GIRLS SOCCER: Kalamazoo Christian edges NorthPointe Christian to make return trip to D-4 state finals

BY DAN STICKRADT

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST | WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS

E: stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com

PH: (248) 884-1051

TW/X: @msn_stickradt @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork

FB: www.facebook.com/misoccernetwork

INSTA: www.instagram.com/misoccernetwork/

YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/@MICHIGANSOCCERNETWORK

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. – Different year, same results.

Kalamazoo Christian is making a return trip to East Lansing to try to defend its Division 4 state title.

The sixth-ranked Comets, making their 13th appearance in the state semifinals, downed seventh-ranked Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 2-1 Tuesday at Comstock Park High School to advance to the state finals for third straight year, sixth time in the last decade and ninth time overall.

Kalamazoo Christian (18-4-2) will take its eight-game win streak on the road northeast back to Michigan State University’s DeMartin Stadium where the Comets will face unranked Jackson Lumen Christi (13-7-0) at 1 p.m. Friday.

The Southwestern Athletic Conference-Valley Division champions, Kalamazoo Christian defeated Clarkston Everest Collegiate/Sacred Heart Unified 5-0 in last year’s state title game, while the Comets also won titles in 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008. Kalamazoo Christian lost in the finals in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022.

The Comets never trailed Northpointe Christian – a same team they tied 1-1back on May 8 in a non-conference matchup – scoring a goal in each half to prevail.

Maysen Steensma’s header off a cornerkick by Sophia Nash with 7:30 to play in the second half proved to be the game-winner for Kalamazoo Christian.

The Comets took the early lead at 1-0 in just the third minute. MacKenzie Ling’s set piece into the box was eventually knocked home by Ari Allen.

NorthPointe Christian (18-4-2) finally netted an equalizer in the 50gth minute when Sophie Stob one-timed a steal and redirected it into the back of the net from long distance.

Elizabeth Netz made seven saves for Kalamazoo Christian to gain the win, while Kate Fenster made eight saves for NorthPointe Christian.

STATE FINALISTS SEASONS FOR KALAMAZOO CHRISTIAN:

STATE CHAMPIONS:

2023

2008

2007

2004

2003

STATE RUNNERS-UP:

2022

2019

2018

2017

STATE TITLES -- 5

STATE RUNNERS-UP -- 4

FINAL FOUR APPEARANCES -- 13

THE MOST IN STATE TOURNAMENT HISTORY--GIRLS SOCCER

(1983-2003)

• Compiled by MSN’s Dan Stickradt

Note: An asterisk* denotes a school that no longer exists.

MOST MHSAA STATE TITLES:

12 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley

11 – Hudsonville Unity Christian

9 – Birmingham Marian 

7 – Novi

6 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day

5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central

5 – Kalamazoo Christian

5 – Livonia Stevenson

4 – Grandville Calvin Christian

4 – Richland Gull Lake 

4 – Troy Athens

3 – East Grand Rapids

3 – Flint Powers Catholic

3 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep

3 – Northville

3 – Plymouth Canton

3 – Troy

2 – Grand Rapids South Christian

2 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett

2 – Lansing Christian

2 – Okemos

2 – Portage Central

2 – Rochester Adams

2 – Rochester Stoney Creek

2 – Royal Oak Shrine Catholic

1 – Ann Arbor Greenhills

1 – Ann Arbor Huron

1 – Birmingham Groves

1 – Birmingham Seaholm

1 – Bloomfield Hills

1 – Clawson

1 – Dearborn

1 – Grosse Pointe North

1 – Hartland

1 – Livonia Churchill

1 – North Muskegon

1 – Plainwell

1 – Plymouth Salem

1 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

1 – Saginaw Eisenhower*

1 – Saginaw Heritage

1 – Saline

1 – Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-Clarkston Everest Unified

1 – Williamston

MOST MHSAA STATE FINALS APPEARANCES:

17 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley

15 – Hudsonville Unity Christian

13 – Birmingham Marian

11 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day 

9 – Flint Powers Catholic 

9 – Kalamazoo Christian 

8 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep 

8 – Richland Gull Lake

7 – Livonia Stevenson

7 – Novi

7 – Plymouth Canton

7 – Troy

7 – Troy Athens

6 – East Grand Rapids

6 – Northville

6 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 

5 – Plainwell

5 – Brighton

5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern

4 – Ann Arbor Greenhills

4 – Grand Blanc

4 – Grandville Calvin Christian

4 – Lansing Christian

4 – Rochester Adams

4 – Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-Clarkston Everest Unified

