BY DAN STICKRADT
Communications Specialist | Web And Content Editor | Director of News |
Social Media Director | Interns and Freelance Coordinator
PH: (248) 884-1051
TW: @LocalSportsFans @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 – Milford, South Lyon, South Lyon East, Walled Lake Central, Walled Lake Northern, Walled Lake Western, Waterford Kettering, Waterford Mott, White Lake Lakeland.
An asterisk* denotes the athlete may be playing Girls Academy of ECNL
SCHOOL: Milford
HEAD COACH: Tommy Hipple, 11th season
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 11-3-3, 6-0-2 Lakes Valley Conference (second, 20 points; lost in conference tournament finals to Walled Lake Northern, 2-1, in overtime)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 district semifinals to Walled Lake Central (1-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Riley Mitchell, sr. F (All-League); Brynn Dudley, sr. D (All-League); Rylee Felton, sr. M (All-League; University of Cincinnati); Allison Hooks, sr. D (University of Miami-Ohio); Ava Warner, sr. F (All-League); Tessa Wilson, sr. D; Allison Deep, sr. D; Leah Giese, sr. F (All-League Honorable Mention); Camryn Bladzik, soph. M (All-League Honorable Mention); Lauren Bradley, soph. F*; Lindsey Mitchell, soph. D.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Taylor Vogel, fr. D; Ani Linson, fr. M.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Milford is coming off one of its best seasons to date, going 6-0-2 in conference play but finishing second behind Walled Lake Northern in the final standings. The Mavericks also finished as the LVC Tournament runner-up, again to Walled Lake Northern. In the state tournament despite being honorable mention in the polls, Milford was upset by Walled Lake Central in district play. Last season included a 57-11 scoring edge with 11 shutouts. The good news for the Mavericks is that there are nine players back that started games last season and there are six players that received some type of All-LVC honors back. There are also eight different players that earned either All-District or All-District Honorable Mention status back from last season. Not to mention there are two NCAA Division I commitments on this year’s roster for the first time. The Mavericks should engage in a battle with Walled Lake Northern for LVC supremacy with a few others closely behind. Through April 16, Milford is 4-1-0 with the sole loss to Division 2 top-ranked Birmingham Marian. The Mavericks have outscored its foes 22-4 with three shutouts.
SCHOOL: South Lyon
HEAD COACH: Brian Elliott
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 6-9-1, 2-5-1 Lakes Valley Conference (tied-seventh, seven points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-districts to Novi (3-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Ava Kleabir, jr. F/D (All-League Honorable Mention); Gianna Spano, jr. F; Claire Boback, soph. M; Ashley Bledsoe, jr. G; Sophia Baback, sr. F; Alexa Borg, jr. F
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Zoe Brower, sr. F/M; Autumn Coleman, jr. D; Jamie Farkas, jr. D; Arianna Gutierrez, jr. M; Casey Robbins, sr. M; Abigail Puzemis, sr. D; Madelyn Zabkiewicz, sr. D
KEY NEWCOMERS: Emily Authier, sr.; Autumn Coleman, jr.; Lucineia, soph.; Alexa Haven, fr.; Madison Mackson, jr.; Viloet Melville, fr.; Sydney Punzal, fr.; Lillian Swegles, fr.; Tessa Trentacosti, fr.;
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: South Lyon graduated eight players but the heart of its attacking players and are in the midst of a rebuilding mode. The Lions started 0-3-1 through April 16 and were outscored 15-1 in that stretch. Last year South Lyon still scored 43 goals and conceded 43 goals with four shutouts. There are five freshmen on the roster, so the Lions might take some lumps now but reap the rewards in the future.
