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.)
Roster Call
The Michigan Soccer Network is collecting varsity girls soccer rosters for over 460 schools state-wide. Copies can be emailed to stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com.
MACOMB AREA CONFERENCE RED DIVISION GIRLS SOCCER TEAM CAPSULES 2024
Roster Call
The Michigan Soccer Network is collecting varsity girls soccer rosters for over 460 schools state-wide. Copies can be emailed to stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com
Competing Schools – Grosse Pointe North, Macomb Dakota, Macomb L’Anse Creuse North, New Baltimore Anchor Bay, Romeo, Utica Eisenhower
SCHOOL: Grosse Pointe North
HEAD COACH: Thalu Masindi, first season
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 10-7-7, 1-5-4 MAC-Red Division (fifth, seven points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore (2-1); def. Madison Heights Lamphere (1-0, district finals); def. Birmingham Marian (3-2, 2OT, SO, regional semifinals); def. Trenton (1-0, regional finals); def. Linden (1-0, state semifinals); def. East Grand Rapids (3-2, 2OT, SO) in the D-2 state finals.
RETURNING STARTERS: Meredith Dodenhoff, soph. M/F; Alyssa Burney, sr. M/D; Amelia Streberger, sr. M (All-State Dream Team; All-State First Team; signed with NCAA Division I University of Detroit-Mercy); Lea Paluzzi, sr. F/G; Leah Burney, soph. D; Gabby Miller, sr. M; Iliana Nezeritis, sr. M/F.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Madeline O’Shee, sr. D; Sadie Dunn, soph. D; Camille Tsape, sr. F; Maria Castronero, jr. M/F.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Layla Adams, fr.; Madeline Ament, fr.; Kinley Arioli, fr.; Elise Barr, fr.; Meghan Bidigare, fr.; Elizabeth Darlington, fr.; Annabelle Goosten, fr.; Morgan Hunt, fr.; Ella McAlinden, fr.; Molly O’Shee, fr.; Ella Richardson, fr.; Leticia Correa Oliveira-Neri, soph.; Gabrielle Galati, soph.; Lily Shanley, soph.; Ryann Waller, soph.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Thalu Masindi takes over for the defending Division 2 state championship and he inherits seven returning starters four others who came off the bench last season. This team only had a 4-7-7 record in the regular season and entered the postseason unranked before reeling off six straight wins in the postseason, including four straight over state-ranked teams. Gone are seven total players and four starters, including goalkeeper Grace McCormick (All-State First Team, University of Detroit-Mercy), who was lights out during the tournament run. Replacing the seven players that graduated are 12 freshmen and three sophomores up from the junior-varsity. This team is extremely young with only seven seniors and one junior and will play with an enormously large bullseye on its backs. That may be unfair for a young group but North is still the defending state champ and just the first Macomb Area Conference school to win a state title while a member of the mega conference. Clawson won a title back in the 2001 season when it was still a member of the Oakland Activities Association.
SCHOOL: Macomb Dakota
HEAD COACH: Gary Schodowski
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 5-9-3, 2-5-3 MAC-Red Division (fourth, nine points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-districts to Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse (2-1, 2OT)
RETURNING STARTERS: No players specified.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Isabella Fitgerals, sr. D; Alivia Petri, sr. D; Laila Vanhoorelbeke, sr. F; Nina Maloney, sr. M; Sally Jones, sr. M; Pilar Neumann, jr. M; Kamryn Merici, jr. M; Emily Dailey, sr. D; Sophia Trozak, soph. M; Ashlyn Boudia, soph. D; Keira Pomeroy, sr. D; Sofia Capoccia, jr. M; Delaney Davis, sr. F; Camryn Shafer, soph. M; Averie Webb, soph. F; Gabriella Solomon, soph. M; Brooklyn Perron, sr. G
KEY NEWCOMERS: Hannah Lopacki, fr. D
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Dakota was a victim of its environment and surroundings last season, as in the MAC-Red was very deep and 10 of the Cougars’ games came against teams that were state ranked at times last season. Not to mention that MAC-Red member Grosse Pointe North never reached the Division 2 top-15 during the regular season but still made an unprecedented run to the state championship. Additionally, league member New Baltimore Anchor Bay reached the Division 1 Elite Eight. The season came to an end with a 2-1 overtime loss to MAC-White Division member Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse, which featured one of Michigan’s best goalkeepers, Kassidy Lanthier, who is now playing at NCAA Division I University of Iowa. Overall, Dakota was just 3-8 in one-goal games plus registered three ties and finished fourth in the MAC-Red standings. The Cougars only yielded 26 goals in 19 games (1.37 goals-against-average) but only scored 21 goals in 19 games (1.11 goals a game). Scoring more goals this season is something that Dakota must figure out. So far in 2024, the Cougars started 2-0-0 with shutout wins over Oxford (1-0) and rival Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (1-0).
