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.)
SCHOOL: Adrian
HEAD COACH: Rangariro Mutatu
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 13-5-1, 6-3-1 SEC-White (tied-second)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-2 pre-districts to Chelsea (1-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Ayla Tindall, soph. F (All-League; 38 goals, currently injured); Jaleigh Niese, soph. M; Lilly Hassan, sr. G; Helanya Nieto, jr. F; Sydney Chesher, sr. D; Ella Salenbien, soph.; Izabella Dusseau, soph. D; Sydney Hunter, jr. D
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Tatum Borton, soph. M/F; Katja Nelson, soph. F/M
KEY NEWCOMERS: No names specified.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Last year was a true mix of experience (12 seniors) and youth (nine freshmen) on varsity and the Maples had a grand turnaround in 2023. Adrian went from
going from 4-13-1 in 2022 to a respectable 13-5-1 in 2023. Although some holes in the starting lineup need to be filled, the Maples have a depth-laden sophomore class with some star power and hope to challenge Pinckney in the league this season.
SCHOOL: Chelsea
HEAD COACH: Giorgi Nozadze, second season
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 10-7-2, 5-4-1 SEC-White (fourth)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Adrian (1-0); lost in D-2 district semifinals to Pinckney (2-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Christina Roberts, soph. (All-League, All-District); Grace Ratliff, jr. (All-League, All-District); Kate Krugh, sr. F (All-League); Addison Sinkwitts, jr. M (All-League); Caroline Knight, sr. D (All-District); Maya Valik, sr. D (All-District)
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Ella Day, sr. D; Addison McCarthy, sr., M; Kate McKenzie, soph. M; Emma Ruszkiewicz, soph. M/D
KEY NEWCOMERS: Zora Ziolkowski, fr. D
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: The Bulldogs dipped down the standings last year in a rebuilding year under a first-year head coach. Chelsea looks to be engaged in a multi-school run at the conference title and contend for a district championship. “Last year we had a rebuilding year, new coach, lot of new players since we lost 11 seniors the year before. We had a rough start, however, by the end we figured it out and became a dominant team in every game we played in. Against Pinckney in (two) conference games we lost both times due to crosses. We were beating Dexter until the last minute, where we had on average 65-70 percent possession. We were always outshooting and outplaying opponents. However, by the time we started figuring it out last year the season was over. We lost to Pinckney in the district semis. This year we hope that we can grab the SEC-White champs and claim a district title. If we can get there, then we’ll see how far we can go,” said coach Giorgi Nozadze.
SCHOOL: Jackson
HEAD COACH: Terrance Anderson
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 8-11-0, 2-8-0 SEC-White
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Jackson Northwest (5-1); def. Parma Western (3-1); lost in D-2 district finals to Pinckney (2-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Trystin Cline, jr. M; Sienna Tovar, sr. D/M; no other players specified.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: London Brown, soph.; Jayla Estelle, soph.; Ingrid Hesslau, soph.; Alaina Martindale, jr. M; Maleeya Mathis, jr.; Anaya Selby, soph.; Gillian Snyder, soph.; Maria Velazquez, jr.; Mikayla Butters, sr. D/M; Olivia Perrine, sr. M/F; Rylee DeMann, sr.; Mackenzie Glaspie, soph.; Marilu Guadarrama, sr.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Amanii Brandon, fr.; Taviah Swanson, fr.; Auro Van Nuys, fr.; Bryleigh Ziegenfuss, fr.; Angelina Vargas, jr.; Samantha Williams, soph.; Kyra Ybarra, jr.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: After a fifth-place finish a year ago, Jackson must replace a lot of its offensive firepower if the Vikings are to climb into a crowded top half of the league. Pinckney returns over half of its starting lineup and Adrian has a stellar sophomore class. Chelsea is much-improved and Tecumseh always seems to be competitive.
SCHOOL: Pinckney
HEAD COACH: Sean Grace
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 15-2-1, 9-0-1 SEC-White (first)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Def. Chelsea (2-0); def. Jackson (2-0, district finals); def. Richland-Gull Lake (1-0, regional semifinals); lost in D-2 regional finals to Plainwell (6-1)
RETURNING STARTERS: Peyton Delongchamp, sr. G (All-State Second Team; Division I and Division II recruit); Zaryah Griffin, sr. M (All-State Honorable Mention); Valerie Graves, sr. M/D (All-League, All-District); Alex Hanselmen, sr. D (All-District); Alexis Altizer, sr. D/M (All-League, All-District); Ella Swiderski, sr. M/F; Julia Garcia, soph. D/M (All-League Honorable Mention); Mackenna Prince, jr. M/D (All-League Honorable Mention)
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.
KEY NEWCOMERS: No players specified.
