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Girls Soccer Top 50 Teams: Grandville tops the list
Grandville – When Grandville made a run to the 2013 Division 1 finals coach Lewis Robinson knew he had something special in the works.
That squad lost to then-powerhouse Troy, 2-1, but featured a team of mostly sophomores and freshmen.
“We had a really young team then, but we played really well. I knew we would be really good the next few years,” Robinson said. “We have been one of the best teams in the state the past three years.”
“Best teams” has definitely been the case.
Grandville has won four consecutive district titles and reached the regional semifinals last season before losing to East Kentwood in a shootout. The Bulldogs (21-2) 0 outscored the opposition by a commanding 71-4 margin.
They also won the OK Red Division title with a 9-1 record.
In 2014 Grandville reached the regional finals before falling to Okemos (3-1).
Grandville opened the 2016 campaign with a 4-0-0 record and is State Champs’ No. 1 team in the preseason Fab 50. The Bulldogs defeated Portage Northern (3-0), Vicksburg (3-0), Lowell (4-0) and Caledonia (1-0) to open the season.
“We’re off to a great start,” Robinson said. “But we have some very tough teams coming up. There’s a lot of great teams in Division 1, all over the state. It seems like anyone can beat anyone. Just in our (Grand Rapids) area there are four, five really good teams.”
There are eight returning starters and 14 total players back in uniform for Grandville, plus some nice additions that will keep the Bulldogs in contention this season.
“We only lost a couple of players from last year and we were ranked No. 1 in our region and state most of last season,” said Robinson. “Our senior class is a group of four-year starters that have led the team to a state finals (as freshmen) and many championships over four years and we added some new good players to the roster, too.”
Senior midfielder Sydney Blitchok (Iowa) was named to the All-State Dream Team last season and is considered to be on the short list of Miss Soccer candidates. She had seven goals and 15 assists last year and is a nominee for Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year.
Senior midfielder Savanna Bosworth (Western Michigan) and senior defender Lydia Bajema (Western Michigan) have both been mainstays in the lineup.
Senior marking backs Ally Nyboer (Lawrence Tech) and Bri Heyboer have also been on varsity for four years. Senior defender Sammy Figurski, senior midfielder Val Wierenga and junior forward Merin Mcdermott also return to the starting lineup.
As for the newcomers, freshman forward Lex Dekam scored three goals in the team’s first four games and senior midfielder Cierra Buist, a transfer from Grand Rapids South Christian, have made impacts. Sophomore defender Erin Walski and sophomore goalkeeper Erika Gabriel will move into the starting lineup.
“I think if we are going to win it, it will have to be this year. We have been building towards this year for a few years now,” said Robinson. “We hope it is our season in the end.”
2. BRIGHTON (14-3-5): The Bulldogs have a bevy of young talent and even though they lost seven players to the ECNL’s Michigan Hawks, this is a team that is dangerous all over the field. Senior G Madison Gould has received college interest. Senior F/M Delaney Bussey (South Carolina-Upstate), junior F Emma Shinsky (all-state honorable mention) and senior D Kasey Codd (Grand Valley State) are returning starters. There are 10 sophomores on the roster led by McCauley Berry (M), Megan McCord (F) and Elle Saladian (D). Brighton won the KLAA-West Division last season, reached a district final and started the 2016 campaign 5-0-0.
3. GRAND BLANC (18-6-3): After finishing third in the KLAA-West, Grand Blanc put it all together last year and made a run to the Division 1 state final where it lost to unbeaten Saline. Although Annie Walker departed to Rice, Grand Blanc is 3-0-1 to start the season. Lexi Trudeau (Louisiana-Monroe) has been all-state all three years in the midfield and junior D Lexi Childers anchors the back. Senior Amy Puizokas returns in goal. Sophomore F Laura Wheeler (17 goals), sophomore D Morgan Jewell, sophomore F Morgan Metzger, sophomore M Ashton Cassel and junior D Chelsie Clark all return. Sophomore D Samantha Lewis and freshman F Paige Webber are two new additions that have made an immediate impact.