SCHOOL: South Lyon East
HEAD COACH: Pete Stayanovich
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD / FINISH: 9-4-1, 6-1-1 Lakes Valley Conference (third, 19 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-districts to Livonia Stevenson (2-1)
RETURNING STARTERS: Luca Bially, sr. M/D; Kennedy Shea, sr. M; Sarah Marsac, jr. G (All-League); Lydia Wray, sr. G; Hadley Booth, jr. D; Natalie Dilbone, soph. M.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Olivia Jones, jr. F/D; Meredith Pagett, jr. D/M; Natalie Henn, soph. D; Emma Quenby, soph. F/M
KEY NEWCOMERS: Samantha Allen, fr.; Sophia Becker, sr.; Mileigh Buchinger, jr.; Megan Fannon, jr.; Leya Fukumori, jr.; Sarah Marsac, jr.; Maria McKay, jr.; Ana Sofia Medina-Mendoza, jr.; Mariah Timmons-Schaale, jr.; Tessa Williams, jr.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: South Lyon East dipped back to reality in 2023 after the 2022 campaign saw the Cougars outscore the opposition 101-29 and reach the regional finals in Division 2. Last year the cougars outscored the opposition 46-13 with eight shutouts in a short schedule but are regrouping after losing a ton of offensive firepower the last two years. East is 1-1-3 through April 16, posting two shutouts and a 5-4 scoring edge.
SCHOOL: Walled Lake Central
HEAD COACH: Joel Sharpe, 25th season
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD / FINISH: 6-11-1, 3-5-0 Lakes Valley Conference (tied-fifth, nine points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. North Farmington (4-0); def. Milford (1-0); lost in D-1 district finals to Walled Lake Northern (3-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Brianna Baioccco, sr. F (All-League); Izzy Renner, jr. G; Joanna Ugolnik, sr. F; Samantha Klenczar, sr. M; Marissa McClure, sr. D (All-League Honorable Mention); Izzy Renner, jr. G (All-League honorable Mention); Samantha Klenczar, sr M (All-League Honorable Mention)
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Anna Middleton, soph. D; Addison Klenczar, soph. M; Hailey Kassab, soph. D/M
KEY NEWCOMERS: No players specified.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: The Vikings are clearly going through a rebuilding period after winning only six games last year and off to a 2-3-1 start this year. Last season the Vikings were outscored 33-19 with four shutouts and blanked nine times but still pulled a district semifinals upset by edging Milford (1-0), a team listed as honorable mention in the polls. This year there are no shutouts but Central owns a 16-15 scoring edge through six games. The Vikings are getting better but may be a year away from contending again in this league.
SCHOOL: Walled Lake Northern
HEAD COACH: Mitchell Thompson, second season
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 16-3-1, 7-1-0 Lakes Valley Conference (first, 21 points; won conference tournament with 2-1 overtime win over Milford)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. White Lake Lakeland (5-1); def. West Bloomfield (6-0); def. Walled Lake Central (3-0, district finals); lost in D-1 regional semifinals to Northville (4-3, 2OT, SO)
RETURNING STARTERS: Kayla Budziak, sr. D (All-League, All-District); Mia Czarnowski, sr. D (All-League, All-District; Albion College); Isabella Krause, jr. M/F (All-League, All-District); Addison Porter, sr. D (All-League, All-District); Brooklyn Zeleny, jr. M (All-League Honorable Mention, All-District); Maura McClerren, sr. M/F (All-League Honorable Mention, All-District); Grace Vogt, jr. M/F
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Addyson Keelan, sr. M
KEY NEWCOMERS: Gabrielle Payne, soph. G
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Northern is coming off one of its better campaigns since opening its doors in 2002-03. The Knights won the LVC regular season and tournament titles and also captured a district title in Division 1. The run ended in a wild affair with state powerhouse Northville in the regional semifinals, 4-3. Expect Walled Lake Northern to contend again for conference and district championships and with the right draw could be capable of making a deep run. … “Walled Lake Northern will have seven starters returning this year who will look to win the conference again this year, making it the first time in LVC history a team has won back-to-back. Northern will also have some new additions to the team, including some members returning from last year that will hopefully contribute to another successful season. The LVC may not be a powerhouse conference like the KLAA or Oakland Activities Association-Red, but it’s a competitive conference that always brings a new challenge every year. Northern won the conference back in 2018 when it was first created, then has struggled as runners up or with third place finishes until 2023. Northern is hoping to be the first team ever to win back-to-back conference regular season championships, but this year, it’s anyone’s guess who will come out as the winner,” said coach Mitchell Thompson.
