BY DAN STICKRADT
Communications Specialist | Web And Content Editor | Director of News |
Social Media Director | Interns and Freelance Coordinator
PH: (248) 884-1051
TW: @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
(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 – DeWitt, East Lansing, Grand Ledge, Holt, Lansing Everett, Lansing Waverly, Okemos
ROSTER CALL
All varsity girls soccer rosters in Michigan can be emailed to stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com
SCHOOL: DeWitt
HEAD COACH: Erica Clement, third season
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 13-7-3, 5-1-0 CAAC-Blue Division (second, 15 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. St. Johns (3-0); def. Lansing Waverly (5-0); def. Mason (1-0, district finals); lost in D-2 regional semifinals to Linden (2-1)
RETURNING STARTERS: Carly Dennis, soph. D; Julia Fowler, soph. D; Madison McDonald, jr. G; Nicole O’Neal, jr. M; Norah Lutz, sr. D; Ava Mardigan, soph. F; Ava Jacobsen, jr. M; Cate Piesko, jr. M.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Kaygan Dreasky, sr.; Catherine Piesko, jr.; Sarah Reynolds, sr.; Cara Rodolico, soph.; Leah Shadduck, jr.; Camber Stine, soph.; Alexandra Sustrich, jr.; Madelyn Takagishi, soph.; Madelyn Tavelli, sr.; Ashley Taylor, sr.; Madison Zelski, sr.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Katelyn Jameson, fr. M; Sailor Stevens, fr. M/F; Ava Hanus, fr. D; Avery Walthorn, fr. D
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: After a brief rebuilding period, DeWitt took a step forward last season. The Panthers finished second in the CAAC-Blue and won a Division 2 district championship last season. A large group of returnees coupled with a quality freshmen class bodes well for this year and for the future. Last season DeWitt outscored the opposition 51-23 with 12 shutouts and was shut out five times in a 13-win season. This year the Panthers are off to a 2-2-2 to start with a 10-7 scoring edge against quality competition.
SCHOOL: East Lansing
HEAD COACH: Jeff Lyons, 13th season
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 12-4-3, 3-1-2 CAAC-Blue Division (third, 11 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Howell (2-0); def. Grand Ledge (2-1, 2OT, SO); lost in D-1 district finals to Brighton (4-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Zoe Hagan, jr. G (All-League); Caroline Kirschner, jr. M/F; Peyton Speakes, jr. D; Olivia Preisser, sr. M (All-League); Brennan Ford, sr. D; Kinsey McAndrews, jr. M; Sydney Ooten, jr. D; Eliana Rojas, soph. M
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Grace Mitchell, jr. D; Ty Wysong, sr. D; Nina VanOtternen, jr. M; Ella Finger, sr. M
KEY NEWCOMERS: Olin Moyer, soph. M
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: East Lansing boasted a great defense last season even though the Trojans were never ranked. East Lansing came out of the gate with eight straight shutouts, finished with 14 clean sheets and outscored the opposition 53-11 but did not have any major championships to show for it. The Trojans finished third in the CAAC-Blue behind longtime nemesis Okemos and DeWitt and were blanked by Brighton in the district finals. Gone are several key starters and reserves and a lot of the defensive-minded players amongst the group that departed. East Lansing started the 2024 campaign 2-5-0 with two shutouts but have scored 10 and allowed 10 through April 13.
SCHOOL: Holt
HEAD COACH: Aaron Smith
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 7-6-2, 2-4-0 CAAC-Blue Division (fifth, six points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-districts to Brighton (5-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Haley Hackett, sr. D (All-League); Brooke Alberts, jr. M; Samantha Pell, sr. M (All-League Honorable Mention); Ella Marciniak-Jennings, sr. F; Ella Reaves, jr. M; Taylor Crosslan, sr. G; Lylaann Stitt, soph. M; Katetlyn Sandtviet, sr. D; Ava Stowell, jr. D.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Lena Smith, sr. M; Jessica Bossenbroek, sr. D; Faith Domingo, jr. M; Breanna Gundrum, jr. M.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Rylie Ysasi, soph. F; Chloe Buckey, soph. M/D; Kara Baker, soph. D.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: It’s been two decades since Holt made a deep run in the state tournament. Last year, the Rams outscored the opposition 31-28 with three clean sheets but were shut out five times during their five-hundred season. This year Holt is off to a 2-2-0 start with a 7-5 scoring edge. That is behind nine returning starters and a few other returnees. Holt could sneak back into the top half of this league, which appears to be deeper and more balanced this year than in quite some time.
