SUPER 50 -- GIRLS SOCCER 20-11 2024 Release

BY DAN STICKRADT

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

Social Media Director | Interns and Freelance Coordinator

E: stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com

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(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.)

SUPER 50 POSITIONS 11-20

Michigan Soccer Network Web and Content Editor and Director of News Dan Stickradt scouts teams 11-20 in our Super 50 preseason teams watch list. Games March 20 through April 16 were taken into consideration.

11. SALEM (10-8-3): A quick glance at the loaded KLAA-West Division and one can see Hartland, Salem, Canton, Northville, Brighton, Novi and Plymouth all beating up on one another and Salem is in the thick of that race. Through April 16, the Rocks are 5-1-1, have outscored the opposition 20-6 with two shutouts, and are the only school to beat current Division 1 top-10 Hartland this season. That’s a step up from last year when Salem was a bit inconsistent with a 40-34 edge on the scoreboard, just three shutouts and a fifth-place finish in the league. This year’s group has eight returning starters back in the fold, led by seniors Morganne Jones (G), Elaine Rama (D) and Lauren Driscoll (M), juniors Cali Schwartzenberger (D), Katie Sarkesian (M) and Isabelle Prantera (M), and sophomores Lauren Fowler (F) and Aubrey Krischano (F). Plus, senior Miranda Sanford (F/M) was a part-time starter. The biggest arrival is senior Claire Hammill (M) who spent the last few years with the Michigan Hawks and has committed to NCAA Division I Rutgers University. Senior Katie Parana (F/M) also comes over from the Michigan Jaguars Girls Academy.

12. GRAND RAPIDS SOUTH CHRISTIAN (16-2-2): If it wasn’t for an upset loss, South Christian would have been in the regional finals last season and on course with powerful Hudsonville Unity Christian. Instead, an overtime setback to quality Grand Rapids Catholic Central nullified that potential matchup. This season new coach Joel VandeKopple, who orchestrated numerous Final Four teams at Division 4 Lansing Christian, inherits quite a potent bunch. The Sailors outscored the opposition 77-14 last season with 13 shutouts and captured another Ottawa Kent Conference-Gold Division and district crowns as a top-five team in Division 3. Senior Katelyn VanderArk (M, All-State First Team, signed with NAIA Indiana Wesleyan) and junior Olivia In’T Hout (G, All-State Honorable Mention) lead this team that is off to a No. 1-ranking in Division 3, a 3-1-1 start, three shutouts and a 14-3 difference on the scoreboard. The Sailors’ only loss early this season was a 2-0 setback to Division 1 top-ranked Hudsonville which scored two goals in a five-minute stretch. Seniors Toria Beute (D) and Maci Burgess (M) and juniors Alexa Boersma (M/F), Hayden Donker (M) and Elise Kits (F) also return for South Christian. Freshmen Izzy DeJong (M/F), Londyn Hebner (M/F), Maia Boersma (D) and Meredith Helmus (F) are also gaining minutes. South Christian owns two state titles in its history and it might be more if the Sailors were always in the same region as Unity Christian.

13. ROCHESTER (18-1-2): After finishing third in the Oakland Activities Association-Red Division in 2021, the Falcons were a top-10 mainstay the last two years and won back-to-back conference crowns. Rochester only lost two games combined the last two seasons, once against Northville in the Final Four in 2022 and again to eventual Division 1 state champions Rochester Stoney Creek (3-1) in last year’s district finals. The Falcons outscored their foes 54-13 last season with 11 shutouts. A ton of firepower graduated with the departure of three All-State players on the attack, plus an outside back who is now at an NCAA Division I school. As expected, Rochester won’t score goals like the last three years, which has led to a 2-1-2 start through April 16. But the Falcons do hold a narrow 12-10 scoring edge so far. Junior Alice Max (G) is a NCAA Division I basketball recruit and seniors Emma Barker (CB, NAIA Lawrence Tech University), Katelyn Guolla (M/F, NCAA Division III Elmhurst College) and Keira Nagy (CB), juniors Kiely Robinson (M/D) and Riley Simpson (D) and sophomore Romina McGuire (M) are all returning starters. There are several other players fighting for playing time on a deep roster, led by sophomore Stella Marlow (M), senior Presley Johnson (F), sophomore Allison Jeric (D/F, three-sport athlete), freshman Lucia Erracalde-Santisteban (M/F) and junior Gabi Martin (D/M), who played the last two years with the Nationals Girls Academy in her age group.

