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 Teams – Grand Rapids Union, Holland, Muskegon, Muskegon Mona Shores, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, Wyoming, Zeeland East, Zeeland West
SCHOOL: Grand Rapids Union
HEAD COACH: Juan Zavala
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD / FINISH: 11-8-0, 5-5-0 Ottawa Kent Conference-Green Division (fifth overall, eight points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-districts to Rockford (3-0).
RETURNING STARTERS: Deborah Donahue-Andrade, sr. D (All-League); Linde Clark, jr. M (All-League Honorable Mention); no other players specified
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.
KEY NEWCOMERS: No players specified.
ROSTER: No list submitted.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Grand Rapids Union is coming off a 11-win season in 2023 where it outscored its 19 foes by a 64-37 count with eight shutouts while being blanked six times. So far this season the Red Hawks are 54-0 through April 16 and have posted three clean sheets with a narrow 23-21 scoring difference. Union is likely a middle of the pack team again in the OKC-Green, beating the teams they should beat and struggling against some of the power conference schools in the Grand Rapids-Muskegon area.
SCHOOL: Holland
HEAD COACH: Greg Ceithaml
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD / FINISH: 7-12-0, 3-7-0 Ottawa Kent Conference-Green Division
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Hastings (2-1); lost in D-2 district semifinals to Hamilton (2-0).
RETURNING STARTERS: Emma Margaron, jr. F/M (All-League; four-sport athlete); Keoni Gainey, soph. M/F (All-League Honorable Mention); no other players specified.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.
KEY NEWCOMERS: No players specified.
REMAINING ROSTER: Adelle Snyder, sr. D; Ambria DePoy, jr. F/M; Bella Edwards-Parker, sr. M; Camila Ruiz, soph. F/M; Dee Runpsa, soph. D; Ibrie Elizalde, sr. D; Kaydence Vesper, sr. D; Leah Margaron, soph. M; Makayla Flores, sr. F; Melina Garcia, jr. M; Mendels Lilly, sr. M/F; Mya Dailey, sr. M; Tyrah Allen, sr. D; Ashley Saldana, jr. M.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK / COACH’S QUOTE: Holland ventured through a rebuilding campaign in 2023 where the Dutch were outscored 50-46 with six clean sheets against six games where Holland was shut out. This season began 1-3-0 with being outscored 13-8. Emma Margaron is a four-sport stud and a high-academic athlete who is dangerous on the field. Holland’s problem is sometimes depth.
SCHOOL: Muskegon
HEAD COACH: Steven Thompson
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD / FINISH: 0-17-1, 0-9-1 Ottawa Kent Conference-Green Division (tied for seventh in regular season standings; finished eighth in conference tournament; eighth overall, 2.5 points).
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-2 pre-districts to Ludington (8-0).
RETURNING STARTERS: None specified.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Destiny Gates, sr. D/M (All-League Honorable Mention; signed with NJCAA Muskegon Community College); Brooklelynn Minder, soph.; Demetrinana Hatcher, soph.; Kylee Gathers, sr.; Dayanara Dedios, sr.; Julissa Zuniga, soph.; Syairah Buchanon, jr.; Evelyn Frias, soph.; Aaliyah Winston, soph.; Taniya Keys, sr.; Kennedi Loudermill, soph.; Nevaeh Anderson, jr.; Giselle Aguilar, sr.; Karen Garcia, sr.; Giselle Martinez, soph.; Trudy Jamerson, soph.; Precious Neal, soph.; Keely Gathers, jr.; Naima turner, soph.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Khristian Watson, fr.; Jayla Williams-Winston, fr.; Adaya Stokes, fr.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Muskegon and league rival Wyoming are in the same basket as many city schools across Michigan such as Saginaw United, Flint Carman-Ainsworth, Battle Creek Central, Ypsilanti Lincoln, Wayne Memorial, Southfield A&T, Oak Park, Detroit Renaissance, Lansing Eastern, Lansing Sexton and several others are in who simply don’t have the numbers and don’t inherit legions of medium- or high-level club players like most of the schools in the six-division OKC and other soccer-crazy leagues across the state. Many of the Big Reds’ opponents have more club players on their JV-A and JV-B teams than Muskegon has in its entire program. The Big Reds only seem to fare well against schools in a similar position. They work and play hard, but without the high-level year-round training it’s hard to stack up against the odds. Case in point, Muskegon only finished 0-17-1 last season and were outscored 137-6. The school needs to start scheduling as many non-conference games against schools in very similar situations. Perhaps the upcoming shuffling of divisions in the OKC will help long-term with the soccer problems.