4. UTICA EISENHOWER (18-2-3): A mainstay program in the D-1 top 10 which reached the state finals two years ago, the Eagles stalled out in the regional finals last season despite a loaded roster. There is still plenty of firepower on this unit, which is capable of another postseason run. Junior M Gabriala Jodzis is one of the top 150 juniors in the country and has committed to Michigan State. Senior F Shannon Casey (Villanova) is a load up top, along with junior newcomer Jillian Winarski (Purdue), who played last season with the Michigan Hawks ECNL club team. Senior M Bianca Sarti (Cleveland State), senior D Morgan Mooty, junior D Jenna Pettke, junior M Sofia Dimercurio and senior G Bianca Koupparis are all key players.
5. UTICA FORD II (15-4-2): The runner-up finisher in the MAC Red Division last season is also among the state’s best this year. The Falcons advanced to the semifinals in 2014 and regional semifinals in 2015 before falling to Eisenhower. There are eight returning starters for Ford, led by junior M/F Cecilia Steinwascher (all-state first team), senior D Molly Vanderhoff (Saginaw Valley State) and sophomore M Darline Radamaker (Grand Valley State, member of U-23 Haitian National Team). Junior D Lauren Cimino (Eastern Michigan), sophomore F Julie Ann Piechocki, senior M Allyson Beckwell, junior M/D Chloe Chatzis (Eastern Michigan) and junior D Olivia Parra (Detroit Mercy) give this team a bevy of future college talent. Senior D Morgan Dease, junior M Salena Spreagle and freshman D Alana Wood have all filled in nicely.
6. BIRMINGHAM MARIAN (17-2-2): A perennial power in Division 2, expect the Mustangs to be a threat to make a deep run this season with an experienced squad. Marian was upset in the district final last season by Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and there is plenty of hunger with this year’s group. Junior M Elaina Eckert (D-I recruit), sophomore midfielders Annie Bruce (Cincinatti) and Claudia Schilling, junior F Ellie DeCroninck, senior M Amy Stroud, junior D Maria Kaschalk (Troy University) and senior G Kaitlin Patouhas (South Carolina-Upstate) are all quality players. A fine freshman class will also help, headlined by F Jansen Eichenlaub.
7. GRAND RAPIDS FOREST HILLS CENTRAL (13-5-1): If Forest Hills Central does not make a run this season, the Rangers likely will in the near future with a roster beaming with young talent. Junior M Bailey Korhorn (all state first team, Cincinnati) is one of the state’s best overall talents and senior M/D Mackenzie Currie is looking to walk on at the D-I level. Sophomore D Natalie Lunt, sophomore F Madeline Becker (Grand Valley State), sophomore G Emma Yoder (Slippery Rock), freshman D Avery Tack and freshman F Stephanie Currie, already the leading goal scorer this season, are all key cogs in this machine.
8. DEWITT (16-5-2): The Panthers have reached the D-2 semifinals four times in six years and did so last season with no seniors in the starting lineup. A total of 22 players return this season. Juniors Danielle Stephen (All-State First Team) and Mackenzie Dawes and seniors Erika Curley and Calle Fisher lead a seasoned midfield. Seniors Allison Sims, juniors Maddie Dickens and Morgan Hoover and sophomore Taylor Bishop headline a potent offense up top. Senior Brianna Bishop and juniors Morgan Hoover and Jessah McNanus (All-State Honorable Mention) are part of a tight-knit unit in the backfield. Junior Brooklyn Holley returns in goal. Veteran coach Jamal Mubarekeh entered the season with 604 career wins.
9. EAST KENTWOOD (20-2-2): East Kentwood, a state semifinalist a year ago, must retool slightly in order to make another run in the postseason. Sophomore F Riley Tanner (All-State First Team) is one of the state’s best, junior Maia Perez (Hartford) has over 50 career wins as the starting goalkeeper and senior M Lydia Franks (Michigan State) are all standouts. Senior M Haley Smith, senior defenders Daria Romero, America Lemus and Kendall Quin, junior M Emily VanGorden, junior D Maddie Mohr and junior F Janelle Quinn are all pieces to the puzzle.
