KENSINGTON LAKES ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION-EAST DIVISION GIRLS SOCCER TEAM CAPSULES 2024

BY DAN STICKRADT

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(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.)

KLAA-East Division Competing Schools – Belleville, Dearborn, Dearborn Fordson, Livonia Churchill Livonia Franklin, Livonia Stevenson, Wayne Memorial, Westland John Glenn

KLAA-West Division Competing Schools – Brighton, Canton, Hartland, Howell, Northville, Novi, Plymouth, Salem

An asterisk * denotes a player may be playing ECNL or Girls Academy this spring.

ROSTER CALL

All varsity girls soccer rosters in Michigan can be emailed to stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com

SCHOOL: Belleville

HEAD COACH: Joe Zarka

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 17-3-0, 13-1-0 Kensington Lakes Activities Association-East Division (first, 39 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Ypsilanti Lincoln (9-0); lost in D-1 district semifinals to Ann Arbor Skyline (5-0).

RETURNING STARTERS: Olivia McCluskey, sr. D (All-League); Chloe Abney, jr. M (All-League); Mackenzie Simpson, jr. F (All-League); Addison Tulik, jr. G (All-League); Claire Davis, soph. D (All-League Honorable Mention); Kaylee Rupnow, soph. M (All-League Honorable Mention).

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Payton Mathis, jr. D; Aubrey Adcock, jr. M

KEY NEWCOMERS: Avery Batchelder, sr. M; Brooke Hickman, sr. M; Molly Parsons, sr. F; Megan Roth, jr. D; Aubrey Volk, fr. M; Sydney Lasenby, fr. F.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Two years ago, Belleville came out of nowhere and finished third in the KLAA-East before winning a district and advancing to the Division 1 regional finals. Reaching the Elite eight of the postseason is the furthest the Tigers have ever reached in the tournament. Last year, Belleville finished 13-1-0 in the KLAA-East and captured its first league crown since joining the league nearly two decades ago from the now-defunct Mega Conference. Last year the 17-3-0 overall record was a school record for most wins, fewest losses, and best win percentage. That season included an impressive 92-16 scoring edge, believed to be additional school records, and the team posted 12 shutouts against three times the Tigers were shut out in a contest. So far through April 18, Belleville is off to a 6-0-0 start with a 19-2 scoring edge and four clean sheets and has its sights on defending its league crown and winning a second district title in three years.

SCHOOL: Dearborn

HEAD COACH: Tony Ventura

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 12-6-2, 10-3-1 Kensington Lakes Activities Association-East Division (third, 31 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Grosse Pointe South (3-0); lost in D-1 district finals to Dearborn Heights Crestwood (2-1, 2OT)

RETURNING STARTERS: Dahlia Jagber, soph. D (All-League); Olivia Karaba, sr. M (All-League, All-District; All-State Third Team; 15 goals and 25 assists as junior); Sarina Farhat, jr. M (All-League); Sienna Mroue, soph. F/M (All-League); Nadine Jawad, sr. D (All-League Honorable Mention); Gabriella Palmeri, sr. F/D; Nevene Bazzi, jr. D; Nadie Jawad, sr. G.

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Aliyah Kadry, soph. M; Noor Farhat, soph. CB.

KEY NEWCOMERS (positions unavailable): Jenna Medlej, fr. G.

REMAINING ROSTER (positions unavailable): Jenna Hamieh, jr.; Velentina Farran, jr.; Reeana Hamid, jr.; Elyssa Mosallam, jr.; Aleyiah Kadry, soph.; Bissan Elzein, jr.; Nadine Fayad, jr.; Dalia Jaghbir, soph.; Aya Moughni, sr.; Noor Farhat, soph.; Mia Mazzei, jr.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Dearborn graduated six core players but also brings back seven players that became regular starters, five of them garnered some type of All-KLAA or All-District honors, plus a few reserves from last season. The Pioneers were 10-3-1 in the KLAA-East last season and hope to compete with Belleville and Livonia Stevenson for top honors this season. Dearborn outscored its opposition 64-33 last season with seven shutouts, finished third in the league and lost in the district finals. Through April 18 of this year, the Pioneers outscored its opposition 35-8 behind a 5-2-0 record and three shutouts. If the numbers are an indication, then Dearborn should contend for another top-three finish in the league and for a district crown as well. The Pioneers also return one All-State player (Olivia Karaba) to the lineup who has signed with an NCAA Division I school and may be the top player in the KLAA-East.

SCHOOL: Dearborn Fordson

HEAD COACH: Mitchell Azzopardi

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 6-10-2, 5-7-2 Kensington Lakes Activities Association-East Division (fifth, 17 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-districts to Dearborn Heights Crestwood (2-0)

RETURNING STARTERS: Aya Alawie, sr. D (All-League); Rokaya Ajami, sr. M (All-League); Sarrinah Ajami, sr. G (All-League); Zina Cheikh, jr. D (All-League Honorable Mention); Lena Dabaja, sr. M (All-League Honorable Mention); no other players specified.

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Reem Harb, fr.; Eman Ed, fr.