SCHOOL: Muskegon Mona Shores
HEAD COACH: Dylan Darga
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: Ottawa Kent Conference-Green Division
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS:
RETURNING STARTERS: Shay Norden, sr. F (All-State Third Team; committed to NAIA Calvin College); Ava Freye, jr. F (All-League, All-District, leading scorer, played club ball only as a freshman); Jersey VanderWall, sr. G (All-League, All-District, 11 shutouts last season with 0.69 GAA; will play volleyball at NJCAA Grand Rapids Community College); Lilly Houle, sr. M (All-League, All-District each of past two years); Mal Hogston, sr. CB (All-League, All-District).
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Ella Kinney, jr. M; Addison Fisher, jr., M; Emma Anderson, sr. D.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Amelia Coffin, soph. D; Kylie Dusenberry, jr. D/M; Ella Charland, soph. M
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: The Sailors have proved time and time again over the last 15-20 years that they are a worthy opponent. They have won seven straight OKC-Green Division titles (minus the cancelled 2020 season) and have competed well at the district level with several district titles or district runner-up showings over that period. Last year Mona Shores outscored the opposition 71-13, although 28 of those goals were against Muskegon and Wyoming. The Sailors pitched 11 shutouts before running into eventual state runner-up Hudsonville (3-0) in the district semifinals. This season Mona Shores is ranked in D-1 and off to a 5-1-1 start that includes a 28-6 scoring edge and four more clean sheets. … “I think we have a great opportunity to compete for a district championship this year. It will not be easy with Rockford, (Grand Rapids) Forest Hills Northern and Grand Haven in there but I think we will be right there with them. We also ramped up our schedule with (Hudsonville Unity Christian, Spring Lake, Grand Haven, and we will be hosting Salem and Berkley from the eastside for a mini eastside vs westside showcase with (Muskegon) Reeths-Puffer,” said coach Dylan Darga.
SCHOOL: Muskegon Reeths-Puffer
HEAD COACH: Kody Harrell
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 13-6-3, 7-2-1 Ottawa Kent Conference-Green Division (second in regular season, second in conference tournament, second overall, 14 total points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Fremont (5-0); def. Ludington (5-0); lost in D-2 district finals to Spring Lake (5-0).
RETURNING STARTERS: Alyssa Herbert, sr. M/F (All-League Honorable Mention); Madilynn Dyer, jr. F/M; Abby Hill, soph. M; Alyse Cox, sr. M/D; Chloe Brainard, jr. M/D; Irelyn Niklasch, sr. D/M.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Mallorie Messer, soph. M;
KEY NEWCOMERS: Ashlynn David, fr. M; Brenna Ackerman, fr. G; Jaslyn Kops, fr. M; Sara Carlson, soph. G; Ashley Bradley, soph. F; Grace Goodell, sr. D; Hanna Potts, jr. F; Kiera Ketner, jr. D; Morgan Rekeny, jr. D/M; Reese Tryska, jr. D.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: The Rockets are in a similar boat this season as they tend to defeat the teams they should but fall short against the high-level teams in western Michigan. Reeths-Puffer outscored the opposition 59-23 last year with 12 shutouts while this year it has started 3-4-1 through April 16 with a narrow 17-14 scoring edge and three shutouts. The Rockets did tie D-1 state-ranked Muskegon Mona Shores (1-1) earlier this season and Mona Shores has won the league seven straight seasons.
SCHOOL: Wyoming
HEAD COACH: Lauren Byrne
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD / FINISH: 1-17-1, 1-8-1 Ottawa Kent Conference-Green Division (tied for seventh in regular season; finished seventh in conference tournament; finished seventh overall with 3.5 points).