3 – Bloomfield Hills Lahser*

3 – Livonia Churchill

3 – Okemos

3 – Portage Central

3 – Rochester Stoney Creek

3 – Royal Oak Shrine Catholic

3 – Williamston

2 – Freeland

2 – Grand Rapids South Christian

2 – Grosse Pointe North

2 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett

2 – Plymouth

2 – Plymouth Salem

2 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

2 – Saginaw Eisenhower*

2 – Utica Eisenhower

1 – Ann Arbor Huron

1 – Birmingham Groves

1 – Birmingham Seaholm

1 – Bloomfield Hills

1 – Boyne City

1 ­­– Clarkston Everest Collegiate-Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Unified

1 – Clawson

1 – Dearborn

1 – Essexville-Garber

1 – Fenton

1 – Grandville

1 – Grosse Ile

1 – Harbor Springs

1 – Hartland

1 – Hudsonville

1 – Jackson Lumen Christi

1 – Livonia Ladywood*

1 – Montrose

1 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian

1 – North Muskegon

1 – Portage Northern

1 – Rochester

1 – Saginaw Heritage

1 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic

1 – Saline

1 – Spring Lake

1 – Stevensville-Lakeshore

MOST MHSAA STATE RUNNERS-UP FINISHES:

6 – Flint Powers Catholic

5 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day

5 – Brighton

5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern

5 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep

5 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley

4 – Birmingham Marian 

4 – Grand Blanc

4 – Hudsonville Unity Christian

4 – Kalamazoo Christian

4 – Plainwell

4 – Plymouth Canton

4 – Richland Gull Lake

4 – Troy

3 – Ann Arbor Greenhills

3 – Bloomfield Hills Lahser*

3 – Northville

3 – Troy Athens

3 – Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-Clarkston Everest Unified

2 – East Grand Rapids

2 – Freeland 

2 – Lansing Christian

2 – Livonia Churchill

2 – Livonia Stevenson 

2 – Plymouth

2 – Rochester Adams

2 – Utica Eisenhower

2 – Williamston

1 – Boyne City

1 ­­– Clarkston Everest Collegiate-Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Unified

1 – East Grand Rapids

1 – Essexville-Garber

1 – Fenton

1 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central

1 – Grandville

1 – Grosse Ile

1 – Grosse Pointe North

1 – Harbor Springs

1 – Hudsonville

1 – Jackson Lumen Christi

1 – Livonia Ladywood*

1 – Montrose

1 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian

1 – Okemos

1 – Plymouth Salem

1 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

1 – Portage Central

1 – Portage Northern

1 – Royal Oak Shrine Catholic

1 – Rochester

1 – Rochester Stoney Creek

1 – Saginaw Eisenhower*

1 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic

1 – Spring Lake

1 – Stevensville-Lakeshore

MOST MHSAA STATE RUNNERS-UP FINISHES WITHOUT A STATE TITLE:

5 – Brighton

5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern

4 – Grand Blanc

2 – Freeland

2 – Utica Eisenhower

1 – Boyne City

1 ­­– Clarkston Everest Collegiate-Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Unified

1 – Essexville-Garber

1 – Fenton

1 – Grandville

1 – Grosse Ile

1 – Grosse Pointe North 

1 – Harbor Springs

1 – Hudsonville

1 – Jackson Lumen Christi

1 – Livonia Ladywood*

1 – Montrose

1 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian

1 – Portage Northern

1 – Rochester

1 – Saginaw Eisenhower*

1 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic

1 – Spring Lake

1 – Stevensville-Lakeshore

MHSAA STATE SEMIFINALS LOSSES:

9 – Flint Powers Catholic

8 – Troy

7 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day 

6 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 

6 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian

6 – Plainwell

6 – Portage Central 

6 – Rochester Adams

5 – Brighton

5 – DeWitt 

5 – Holland Christian

5 – North Muskegon 

5 – Northville  

5 – Portage Northern

5 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic 

4 – Dexter 

4 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett

4 – Harper Woods Regina / Warren Regina

4 – Hudsonville Unity Christian 

4 – Jackson Lumen Christi 

4 – Kalamazoo Christian 

4 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley

4 – Richland-Gull Lake 

4 – Rochester  

4 – Suttons Bay 

3 – Birmingham Marian 

3 – Frankenmuth

3 – Freeland 

3 – Grosse Pointe South

3 – Lansing Christian

3 – Livonia Ladywood* 

3 – Midland Dow 

3 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 

3 – Trenton 

3 – Utica Ford II

2 – Ann Arbor Greenhills 

2 – Bad Axe 

2 – Dearborn  

2 – Elk Rapids 

2 – Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port-Laker

2 – Fenton  

2 – Fremont 

2 – Grand Rapids Catholic Central

2 – Grand Rapids Christian 

2 – Grandville Calvin Christian 

2 – Grosse Pointe North 

2 – Harbor Springs 

2 – Kalamazoo Central

2 – Linden

2 – Livonia Stevenson

2 – Macomb Lutheran North 

2 – Midland 

2 – Novi 

2 – Saginaw Eisenhower*

2 – Saline 

2 – Troy Athens

2 – Utica Eisenhower

2 – Williamston

1 – Ann Arbor Huron 

1 – Ann Arbor Pioneer 

1 – Ann Arbor Skyline 

1 – Birmingham Seaholm 

1 – Boyne City 

1 – Byron Center

1 – Charlevoix 

1 – Chelsea 

1 – Clawson 

1 – Dearborn Divine Child

1 – East Kentwood 

1 – East Lansing 

1 – Farmington 

1 – Farmington Hills Mercy

1 – Flushing 

1 – Grand Blanc 

1 – Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 

1 – Grosse Ile

1 – Hart 

1 – Haslett 

1 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep

1 – Kalamazoo Loy-Norrix

1 – Lapeer East*

1 – Lake Fenton 

1 – Livonia Churchill

1 – Ludington 

1 – Madison Heights Lamphere 

1 – Maple City Glen Lake 

1 – Marine City Cardinal Mooney 

1 – Marshall 

1 – Mattawan 

1 – Muskegon Catholic Central 

1 – Muskegon Oakridge 

1 – Muskegon Orchard View 

1 – Okemos 

1 – Paw Paw 

1 – Plymouth Canton 

1 – Royal Oak Kimball*

1 – Saginaw Heritage

1 – St. Clair Shores South Lake 

1 – Spring Lake

.

MOST MHSAA FINAL FOUR APPEARANCES:

(Combined state championship, state runners-ups and Final Four losses) 

21 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley

19 – Hudsonville Unity Christian

18 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day 

18 – Flint Powers Catholic 

16 – Birmingham Marian 

15 – Troy 

13 – Kalamazoo Christian 

12 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 

12 – Richland Gull Lake 

11 – Northville 

11 – Plainwell 

10 – Brighton

10 – Rochester Adams 

9 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep 

9 – Livonia Stevenson 

9 – Novi

9 – Portage Central 

9 – Troy Athens 

8 – Plymouth Canton

7 – Lansing Christian

7 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian 

6 – Ann Arbor Greenhills 

6 – East Grand Rapids

6 – Grandville Calvin Christian

6 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett 

6 – North Muskegon 

6 – Portage Northern 

6 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic

5 – DeWitt  

5 – Freeland 

5 – Grand Blanc

5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern

5 – Holland Christian 

5 – Jackson Lumen Christi

5 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 

5 – Rochester 

5 – Williamston 

4 – Dexter 

4 – Grosse Pointe North 

4 – Harper Woods Regina / Warren Regina 

4 – Livonia Churchill 

4 – Livonia Ladywood*

4 – Okemos

4 – Suttons Bay 

4 – Utica Eisenhower 

4 – Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-Clarkston Everest Collegiate Unified

