OAKLAND ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION—RED DIVISION
Below are the team capsules for the Oakland Activities Association Red Division. Rounds of Emails were sent to the athletics departments and coaching staffs of every girls soccer program in the state where coaches emails were available in March. To submit information for missing schools, submit additional information, or to make corrections, please email Web and Content Editor Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or text to (248) 884-1051.
Teams – Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, Rochester, Rochester Adams, Rochester Stoney Creek, Troy, Troy Athens
SCHOOL: Bloomfield Hills
HEAD COACH: Alan Zakaria
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 15-2-3, 3-2-1 OAA Red Division (third)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Waterford Mott (8-0); def. Walled Lake Northern (2-0, district finals); def. Lake Orion (4-2); def. Hartland (2-1, regional finals); def. Portage Central (1-0, state semifinals); def. Northville (2-1, 2OT, SO) in D-1 state finals match.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: 2022
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: None
FINAL FOUR-REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: 2022
RETURNING STARTERS: Jenica Opdahl, jr. G (All-League; All-State First Team; committed to Air Force Academy); Brooke Green, sr. M/F (Michigan Tech); Emma Henry, soph. M/F; Charlotte Carleton, sr. D (Swarthmore College); Lola Halsband, sr. D (Lake Forest College)
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Sofia Spano, soph. M/F; Jenna Ofiara, sr. M; Ava Duqueete, jr. M/F; Tess Wright, jr. D/M; Jakyah O’Rourke, sr. D
KEY NEWCOMERS: Elaina Perrotta, soph. D/M; Lily Ehmann, soph. M; Lauren Cuson, soph. D; Chloe Salo, soph. F; Lauren Barosky, soph. M/F
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: The defending D-1 state champs only return five starters and lost a bevy of offensive firepower to graduation, as four of the top five goal scorers and three-quarters of its offense I now gone. The Blackhawks started 3-1-1 through April 18 with a 8-4 scoring edge over the opposition. With one of the state’s top goalkeepers and four backline players back (two starters and two reserves from last year), this team won’t give up a ton of goals. But who will step up and be a consistent goal-scorer is Bloomfield Hills’ biggest question mark. The state championship last year was the first in any sport since Lahser and Andover merged eight years ago.
SCHOOL: Clarkston
HEAD COACH: Damian Huffer, sixth season
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 10-6-1, 4-2-1 OAA White Division (third)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost to Oxford (4-3, 2OT) in a D-1 pre-districts
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: None
RETURNING STARTERS: Emma Bradley, jr. M (All-League; committed to Saginaw Valley State University); Ava Bechtell, sr. M; Kara Bowles, sr. CD; Emerson Wood, sr. F (15 goals, eight assists); McKinlee Brumm, jr. CD; Micaela Holhbein, sr. F (injured and out for year)
KEY NEWCOMERS: Keira Mcgivern, sr. D/M; Regan Mcgivern, sr. CD (both played with Nationals GA last season)
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: After finishing third in the OAA White Division behind Oxford and Birmingham Seaholm, Clarkston voluntarily moved up to the OAA Red Division because both Oxford and Seaholm opted out to remain in the OAA-White. The Wolves return 12 letterwinners from last year’s squad that won 10 games last season. Clarkston has started 2-3-0 with a rugged schedule and been outscored 13-11 in those five games. “We have a very solid team this year with plenty of returning players who are either seniors or juniors. We lost our leading scorer Micaela Holhbein to a torn ACL which is huge loss. The Mcgivern twins played in the GA for Nationals until last year and they’ll be a huge addition in defense and midfield. I requested to be moved up to OAA-Red as I welcome the competition and want to play the hardest schedule possible,” said coach Damian Huffer.