REMAINING ROSTER (positions unavailable): Hiba Bazzi, sr.; Reem Charafeddine, jr.; Leena Bader, jr.; Doaa Hussein, soph.; Sara Oliva, sr.; Amira Bazzi, soph.; Zeinab El-Hadi, soph.; Dema Mortada, sr.; Sarah Zorkot, soph.; Malak Khoucheich, sr.; Rihanna Berry, jr.; Fatima Zorkot, sr.; Hawraa Alrobee, sr.; Jana Jaber, sr.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Fordson is coming off a year where the Tractors were fifth in the KLAA-East and lost in the district opener. Fordson won only six games and were outscored 39-26 with six shutouts but shut out in nine games. Through April 18 of this year, the Tractors are 3-2-0 with three shutouts but have struggled on the offensive end and have been outscored 10-4.

SCHOOL: Livonia Churchill

HEAD COACH: James Christopher Burnette

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 3-12-3, 3-9-2 Kensington Lakes Activities Association-East Division (sixth, 11 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-districts to Livonia Franklin (3-1)

RETURNING STARTERS: Brigette Chick, jr. G (All-League); Gianna Whitney, sr. F (All-League Honorable Mention); Julia Griese, sr. D/M/F (All-League Honorable Mention); no other players specified.

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Kayla Isele, fr. M/F; Natalie Fitzpatrick, fr. D/M; Adelina Mood, fr. D/M; Savannah Milam, fr. D/M; Sam Bartoletti, fr. M/F; Lea Benedict, fr. D/M.

REMAINING ROSTER: Shana Talmon, jr. M/F; Allie Kennell, sr. M/F; Alivia Praeger, soph. M/D; Reece Buck, jr. D/M; Charlie Pless, soph. D/M; Averi Collins, jr. M/F; Kylie Benedict, sr. D/M; Avari Zinner, jr. D/M; Kate Evanoff, soph. D/M; Sophia Fsadni, jr. D/M; Madison Lauer, soph. D/M; Maddie Little, sr. D/M; Natalie Dang, soph. M/F; Maddie Huff, sr. M/F; Rachel Halkey, soph. M/F; Lillian Ulmer, sr. M/F; Carissa Alemany, soph. M/F.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: A once proud program that was a state powerhouse in the 1980s, 1990s and even into the early 2000s, Churchill was usually found in the Class A/D-1 Top-15 to Top-20 and contending in the old WLAA and for at least district championships. The population shift to the west has left the overall high-level and medium-level talent pool of club players coming into communities like Livonia on a downslope. The Chargers have struggled overall in recent years as the numbers indicate. Last year Churchill finished sixth in the KLAA-East, lost in the pre-district round of the postseason, only registered two shutouts as a team, were outscored 68-30 and were also shut out eight times. This year Churchill started 1-3-1 through April 18 and have been outscored 20-4 overall. This team is somewhat young with seven sophomores and six freshmen on varsity, so the youth movement is playing out to some extent. Time will tell if the Chargers can turn the ship around and enjoy some success later this season.

SCHOOL: Livonia Franklin

HEAD COACH: Dean Kowalski

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 7-8-3, 6-5-3 Kensington Lakes Activities Association-East Division (fourth, 21 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Livonia Churchill (3-1); lost in D-1 district semifinals to Canton (4-0).

RETURNING STARTERS: Marin Nicholas, soph. D (All-League); Emma Nicholas, soph. F (All-League; All-State Honorable Mention); Belen Ibanez, jr. D (All-League Honorable Mention); Breann Campbell, soph. M (All-League Honorable Mention); Mia Carroll, sr. M (All-League Honorable Mention); Lizzy Kirkey, sr. D.

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Daijah Burrell, fr.; Larkin Dziedzic, fr.; no other players specified.

REMAINING ROSTER (positions unavailable): Chloe Kemp, sr.; Suvannah Wynt, sr.; Sam Bloom, jr.; Emily Meloche, sr.; Alexis McCosky, soph.; Lauren Jeziorowski, sr.; Jalyn Chapman, sr.; Makayla Simon, jr.; Julie Zorkot, jr.; Brooklyn Branham, jr.; Lauren Kotrych, sr.; Chloe Millross, sr.; Sofia Sacks, sr.; Lilly West, jr.; Sophia Letasz, soph.; Chloe Wygonik, soph.; Bella Ansara, sr.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: The Patriots are actually a team on the rise after not enjoying much history dating back to the 1980s in terms of league and district titles. Could this be a turning point for Franklin. Time will tell. Last year The Patriots outscored the opposition 45-37 with five shutouts and were blanked seven times. So far this season, Franklin was 1-4-1 and outscored 22-6, but there are some winnable games coming up after April 18 so plenty of time to right the ship and continue last season’s upward trend. Emma Nichols scored 21 goals with eight assists last season and became the first player in school history to earn All-State Honorable Mention. Overall, there are five returning starters and some talent on the field. If Franklin can develop some depth then it could improve upon last year’s fourth-place finish.

