game, but we have some talented offensive players that are dangerous. Powers (Catholic) was able to contain some of them. But other than that, we have looked good offensively in our first five games.


“We returned 16 players and really 10 starters, so we knew we should be good this season,” added the coach. “Hopefully, we can keep it going.”


It marked the first loss on the young season for Powers Catholic, which reached the Division 3 Final Four last season and has been a staple for the last three decades in Division 3.

 


(MSN will compile a random sampling of game results from around the state each day. To send in results from high school varsity, club, amateur, pre-pro, semi-pro or professional soccer, email all pertinent details to Communications Specialist / Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com and dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com or submit information right on the correct link on the MSN website at https://www.michigansoccernetwork.com/reportascore.. Please submit the competing teams, location and date of game, final score, overall and league records, goals, assists, goalkeepers and saves, standout defenders, players of the match, and any other pertinent details of the game. If there are courtesy action photos available, feel free to submit them at the above-listed emails.)

 

MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Twitter/X: @MiSoccerNetwork, @msn_stickradt


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(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 and jonathan@thepremiermediagrp.com.)




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Michigan-based Premier Media Group is expanding ... don't miss out on coverage


SHELBY TWP., Mich. – The Premier Media Group is expanding its broadcast net.


And we want you.


The Michigan-based PMG, founded in 2022, its flagship production the Michigan Soccer Network and all other affiliates, is actively scheduling games in a wide variety of high school leagues and conferences, small colleges, amateur, pre-professional, youth club, and other avenues of the beautiful game in Michigan.


The schedule for the fall semester is starting to fill up across Michigan.

The daily connections are being made and the spreading of our brand has brought in great reviews.


Would the coaches, administration, student-athletes, players and fans like for us to broadcast a game near you?


Regardless of the now-popular remote broadcast games, on-location broadcast games, on-location shows or in-studio daily shows, there is a simple process. Visit the website www.michigansoccernetwork.com or click below for details.



PMG will also be holding various “Win A Free Broadcast” contest at various parts of the fall, winter (indoor) and spring seasons.




"(Michigan Soccer Network) has does a great job making these kids feel special,” offered Michal Hatfield, girls soccer coach at Trenton High School who also coaches in the Detroit City FC youth club system. “The broadcasts were professionally done and we were very pleased when they did our games. They did a great job with (play-by-play), graphics and postgame interviews with the kids. And a lot of people saw it. We had uncles and aunts that have never seen their nieces play get a chance to watch them on YouTube). And all of the kids were able to jump on there (the YouTube channel) afterwards and watch the game.”


The MSN staff had the pleasure of broadcasting multiple games the last two school years for schools in the Oakland Activities Association and have received its fair share of feedback. The goal is to conduct broadcasts of games throughout the state of Michigan, especially in the larger populated regions.


“MSN has done a great job with broadcasts in our league (Macomb Area Conference),” said Trevor Foster, current head coach of the Romeo girls soccer program, goalkeepers coach for Oakland University’s soccer programs, and director at the Michigan Goalkeepers Academy. “I know the girls love it. And I know some of the parents were putting their earphones on and listening to the game when they were (in the stands) and it gives relatives a chance to watch games that they normally wouldn’t be able to.


“It’s as close to professional (broadcast) as any broadcast of high school soccer that you will see out there,” added Foster. “Plus, they do all types of (amateur and pre-professional) leagues out there (in Michigan).”



“We were very pleased, especially with the knowledge of high school soccer in the state of Michigan from the play-by-play announcers and color commentators,” said Todd Heugh, the current director of athletics at Troy Athens High School and a former coach at the school. “They put together a valuable (product) and the games are live on YouTube for everyone to watch, even if you are (a relative or an alumni) not in the area. I know coaches go on there (YouTube), too, to watch games of an upcoming opponent.”


The PMG staff has a goal of 100-plus games this fall from mid-August through November. The Michigan Soccer Network conducted a record 50 remote or in-person broadcasts during the month of June.


PMG also has contacts within Michigan, the Midwest and even in different parts of the U.S. and have become broadcast partners for more than 15 different leagues or franchises within those leagues over the past three years. PMG has multiple broadcasting rights for within the USL-League Two, USL-W League, UPSL, MWPL, NISA, WSPL and more and constantly expanding its web of coverage both on various YouTube channels and on our website at www.michigansoccernetwork.com. It has broadcasted more high school boys soccer and high school girls soccer at more than 75 high schools in Michigan.


“MSN has been a great media partner for the Bucks and AFC,” said Costa Papista, President of the Flint City Bucks and Flint City AFC of the USL-League Two and USL-W League, respectively. “The production and overall quality of our live broadcasts are professional grade. Flint City fans, sponsors and supporters greatly appreciate the MSN quality. We are always receiving excellent feedback and comments from our fans and visiting fans as well.”  


And now the busy season starts in earnest with high school, college and youth club team beginning the 2024-25 school year.




To schedule a game or to consult team members of our broadcast, reach out to the following persons in the PMG family of networks: Broadcast Director Jonathan Turner, 248-525-2083, jonathan@thepremeiermediagrp.com or new Director of Scheduling / Office Manager Alaina Gagnon, at agagnon@thepremiermediagrp.com and inquire about the broadcast options, packages, special packages and more.


For news on the soccer scene in Michigan, check out the MSN website at www.michigansoccernetwork.com for daily updates, game recaps, feature stories, previews and more for teams, players and coaches from a wide variety schools, amateur teams, colleges and youth club teams.


The PMG and MSN staff will continue to reach for its goal of providing quality broadcast on any network and in-depth coverage and content on it website.


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.

 

(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 and jonathan@thepremeiermediagrp.com.)



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