SCHOOL: Rochester
HEAD COACH: Doug Steinard, fourth season
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 17-1-4, 4-0-2 OAA Red Division (first)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Romeo (2-1, 2OT); def. Rochester Adams (1-0); def. Rochester Stoney Creek (2-1, 2OT, SO, district finals); def. New Baltimore Anchor Bay (2-0); def. Troy Athens (1-0, regional finals); lost to Northville (2-1) in the D-1 state semifinals.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: None
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: 2007
FINAL FOUR-REGIONAL CHAMPIOPNSHIP SEASONS: 1994, 1995, 2007, 2013, 2022
RETURNING STARTERS: Alice Max, soph. G (6-foot-1 All-State basketball player and D-I recruit in that sport); Natalie Rayce, sr. F (All-State First Team; 20 goals, 10 assists last year; signed with Division III Carnagie-Mellon); Ava Williams, sr. M (Al-State Second Team, Division I prospect, undecided); Alaina Webb, sr. M/F (All-State Third Team; recruited by D-III and NAIA schools); Leila Lanier, sr. D (signed with University of Detroit-Mercy); Ella Massa, sr. D; Kaitlyn Guolla, jr. M/F; Samantha Mickley, sr. F; Emma Barker, soph. D; Maeve Comfort, sr. M (Aquinas College); Kiely Robinson, soph. D/M
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Riley Sampson, soph. D; Ella Wozniak, sr. D; Mallory Gentry, sr. D; Presley Johnson, jr. F; Kiera Nagy, jr. D.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Romina McGuire, fr. D/M; Karsen Jackson, jr. F; Nishka Sawkar, jr. M; Emersyn Crossley, jr. D
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: After reaching the Final Four for the fifth time in school history in 2022, Rochester is picking up right where it left off as one of the state’s top teams. The Falcons are 5-0-1 to start the year through April 18 and ranked in the top five since the preseason. Rochester returns more than just about everybody, as 10 of 11 starters are back, 13 of the top 15 players and 17 players with varsity experience are back. “We return a ton of kids but we know how difficult our league is with all the ranked teams and our district is just ridiculous. We should contend for the league and district and if we can get out of that district we have the talent to make a run again,” said coach Doug Steinard. Rochester is seeking its first state title, last playing in the title match back in 2007 (a 2-1 loss to Novi).
SCHOOL: Rochester Adams
HEAD COACH: Josh Hickey, 10th season
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 13-5-2, 2-3-1 OAA Red Division (seventh)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Utica Ford II (1-0); lost to Rochester (1-0) in D-1 districts semifinals.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: 1992, 1999
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: 1990, 1998
FINAL FOUR-REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2006, 2010, 2012
RETURNING STARTERS: Danielle Danko, jr. M/F; Sage Patritto, sr. D; Kaitlyn Dempster, jr. D/M; Yohanna Wang, jr. D/F; Cassie Maynard, sr. G
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Evi Kekhoua, jr. D; Coralie Kiessling, sr. M; Hellen Flores, jr. M; Alexa Cusmano, soph. M
KEY NEWCOMERS: Sadie Rogers, soph. M/F (played Nationals GA last season); Rafaela Galera-Rogano, sr. F; Alexa Calumuggio, fr. G; Regan Moore, fr. M/F; Morgan Muir, fr. M; Kaitlyn Bothe, fr. F; Julianna Zobrist, soph. M; Katelin Orsargos, jr. D; Olivia Marcial, jr. M; Samantha Hawkins, soph. M; Bella Hamerink, jr. M; Petra Gablowski, jr. D
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: With only four seniors, this is one of Adams’ youngest teams in school history and only five players are back that regularly started games a year ago. The Highlanders have already fallen out of the top 15 with a slow 1-4-1 start. Adams owns a 13-11 scoring edge and that is with as many as four freshmen starting games and four sophomores also receiving minutes. This team will be battle tested before entering one of the state’s toughest districts that also includes Rochester, Rochester Stoney Creek, Romeo and Utica Eisenhower – and each of those schools has cracked the top 15 rankings this season.
