Northville, Newaygo, Elk Rapids, Calvin Christian, Kalamazoo Heritage still unbeaten; several highly-ranked squads and surprises still remain in the tournament
BY DAN STICKRADT
WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR
C: 248-884-1051
TW: @LocalSportsFans
PONTIAC – When a position player bats 9-for-14 over a period of time, those are collectively some really good numbers at the plate.
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep draws a similar analogy out on the soccer pitch in recent years. The state-ranked Fighting Irish have won nine district titles in 14 seasons and have advanced to the regional round again this season. That is equivalent to a stellar .643 average.
Ninth-ranked Notre Dame Prep (14-6-3) will take on eighth-ranked Warren Regina Tuesday in a Division 3 regional semifinal at 5 p.m. at Birmingham Detroit Country Day.
Since NDP became an independent six years ago, there is no longer a conference schedule and that affords veteran coach Jimmy Stachura the flexibility to go out and schedule several tough schools from Division 1, Division 2 or Division 3 to prepare the Irish for the postseason.
Notre Dame Prep has played a multitude of state-ranked and quality opponents this spring. Five of the six losses came against teams that were ranked at times in Division 1 – top-ranked Rochester (18-1-2), third-ranked Rochester Stoney Creek (22-1-1), Romeo, Troy and defending D-1 state champ Bloomfield Hills – and the other loss was to Division 2 state powerhouse Birmingham Marian (15-1-2 this season), which owns nine state titles and 13 state title game appearances to its credit.
“We always schedule the toughest teams we can find, which not only helps our MPR for the districts but prepares us for the state tournament,” noted Stachura, who is in his 14th campaign with the Fighting Irish. “I think that helps us, especially later in the tournament.
“We’re a tough team and we’ve played a lot of good teams and a six-loss team but most of those losses have come against (schools) That were ranked in the top 15 in the state in Division 1,” continued Stachura. “For us being a Division 3 schools and significantly smaller, that doesn’t intimidate us.”
Notre Dame Prep is 3-0-0 against Division 3 competition this season and defeated Clawson (8-0) and Detroit Country Day (2-1) for its latest district crown last week.
The Irish also own regional crowns in 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2022 with their Final Four runs those seasons, while NDP finished as the state runner-up in 2013 to Grand Rapids South Christian and captured the Division 2 state title back in 2016 with a 2-1 shootout win over Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern where the game reached nine rounds of penalties.
Notre Dame Prep lost 2-1 to eventual state champion Williamston in last year’s D-3 state semifinals in another contest that reached a shootout.
The Irish would love nothing more to make another run to the Final Four and beyond.
“I think they’re pretty good (of reaching the Final Four),” noted senior midfielder Alex Williams. “We work together and it’s not like we have one special player at all. It’s bunch of good players combined and even the starting 11 and even the players on the bench the level always stays high. I love the season (at NDP) and look forward to it every year.”
Williams and fellow senior midfielder Mary Timko have both signed with NCAA Division II national powerhouse Grand Valley State University and lead this team, although Williams missed 10 games with an injury. Williams still has nine goals and seven assists and Timko has five goals and seven assists, taking on a more defensive roll this season.
Sophomore Emmy Teolis has been the 12th-man and comes off the bench to lead the Irish with 11 goals. Sophomore midfielder Adri Lorenz has 10 goals and 12 assists and leads the way with 22 points. Junior Alaina Polsinelli, senior midfielder Taylor Meier, senior back Emily Viviano has four goals and six assists from the back line, taking many of the team’s free kicks, freshman back Sarah Collins and junior back Bree Blaxley have also been solid. Sophomore goalkeeper Leila Mains has been solid between the pipes while playing most minutes of a tough schedule.
The Fighting Irish have still pitched six shutouts and outscored the opposition 70-30, although the strength of schedule has led NDP to being shutout five times this year – four to D-1 teams and once to a D-2 teams. On its all-district team, the Irish landed a combined 12 players on the list, either as All-District First Team or honorable mention.
“We’re all excited to be back here where we were last season (competing in regional play) and this year we’re pretty old – we have nine seniors – so we already know what it’s like to be here in this position,” said Timko. “We’re all fired up and ready to go to (maybe) win the regionals or win the state (title).”
A veteran team would like nothing more at one final crack in the Final Four and perhaps reach the state title game for a third time. The Irish would have to win three more games to reach the final weekend of the season.
“We know how with the loss in the state semifinals feels,” added Timko. “We’re back and hungrier and ready to go.”
