SUPER 50 -- GIRLS SOCCER 41-50 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.)

Michigan Soccer Network’s Dan Stickradt scouts teams Nos. 41-50 on the 2024 MSN Super 50:

41. GRAND RAPIDS FOREST HILLS NORTHERN (12-4-3): The defending OKC-White Division champs are slightly down in terms of recent years for the Huskies, but still good enough for a top-50 showing. There is ample talent to keep them in the upper echelon of the league and challenge for a district title. Junior Auden Stauffer (F, All-State Third Team) has recently committed to NCAA Division I Central Michigan University, while senior Anna Frost (D) signed with NCAA Division III Salem State University. Juniors Mae Doyle (M) and Evie Brown (M) join senior Ava Johnson (F) as returning starters. Senior Layne Sietsema (M) and sophomores Emma O’Connor (D) and Addie Johnson (D) will see more minutes, while sophomore newbies Lexi Smith (F) and Sydney Goldman (G) and senior Anna Thelen (D) are the top newcomers for first-year coach Juan Torres. Thelen played ECNL with Midwest United last year and has signed with NCAA Division II Ferris State University.

42. DETROIT COUNTRY DAY (5-10-4): After winning the D-3 crown in 2021, DCD took a couple of years rebuilding to come back strong this season. Although the Yellowjackets won just five games last year, they did post five shutouts and held even with 29 goals and 29 goals against with a lot of close results. This year Country Day is 2-1-2 with four shutouts already and have only conceded two goals to Rochester Adams in the opener and are ranked in the top five in D-3. Three All-State Honorable Mention players return, led by senior Regan Harkins (F/M), sophomore Jenna Shaban (D/M) and junior Mercedes Arinez (G). Seniors Macy Riutta (F), Alyssa Bromley (D), Riley Lockhart (M), sophomore Isabella Schmizzi (M/D) and junior Naima Safiedine (M/D) are also key players. There are five sophomores and six freshmen on the roster that are contributing. The Independent Yellowjackets play a wide assortment of quality schools from all four divisions to prepare them for the postseason, where this team could make a run.

43. PINCKNEY (15-2-1): Winners of four straight Southeastern Conference-White Division titles, Pinckney broke through with its first-ever district title last season and advanced to the D-2 regional finals. That memorable campaign saw the Pirates outscore their opposition 57-16 with 11 clean sheets. They have followed that up with a 3-1-1 mark to open the 2024 campaign which includes a stellar 26-3 scoring edge and two shutouts. Senior Peyton DeGrandchamp (All-State Second Team) is one of Michigan’s top keepers and setting school records on a consistent basis. Seniors Zaryah Griffin (M, All-State Honorable Mention), Valerie Graves (D/M), Alex Hanselmen (D), Alexis Altizer (D/M) and Ella Swiderski (M/F) are part of a stellar class who have laid the foundations for future teams to model. Sophomore Julie Garcia (D/M) and junior Mackenna Prince (M/D) are also returning starters. Oddly, the Pirates were not ranked in D-2 to open the campaign.

44. MASON (13-5-1): The Bulldogs watched their boys soccer team make a run last fall to the Division 2 state runner-up trophy and the Mason girls soccer team has high expectations of going after its second straight CAAC-Red title and making a run as well. Seniors Mya Carnevale (M), Allie Wheeler (D), Audrey Walkington (G)) and Reegyn Cady (M) and juniors Sarah Pluff (D/M), Ava Rust (D) and McKenzie Lockwood (F) lead the way. Sophomore Lexi Haynie (M) also returns, while freshman Brenna Budzynski (M) and senior newcomers Lily Graham (D) and Bailey Stewart (F) should also help the cause. The Bulldogs started the year in the top 15 of Division 2 and with a 3-1-1 record, a 9-2 scoring edge and three shutouts.

45. DEWITT (13-7-1): Even in somewhat of a down year compared to the last two decades, DeWitt still managed to win 13 games, earn a D-2 district championship and finish second in the CAAC-Blue Division last year. The Panthers’ run ended in the regional semifinals to eventual state semifinalist Linden (2-1). There are eight returning starters, led by junior goalkeeper Madison McDonald (All-State Honorable Mention) and sophomore center back Carly Dennis (All-State Honorable Mention). Sophomores Ava Mardigan (F) and Julia Fowler (D), juniors Nicole O’Neal (M), Ava Jacobsen (M) and Cate Piesko (M) and senior Norah Lutz (D) also return. Four freshmen are also gaining minutes – Katelyn Jameson (M), Sailor Stevens (M/F), Ava Hanus (D) and Avery Walthorn (D) along with several other players that came off the bench last year.