SCHOOL: Grand Ledge
HEAD COACH: David ‘DJ’ Blanzy
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 7-9-3, 3-2-1 CAAC-Blue Division (fourth, 10 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 district semifinals to East Lansing (2-1, 2OT, SO)
RETURNING STARTERS: Ella Baird, jr. F (All-League); Emma Anderson, jr. M; Piper Rosalin, sr. M; Ava Parker, sr. M; Ana Isabella Kelly, jr. F; Clarice Powers, soph. F; Katelyn Roberts, jr. D; Samantha Powers, soph. D.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Rachel Carlson, sr. M (injured last season); Lillian Davis, sr. D; Kate Oberdank, jr. D/M; Zoey Thalen, sr. F; Ashlee Walker, sr. D.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Madison Alten, soph. M; Mia Davidson, sr. D; Naomi Fitton, jr.; Hannah Hall, soph. M; Isabella Harper, soph. D; Marisa Meyers, jr. D; Elliott Mullett, soph. F; Lilli Nichols, soph. M.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Despite finishing just under the five-hundred mark last season, the Comets actually posted some decent numbers by registering seven shutouts while outscoring the opposition 40-26 a year ago. This year Grand Ledge is off to a 3-1-1 start through April 14 with two more clean sheets and an 8-7 scoring difference. The Comets could challenge this year for a top-three CAAC-Blue finish with a solid core back in uniform and a unit playing with confidence. Ella Baird is a dangerous attacker that has earned All-CAAC honors the last two years and will be one to watch. The Comets also have several third-year varsity veterans on the roster.
SCHOOL: Lansing Everett
HEAD COACH: Samantha Gifford, first season.
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 5-11-1, 0-5-1 CAAC-Blue Division (tied-sixth, one point)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-districts to Lansing Waverly (3-0).
RETURNING STARTERS: Esther Francois, sr. M (All-League Honorable Mention); Keiby Manzano, sr. M; Ruth Francois, jr. F; Alawiya Mohamat, sr. M/F; Vanessa Martinez, jr. CB; Crystal Dominguez, sr. M; Stephanie Esquivel, jr. M; Anna Tello, sr. D.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: LuzClarita Rodriguez, soph.; Teresa Aguilar, jr.; Vanessa Martinez, jr. D; Nia Sung, jr. G.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Lauren Farr, sr.; Heyla Lopez, jr.; Idalia Castilla-Boyer, jr.; Michelle Guzman-Barrera, fr.; Gabriela Pilar, sr.; Andrea Garcia, soph. Jayden Yerke, soph. Batule Aljazea, fr.; Keely Cross, jr.; Mahina Temurova, sr.; Faten Aldagher, jr.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: With the overall talent pool down in the entire Lansing area compared to recent years, this may be a year for Everett to show some major improvements. And what better way than to do it under new coach Samantha Gifford. … “I’m looking forward to seeing these girls continue to improve their soccer skills and themselves individually and as a teammate. We take each day at a time and strive to be better than the day before,” said coach Samantha Gifford. “We’re hoping to improve our record this year. Hopefully more wins and less ties. We have some girls that were injured last year that are looking to get cleared to play again.”
SCHOOL: Lansing Waverly
HEAD COACH: Kevin Kacel
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 4-12-1, 0-5-1 CAAC-Blue Division (tied-sixth, one point)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Lansing Everett (3-0); lost in D-2 district semifinals to DeWitt (5-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Faith Simmons, sr. M (All-League, All-District; signed with NAIA Olivet University); Madison Medina, jr. F/M; Taharah Harris, sr. D; Elizabeth Angers, sr. D/M; Cylah McClellan, jr. M; Amirrah Smith, sr. D; Inaysia Martinez, soph. M/F.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Lilly Blanck, jr. D/G; Aniyah Cooks, jr. D.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Adrian Gimm-Bergh, fr. G; Maykayla Damico, fr. M/F.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Looking back and Waverly has been quiet the last several years. The Warriors only won four games last season, tied for sixth in the league and were outscored 69-23 with only three shutouts last season while being shut out eight times. There is reason for optimism this season with multiple third- and fourth-year varsity veterans on the roster that has led to a 1-1-0 start through April 12.
SCHOOL: Okemos
HEAD COACH: Keith Miller, third season.
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 12-2-2, 5-0-1 CAAC-Blue Division (first, 16 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-district to Hartland (2-1)
RETURNING STARTERS: Panya Gross, sr. D; Maude Lewis, sr. D (All-League); Karissa Theiss, sr. D (All-League); Allison Korb, jr. D (All-League, All-District); Elliana Tapscott, sr. M (All-League)
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Phoebe Malinak, jr. M; Nina Pincheira, sr. M; Grace Stanley, sr. M.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Calle Guggemos, soph. F; Avani Pavangadkar, soph. F; Mattie Thompson, soph. G.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: For the defending CAAC-Blue champions, the quality 2023 campaign ended with a hard pre-district loss to Hartland (2-1) in a wide-open district. The Chieftains puzzling 2-3-0 start this season where they were outscored 17-7 does not send out a good signal. Last year Okemos outscored the opposition 47-6 with 13 shutouts. There are five returning starters and three of them earned All-League status, so there is experience here. It’s not time for a high-level program like Okemos to throw in the towel, although Miller and Co. have some things to sort out on both ends of the pitch. This team will likely still challenge for a league title in a wide-open race.
(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.)
(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.)