There are 16 teams remaining in each of the four divisions of the MHSAA state tournament and 64 total schools squaring off in regional semifinals play Tuesday and Wednesday. There are eight games in each division for the regional semifinals and four games in each division alter this week for the regional finals (Thursday through Saturday).
ELK RAPIDS-NEWAYGO CLASH STATE’S ONLY BATTLE OF UNBEATENS
Coming off its first-ever district title in 2022, Newaygo hopes to go a step further this season. It will not be an easy task. Elk Rapids knocked out Newaygo in the regional semifinals last season with a 4-0 decision.
Both teams enter the regional semifinals contest at Clare High School undefeated, with Newaygo (18-0-1) and Elk Rapids (19-0-1) not tasting defeat this season. They are two of just five unbeaten teams around the state in the four MHSAA divisions entering regional play.
While Elk Rapids has long since been a state powerhouse in boys soccer and girls soccer, Newaygo does not bolster much in terms of soccer success and the back-to-back district championships shows off its newfound success on the pitch.
The Lions won the eight-school Central State Activities Association title with a perfect 7-0-0 record and a 3-0 mark in the CSAA conference tournament – good enough for 16 points and the league title.
Newaygo was 16-4-1 last season and finished second in the CSAA before winning its first-ever district in 2022. The Lions have since toppled that 16-wins mark and established a new mark for wins in a season with 18.
Head coach Matt Painter has several players who have helped pave the way. Senior forward Grace Painter, senior goalkeeper Barbara Toth and senior center back Sofia Briggs have been solid on the bookend sides for the Lions and all three were All-State Honorable Mention a year ago.
Seniors Connelly Hefferan-Nordlund and Lynnea Briones all All-League players last season and repeated with those honors in 2023. The Lions have eight seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and a solid freshmen class of six on the roster this season that have mixed well together to brew up another winning recipe.
Newaygo defeated Montague in a shootout to win the district, while the Lions edged Howard City Tri-County in the league tournament finale (3-0) to clinch the title outright. The league title was the school’s first since 2011 and it came after the Lions finished second in the conference in both 2021 and 2022.
The Lions have 14 clean sheets on the year and outscored the opposition 95-8 during a campaign where school records are falling to the wayside left and right.
Elk Rapids comes in with another unbeaten mark and led by NCAA Division I recruit Lauren Bingham (Bellarmine University). The forward/midfielder is widely considered the top individual talent in northern Michigan, is An All-State Dream Team consideration, and leads a talented cast that includes senior goalkeeper Jorja Jenema (All-State Second Team) and junior midfielder Kendall Standfest (All-State Third Team) who are both returning standouts with plenty of big-game experience.
Elk Rapids finished a perfect 10-0-0 in winning the Lake Michigan Conference in dominant fashion. The only blemish was a 1-1 draw to Division 1 Traverse City West back on April 11 and the Elks carry an 18-game win streak into the regional match with Newaygo.
The Elks have outscored the opposition 92-9 and pitched 13 shutouts. No team has scored more than two goals in a single game on Elk Rapids.
Elk Rapids reached the Division 3 Final Four last season before succumbing to state powerhouse and 14-time state finalist Hudsonville Unity Christian, which has been ranked No. 1 in the state for most of this season.
GRANDVILLE CALVIN CHRISTIAN AIMING HIGH
The Division 4 unbeaten Squires of Grandville Calvin Christian are the sole unbeaten team left in D-4. Calvin Christian is 17-0-3 and meats fellow state power Kalamazoo Christian (15-6-0) in the regional semifinals at Portage Northern.
The squires are no secret of success in the postseason, as they captured four straight state crowns from 2012-2015 and have made several pother deep runs.
This season despite a loss a mistake in the ranking plummeted Calvin Christian from the top five all the way out to honorable mention. The following week the Squires re-entered the top 15 the next week and have remained there ever since. The Squires entered the postseason ranked 13th and were able to upend 12th-ranked Saugatuck in the district finals last week.
The Ottawa Kent Conference Silver Division champs went 12-0-2 in league play, posted 14 shutouts and outscored the opposition this season by an impressive 107-11 difference.
Junior midfielder Jaidyn Veldhouse (All-State Third Team) is the only returning all-stater from last season. Veldhouse, Maddie Muilenburg, Avary Braman, Sienna Ouendag nad Casey VanderVannen all earned All-Conference First Team honors this season, while Ella DeJager, Addyson Rhodes and Sophie Bouws all earned honorable mention all-conference for the Squires.