3 – Bloomfield Hills Lahser* 

3 – Dearborn 

3 – Fenton 

3 – Frankenmuth

3 – Grosse Pointe South 

3 – Harbor Springs 

3 – Midland Dow

3 – Rochester Stoney Creek 

3 – Royal Oak Shrine Catholic

3 – Saline 

3 – Trenton

3 – Utica Ford II

2 – Ann Arbor Huron

2 – Bad Axe 

2 – Birmingham Seaholm 

2 – Boyne City 

2 – Clawson

2 – Elk Rapids 

2 – Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port-Laker 

2 – Fremont 

2 – Grand Rapids Catholic Central

2 – Grand Rapids Christian

2 – Grand Rapids South Christian  

2 – Grosse Ile 

2 – Kalamazoo Central 

2 – Linden 

2 – Macomb Lutheran North 

2 – Midland 

2 – Plymouth 

2 – Plymouth Salem 

2 – Saginaw Eisenhower*

2 – Saginaw Heritage 

2 – Spring Lake 

1 – Ann Arbor Pioneer

1 – Ann Arbor Skyline 

1 – Birmingham Groves 

1 – Bloomfield Hills 

1 – Byron Center

1 – Charlevoix

1 – Chelsea 

1 – Clarkston Everest Collegiate/Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Unified

1 – Dearborn Divine Child 

1 – East Kentwood 

1 – East Lansing 

1 – Essexville Garber 

1 – Farmington 

1 – Farmington Hills Mercy

1 – Flushing 

1 – Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 

1 – Grandville 

1 – Hart

1 – Hartland 

1 – Haslett

1 – Hudsonville

1 – Kalamazoo Loy-Norrix

1 – Lapeer East*

1 – Lake Fenton

1 – Ludington

1 – Madison Heights Lamphere 

1 – Maple City Glen Lake 

1 – Marine City Cardinal Mooney Catholic

1 – Marshall

1 -- Mattawan

1 – Montrose 

1 – Muskegon Catholic Central

1 – Muskegon Oakridge

1 – Muskegon Orchard View 

1 – Royal Oak Kimball* 

1 – St. Clair Shores South Lake 

1 – Stevensville-Lakeshore 

Note: An asterisk* denotes a school that no longer exists.

To update, email Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or text to (248) 884-1051.

MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS STATE TITLES:

11 – Davison Faith Baptist

4 – Midland Calvary Baptist

4 – Troy Bethany Christian

2 – Clinton Township Faith Christian

MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS STATE RUNNERS-UP:

3 – Rochester Hills Christian

3 – Davison Faith Baptist

2 – Troy Bethany Christian

1 – Clarkston Springfield Christian

1 – Clinton Township Faith Christian

1  –  Vassar Juniata Christian

X  –  Bloomfield Hills Christian

X  –  Bridgeport Baptist

X  –  Carson City Fellowship Baptist

X  –  Corunna Immanuel Christian

X  –  Gaylord Grace Baptist*

X  –  Gladwin Skeels Christian

X  –  Holland Calvary Baptist

X  –  Holt Capitol City Baptist

X  –  Laingsburg Christian

X  –  Lake Orion Baptist

X  –  Lake Orion Shalom Baptist*

X  –  Midland Calvary Baptist

X  –  Midland Christian*

X  –  Oxford Christian Academy*

X  –  Rockford Oakfield Baptist*

X  –  Ruby Faith Baptist*

X  –  Saginaw Community Baptist

X  –  Saline Washtenaw Christian

X  –  Sterling Heights Christian*

X  –  Waterford Oakdale Christian Academy

X  –  Wixom Christian

X  –  Ypsilanti Calvary Christian*

X  –  Ypsilanti Faithway Baptist*

MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS FINAL FOUR APPEARANCES:

X – Rochester Hills Christian

X – Davison Faith Baptist

X – Troy Bethany Christian

X – Clarkston Springfield Christian

X – Clinton Township Faith Christian

X  –  Vassar Juniata Christian

X  –  Bloomfield Hills Christian

X  –  Bridgeport Baptist

X  –  Cadillac Heritage Christian

X  –  Carson City Fellowship Baptist

X  –  Corunna Immanuel Christian

X  –  Fostoria Baptist

X  –  Gaylord Grace Baptist*

X  –  Gladwin Skeels Christian

X  –  Holland Calvary Baptist

X  –  Holt Capitol City Baptist

X  –  Laingsburg Christian

X  –  Lake Orion Baptist

X  –  Lake Orion Shalom Baptist*

X  –  Midland Calvary Baptist

X  –  Midland Christian*

X  –  Oxford Christian Academy*

X  –  Rockford Oakfield Baptist*

X  –  Ruby Faith Baptist*

X  –  Saginaw Community Baptist

X  –  Saline Washtenaw Christian

X  –  Sterling Heights Christian*

X  –  Waterford Oakdale Christian Academy

X  –  Wixom Christian

X  –  Ypsilanti Calvary Christian*

X  –  Ypsilanti Faithway Baptist

Note: There are five seasons in the MACS state tournament where there is no state champion listed.