14. CANTON (11-5-5): The now-Cobras (formerly Chiefs) were a hard team to figure out last season. They were shut out eight times but still posted 10 shutouts on their own and outscored the opposition 38-12. Canton put it all together at the end of the campaign, advancing to the Division 1 regional finals before falling to Saline (1-0). This season the Cobras are locked into a multi-team race in the depth-laden KLAA-West Division and lodged in the D-1 Top 15 behind a 5-1-2 start through April 16. Canton has already outscored the opposition 26-9 with four shutouts and that is with a tough schedule. There are 10 returning starters, led by seniors Sydney Bohn (D), Chloe Hendricks (D), Carly Noe (F), Alexis Pickerel (M), Karly Ruffner (D) and Nora Schley (M), plus juniors Campbell Appert (G, All-State Honorable Mention), Payton Langenderfer (D), Ava Murphy (M) and Scarlett Nuechterlein (D, All-State Honorable Mention). All 10 of those players earned various All-KLAA and All-District honors and have been key parts to a lineup firing on all cylinders. Senior Caitlin Noe (D) missed all of last season and is a starter this year. Another key player is senior Taylor Steinagel (D/F), who spent the last few years playing for the Michigan Hawks ECNL side but wanted to join her schoolmates this season. Canton last played in the state finals back in 2016.

15. ROCHESTER ADAMS (12-6-2): The youngest team in the Oakland Activities Association-Red Division last season, the Highlanders started slow but carried a streak of seven straight shutouts into the Division 1 state tournament last season where Adams fell to Lake Orion (1-0). The Highlanders recorded 11 shutouts and outscored their opposition 42-18 despite playing a challenging schedule. This year Adams will not be sneaking up on anyone and this powerhouse program is back well inside the D-1 Top-15 through April 16. Adams began the campaign 4-1-2 with three more clean sheets and outscored its foes 20-5. Junior Saide Rogers (M/F, All-State Honorable Mention), seniors Danielle Danko (M/F), Kaitlyn Dempster (CB) and Helen Flores (M) and junior Alexa Cusmano (D) all were regular starters last year. This team is deep and versatile with sophomore Lexi Calcamuggio (G), seniors Yohanna Wang (M/F), Evelyn Kekhoua (F/M), Bella Hamerink (F), Olivia Marcial (M), and Katelin Orsargos (D), juniors Julianna Zobrist (F) and sophomores Morgan Muir (M/F) and Regan Moore (F/M) all seeing increased minutes this season. Senior Catherine Delicat (D), who played with the Nationals Girls Academy last year, and sophomore Maya Orlowsky (M) lead the newcomers.

16. MUSKEGON MONA SHORES (13-5-1): After being knocked out by eventual state runner-up Hudsonville in last year’s Division 1 district semifinals, a lot of people forgot about the Sailors who are going after their seventh Ottawa Kent Conference-Green Division title in eight years this season. Mona Shores brought back a ton of talent from a team that outscored its 19 foes 70-13 with 11 shutouts. The Sailors only loss early this season has been against defending Division 3 state champion Hudsonville Unity Christian (2-1) and Mona Shores is 5-1-1 through April 16 but owns a 28-6 edge while lighting up the scoreboard. They have also posted three clean sheets. Senior Shay Norden (F, All-State Third Team) is headed to Calvin University and junior running-mate Ava Frye was the Sailors’ leading scorer as a sophomore. Senior Jersey VanderWall (G) is a steady presence in net and will play volleyball in college, while seniors Lilly Houle (M) and Mal Hogston (CB) also earned some postseason honors on a deep team. Senior Emma Anderson (D) and juniors Ella Kinney (M) and Addison Fisher (M) also return. Sophomores Amelia Coffin (D) and Ella Charland (M) and junior Kylie Dusenberry (D/M) have filled in nicely for Mona Shores.

17. UTICA EISENHOWER (10-5-2): The defending Macomb Area Conference-Red Division champions carried six freshmen on varsity last season, where the Eagles gave eventual Division 1 state champion Rochester Stoney Creek everything it could handle before succumbing in the pre-district round via shootout (3-2). The Eagles still picked up seven shutouts and outscored their opposition 37-20 last season. This year Eisenhower suffered a blow when two would-be starters suffered season-ending injuries the weekend before tryouts began, but the results on the field through April 16 have still been impressive. The Eagles started 2-1-1 with an 18-4 scoring edge and one shutout and they have a challenging regular season schedule on tap before a rugged district begins at the end of May. Sophomore Ellera Jakubowski (M/F) is one of the state’s better sophomores and seniors Ava Dukaj (M/F) and Hadley Farr (D) are steady performers and returning starters. Sophomores Sonja Patterson (D), Julina Aniel (M) and Abigail Beardsley (M/D) also started games last year. Sophomore Molly Mellott (G) replaces two now-collegiate keepers in net and freshmen Maryn Smith (F) and Sam Losh (F) are quality players on the attack. Junior Priti Chahil (M) is one of several reserves from last season that have earned increased playing time.