46. TRENTON (15-3-2): The Trojans outscored the opposition 58-11 with 11 shutouts last season enroute to Downriver League and Division 2 district finals and advanced to the regional finals. Trenton’s run ended in a 1-0 loss to eventual state champion Grosse Pointe North. Does Trenton have enough to reach the school’s fourth Final Four in 2024? This is one of Trenton’s more talented teams which is off to a 6-2-0 start. Senior Claire Gonyea (F/M, All-State First Team) has signed with NCAA Division I Eastern Michigan and is one of several key weapons on this team. Senior goalkeeper Leila Gorno (All-State Honorable Mention) is a solid backstop with seniors Miya Severino (D) and Kira Johnson (M) helping out and providing leadership. Junior Chloe Wishart (M/F) is seeing her stock rise rapidly after missing last year with an ACL injury, while juniors Kate Haveman (M/D, All-State Honorable Mention) and Lilly Mulford (D) and sophomores Julia Mach (M) and Audrey Gerou (D) are also returning starters and playing solid soccer. Freshmen Elle Dolson (D) and Maddie Reamer (M/F) have contributed.

47. FLINT POWERS CATHOLIC (17-5-2): After finishing third in the Saginaw Valley League last year, the Chargers made another run to the Division 3 Final Four – their 18th appearance in the state semifinals. Senior Grace Cameron (D, All-State First Team) has signed with NCAA Division I Central Michigan University. Seniors Abby Jones (M, All-State Second Team), Maria Thompson (G, All-State Second Team) and Carolyn Haas (F, All-State Third Team) and sophomore Danielle Bobowski (D/F, All-State Honorable Mention) all return after receiving plenty of postseason accolades last year. Seniors Brianna Murphy (D) and Peyton Staley (F) and juniors Lexis Affrica (M/F), Grace Murphy (M), Gabriella Peel (D/M) all played a ton during last year’s stellar season and postseason run.

48. ST. JOSEPH (10-4-3): With 13 players back, including seven starters, the Bears have plenty of experience on their side as they try to stay in the top half of a deep SWMAC. What makes them even stronger is the arrival of senior Ella Dykstra (F/M), a former ODP national team player who spent the last three years playing with Midwest United on the ECNL circuit. She’s signed with NCAA Division I University of Kentucky and gives St. Joseph a high-level player on the attack. Seniors Clara Berry (G, All-League), Jade Murdoch (M, All-League), Meghan Meier (M), Anna Humes (M) and Keira Page-Wood (F), junior Charly Shell (D) and sophomore Beatrice Lapekas (M) are the returning starters. Juniors Megan Painter (M) and Ava Rommel (D), sophomores Sally Shelby (F), Jillian Conybeare (D) and Charlotte Steel (D) and senior Peyton Porter (M/F) also return.

49. MIDDLEVILLE THORNAPPLE-KELLOGG (15-5-1): After finishing as the runner-up to Grand Rapids South Christian in the Ottawa Kent Conference Gold Division last year, Thornapple-Kellogg captured a Division 2 district championship. Oddly not being ranked in the preseason, the Trojans broke into the top 15 after a 3-0-0 start and welcome back almost its entire roster after graduating just two players. Senior Emma Schut (M/F, All-State Second Team) has signed with NCAA Division I Southern Indiana University and leads a potent offensive machine. Senior Holly Velting (F, All-State Honorable Mention), juniors Maddie Chivis (F/M, All-League), and Emma Geukes (D, All-League Honorable Mention) and sophomore Paige Abshagen (F/M, All-League Honorable Mention) all earned various postseason honors last year. Sophomores Ella Fisher (D), McKenna Hoebeke (G), Tealy Cross (F/M) and Natalie Borrink (D) are also returning starters.

50. GOODRICH (13-7-1): Last year started out with a disaster, as the Martians were zapped in the first five games of the season and outscored 21-0 in that stretch – four of those losses were to Division 1 programs. But then it clicked, as Goodrich outscored the opposition 62-34 with 10 shutouts on the entire season, and the Martians only conceded 14 goals the rest of the season. Goodrich captured just their second district title in 20 years last June before bowing out in the regional semifinals to St. Clair. An experienced bunch, Goodrich has started this season 4-2-0 with three shutouts and a 19-7 scoring edge. More importantly, the Martians defeated defending Flint Metro League champion Linden (6-0), a team that reached the Division 2 Final Four last year, and have already defeated Lake Fenton and Flushing. All three of those schools make up the rest of the top tier teams in the 12-school FML. That puts this team into the driver’s seat. Senior Clare Kowalczyk (D, All-State Second Team) has signed with NCAA Division II Michigan Tech University, while fellow seniors Izzy Bartlett (G, signed with NAIA Aquinas College) and McKenna Stockwell (D), juniors Addyson West (F/M), Lucy Rafferty (CM), Ana Perry (F) and Ella Place (F) and sophomores Kaylee Eichoff (CB) and Maggie Francis (F/M) all started last season. There are five other returnees while three freshmen, Cate Abraham (M), Baylor Lauinger (M) and Olivia Millerd (M/F), have already been key factors this season.

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.)