SCHOOL: Macomb L’Anse Creuse North
HEAD COACH: Glen Ursaki
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 9-7-3, 1-6-3 Mac-Red Division (sixth, six points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Port Huron Northern (6-1); lost in D-1 district semifinals to St. Clair Shores Lakeview (1-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Claire Allison, sr. D (All-District); Mallory Bliss, sr. F; Marah Bsoul, soph. G; Aby Kovacs, sr. D; Olivia Salerno, sr. F.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Sofia Bull, jr. M; Kaela Craig, jr. D; Samantha Holdwick, jr. M; Annabella Stout, sr. M.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Eva Allison, fr. M; Kelly Cavanagh, sr. D; Juliana Cipriano, soph. M; Eleanor Clayton, fr. M; Leila Guitar, jr. D; Stella Marinello, sr. M/F; Addison Morden, fr. D; Isabella Nosotti, fr. F; Olivia Nosotti, fr. F; Shelby Sikorski, soph. D/M; Payton Zoskey, soph. D.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: L’Anse Creuse North finished sixth in the MAC-Red last season but still finished two games above five-hundred and had some talented players to boot. Two players went on to play in college. This season the Crusaders are off to a 5-0-0 start through April 11 and hope to make the MAC-Red race interesting this season. … “We play in a strong conference (MAC-Red), one of the best in the state with seven of our conference games last year were ties or one-goal games. Although we graduated 11 players from our 2023 team, this year’s squad has a great mix of experience and youth. There are five freshmen, all contributing significantly, that join our seven seniors. We also return a key player who was lost early last year to an ACL injury. This team is extremely athletic and plays with a high level of effort and intensity and is looking to make some noise in the conference and playoffs. We are currently 5-0 and begin conference play next week,” said coach Glen Ursaki.
SCHOOL: New Baltimore Anchor Bay
HEAD COACH: Kevin Grammens
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 12-3-7, 3-2-5 MAC-Red Division (third, 14 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse (2-0); def. St. Clair Shores Lakeview (3-1, district finals); def. Troy Athens (4-3, 2OT, SO, regional semifinals); lost in D-1 regional finals to Rochester Stoney Creek (2-1)
RETURNING STARTERS: Gabby Anulare, sr. M (All-State First Team; signed with NCAA Division I Toledo University); Makenna Kennedy, sr. F (All-District; signed with NCAA Division II Saginaw Valley State); Kyra Wolf, sr. F (All-District, All-State Honorable Mention); Macey Firestein, sr. G (All-District); Charlotte Pouget, jr. M; Gabby Thiede, soph. G (All-District); Brianna Sapienza, sr. F (All-District)
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Rachel Glinski, jr. D; Carmella Townsend, sr. G; Cara Brearley, soph. D; Rayne Hargis, sr. D; Morgan McGee, soph. F; Amber Rietz, sr. F
KEY NEWCOMERS: Katelyn Muzia, jr. F (injured last season); Peyton Strozewski, fr. D; Ava Tatro, jr. D.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: A model of consistency over the last decade-plus, Anchor Bay made a deep run during last year’s D-1 state tournament, reaching the regional finals before falling to eventual state Champion Rochester Stoney Creek. And that was with injuries. The Tars return a bevy of offensive players but must replace most of its back line starters and reserves. If Anchor Bay can shore up its defense quickly, than this team will again challenge in the MAC-Red Division and for at least another district title if not more. … “We return all of our starters except for our back four and one injury to a forward. However, we get back an injured player who didn’t play last year who will make an immediate impact and two who didn’t play in regionals due to injury. Once we get settled in on the backline, we will be fine. It may take half the year or a few games. It’s like building an offensive line in football. It takes time, patience, communication, being fearless, coachable, and a desire to be the most dominate defensive unit around,” said coach Kevin Grammens.