10. NOVI (9-4-4): Five-time state champion Novi is set to bounce back after a year of inconsistency. Co-champs of the KLAA Central Division, the Wildcats have some high level players set to lead the charge. Senior F Chloe Allen (All-State Third Team, Akron), senior M Megan Riley (All-State Honorable Mention, Central Michigan) and senior D Katrina Koomen (College of Charleston) are three big-time players. Koonen played for her ECNL Michigan Hawks team last spring after starting for two years for Novi. Junior Jacalyn Schubring, junior M/D Gracie Backus, sophomore D Riely Schultz and senior G Aestha Dharia are also returning starters. Freshmen Jessie Bandyk (M), Lauren Calhoun (D) and Lexi Whalen (F), plus sophomore M Emmie Takada, will all help make Novi much more formidable this year.
11. TROY ATHENS (16-5-4): With a young team, the Red Hawks put together a late run to reach the state semifinals. Athens graduated three players and lost a fourth who moved to India. Athens has already defeated Saline (2-0). Senior G Amanda Harris has been All-State three times, while junior Ashley Leonard (All-State First Team) is an offensive terror on opposing defenses. Seniors Hannah Schell, Elena Manzo and Elyse Merbach, along with junior Kelsey Malven, form a dynamite backfield and senior Silvanna Mancini is a heady center midfielder.
12. HARTLAND (18-3-3): Hartland is a program that has emerged quickly in the past five years. The Eagles collected a school record for wins last season and will still be a team capable of contending for a league and district title despite the loss of All-State Dream Team selection Maggie Pogarch. Senior Sakura Bals and junior Kennedy Kuhlman form a dynamite tandem at forward and junior midfielders Sydney Hughes and Grace Thomas are also key parts in the offense. Senior Christine Bowen is a solid goalkeeper and senior Alex Rigonen is reliable on defense.
13. SALINE (22-0-3): The Hornets put together one of the all-time best team defensive efforts last season in their run to the state title. They gave up just four goals in 25 matches. Gone are six All-State players, so the Hornets likely won’t be near last year’s nest in the early going of the season but don’t count Saline out of the picture come the end of the season. Senior Allison Luurtsema and sophomore Morgan Jones return from that stellar defensive unit, while junior Sydney Jarvela and Bella Petrock return to the midfield. Senior G Lauren Wilkie, senior D Maggie Schumborg, junior D Emma Wright, junior M Maeve Skelly and sophomore M Tate Robinson move into starting roles, while freshman F Devyn Reilly is one of eight newcomers hoping to lead the Hornets to a fifth straight district title.
14. NORTHVILLE (16-4-5): Two years removed from an unbeaten season, Northville still carries plenty of talent and again will be a quality team in the KLAA and beyond. The Mustangs reached the regional finals last season. Senior Emily Boss and sophomore Nikki Skinner anchor the backfield, senior Alissa Moore and junior Sydney Schem are quality attackers, while seniors Sarah Park and Maddy Westernberg and sophomores Kendall Dillon and Megan Krygier are key midfielders. Sophomore G Carlie Castiglione, along with freshmen defenders Nina Chimienti and Jenna Lauderback, lead the talented cast of newcomers.
15. FLINT POWERS (24-4-0): Behind a team with great balance offensively and defensively, the Chargers made a run to the Division 3 semifinals last season and if there is a team to unseat reigning champ Hudsonville Unity Christian this season it’s Powers. The SVA South Division champs have three highly-touted players in junior F/D junior Rachel Phillpotts (All-State First Team), junior D Sydney Whilhoite (All-State Honorable Mention) and F Rachel Rasins, who has already committed to Columbia and is one of the state’s top freshman. Seniors Sarah Parker, Jenna Moonan and Alex Isaac, along with junior Emilie Pechette form a stingy defense. Senior Madison Evans. junior Abbie Clothier (All-State Honorable Mention), senior Erin Emmert and sophomore Maddy Cardinal all started last season in the midfield, while sophomore Sophie Bubanr and junior Sophia Dubiel provide additional pop up top.