REMAINING ROSTER: No list submitted.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Pinckney is coming off its best season in school history, going unbeaten in the SEC-White to claim its fourth straight league championship. The Pirates also reached the Division 2 regional finals before bowing out to Plainwell. That run included the program’s first district championship and ended in the Elite Eight. Pinckney must replace some key players in its lineup but has eight players who started games last year back in uniform. The Pirates also boast one of the state’s better goalkeepers in Peyton Delongchamp, who has been courted by some NCAA Division I and Division II schools. She’s been the starter since her freshman year. Program-wise, Pinckney has won over 70 games the last four years and although the SEC-White could be deeper this year, the Pirates are still considered the favorite until someone knocks them off. Depth could be a concern as only 20 athletes came out for soccer this year, the lowest in years, despite the Pirates’ recent success.
SCHOOL: Tecumseh
HEAD COACH: Paul Wellmen, first season
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 11-4-3, 6-3-1 SEC-White (tied-second)
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-2 pre-districts to Parma Western (3-1)
RETURNING STARTERS: Kylie Trevino, jr. F; Shaylinn Drouillard, sr. F; Brooke Stark, soph. M
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: No players specified.
KEY NEWCOMERS: No players specified.
REMAINING ROSTER: No list submitted.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Tecumseh missed out on its first league title in girls soccer last year, finishing second to regional finalist Pinckney. The Indians must reload its backfield and midfield but will be able to field some offensive firepower back in uniform. Tecumseh also has a new coach Paul Wellmen who is trying to keep his side in the upper echelon of the league. Last year the Indians won 11 games, outscored its opposition 60-25 with seven clean sheets but still couldn’t get over the hump in terms of winning a league or district title. In 2024, Tecumseh started 3-2-1 with one shutout and outscoring its six foes 22-14.
SCHOOL: Ypsilanti Community
HEAD COACH: Nick Suarez
2023 OVERALL AND LEAGUE RECORD/ FINISH: 7-13-1, 0-10-0
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: Lost in D-2 pre-districts to Riverview (5-0)
RETURNING STARTERS: Nargis Seraji, soph. M (All-League); Addy Reynolds-Tallant, jr. G (All-League Honorable Mention); Ameilia Becker-Downs, jr. CB; Lara Jomaa, sr. CB; Nina Arnett, sr. D; Lyla Gazal, soph. M; Stefy Palacios, jr. D; Sarah Hamidi, sr. D.
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Emaan Hussain, jr. D/M; Djaka Kaba, jr. D; Khawla Siddiqui, jr. M;
KEY NEWCOMERS: Audrey Wilbanks, fr. M; Luca Adudeye, fr. D/M; Sophia Frank, fr. M; London Arnett, fr. M.
NOTABLES/OUTLOOK/COACH’S QUOTE: Ypsilanti struggled in league play last season despite having a solid trio down its spine in the lineup. The Grizzlies success came out of the league. Will there be enough talent this season to climb out of the SEC-White cellar? Coach Suarez tends to think so with the infusion of young talent in the freshmen and sophomore classes that made an impact last year or already this year. Last year Ypsilanti was outscored 84-48 with five shutouts and eight times the Grizzlies were blanked. Ypsilanti started 1-1-2 this season but have two shutouts and outscored its foes 10-5. This is a much-improved team up and down the lineup with some young talent leading the way. … “We should be more competitive in the SEC-White this year. We've been preparing for the last three years and with Matt Twiss (Tecumseh) and Travis Baker (Jackson) stepping down last spring and both programs lost some crucial starters like Chesney Wilke and Kennedy Konz from Tecumseh (it will be interesting). Chelsea will win the league this spring, following Pinckney in second. I believe we will finish mid-table ahead of Tecumseh and Jackson,” said coach Nick Suarez.
2023 ALL-SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE-WHITE DIVISION GIRLS SOCCER TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Ayla Tindall, Adrian fr.F
Jaleigh Niese, Adrian fr. M
Christina Roberts, Chelsea soph.
Grace Ratliff, Chelsea jr.
Kate Krugh, Chelsea jr.
Addison Sinkwitts, Chelsea jr.
Zaryah Griffin, Pinckney jr. F
Claire Denton, Pinckney sr. D
Peyton Delongchamp, Pinckney jr. G
Kailey Lambert, Pinckney sr. D
Alexis Altizer, Pinckney jr. D
Chesney Wilke, Tecumseh sr.
Kennedy Konz, Tecumseh sr.
Nargis Seraji, Ypsilanti fr.
HONORABLE MENTION
Lilly Hassan, Adrian jr. G
Ashley Klann, Adrian sr. F
Miskita Young, Adrian sr. M
Lily Baalman, Adrian sr. F
Airianna Griecci, Chelsea
Mackenna Prince, Pinckney soph. M/D
Valerie Graves, Pinckney soph. D/M
Julia Garcia, Pinckney fr. D/M
Natalie Graves, Pinckney sr. M
Vera Denison, Tecumseh sr. G
Shaylinn Drouillard, Tecumseh jr. F
Joscelyn Yape, Tecumseh sr. M/F
Kylie Trevino, Tecumseh soph. F
Addy Reynolds-Tallant, Ypsilanti jr. G
Ryle Dubois, Jackson sr. M
COACH OF THE YEAR
Sean Grace, Pinckney
ROSTER CALL:
The Michigan Soccer Network is collecting varsity girls soccer rosters from 460-plus teams across the state. Send in copies to MSN Communications Specialist / Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com.
(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.)
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