SCHOOL: Walled Lake Western
HEAD COACH: Brian Bain, third season
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 6-12-1, 2-5-1 Lakes Valley Conference (tied-seventh)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Detroit Renaissance (8-0); lost in D-2 district semifinals to Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (1-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Natalie Kosaian, sr. M; Keira McCarter, jr. G; Avery Stallman, jr. D; Elise Curry, jr. D; Sophie Zammit, jr. M (All-League Honorable Mention); Bella Westbrook, jr.; Andrea Zarra, jr.; Bella Yaldo, sr. D (All-League Honorable Mention); Phoebe DeRoche, jr. F (All-League); Phoebe Tacker, soph.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Avery Buck; soph.; Allison Inch, jr.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Makenna Krzisnik, sr.; Hailey Piacentini, jr.; Maia Kepa, fr.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Looking at the numbers, Western has an opportunity to improve up six wins, five shutouts and being outscored 59-33 last season. The Warriors only have thre seniors on the roster, so many of these players will be sticking around a while and help out with the rebuild. Western opened the campaign 1-3-1 and outscored 10-3, although there’s still plenty of time to turn it around. … “Western has a number of key returners back at important positions for the 2024 soccer season. We hope to continue to grow and be competitive within the Lakes Valley Conference day-in and day-out and build on our six wins from a year ago,” said coach Brian Bain.
SCHOOL: Waterford Kettering
HEAD COACH: Emma Hughes, second season.
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 2-14-2, 0-8-0 Lakes Valley Conference (ninth, no points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Auburn Hills Avondale (3-1); lost in D-2 district semifinals to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (3-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Isabel Nuttal, sr. F; Emily Medford, sr. G; Lexi Harriger, sr. F (All-League); Kimberly Camp, sr. M (All-League Honorable Mention); Emma Cain, jr. D (All-League Honorable Mention); Julianna Latimer, sr. D (All-League Honorable Mention)
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Ashlyn Campbell, sr.; Elle Dropps, jr.; Peyton Eakin, soph.; Alexis Harriger, sr.; Nora Hernandez, sr.; Julianna Lattimer, sr.; Riley McLauchlan, jr.; Kylee Nickerson, jr.; Kyra Nickerson, jr.; Isabell Nuttall, sr.; Gwyneth Torres-Hipolotio, sr.
KEY NEWCOMERS: No players specified.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Kettering had a rough go at it last season, registering only two wins and being shut out nine times, outscored 61-26 and finishing in the bottom third of the nine-school league. The Captains are sailing a different course to start 2024. Through April 16, Kettering is a surprising 3-0-1 overall with three shutouts and an 11-1 edge on the scoreboard. Can the Captains remain competitive in the LVC and in non-league games? If they do they’ll be one of the better turnaround jobs in Michigan. The Captains were 7-10-1 in 2021 and 5-12-1 in 2022, so this season’s promising results thus far could equal the school’s best start in over a decade.
SCHOOL: Waterford Mott
HEAD COACH: Kevin Topcham, second season.
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 9-8-1, 4-3-1 Lakes Valley Conference (fourth, 13 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-districts to West Bloomfield (3-1)
RETURNING STARTERS: Karli Koskinen, jr. M (All-League Honorable Mention); Morgan Rachel, sr. D; Abby Ellis, jr. M (All-League); Morgan Koskinen, soph. M (All-League); Gillian Johnson, jr. D (All-League Honorable Mention); Alexia Her, sr. M (All-League honorable Mention)
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Kiara Bride, jr. M; Grace McKenzie, jr. M; Lorna Kymla, jr. M; Arianna Campbell, sr. D; Summer DaDuc, jr. G; Mia Wright, soph. F; Ava Lee, soph. D; Macie Bills, soph. F/G
KEY NEWCOMERS: No names submitted.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Sophia Montgomery, one of the better goalkeepers in Oakland County, graduated to the college ranks and that leaves a hole in the Corsairs’ lineup. The program did not field a junior-varsity team last season and was quite young, as only six players overall graduated. If the young talent has improved as a whole, then Mott could be much improved over last year. Mott started several freshmen and sophomores last season where they held a 59-34 scoring edge and four shutouts. This season, Mott began 4-3-0 through April 16 but outscored 22-20.
SCHOOL: White Lake Lakeland
HEAD COACH: Shannon Samson, fifth season.