Note: An asterisk* denotes a school that no longer in operation or the high school portion of the school has closed. 

MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

(founded in January 2023)

MCSAA—STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

1 – Rochester Hills Christian

MCSAA—STATE RUNNER-UPS

1 – Saline Washtenaw Christian

MCSAA—FINAL FOUR APPEARANCS

1 – Rochester Hills Christian

1 – Saline Washtenaw Christian

1 – Bloomfield Hills Christian

X – Cadillac Heritage Christian

X – Waterford Oakdale Christian Academy

X – Bridgeport Baptist

X – Flint Waterbrook Christian

X – Smith’s Creek Blue Water Christian Academy

X – Burton CenterPointe Christian Academy

X – Hastings Barry County Christian

MCSAA—STATE FINALS RESULTS

2024: To be determined

2023: Rochester Hills Christian 5, Saline Washtenaw Christian 2

To update, email Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or text to (248) 884-1051.

MICHIGAN HOME SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION 

/ WEST MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN HOME SCHOOL ASSOCIATION:

MOST MHSSA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Note: No list complied; incomplete information

X – Brighton East Michigan Home School Panthers 

X – Byron Center West Michigan Home School Heat 

X – Canton Home School United

X – Howell HAACH Home School Cougars

X – Hudsonville Home School Hornets

X – Kalamazoo Home School Cougars

X – Lansing Area Home School Dragons

X – Lansing CHAP Home School Chariots 

X – Lansing Home School Crusaders*

X – Lapeer Faith Home School Falcons 

X – Lapeer Home School Lakers 

X – Romeo Summit Home School Mountaineers 

X – Saginaw Mid-Michigan Christian Home School Educators Eagles

X – Sterling Heights Life Summit Eagles

X – Traverse City Home School Bulldogs

MOST MHSSA STATE RUNNERS-UP:

X – Brighton East Michigan Home School Panthers 

X – Byron Center West Michigan Home School Heat 

X – Canton Home School United

X – Howell HAACH Home School Cougars

X – Hudsonville Home School Hornets

X – Kalamazoo Home School Cougars

X – Lansing Area Home School Dragons

X – Lansing CHAP Home School Chariots 

X – Lansing Home School Crusaders*

X – Lapeer Faith Home School Falcons 

X – Lapeer Home School Lakers 

X – Romeo Summit Home School Mountaineers 

X – Saginaw Mid-Michigan Christian Home School Educators Eagles

X – Sterling Heights Life Summit Eagles

X – Traverse City Home School Bulldogs

MOST MHSSA FINAL FOUR APPEARANCES

X – Brighton East Michigan Home School Panthers 

X – Byron Center West Michigan Home School Heat 

X – Canton Home School United

X – Howell HAACH Home School Cougars

X – Hudsonville Home School Hornets

X – Kalamazoo Home School Cougars

X – Lansing Area Home School Dragons

X – Lansing CHAP Home School Chariots 

X – Lansing Home School Crusaders*

X – Lapeer Faith Home School Falcons 

X – Lapeer Home School Lakers 

X – Romeo Summit Home School Mountaineers 

X – Saginaw Mid-Michigan Christian Home School Educators Eagles

X – Sterling Heights Life Summit Eagles

X – Traverse City Home School Bulldogs

To update, email Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or text to (248) 884-1051.

MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION:

MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION—STATE FINALS RESULTS

MCSAA STATE CHAMPIONS:

2023: Rochester Hills Christian

MCAA STATE RUNNER-UP: 

2023: Saline Washtenaw Christian

(This is a newly-created state governing body of small Christian schools from a variety of conferences or independents that used to participate in state tournament by the Michigan Association of Christian Schools (MACS), Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), or various schools who have not participated in postseasons in recent years. )

To update, email Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or text to (248) 884-1051

(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.)