QUINCY MAKING ITS MARK
Quincy has quietly enjoyed the best season in school history with a 14-3-1 record and a Division 3 district championship. The Orioles’ reward? They get to face defending D-3 state champion, state powerhouse and state-ranked Williamston at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Lansing Catholic in the regional semifinals.
If the Orioles came can find the way for an upset, then state-ranked Grosse Ile will likely stand in the way. Quincy has never reached the regional finals and only captured its second-ever district championship last week with a 3-1 victory over previously state-ranked Brooklyn Columbia Central, which won a district title last season.
As it has all season, Quincy was led last week by its dynamite duo of Sami Hollenbaugh and Kallie Glei, who have both been racking up goals and assists all season. Kaitlyn Galinas has also been a key contributor for the Orioles, while Danica Swift has provided good hands between the pipes.
HUDSONVILLE UNITY CHRISTIAN A STAPLE OF SUCCESS
If you are going to judge a team by the numbers, then Hudsonville Unity Christian is by every means a great program.
With 10 MHSAA state titles, the Crusaders are second all-time in that category, trailing only Madison Heights Bishop Foley’s 12 in that category.
A total of 14 state finals appearances again only trails Bishop Foley’s 17 in that category. In the section of total Final Four appearances, the Crusaders are tied in second with Birmingham-Detroit Country Day at 18 state semifinals appearances.
Even last year Unity Christian made a run to the state finals before succumbing to Williamston (3-2). The Crusaders returned the bulk of their talent and veteran coach Randy Heethuis has Unity Christian humming along this season.
In a very deep league, Unity Christian went 7-0-0 in the OK Conference Blue Division and 3-0 in the conference tournament to win another outright league championship. And that league also contains state-ranked schools Spring Lake (D-2), Grand Rapids West Catholic (D-3), Holland Christian (D-3) and Hamilton (D-2).
Throw in league and district championships and the titles keep coming in each year.
Unity Christian (17-1-2) will face upstart Three Rivers (12-6-3) in a Division 3 regional semifinals on Tuesday at Holland’s HC Stadium.
The Crusaders have only yielded eight goals over 20 games and no school has scored more than a goal on Unity Christian’s defense in a game this season. Offensively, the Crusaders have lit up the scoreboard for total 90 goals – that’s 4.5 goals a game and an impressive 0.40 goals-against-average.
Unity Christian’s sole loss coming to D-2 state powerhouse Richland Gull Lake (D-2) in a 1-0 fashion – the Blue Devils reached the D-2 Final Four last season and are another very good side this season bouncing around the top 10 in the rankings. The school’s two ties this season have not come against slouches, as the Crusaders posted draws with defending D-2 state champion Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (0-0) and against Division 1 fourth-ranked and OK Conference Red Division champion Hudsonville (1-1). Those two teams also won districts last week.
INJURY BUG HAS NOT SLOWED DOWN MARIAN
One of the state’s top coaching jobs has to go to Birmingham Marian’s Reid Friedrichs.
Why so at Marian, one of the winningest schools in the state since 2000? The school always has talented soccer players and athletes in a variety of sports.
No team in the Mitten has suffered more injuries to key players than the Mustangs.
Four players went down in the last year before tryouts even started in mid-March. Elle Ervin, one of Michigan’s top juniors, suffered two knee injuries in the past year and is rehabbing with her ECNL team at Liverpool FC. She has not played this season for the Mustangs.
Stellar senior center back Sabrina Yaldoo went down in the offseason and is on the bench, as well as two other projected starters who suffered knee injuries before the season kicked off. Plus Marian lost another starter late in the season to a broken leg.
Losing a would-be Miss Soccer candidate in Ervin sure hurt, and the countless knee and leg injuries have also plagued Marian’s ability to score lots of goals. Still the Mustangs are 15-1-2 entering regional play and won the CHSL Central Division, CHSL Cardinal Tournament and Division 2 district championship despite the loss of several key players before or during the season.
Marian doesn’t have a bunch of super stars, but they do have solid players that come from good clubs that play their roles and Friedrichs has developed a couple of players who have become opportunistic when finishing scoring chances.
Marian takes 13 shutouts into Tuesday’s 7 p.m. Division 2 regional semifinals at Dearborn Divine Child against Grosse Pointe North. The defensive-minded Mustangs have yielded only five goals and scored 51 goals on the campaign – although 12 came in one game and the Mustangs have two other six-goal contests. This is not your traditional Marian team, but nevertheless has become quite successful with its win-by-committee approach.