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 6-8-3, 3-5-0 Lakes Valley Conference (tied-fifth, nine points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-districts to Walled Lake Northern (5-1)
RETURNING STARTERS: Molly Marino, sr. D (All-League); Emily Williamson, sr. D; Ella Drap, sr. F/M (All-League Honorable Mention); Olivia Wells, jr. D (All-League); Stephanie Palaian, sr. D (All-League Honorable Mention); Emery Collick, jr. F/M; Olivia Wells, jr. CB.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Amira Dziljaj, sr. M; Nicole Marcelii, sr. F; Savannah Herning, jr. M/F.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Audrey Buehner, fr. G; Cailyn Milewski, fr. F; Olivia Bragg, fr. F; Kayla Fournier, jr. M; Silvia Drap, soph. M; Jenna Fayad, fr. M; Hayden Schmidt, soph. F; Leah Willis, soph. D.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: After being outscored 45-31 last season, shut out five times against the team’s five shutouts, Lakeland appears to be one of the more improved teams in Metro Detroit. Through April 16, the Eagles are 5-1-1 and have outscored the opposition 17-6 with one clean sheet.
ROSTER CALL
All varsity girls soccer rosters in Michigan can be emailed to stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com
2023 ALL-LAKES VALLEY CONFERENCE GIRLS SOCCER TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Emily Gignac, Walled Lake Northern sr. M
Sophia Lock Walled Lake Northern, sr. D
Kayla Budziak, Walled Lake Northern jr. D
Addison Porter, Walled Lake Northern jr. D
Izzy Krause, Walled Lake Northern soph. F
Mia Czarnowski, Walled Lake Northern jr. M
Country Drew, Milford sr. M
Brynn Dudley, Milford jr. D
Riley Mitchell, Milford jr. F
Ava Warner, Milford jr. F
Leah Merriam, Milford sr. D
Alyssa Melquist, South Lyon East sr. F
Kate Mazur, South Lyon East sr. F
Reganne Koskela, South Lyon East sr. D
Sara Marsac, South Lyon East soph. G
Karli Koskinen, Waterford Mott soph. M
Abby Ellis, Waterford Mott soph. F
Morgan Koskinen, Waterford Mott fr. M/D
Sophia Montgomery, Waterford Mott sr. G
Aly Christmas, White Lake Lakeland sr. M
Molly Marino, White Lake Lakeland jr. D
Olivia Wells, White Lake Lakeland soph. D
Emily Wade, Walled Lake Central sr. M
Brianna Baiocco, Walled Lake Central jr. F
Brielle Phung, Walled Lake Central sr. D
Rhianna Schermerhorn, South Lyon sr. F
Sierra Newton, South Lyon sr. D
Megan Rumija, Walled Lake Western sr. M
Phoebe DeRoche, Walled Lake Western soph. F
Alexis Harriger, Waterford Kettering jr. F
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Maura McClerren, Walled Lake Northern jr. F
Carleigh Santavy, Walled Lake Northern sr. G
Brooklyn Zeleny, Walled Lake Northern soph. M
Alexis Barber, Milford sr. GK
Camryn Bladzik, Milford fr. M
Leah Giese, Milford jr. F
Kaylie Samluk, South Lyon East sr. M
Alex Armstrong, South Lyon East sr. D
Rylee Seec, South Lyon East sr. M
Gillian Johnso, Waterford Mott jr. D
Sydney Stuart, Waterford Mott sr. M
Alexia Her, Waterford Mott jr. F
Raegan Lukes, White Lake Lakeland sr. M
Ella Drap, White Lake Lakeland sr. F
Stephanie Palaian, White Lake Lakeland jr. D
Izzy Renner, Walled Lake Central soph. GK
Marissa McClure, Walled Lake Central jr. D
Samantha Klenczar, Walled Lake Central jr. M
Caitlyn McBeth, South Lyon sr. GK
Ellen Albert, South Lyon sr. D
Ava Kleabir, South Lyon soph. D
Sasha Lieberman, Walled Lake Western sr. M
Sophia Zammit, Walled Lake Western soph. M
Bella Yaldoo, Walled Lake Western sr. D
Kimberly Camp, Waterford Kettering jr. M
Emma Cain, Waterford Kettering soph. D
Julianna Latimer, Waterford Kettering jr. D
(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.)