16. HUDSONVILLE UNITY CHRISTIAN (24-1-0): The Crusaders have won three Division 3 state titles in the past four years (nine overall plus one state runner-up over the previous 12 seasons). Unity Christian has become one of the most successful programs in state history. Although a talented cast of four-year players graduated, Unity Christian still boasts senior D/M Maddie VanDyke, an All-State Dream Team selection who has signed with Michigan State. Senior F Aubrey DeRoo, senior M Shaelyn Postmus, sophomore D Grace DeYoung and junior G Emily Ponstein are all back in the starting lineup and ready to carry on the tradition. Junior F Katrina Goebel, senior F Abby Nienhuis, junior D McKenna VanKoevering and junior Emily Orr are all new starters that have filled in nicely.
17. ROCHESTER HILLS STONEY CREEK (17-2-1): Last season’s preseason No. 1 pick won the OAA Red Division and a district title before being upset by Grand Blanc in a regional semifinal, 3-2, despite a 19-4 edge in shots. Gone are seven players to the college ranks and extreme expectations, but don’t feel sorry for the Cougars as the pipeline is still fruitful. Senior F Taylor Paradoski (Elon) is a two-time All-State selection, while junior M Emily Solek and sophomore M Isabella Langusch are both Division I recruits. Junior F Truly Hoenig (Oakland), junior G Gina Cerny, junior M Lindsay Schupbach and the freshman trio of defenders Amelia Kuntzman, Megan Solek and Lauren Orlando will all fill in graduation voids.
18. WALLED LAKE NORTHERN (17-2-1): The Knights logged most of last season in the top 10 and, despite graduating four players to the college ranks, Northern will not drop from the top teams in Division 1 this season. Seven starters are back, led by senior F Devyn Brough (Auburn), senior D Adrienne Woodruff (Concordia), junior F Kamryn Szalay (Florida Southern), junior D Michayla Szalay (Florida Southern), junior midfielders Lauren Mangin and Nicole LaFrance and junior D Nani Walker. The new arrivals is what makes the Knights even more dangerous. Freshman F Dani Wolfe is in the ODP National Pool for her age group, junior M Sophie Fisher (Michigan State) has played the last two seasons with the Michigan Hawks and junior M Sarah Kadajsz has stepped into the mix as well.
19. RICHLAND GULL LAKE (25-1-1): The Blue Devils are building a dynasty with three straight Division 2 state titles and a stellar 84-8-4 ledger over the past three seasons. Maddie Fouts (M), Kenzi Harney (M), Riley Wisser (F) and Regan Troff (G) have been contributors on all three title teams. Lucy Sandell, Braeden Snow and Lauren Esman have started on two championship squads. Lauren Nushbaum also returns for Gull Lake, which carries a loaded seven-player freshman class, three whom have cracked the starting lineup. Forwards Avery Cook and Emma Hanna head up the talented freshman contingent.
20. NORTH FARMINGTON (12-4-4): The Raiders came out of nowhere last season to tie for second in the deep OAA Red Division after winning the OAA White in 2014. North Farmington returns over 90 percent of its roster and could be a top-10 team in D-1 before the season is over. Senior M/F Karlie Cummins is a dynamite player and the leader of this cast. Juniors Abby Hegarty and Sydney Cohn and seniors Olivia Eby and Carine Wright give the Raiders a deep well of offensive threats. Senior Tyler Harmara and sophomore Sam Randel join Cummins in the midfield. Sophomore Patil Tcholakian is an up-and-coming standout goalkeeper. Seniors Erin Bahm, Ravi Vaishnay and Bethany Wood and junior Alexis Cohan unite for a stingy defensive backfield.
21. WARREN REGINA (18-2-4): Regina is coming off one of its best seasons and despite losing three All-State players to graduation, have plenty of talent in its deep well. Sophomore F Betsy Lueck (All-State First Team) is on course to be a big-time player, while senior M/D Mallory Lueck is a four-year mainstay and team leader. Senior D Megan Jones, junior D Audrey Fleming, senior F Sam Stechlin, junior M Alexis Finazzo, and senior defenders Claudia Casagrande, Olvia Dadalamenti and Gabby Svroca are all back to the starting lineup. Sophomore G Cecilia Musovac leads the newcomers.
22. CANTON (13-5-3): The Chiefs made a run to the regionals the past two years and this year they boast an experienced squad. Junior F Jennifer Richmond (All-State Honorable Mention) is dangerous up top, while junior Hannah Lapko is a fine running mate. Seniors Casey Mugillia, Madison Archibald, Samantha McGrath and Emily Raymo are talented midfielders. Seniors Ellie Bachman, Mary Galm and Rachel McGue and juniors Kaleigh Mahaz and Nicole Doucet will play in the back. Sophomore Sarah Hammond is solid in goal.
23. PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP (14-6-2): An enrollment uptick vaulted the Irish into Division 2 last season and it still posted an upset of Birmingham Marian winning a district title. There is still plenty of talent in the mix this season, led by senior M/D Rosella Lochirco (Kalamazoo College), junior D Nadia Burbank (D-I recruit), senior M/F Erika Weist (D-I Louisiana-Monroe), sophomore M Celia Gaynor (D-I recruit), junior M Olivia Mears (Indiana State) and junior defenders Eileen Haig and Payton Williams which are all returning starters. Freshmen Maura Kruse (M/F) and Stephanie Maniaci (F) will bolster the offense.
24. BIRMINGHAM DETROIT COUNTRY DAY (18-4-2): Laura Hamway replaces 29-year veteran Bob Bukari as head coach but it will be business as usual. Long postseason runs are the expectation here. The holdover talent is clearly back in uniform as junior G Isabel Nino (All-State First Team, Michigan, National ODP Pool player), junior D/M Dagny Hill (All-State First Team), senior D Naomi Hill (All-State Honorable Mention), junior D/M Lauren Alshab and senior F Sonja Niederhofer are all back and ready to keep the Yellowjackets amongst the D-3 elite teams this season. Senior G/D Maddie Odom, senior D Georgianne Verbeek and senior M Hannah Hansen will also contribute.
25. LIVONIA LADYWOOD (14-6-4): With Conner Huggins roaming the backfield, Ladywood will again be a solid defensive unit and capable of making a long run in D-2 under new coach Joe Carver. Up top, junior sniper Taylor Bullard (All-State Third Team) racked up 19 goals last year. Senior Elise Pollock, juniors Shannon Wolfe and Clare Kelley and sophomore Amy Babon make up the Blazers’ midfield and junior Holly Cusick is back in goal for Ladywood, which reached a regional final last season.
26. MACOMB DAKOTA (13-6-2): If there is an up-and-coming squad in Division 1 that is bursting to make some noise it’s Dakota. Senior Harley Gorzelski and sophomore Anja Savich (Butler) form quite a tandem at forward, while junior M Gabby Karam (All-State Honorable Mention) and seniors Christina Moraccini (Madonna) and Cassidy Kowalski (Rochester College) will be keys to the midfield. Seniors Megan Pace (UD-Mercy) and Marissa Parisek (Madonna) will join sophomore Holly Morris in the backfield. Freshmen Mary Clark and Caitlin Majakinski will play multiple positions.
27. BLOOMFIELD HILLS (10-5-2): The defending OAA White Division champs have moved up to the Red Division and turned some heads with a 3-1-1 start including a 1-0 victory over league favorite Troy Athens. Senior F Kamryn Carter (College of St. Rose) is fast and can cause wreak havoc on opposing defenses. The offense also includes senior M/F Jennifer Miller, junior F/M Samantha Miller. Sophomore M/F Christina Hickson, seniors M Delaney Horton and sophomore M Sawyer Burman. Seniors Ally Jaksen and Maddy Mackie, sophomores Lyric Sykes and Grace Jaksen, and junior Claire Beresford form a solid nucleus in the backfield. Sophomores Becca Hancock and Molly Efros give the Blackhawks two capable goalkeepers.
28. CALEDONIA (8-7-1): After a so-so campaign, Caledonia should bounce back with eight returning starters and a talented cast of newcomers. Senior Tia Vansuilichem (Ferris State), junior Ashley Postma (Oakland) and sophomore Grace Avery and Macailin Rodriguez form a solid defensive nucleus in front of junior G Lorin McCarty. Senior Shelby VanLaar and freshman Macy Wieringa are talented forwards. Senior M Olivia Bestrum, who missed last season with an injury, sophomore Sam Williams and senior Lauren Donkin anchor the midfield.