A pair of state-ranked teams, Trenton and Dearborn Divine Child, are on the other side of the regional bracket and await Marian – as long as they can get past unranked Grosse Pointe North and its Division 1 goalkeeper.
Numbers-wide, history could be on Marian’s side. The Mustangs own nine state titles, 13 state finals appearances and 16 regional titles/Final Four Appearances – most have come in the last 25 years under Christopher Courage, Barry Brodsky or Friedrichs. In fact only one Final Four run occurred prior to the 2000s and that was in 1986 when the Mustangs lost in the Class A state semifinals.
Sophomore center back Nadia Valka, senior midfielder Caroline Flynn, junior center back Katie Freese, junior goalkeeper Pam Metz and senior marking backs Ella Doerr and Olivia Zahrow have all upped their games this season to lead the way, while several others have seen increased roles this spring. Freshmen Lily Robinson (D) and Clare Daver (M/F) have helped in their debut campaigns.
Marian finished 17-2-0 last season and as the Division 2 state runner-up to then senior-heavy Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, another powerhouse program.
BAY CITY WESTERN ON THE UPWARD TREND
Normally taking a back seat in the Saginaw Valley League to the likes of Grand Blanc, Midland, Midland Dow, Flint Powers Catholic and recently Mt. Pleasant and Davison, Bay City Western is quietly having perhaps one of its best years to date.
The Warriors carry a 14-4-2 overall record into the regional round and have been much more competitive than during many seasons in the past. First-year coach Jeff Swartz led Bay City Western to just its third district trophy this spring and besides a 6-0 defeat on April 19 by eventual Saginaw Valley League champion Midland Dow, the Warriors have been in every other game this season. They have allowed just one or zero goals in 17 total matches and even posted a 1-1 draw with state powerhouse and Division 1 state-ranked Grand Blanc on May 10.
Bay City Western finished seventh in the much-deeper SVL this season at 5-4-2 and was able to avenge a 1-0 league defeat to Mt. Pleasant with a 2-1 shootout victory over the Oilers where the Warriors held a 4-3 edge on penalties to advance.
Bay City Western heads west to Cedar Springs to take on top-ranked and 2021 state runner-up Spring Lake (16-2-2) in a Division 2 regional semifinal Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Warriors are one of four teams from the SVL to win districts, along with Grand Blanc (D-1), Midland (D-1) and Flint Powers Catholic (D-3).
Kaylee O’Hara and Mia Warner give the team two quality keepers between the pipes, while senior forward Chloe Wittbrodt carried 18 goals and nine assists into the postseason. Sophomore Ayla Kreger (F/M) was All-League and All-Area last season, and senior backs Peyton Connelly (Chicago Roosevelt University) and Grace Kuenker (Delta CC) have anchored a sturdy back line that has allowed just 0.90 goals against this season and that includes the 6-0 drubbing by Dow.
Kuenker, Kreger and Brooke Swartz (M) all earned either first-team or second-team in the SVL this season while several others earned honorable mention accolades.
Bay City Western is located on the western end of the Bay City Schools district in the small, rural town of Auburn but has players in the club systems in Bay City, Midland and Saginaw areas.
SALINE MOVING ON UP
After winning the Division 1 state title in 2015, losing in the Final Four in 2017 and reaching the regional finals in 2018, Saline dropped back down to reality for a few years. Despite losing a small quality core of players from last season, the Hornets have definitely climbed a few rungs on the ladder this season.
Saline captured the highly-competitive Southeastern Conference Red Division title this season, leading a pack of five quality teams – three which broke into the state rankings this season – before winning another quality district which contained state-ranked sides Saline, Ann Arbor Skyline, Ann Arbor Huron and Dexter, plus competitive teams in Ann Arbor Pioneer and Dexter.
Saline finished 10-1-3 in league play (the sole loss was 4-1 to Ann Arbor Huron on May 16) and overall the Hornets have outscored the opposition 80-9 entering regional play and that includes 13 shutouts.
Three freshmen have aided the rise – Nadia Derneika (F/M), Lydia Zajchowski (D) and Sadie Walsh (F) – while junior goalie Norah Dawid, seniors Zoe Rumohr, Kailee Cahill, Carson Caldwell and Courtney Paszchowicz, juniors Audrey Driskell and Elle Warden and sophomore Sienna Snyder have all been solid for the Hornets.