SCHOOL: Livonia Stevenson

HEAD COACH: Ken Singledecker

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 14-7-0, 12-2-0 Kensington Lakes Activities Association-East Division (second, 36 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. South Lyon East (2-1); def. Novi (1-0); lost in D-1 district finals to Northville (1-0, 2OT).

RETURNING STARTERS: Kaiyah Gromadzki, sr. D (All-League, All-District; signed with Schoolcraft College); Sophia Nelson, sr. D (All-League, All-District); Kelsey Ware, sr. F (All-League; All-District; 18 goals and six assists last season; signed with NCAA Division II Tiffin University); Kylie Dean, soph. M (All-League Honorable Mention); Kinsley Gromadzki, soph. F (All-League Honorable Mention); Chase Gregor, sr. G; Riley Dean, sr. D; Kate Shippe, sr. G (signed with Schoolcraft College)

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Ava Hetherington, sr. F; Riley Adams. Sr. D; Jenna Bebeau, sr. D; Siena Morro, sr. M; Eamma Bebeau, sr. D; Jaylyn Lewis, soph. F; Addison Casey, sr. D; Carmen Garcia, sr. D

KEY NEWCOMERS: Lily Kokowicz, fr. M; Cameron Kim, fr. M; Khaley Manassra, soph. G; Delaney Mitter, jr. F; Keira Lin, jr. F; Kendall Sutton, jr. M; Olivia Mattson, soph. M.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: One of the state’s all-time great programs dating back to the early 1980s with countless league, district, regional and state championships along with state runners-up and Final Four berths. Last year was an anomaly, as the Spartans did not earn a league or district championship, finishing behind Belleville in the league and losing to powerhouse Northville in the district finals. Stevenson will again at least compete for league and district titles, but the Spartans have been far from a top-15 team this season in Division 1. Last year Stevenson outscored the opposition 80-18 with 10 shutouts. This year through April 18, the Spartans were only 3-20 with a 20-5 scoring edge.

SCHOOL: Wayne Memorial

HEAD COACH: Keith Tilly

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 0-16-0, 0-14-0 Kensington Lakes Activities Association-East Division (eighth, 0 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-districts to Plymouth (8-0).

RETURNING STARTERS: Merisa Tilley, sr. D (All-League); Becca Duty, soph. D (All-League Honorable Mention); no other players specified.

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Dinah Smith, soph.; Emily Sentz, sr.; Riley Macko, jr.; Eliana Cruz, soph.; Maria Kokona, sr.; Sydney Boston, soph.; Janelle Ochoa, sr.; Lily Firosz, soph.; Vivianna Ley, jr.; Isabella Terry, jr.; Talian Adham, jr.; Ava Williams, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Emily DeLane, fr.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Coming off another winless season, any type of impr0ment no matter how large or small, is welcomed for the Zebras. For a team was shut out 10 times last season and outscored 140-6 the answers for more success will likely be found in non-conference games against programs in Michigan that are in a similar boat to Wayne Memorial. Schools like Saginaw United, Flint Carman-Ainsworth, Lansing Eastern, Lansing Everett, Lansing Sexton, Muskegon, Wyoming, Battle Creek Central and a host of other city and urban schools who do not inherit very many high-level or medium-level club players much like most of the other schools in the 16-school, two-division KLAA. The KLAA’s injustice of making schools play each other twice in league play hinders the growth of a program like Wayne. It’s hard enough to watch many schools in the KLAA and surrounding leagues walk out onto the pitch with varsity, junior-varsity and JV-B/freshmen teams with mostly club players against a program like Wayne, Westland John Glenn and Howell with so few club players and try to have them compete each season with only three open dates to try play teams with similar talent in considered unfair.

SCHOOL: Westland John Glenn

HEAD COACH: John Maddox

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 3-12-2, 2-10-2 Kensington Lakes Activities Association-East Division (seventh, eight points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-districts to Salem (8-0).

RETURNING STARTERS: Megan Yanity, jr. F (All-League); Breanna Kennedy, jr. D (All-League Honorable Mention); Grace Neubecker, soph. M (All-League Honorable Mention); Rania Alshaikh, sr. M (All-League Honorable Mention); no other players specified.

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.

KEY NEWCOMERS: No players specified.

REMAINING ROSTER (Grades and positions unavailable): Bayley Wiseley; Leena Benyahya; Melanie Cruz; Rania Alshaikh; Arianna Houmard; Jacqueline Lopez; Addison Sayyae; Deri Hunt; Kathryn Mosier; Hayleigh Day; Madison Clarey; Laura Mecaj; Madalynne Michener; Anna McCallister; Jessica Cruz; Niyla Perez; Deasia Woolfolk.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: John Glenn is coming off a seventh-place finish and three-win season which included being shut out 10 times and outscored 69-23 in the process. This season through April 18, there are signs of improvement with a 2-4-0 record and only being outscored 15-7 in that span.

ROSTER CALL

All varsity girls soccer rosters in Michigan can be emailed to stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com

2023 ALL-KLAA GIRLS SOCCER TEAM:

2023 ALL-KENSINGTON LAKES ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE GIRLS SOCCER TEAM