SCHOOL: Romeo
HEAD COACH: Trevor Foster
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 14-4-5, 6-1-3 MAC-Red Division (second, 21 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Utica (2-0); lost in D-1 district semifinals to Rochester Stoney Creek (1-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Ava Kelley, sr. M (Signed with NCAA Division II Saginaw Valley State); Addison Ayris, sr. CB (Signed with NCAA Division I University of Detroit-Mercy); Annelise Frank, sr. CB (signed with NAIA Rochester University); Clare Carody, sr. M; Jillian Wilkinson, sr. F (signed with NAIA Rochester University); Lydia Hill, sr. F
KEY NEWCOMERS: Ava Blomquist, sr. F (played Nationals Girls Academy last season); Lexi Meier, fr. F; Allison Szalewicz, fr. M.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: In less than a decade’s time, Romeo has climbed from the MAC-Blue Division and up two divisions to the MAC-Red Division. Not to forget that the Bulldogs have developed into a top-25 team in Division 1, even winning its first district title in 2021. This year should be no exception as Romeo again field a very competitive side with multiple college prospects and some talented newcomers. … “We are shooting for our first-ever MAC-Red (Division) championship. It will be a tight race with (Utica) Eisenhower, Anchor Bay, Romeo and Dakkota, a dark horse,” said coach Trevor Foster.
SCHOOL: Utica Eisenhower
HEAD COACH: Mehrdad Nekoogar
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 10-5-2, 7-1-2 MAC-Red Division (first, 23 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-district to Rochester Stoney Creek (3-2, 2OT, SO)
RETURNING STARTERS: Julia Aniel, soph. M; Ava Dukat, sr. M/F; Hadley Farr, sr. D; Abigail Beardsley, soph. M/D; Ellera Jakubowski, soph. F/M; Sonja Patterson, soph. D; Katie Van De Winkle, sr. D (out for season with ACL injury); Gabriella Vasquez, soph. D (out for season with ACL injury).
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Priti Chahil, jr. M; Coral Dennis, sr. F; Charlotte Long, jr. M; Natalie Vernon, sr. F; Ashley Edwards, sr. M; Grayce Clouston, sr.; Lily Nowak, sr.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Molly Mellott, soph. G; Maryn Smith, fr. F; Sam Losh, fr. F.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: While Eisenhower has been to two Division 1 state finals (2009, 2014), it is another annually strong program that is still seeking its postseason glory on the final weekend. The Eagles again are in one of the top conferences and districts in the state, so the level of success can’t always be measured in titles. Last season with six freshmen either starting or coming off the bench, Eisenhower still captured the MAC-Red Division title in the final week of the regular season. In the postseason, the Eagles were moments away from upsetting then third-ranked (and eventual state champion) Rochester Stoney Creek but ended up losing in a shootout (3-2) in the pre-district despite a late lead in regulation. This year Ike was hit hard by injuries, losing two returning starters to ACL injuries the weekend before tryouts were set to begin. That being said not much will change this year in terms of expectations and ability on the field, as the Eagles will again contend for the MAC-Red crown and battle in one of the state’s “district of death” groupings that features all quality teams – Rochester, Rochester Adams, Rochester Stoney Creek, Romeo, Utica, Utica Ford and Utica Eisenhower. That is an absolute crap-shoot of potential winners.
(MSN will compile a random sampling of game results from around the state each day. To send in results from high school varsity, club, amateur, pre-pro, semi-pro or professional soccer, email all pertinent details to Communications Specialist / Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com.)
(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.)