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-1 pre-districts to Byron Center (8-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Alexandria Diaz, jr. D (All-League); no other players specified.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.
KEY NEWCOMERS: No players specified.
ROSTER: No list submitted.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Wyoming and league rival Muskegon are in the same basket as many city schools across Michigan such as Saginaw United, Flint Carman-Ainsworth, Battle Creek Central, Ypsilanti Lincoln, Wayne Memorial, Southfield A&T, Oak Park, Detroit Renaissance, Lansing Eastern, Lansing Sexton and several others are in who simply don’t have the numbers and don’t inherit legions of medium- or high-level club players like most of the schools in the six-division OKC and other soccer-crazy leagues across the state. Many of the Wolves’ opponents have more club players on their JV-A and JV-B teams than Wyoming has in its entire program. The Wolves only seem to fare well against schools in a similar position. They work and play hard, but without the high-level year-round training it’s hard to stack up against the odds. Case in point, Wyoming only finished 1-17-1 last season and were outscored 121-5. Wyoming’s only points came in a tie with Muskegon and a victory over Muskegon in the conference tournament. The school needs to start scheduling as many non-conference games against schools in very similar situations. Perhaps the upcoming shuffling of divisions in the OKC will help Wyoming long-term with the soccer problems.
SCHOOL: Zeeland East
HEAD COACH: Gabrielle Hunderman
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD / FINISH: 8-9-3, 6-2-2 Ottawa Kent Conference-Green Division (finished third in regular season standings; finished fourth in conference tournament; finished third overall with 11.5 points)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Wayland (3-2); lost in D-2 district semifinals to Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg (3-1).
RETURNING STARTERS: Macie Moore, jr. M/F (All-League, All-State Honorable Mention); Hannah Lewis, sr. F/M (All-League); Addison Hathaway, jr. M (All-League Honorable Mention); Sophie Koleszar, soph. M; Summer Boone-Sautter, sr. M.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Sadie Geerlings, sr. G; Caroline Highley, sr. M; Kinsey Inman, sr. F; Rachel Lee, sr. D; Naomi Norman, sr. D; Ruby Rodriguez, sr. D; Lucy Tubergen, jr. D; Meeka VanPortfleet, sr. F/M.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Addison Woodcock, fr. M/D; Leah Johnson, fr. D; Margaret Weeldryer, fr. M; Mackenzie Cortez, soph. M.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: The Chix graduated seven players from the roster which placed third in the final OKC-Green Division standings a year ago and should fight for a top-half finish in the league again this year. Last year Zeeland East held a 48-34 scoring edge with seven shutouts and are 4-1-0 with a 22-6 scoring difference through April 16 this year.
SCHOOL: Zeeland West
HEAD COACH: Benjamin Hondorp
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD / FINISH: 8-7-2, 5-3-2 Ottawa Kent Conference-Green Division (finished fourth in regular season; finished third in conference tournament; placed fourth overall, 10.5 points).
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-2 pre-districts to Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg (5-1).
RETURNING STARTERS: Jordyn Klassen, jr. D/M (All-League, All-State Honorable Mention); Rylee Smith, sr. M (All-League, All-District); Mallory Allen, sr. G; no other players specified.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Kaylie Boersma, jr. M; Audie Hartt, jr. F; Hannah Pleiman, sr. F; Siobhan Michmerhuizen, jr. M; Caiti Grant, sr. M; Izzy Terpstra, soph. F; Clarice VanDort, jr. M; Madelyn VanDort, jr. D; Bree Stine, sr. M; My Frego, sr. F; Rachel McFall, sr. F; Kayla Wyrick, sr. D; Evie Elenbaas, soph. D; Georgie Kuyers, jr. F; Ellery Koomen, jr. D; Sadie Wiersma, jr. D;
KEY NEWCOMERS: Aileen Molina, fr. M; Sam Koppenol, fr. M.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Zeeland West is coming off a respectable season where they held a 39-32 scoring edge with six clean sheets. So far this season they are 3-1-1 to start and have outscored the opposition 16-7.
(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.)
