LAKE MICHIGAN CONFERENCE GIRLS SOCCER TEAM CAPSULES 2024

BY DAN STICKRADT

Communications Specialist | Web And Content Editor | Director of News |

Social Media Director | Interns and Freelance Coordinator

E: stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com

PH: (248) 884-1051

TW: @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork

FB: www.facebook.com/misoccernetwork

INT: www.instagram.com/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 Schools – Boyne City, Charlevoix, Elk Rapids, Grayling, Harbor Springs, Traverse City St. Francis Liberty Unified

No Team – East Jordan, Kalkaska.

ROSTER CALL

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

NOTE – The Lake Michigan Conference will disband in July, as many members of the conference and other area conferences will be moving to different leagues this summer.

SCHOOL: Boyne City

HEAD COACH: Eric Leeman, first season.

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 11-3-2, 6-2-2 Lake Michigan Conference (second, 20 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Cheboygan (2-1); lost in D-3 district semifinals to Elk Rapids (5-0)

RETURNING STARTERS: Braydin Noble, jr. M (All-State Third Team; All-District, All-Area); Mackensy Wilson, sr. D/F/M; Gabby Dunlap, sr. D/M/F;

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Addie Burns, fr.; Piper Olivier, fr.; Allie Wilson, fr.; Elle Wilson, fr.; Addison Parks, fr.; Antonia Schafers, fr.; Ava Hissong, fr.; Deliah Delcamp, fr.; Lyla Gerster, fr.; Olivia Farrington, fr.; Reece Clark, fr.; Sayler Peck, fr.

REMAINING ROSTER: Adonae Patton, jr. D; Bridget McHugh, soph. M; Camille Eads, sr. D; Davinia Hvrtado, jr. D; Jacky Dumap, jr. M; Jaelynn Elzinga, soph.; Kaelyn Matelski, soph. D/M; Malorie Carter, soph.; Norah Frasz, jr. M/F; Olivia Chodubski, soph.; Phileine Van Dijk, soph.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Three years removed from a Division 3 state runner-up finish, Boyne City entered the season in rebuilding mode with a new coaching staff and 16 new players on the roster. Only nine players and three starters returned to the fold, which has led to a 0-4-0 start through April 20. The Ramblers were outscored 22-6 in that span and blanked twice, but the roster does include 11 freshmen. Last year with an experienced group, Boyne City outscored the opposition 49-18 with six shutouts and only shut out twice. The Ramblers also finished with 11 wins and placed second in the Lake Michigan Conference before bowing out to Elk Rapids in the D-3 district finals. … “Boyne City returns nine players from the 2023 team and has added 16 new player for the 2024 campaign. Several of the new players, while new to soccer, are very athletic and are quickly picking up the game. The coaching staff, which is also new for 2024, is looking forward to see what this team can become this season,” said coach Eric Leeman.

SCHOOL: Charlevoix

HEAD COACH: Sean Smiley, first season.

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 7-11-1, 2-7-1 Lake Michigan Conference (sixth, seven points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Maple City Glen Lake (1-0); lost in D-4 district finals to Harbor Springs (3-2, 2OT, SO).

RETURNING STARTERS: Blaise Sytsma-Reed, soph. F; Addison Boop, sr. G (132 saves, All-District); Lena Systsma-Reed, jr. D (All-District); Ava Boss, sr. D; Abby Wright, sr. D/G/M; Karlee Eaton, sr. F/M; Kylee Rice, sr. M

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.

KEY NEWCOMERS: No players specified.

ROSTER: No list submitted, and no list located on school’s athletics website or on an outside source.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Another team that has a new coaching staff, Sean Smiley takes over the Rayders program that was down slightly in 2-23. Charlevoix finished with seven wins, was outscored 42-32 last season, recorded five shutouts and were shut out six times before losing in the district finals to Harbor Springs in a shootout. Through April 20 this season, Charlevoix was off to a 2-2-0 start and outscored 10-6. That is not enough body of work to get a real test of how this team can finish behind a new staff.

SCHOOL: Elk Rapids

HEAD COACH: Andrea Krakow

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 21-1-1, 10-0-0 Lake Michigan Conference (first, 30 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Traverse City St. Francis Liberty Unified (5-0); def. Boyne City (2-0, district finals); def. Newaygo (5-0, regional semifinals); def. Freeland (2-1, regional finals); lost in D-3 state semifinals to Hudsonville Unity Christian (6-0)

RETURNING STARTERS: Kendall Standfest, sr. M (All-State First Team; All-League, All-Area; 10 goals and 17 assists); Ally Plum, sr. D (All-State Honorable Mention; All-League); Pipre Meteer, jr. M (All-State Honorable Mention; All-League; three goals, 10 assists); Sierra Boilore, soph. F (13 goals, seven assists in 2023; All-League Honorable Mention).

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Cora Moore, soph., D; Sofie Bellner, jr. M.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Carlee Bingham, fr. M/F; Melia Maris, fr. D; Natasha Beebe, fr. G.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Last year was one of the greatest seasons in school history. The run to the Final Four ended against perennial power Hudsonville Unity Christian, which went on to win the state crown. The Elks captured the Lake Michigan Conference title with an unblemished record, captured district and regional crowns, outscored the opposition 99-16 with 14 shutouts and set numerous team records along the way. A huge part of that success graduated, including NCAA Division I product Lauren Bingham, now at Bellarmine University. This team only welcomes back four starters and six players total and also integrates a large freshmen class. It should be a rebuilding campaign nevertheless. Elk Rapids opened up the campaign 2-5-0 through April 20 and outscored 15-10 without a single shutout. … “We are a young team this season and we did lose Lauren Bingham on the offensive end and Jorja Jenema as the goalkeeper, both were four-year starters on varsity,” said coach Andrea Krakow. “This is the last year for the Lake Michigan Conference as it is before it is reconfigured. I believe that our conference will be competitive and since we are a young team, I anticipate each game to be competitive.”