18. NEW BALTIMORE ANCHOR BAY (12-3-7): A model of consistency the last decade-plus, the Tars posted some good numbers last season for a team that reached the Division 1 regional finals before falling to eventual state champion Rochester Stoney Creek (2-1) in overtime. Anchor Bay won 12 games and tied seven, finished third in a deep Macomb Area Conference-Red Division, posted nine shutouts and outscored the opposition 42-20. The Tars started 2-1-1 though April 16 and have proven to be a tough team to score on again this season. Senior University of Toledo signee Gabby Anulare (M, All-State First Team), seniors Makenna Kennedy (F, Saginaw Valley State), Kyra Wolf (F, All-State Honorable Mention), Macey Firestein (G) and Brianna Sapienza (M/F), junior Charlotte Pouget (M) and sophomore Gabby Thiede (G) all started games last season and are steady performers. Junior Rachel Glinski (D), sophomore Cara Brearley (D) and senior Rayne Hargis (D) will help shore up and anchor that stout back line. Junior Katelyn Muzia (F) was injured last season, while freshman Peyton Strozewski (D) and junior Ava Tatro (D) add to that defensive mindset.

19. MIDLAND DOW (14-4-4): The defending Saginaw Valley League champs have been consistently good for more than three decades and last year was no exception. The Chargers held an impressive 66-17 scoring edge in a deeper than usual SVL and posted 10 shutouts. Dow ended up losing in a shootout to rival Midland (2-1) in last year’s Division 1district finals but opened the 2024 campaign back in the top 15. The Chargers opened 5-0-1 with a 20-3 edge on the scoreboard and three shutouts. Seniors Sarah Sharpe (D) and Sydney Lambert (D/F), junior Ivy Beall (M) and sophomore Melanie Kolnitys (F) are returning starters, with Kolnitys one of the top goal scorers in the SVL. Seniors Carley Gatrell (D/F), Riley Schikorra (M/F) and Rachael Leuter (M/F) and sophomore Mallory Brandt (M) have moved up the charts into starting roles. The cast of newcomers have actually elevated Midland Dow into a top-tier team, led by senior Avery Lehman (G), junior Jessica Neal (D) and a stellar freshman group of Lauren Schikorra (M), Aubree Bills (M), Allison Stockton (F) and Kaitlyn Oikarinen (D).

20. ROCKFORD (9-6-3): The Rams opened last season in the Division 1 top-15 before the injuries started to mount. Rockford ended up with nine wins, a third-place finish in the OKC-Red Division, nine shutouts and a 31-16 edge on the scoreboard before falling in the district semifinals to Byron Center. Don’t let this group’s general age fool you, even though there are 10 sophomores and two freshmen on this team. The Rams will be good this year and in years to come if this core sticks around the high school circuit. Seniors Mackenzie Blackmore (D/M), Avery Rose (D), Morgan Vanos (M), Celeste Tracy (D) and Ally Devries (F/M) are all returning starters, while sophomores Audrey Muterspaugh (M) and Grace Young (F/M), juniors Ryan Whitford (M) and Kaleigh Miller (D) and senior Wilma Holmgren (D) also saw ample minutes. Senior newcomers Alexys Phillips (F/M) and Keaton Morris (D) have helped, while freshmen prospects Paige Shepherd (G) and Amelia Chapin (M) have already made an impact. Several more sophomores are also gaining playing time for Rockford, which started 5-1-1 with three shutouts and a 28-6 scoring edge – almost matching last year’s goals scored total after seven games.

THE MOST IN STATE TOURNAMENT HISTORY--GIRLS SOCCER

(1983-2003)

• Compiled by MSN’s Dan Stickradt

Note: An asterisk* denotes a school that no longer exists..