SCHOOL: Rochester Stoney Creek
HEAD COACH: Bryan Mittelstadt, 11th season
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 13-4-2, 2-2-2 OAA Red Division (tied-fourth)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Utica Eisenhower (2-0); lost to Rochester (2-1, 2OT, SO) in D-1 districts finals.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: 2016
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: 2004
FINAL FOUR-REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: 2005, 2016
RETURNING STARTERS: Lilley Bosley, sr. M/D/F (reigning Miss Soccer; All-State Dream Team, All-State First Team Division 1; Top 100 prospect; signed with University of Michigan); Madeline McGinley, sr. F/M (signed with UNC-Greensboro); Sarina Shah, jr. M; Kaeli Butcher, sr. M/D; Megan Kennedy, sr. D; Lily Solek, sr. D (three-sport athlete); Ava Avridas, sr. F
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Lilly Stickney, jr. M; Alyssa Vettraino, sr. D; Olivia Lombardo, jr. M; Merrick Schwalbach, soph. G; McKenna Musser, sr. D/M; Emily Altman, sr. M; Elexa Wolfe, sr. D; Kendall Allen, sr. D; Faith Breuhan, sr. M
KEY NEWCOMERS: Mia Carson, sr. D/F (sat out last year); Jess Kennedy, fr. G; Kaitlyn Krier, jr. F; Lauren Palmer, jr. M/F; Angie Toma, jr. M; Tigi Maio, jr. D; Gigi Biondo, jr. M/F
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: For all of the talent on the roster, Stoney Creek would like nothing more to get this deep group of seniors some championship hardware. The Cougars have not won a district since 2018, being upset in the 2021 district finals by Romeo despite being ranked No. 2 in the state, and again losing to fellow state-ranked Rochester (2-1, shootout) in last year’s district finals. Stoney Creek is off to a 6-0-0 start as of April 14, outscoring the opposition 21-1 in that span. The Cougars are ranked well inside the top 10 this season and are engaging in a heated battle for the OAA-Red Division title. After the brutally-tough regular season one of the state’s toughest districts awaits and will feature Stoney Creek, Rochester, Rochester Adams, Romeo and Utica Eisenhower – all five schools have dented the rankings at one point this season. There are 13 seniors on the roster and a top 150 prospect in Lilley Bosley, who could become only the third player to win Miss Soccer twice in her career.
SCHOOL: Troy
HEAD COACH: Dan Trocolli, 10th season
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 10-3-4, 2-2-2 OAA Red Division (tied-fourth)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Birmingham Groves (2-0); def. Berkley (4-0); lost to Troy Athens (1-0) in D-1 districts finals match.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: 1994, 2003, 2013
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: 1996, 2001, 2009, 2011, 2012
FINAL FOUR-REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: 1983, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018, 2019
RETURNING STARTERS: Lizzie Bultynck, sr. F (All-State First Team; signed with Bowling Green State; 20 goals, seven assists; Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year finalist); Natalie Byelica, sr. F; Ava Lillie, sr. D; Maya Saad, soph. D (All-League, All-District); Sydney Taylor, jr. D (All-League, All-District); Brooke Hotts, soph. D; Jenna Taylor, jr. M; Maddie Miller, soph. M; Jordan Gren, sr. M; Ava Flemming, soph. M; Emily Kim, sr. D; Jennifer Bricker, sr. D; Erin Soules, jr. F; Jessica Harmon, soph. G
KEY NEWCOMERS: Audry Hamilton, fr. M; Tia Tonelli, soph. M; Sabrina Gaul, fr. F; Emma Rozek, fr. D
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: Since its program debuted back in 1983, Troy has reached at least the Final Four a total of 14 times, including three state championships and five stater runner-up trophies. The Colts began the season ranked again in the top 15 and should be one of the better teams in the deep OAA Red Division. If the Colts can get past Troy Athens I district play, the Colts could make a deep run. “This team has a lot of potential., but I’m cautiously optimistic,” said coach Dan Troccoli.
SCHOOL: Troy Athens
HEAD COACH: Todd Heugh, 12th season
2022 OVERALL RECORD / LEAGUE RECORD / LEAGUE FINISH: 16-4-0, 4-2-0 OAA Red Division (second)
2022 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Birmingham Seaholm (1-0); def. Troy (1-0, district finals); def. Fraser (7-0); lost to Rochester (1-0) in the D-1 regional finals
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: 1989, 1991, 1993, 2000
STATE RUNNER-UP SEASONS: 1985, 1986, 2021
FINAL FOUR-REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1993, 2000, 2015, 2021
RETURNING STARTERS: Anna Leonard, sr. F (signed with Purdue-Fort Wayne); Hannah Dombrowski, jr. D; Nichole Russell, jr.; Lauren DeJonckheere, soph. M; Rebekah Delia, sr. M (signed with Olivet Nazarene); Sydney McBride, jr. M; Madison Bloom, jr. D
KEY NEWCOMERS: Several newcomers trying to prove their worth and provide depth.
OUTLOOK / NOTABLES / COACHES COMMENTS: Troy Athens, one of the most storied programs in state history, should find its way into the top tier of a loaded OAA Red Division again this season when all is said and done. Last year Athens was second to Rochester in the OAA-Red, won a district and reached the D-1 regional finals. The Red Hawks have started 5-1-1 through April 15, outscoring the opposition 20-3 with five shutouts. Athens has won four state titles with three runners-up in school history but has not won a state crown since 2000. The Red Hawks did reach the state finals in 2021 and have some holdover talent on this year’s team.