SCHOOL: Grayling

HEAD COACH: Craig Cobb

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 7-11-1, 0-10-0 Lake Michigan Conference (sixth, no points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Kingsley (3-1); lost in D-3 district semifinals to Boyne City (7-0)

RETURNING STARTERS: Edith Boik, sr. D (All-League); Amanda Lewis, sr. D/M; Destiny Stade, sr. D; Quincy Stirling, soph. F; Emma Kuziel, sr. G; Jaden Gabriel, jr. F; Olivia Duda, jr. F; no other players specified.

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Addison Gabriel, jr.; Ashley Bennett, jr.; Kayman McColley, sr.; Lillian Odden, sr. F/M; Mikenzi Roberts, sr.; Ruby Stirling, jr.; Sarah Mitchell, sr.; Shelby Swander, sr.; Tierney Hartman, soph. D/M; Raelyn Siegel, jr. M.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Emma Niederer, fr. D; Molly Wright, fr. F/M.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Last season the Vikings were a bit inconsistent, which led to just seven wins, a sixth-place finish in the league, being outscored 65-30 with three shutouts all while being blanked 10 times. So far this season through April 20, Grayling has enjoyed much more success on the pitch. The Vikings are 5-4-0 overall and outscored barely at 25-24. Grayling has also recorded three clean sheets this far, matching last year’s total. … “We had a young squad (last year), so all but two are returning players with nine of them being seniors. We have two ninth graders joining us this year and one new sophomore and one new junior who have stepped onto the squad this year. I am looking forward to seeing their growth and finding ways to contribute to the team,” said coach Craig Cobb. “It has been about eight years since we have had this kind of senior leadership. I am looking forward to seeing that leadership have an impact in confidence on the pitch as well as in our results.”

SCHOOL: Harbor Springs

HEAD COACH: Aaron Riley

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 8-13-3, 3-5-2 Lake Michigan Conference, fourth, 11 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Leland (3-2); def. Charlevoix (3-2, 2OT, SO, district finals); def. Midland Calvary Baptist (2-0, regional semifinals); lost in D-4 regional finals to North Muskegon (1-0)

RETURNING STARTERS: No names specified.

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No names specified.

KEY NEWCOMERS: No names specified.

ROSTER: No list submitted, and no list located on school’s athletics website or on an outside source.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Last season was really a tale of two seasons for Harbor Springs. The Rams started the year 1-9-1 on being scored upon almost at will. Harbor Springs more than turned the tables to not only gain eight wins, but to go 3-1 in the Division 4 postseason, win a district crown and reach the regional finals. Last year saw the Rams be outscored 48-33 with six shutouts but also shut out 10 times. So far this season through April 20, Harbor Springs is off to a 2-3-2 start and only outscored 21-18 with one clean sheet.

SCHOOL: Traverse City St. Francis Liberty Unified (Traverse City Christian, Traverse City Grand Traverse Academy)

HEAD COACH: Scott Conway, fourth season.

2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 10-4-2, 6-3-1 Lake Michigan Conference (third, 19 points)

2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Cheboygan (2-1); lost in D-3 district semifinals to Elk Rapids (5-0)

RETURNING STARTERS: Sidney Peters, soph. M (All-State Honorable Mention; All-League); Pasleigh Upshaw, soph. G (125 saves as freshman); Lilianna David, soph. M/F (All-League, All-District); no other players specified.

OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Riley Collins, soph.; Grace Robinson, sr.; Reese Muma, soph.; Cici Pedroza, sr.; Sophia Tucker, soph.; Mary Kate Carroll, sr.; Grace Rowe, soph.; Adrianna Spranger, sr.; Lily Robertson, jr.; Betsey Skendzzel, jr.; Amber Robertson, jr.; Maisie Coaster, sr.; Anna Doyle, jr.; Addie King, soph.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Addie Lesinski, fr.; Madelyn Simerson, fr.; Piper Wilson, fr.; Julie Brearley, fr.

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Through April 20, Traverse City St. Francis has been impressive all over the pitch as its numbers indicate. The Gladiators started 5-0-1 overall with a 22-0 scoring edge, six shutouts and only being held off the scoreboard once in a 0- draw. St. Francis also has cracked the MIHSSCA Division 4 Top-15 rankings and enjoying its best start to date. The school is also the favorite this season to win the Lake Michigan Conference, which will disband next school year. St. Francis will be an independent next school year unless it can gain entrance into another league such as the Big North Conference. Last year the Gladiators put up some respectable numbers with 10 wins, a 30-16 scoring edge and seven shutouts. This year those numbers will likely be bettered significantly as the team will also be chasing some postseason dreams of winning at least a district trophy or maybe more. Last season the end came abruptly in the district semifinals to league foe Elk Rapids.

SCHOOL: Kalkaska

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: For the second straight season, Kalkaska didn’t have enough interest from students to field a team in 2024.

SCHOOL: East Jordan

NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: East Jordan has never fielded a soccer program. The Lake Michigan Conference will disband after this school year.

ROSTER CALL

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

2023 ALL-LAKE MICHIGAN CONFERENCE GIRLS SOCCER TEAM

No list submitted.