MOST MHSAA STATE TITLES:

12 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley

11 – Hudsonville Unity Christian

9 – Birmingham Marian 

7 – Novi

6 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day

5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central

5 – Kalamazoo Christian

5 – Livonia Stevenson

4 – Grandville Calvin Christian

4 – Richland Gull Lake 

4 – Troy Athens

3 – East Grand Rapids

3 – Flint Powers Catholic

3 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep

3 – Northville

3 – Plymouth Canton

3 – Troy

2 – Grand Rapids South Christian

2 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett

2 – Lansing Christian

2 – Okemos

2 – Portage Central

2 – Rochester Adams

2 – Rochester Stoney Creek

2 – Royal Oak Shrine Catholic

1 – Ann Arbor Greenhills

1 – Ann Arbor Huron

1 – Birmingham Groves

1 – Birmingham Seaholm

1 – Bloomfield Hills

1 – Clawson

1 – Dearborn

1 – Grosse Pointe North

1 – Hartland

1 – Livonia Churchill

1 – North Muskegon

1 – Plainwell

1 – Plymouth Salem

1 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

1 – Saginaw Eisenhower*

1 – Saginaw Heritage

1 – Saline

1 – Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-Clarkston Everest Unified

1 – Williamston

MOST MHSAA STATE FINALS APPEARANCES:

17 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley

15 – Hudsonville Unity Christian

13 – Birmingham Marian

11 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day 

9 – Flint Powers Catholic 

9 – Kalamazoo Christian 

8 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep 

8 – Richland Gull Lake

7 – Livonia Stevenson

7 – Novi

7 – Plymouth Canton

7 – Troy

7 – Troy Athens

6 – East Grand Rapids

6 – Northville

6 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 

5 – Plainwell

5 – Brighton

5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern

4 – Ann Arbor Greenhills

4 – Grand Blanc

4 – Grandville Calvin Christian

4 – Lansing Christian

4 – Rochester Adams

4 – Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-Clarkston Everest Unified

3 – Bloomfield Hills Lahser*

3 – Livonia Churchill

3 – Okemos

3 – Portage Central

3 – Rochester Stoney Creek

3 – Royal Oak Shrine Catholic

3 – Williamston

2 – Freeland

2 – Grand Rapids South Christian

2 – Grosse Pointe North

2 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett

2 – Plymouth

2 – Plymouth Salem

2 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

2 – Saginaw Eisenhower*

2 – Utica Eisenhower

1 – Ann Arbor Huron

1 – Birmingham Groves

1 – Birmingham Seaholm

1 – Bloomfield Hills

1 – Boyne City

1 ­­– Clarkston Everest Collegiate-Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Unified

1 – Clawson

1 – Dearborn

1 – Essexville-Garber

1 – Fenton

1 – Grandville

1 – Grosse Ile

1 – Harbor Springs

1 – Hartland

1 – Hudsonville

1 – Jackson Lumen Christi

1 – Livonia Ladywood*

1 – Montrose

1 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian

1 – North Muskegon

1 – Portage Northern

1 – Rochester

1 – Saginaw Heritage

1 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic

1 – Saline

1 – Spring Lake

1 – Stevensville-Lakeshore

MOST MHSAA STATE RUNNERS-UP FINISHES:

6 – Flint Powers Catholic

5 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day

5 – Brighton

5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern

5 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep

5 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley

4 – Birmingham Marian 

4 – Grand Blanc

4 – Hudsonville Unity Christian

4 – Kalamazoo Christian

4 – Plainwell

4 – Plymouth Canton

4 – Richland Gull Lake

4 – Troy

3 – Ann Arbor Greenhills

3 – Bloomfield Hills Lahser*

3 – Northville

3 – Troy Athens

3 – Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-Clarkston Everest Unified

2 – East Grand Rapids

2 – Freeland 

2 – Lansing Christian

2 – Livonia Churchill

2 – Livonia Stevenson 

2 – Plymouth

2 – Rochester Adams

2 – Utica Eisenhower

2 – Williamston

1 – Boyne City

1 ­­– Clarkston Everest Collegiate-Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Unified

1 – East Grand Rapids

1 – Essexville-Garber

1 – Fenton

1 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central

1 – Grandville

1 – Grosse Ile

1 – Grosse Pointe North

1 – Harbor Springs

1 – Hudsonville

1 – Jackson Lumen Christi

1 – Livonia Ladywood*

1 – Montrose

1 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian

1 – Okemos

1 – Plymouth Salem

1 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

1 – Portage Central

1 – Portage Northern

1 – Royal Oak Shrine Catholic

1 – Rochester

1 – Rochester Stoney Creek

1 – Saginaw Eisenhower*

1 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic

1 – Spring Lake

1 – Stevensville-Lakeshore

MOST MHSAA STATE RUNNERS-UP FINISHES WITHOUT A STATE TITLE:

5 – Brighton

5 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern

4 – Grand Blanc

2 – Freeland

2 – Utica Eisenhower

1 – Boyne City

1 ­­– Clarkston Everest Collegiate-Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Unified

1 – Essexville-Garber

1 – Fenton

1 – Grandville

1 – Grosse Ile

1 – Grosse Pointe North 

1 – Harbor Springs

1 – Hudsonville

1 – Jackson Lumen Christi

1 – Livonia Ladywood*

1 – Montrose

1 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian

1 – Portage Northern

1 – Rochester

1 – Saginaw Eisenhower*

1 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic

1 – Spring Lake

1 – Stevensville-Lakeshore

MHSAA STATE SEMIFINALS LOSSES:

9 – Flint Powers Catholic

8 – Troy

7 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day 

6 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 

6 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian

6 – Plainwell

6 – Portage Central 

6 – Rochester Adams

5 – Brighton

5 – DeWitt 

5 – Holland Christian

5 – North Muskegon 

5 – Northville  

5 – Portage Northern

5 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic 

4 – Dexter 

4 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett

4 – Harper Woods Regina / Warren Regina

4 – Hudsonville Unity Christian 

4 – Jackson Lumen Christi 

4 – Kalamazoo Christian 

4 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley

4 – Richland-Gull Lake 

4 – Rochester  

4 – Suttons Bay 

3 – Birmingham Marian 

3 – Frankenmuth

3 – Freeland 

3 – Grosse Pointe South

3 – Lansing Christian

3 – Livonia Ladywood* 

3 – Midland Dow 

3 – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 

3 – Trenton 

3 – Utica Ford II

2 – Ann Arbor Greenhills 

2 – Bad Axe 

2 – Dearborn  

2 – Elk Rapids 

2 – Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port-Laker

2 – Fenton  

2 – Fremont 

2 – Grand Rapids Catholic Central

2 – Grand Rapids Christian 

2 – Grandville Calvin Christian 

2 – Grosse Pointe North 

2 – Harbor Springs 

2 – Kalamazoo Central

2 – Linden

2 – Livonia Stevenson

2 – Macomb Lutheran North 

2 – Midland 

2 – Novi 

2 – Saginaw Eisenhower*

2 – Saline 

2 – Troy Athens

2 – Utica Eisenhower

2 – Williamston

1 – Ann Arbor Huron 

1 – Ann Arbor Pioneer 

1 – Ann Arbor Skyline 

1 – Birmingham Seaholm 

1 – Boyne City 

1 – Byron Center

1 – Charlevoix 

1 – Chelsea 

1 – Clawson 

1 – Dearborn Divine Child

1 – East Kentwood 

1 – East Lansing 

1 – Farmington 

1 – Farmington Hills Mercy

1 – Flushing 

1 – Grand Blanc 

1 – Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 

1 – Grosse Ile

1 – Hart 

1 – Haslett 

1 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep

1 – Kalamazoo Loy-Norrix

1 – Lapeer East*

1 – Lake Fenton 

1 – Livonia Churchill

1 – Ludington 

1 – Madison Heights Lamphere 

1 – Maple City Glen Lake 

1 – Marine City Cardinal Mooney 

1 – Marshall 

1 – Mattawan 

1 – Muskegon Catholic Central 

1 – Muskegon Oakridge 

1 – Muskegon Orchard View 

1 – Okemos 

1 – Paw Paw 

1 – Plymouth Canton 

1 – Royal Oak Kimball*

1 – Saginaw Heritage

1 – St. Clair Shores South Lake 

1 – Spring Lake

MOST MHSAA FINAL FOUR APPEARANCES:

(Combined state championship, state runners-ups and Final Four losses) 

21 – Madison Heights Bishop Foley

19 – Hudsonville Unity Christian

18 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day 

18 – Flint Powers Catholic 

16 – Birmingham Marian 

15 – Troy 

13 – Kalamazoo Christian 

12 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 

12 – Richland Gull Lake 

11 – Northville 

11 – Plainwell 

10 – Brighton

10 – Rochester Adams 

9 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep 

9 – Livonia Stevenson 

9 – Novi

9 – Portage Central 

9 – Troy Athens 

8 – Plymouth Canton

7 – Lansing Christian

7 – Muskegon Western Michigan Christian 

6 – Ann Arbor Greenhills 

6 – East Grand Rapids

6 – Grandville Calvin Christian

6 – Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett 

6 – North Muskegon 

6 – Portage Northern 

6 – Saginaw Nouvel Catholic

(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.)