Saline, which did not allow a single goal in their first six games of the season and finally cracked the top 15 in the Division 1 coaches poll in May, take their fine 13-1-5 record into Tuesday’s Woodhaven regional where they will battle the host Warriors (9-9-2) with a berth in the regional finals and Elite Eight. If the Hornets can advance that far, it will be the fourth time in the last decade but first time since 2018 they advanced to the regional finals.
NORTHVILLE RELOADS
Northville is always a tough side and the KLAA and Division 1 powers Mustangs have sure proven it on the field the last two years.
In 2022, Northville rode the undefeated wave all the way to the state title game before succumbing to fellow state-ranked Bloomfield Hills 2-1 in overtime. The Mustangs pitched 16 shutouts, posted a 17-1-5 record, won the KLAA West Division and KLAA Tournament tile before going on its postseason run. Overall, the Mustangs outscored its foes 58-8 over 23 games – including 19-3 scoring edge with four shutouts in the postseason.
The two-year total for the Mustangs in 2022 and 2023 entering regional play is 33-1-9 with 29 shutouts and a 103-16 scoring edge in two years.
This season second-ranked Northville has 13 shutouts and outscored the opposition 45-8, defeating Farmington Hills Mercy (3-1) and Livonia Stevenson (1-0) in overtime to win its district. The Mustangs are 16-0-4 on the season, repeating as the KLAA-West, KLAA Tournament and district champions this season.
Player-wise, the Mustangs have a bevy of future college talent who should reap in plenty of postseason awards and are the only undefeated team remaining in the Division 1 tournament and one of five unbeaten schools still alive. Previously undefeated and top-ranked Rochester lost Friday in its district finals to once-beaten and third-ranked Rochester Stoney Creek.
Northville hosts its own regional Tuesday and will face Lakes Valley Conference champion Walled Lake Northern (16-2-1)
STAFF PICKS FOR THE MHSAA REGIONAL SEMIFINALS:
Division 1:
Hudsonville 2, Byron Center 1
Portage Central 3, Midland 0
Grand Blanc 2, Brighton 1 (OT)
Northville 2, Walled Lake Northern 1
Rochester Stoney Creek 3, Bloomfield Hills 1
Troy Athens 2, New Baltimore Anchor Bay 0
Saline 4, Woodhaven 1
Canton 4, Dearborn Heights Crestwood 0
Division 2:
Plainwell 3, Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg 2
Richland Gull Lake 2, Pinckney 1
East Grand Rapids 2, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 1 (OT)
Spring Lake 4, Bay City Western 2
Trenton 3, Dearborn Divine Child 1
Birmingham Marian 2, Grosse Pointe North 1
St. Clair 3, Goodrich 2
Linden 3, DeWitt 2
Division 3:
Hudsonville Unity Christian 5, Three Rivers 1
Grand Rapids South Christian 2, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 1
Freeland 3, Big Rapids 2
Elk Rapids 4, Newaygo 2
Williamston 5, Quincy 2
Grosse Ile 5, Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard 1
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 2, Warren Regina 1
Flint Powers Catholic 5, Frankenmuth 0
Division 4:
St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake Catholic 2, Kalamazoo Heritage Christian 1
Grandville Calvin Christian 3, Kalamazoo Christian 2 (OT, SO)
North Muskegon 3, McBain Northern Michigan Christian 2 (OT)
Midland Calvary Baptist 2, Harbor Springs 1
Manchester 3, Jackson Lumen Christi 1
Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett 3, Allen Park Cabrini 2
Clarkston Everest Collegiate 3, New Haven Merritt Academy 1
Saginaw Nouvel Catholic 3, Hemlock 1
THE MOST IN STATE TOURNAMENT HISTORY--GIRLS SOCCER
-- Compiled by Dan Stickradt
Note: An asterisk* denotes a school that no longer exists.
MOST MHSAA STATE TITLES:
12 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley
10 – Hudsonville Unity Christian
9 – Birmingham Marian
7 – Novi
6 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day
5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
5 – Livonia Stevenson
4 – Grandville Calvin Christian
4 – Kalamazoo 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 – 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 – Hartland
1 – Livonia Churchill
1 – North Muskegon
1 – Plainwell
1 – Plymouth Salem
1 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
1 – Rochester Stoney Creek
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
14 – Hudsonville Unity Christian
13 – Birmingham Marian
11 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day
9 – Flint Powers Catholic
8 – 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 – Northville
6 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
5 – Plainwell
5 – Brighton
5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
5 – East Grand Rapids
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 – Royal Oak Shrine Catholic
3 – Williamston
2 – Freeland
2 – Grand Rapids South Christian
2 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett
2 – Plymouth
2 – Plymouth Salem
2 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
2 – Rochester Stoney Creek
2 – Saginaw Eisenhower*
2 – Utica Eisenhower
1 – Ann Arbor Huron
1 – Birmingham Groves
1 – Birmingham Seaholm
1 – Bloomfield Hills
1 – Boyne City
1 – Clawson
1 – Dearborn
1 – Essexville-Garber
1 – Fenton
1 – Grandville
1 – Grosse Pointe North
1 – Harbor Springs
1 – Hartland
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 – Essexville-Garber
1 – Fenton
1 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
1 – Grandville
1 – Grosse Pointe North
1 – Harbor Springs
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 – Essexville-Garber
1 – Fenton
1 – Grandville
1 – Grosse Pointe North
1 – Harbor Springs
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:
8 – Flint Powers Catholic
8 – Troy
7 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day
6 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
6 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian
6 – Portage Central
6 – Rochester Adams
5 – Brighton
5 – DeWitt
5 – Holland Christian
5 – Plainwell
5 – Portage Northern
5 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic
4 – Dexter
4 – Harper Woods Regina / Warren Regina
4 – Hudsonville Unity Christian
4 – Jackson Lumen Christi
4 – Kalamazoo Christian
4 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley
4 – North Muskegon
4 – Northville
4 – Richland-Gull Lake
4 – Rochester
4 – Suttons Bay
3 – Birmingham Marian
3 – Frankenmuth
3 – Freeland
3 – Grosse Pointe South
3 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett
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 – 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 – Livonia Stevenson
2 – Macomb Lutheran North
2 – Midland
2 – Novi
2 – Saginaw Eisenhower*
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 – Elk Rapids
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 – Linden
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 – Saline
1 – Spring Lake
MOST MHSAA FINAL FOUR APPEARANCES:
(Combined state championship, state runners-ups and Final Four losses)
21 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley
18 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day
18 – Hudsonville Unity Christian
17 – Flint Powers Catholic
16 – Birmingham Marian
15 – Troy
12 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
12 – Kalamazoo Christian
12 – Richland Gull Lake
10 – Brighton
10 – Northville
10 – Plainwell
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 – Grandville Calvin Christian
6 – Portage Northern
6 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic
5 – DeWitt
5 – East Grand Rapids
5 – Freeland
5 – Grand Blanc
5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
5 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett
5 – Holland Christian
5 – Jackson Lumen Christi
5 – North Muskegon
5 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
5 – Rochester
5 – Williamston
4 – Dexter
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 North
3 – Grosse Pointe South
3 – Harbor Springs
3 – Midland Dow
3 – Royal Oak Shrine Catholic
3 – Trenton
3 – Utica Ford II
2 – Ann Arbor Huron
2 – Bad Axe
2 – Birmingham Seaholm
2 – Boyne City
2 – Clawson
2 – Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port-Laker
2 – Fremont
2 – Grand Rapids Catholic Central
2 – Grand Rapids Christian
2 – Grand Rapids South Christian
2 – Kalamazoo Central
2 – Macomb Lutheran North
2 – Midland
2 – Plymouth
2 – Plymouth Salem
2 – Rochester Stoney Creek
2 – Saginaw Eisenhower*
2 – Saginaw Heritage
2 – Saline
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 – Dearborn Divine Child
1 – East Kentwood
1 – East Lansing
1 – Elk Rapids
1 – Essexville Garber
1 – Farmington
1 – Farmington Hills Mercy
1 – Flushing
1 – Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian
1 – Grandville
1 – Grosse Ile
1 – Hart
1 – Hartland
1 – Haslett
1 – Kalamazoo Loy-Norrix
1 – Lapeer East*
1 – Lake Fenton
1 – Linden
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:
10 – 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
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 – Vassar Juniata Christian
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 has closed.
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 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 – 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 STATE RUNNERS-UP:
X – Brighton East Michigan Home School Panthers
X – Byron Center West Michigan Home School Heat
X – Canton Home School United
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:
2023: To be determined
STATE CHAMPIONS:
2023:
STATE RUNNER-UP:
2023:
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.