29. LINDEN (13-4-2): Always a competitive side in the Flint Metro League, Linden should be a factor again this season as well as a potential top-10 team in D-2. Senior M Kate Wilkowski, junior forwards Alla Frederick and Madeleine Zavan, senior D Jordan Holcher, senior G Bridget Adams and freshman F/M Audrey Stewart are all key contributors for the Eagles.
30. FENTON (18-4-2): The Tigers put together a few upsets last season to reach the D-2 state title game for the first time in school history. There are nine returning starters for Fenton, which began the season 2-2 due to, in part, to a tough schedule. Senior M Bri Costigan (Cincinnati) and senior F/D Chloe Foor (IPFW) give the Tigers two D-I college-bound players. Senior M Emma Flannery, junior M Emma Evo and junior F Miranda Campbell aid the offense. Sophomore defenders Margaret Berry, Sophie Crews and Lucy Foguth have teamed up with senior Alexis Brissette in the backfield once again in front of junior goalkeeper Abbey Quesnelle.
31. OKEMOS (13-7-1): The Chieftains are down from their usual top-10 perch in D-1. But as a perennial power dating back to the late 1980s, don’t count this team out come tournament time as they boast a heavy influx of young highly-regarded talent. Freshman M/F Bria Telemaque (ODP National Pool) is part of a deep list of nationally-ranked freshmen from Michigan and will be a force. Junior Anne Major is a D-I recruit along with senior G Caroline Serkain (Wisconsin-Milwaukee). Junior M/F Lauren Southworth, sophomore Angelica Dallas, freshman M/F Sophie Alegi and freshman D Zoey Williams all carry high-level club resumes and senior M Kailey Peterson has bounced back from an injury that kept her on the sidelines the past two years.
32. LIVONIA STEVENSON (6-9-6): A state powerhouse in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, Stevenson looks to rejoin the fold as a quality side. Senior D Jenna Thom, senior F/M Kennedy Thurlow, senior M Paige Ackman, junior F Jessie Wagner, sophomore F/D Kennedy Surloy, junior M Megan Verant, senior G Hannah Reamer and sophomore F Audrey Kopitz are all slated for big seasons.
33. SALEM (10-6-2): Another talented team in the KLAA, Salem is capable of competing with the top echelon teams. Senior M Caroline Simko, senior F Marisa Martin and senior Hailey Katulski are the leaders of this band. Junior Skylar Brant is a solid goaltender, junior Bailee Soper and sophomore Katie Coleman are effective attackers, seniors Miranda VanDerRoest and Anna Faybrick and junior Nikki Pilon are solid midfielders, while seniors Pamela Beas and Kamrey Dingelday and junior Gabby Teodorescu will help solidify the backfield.
34. TRENTON (19-4-2): A run to the D-2 semifinals last season has landed the Trojans on everyone’s radar. The reigning Downriver League champions return a bevy of talent, led by junior M Angie Davis (All-State First Team, Grand Valley State) and junior M Maddie Knaggs (All-State Third Team, Eastern Carolina). Senior M Maddie Menna (college recruit), senior D Brooke Teska (Adrian), junior F Marla Cobetto (Eastern Michigan), sophomore F Sara Vinca, senior F Nadia Kurtzhals, senior G Christina Wynn, sophomore D Kate Olszewski, senior D Madeline Olszewski and junior D Lauren Pifer (Concordia) will all make this team quite capable of another long run.
35. PLYMOUTH (10-5-0): Yet another quality team out of the KLAA, the Wildcats possess a talented squad. Senior F Olivia Janke (All-State Second Team, Valparaiso) is a goal-scoring threat, along with senior Catherine Gordon and junior Lexi White. Seniors Megan McCurry and Anna DeBiasi, and junior Lexi White and Bre Pfeiffer will control the midfield. Seniors Katie Chipman, Alexis White and Rachel Rubio and junior Eva Davis make up the backfield.
36. LIVONIA CHURCHILL (11-5-4): A dozen KLAA teams are found inside the Fab 50 list and the Chargers might be a sleeper pick to succeed as they bolster some top-notch talent. Junior Brittany Hayes is a rising star in goal and junior D Sylvia Cervantes are both capable of All-State honors for a defense that yielded more than two goals in a game only twice last season. Seniors Elizabeth Rubenson, Hannah Damico and Loren Kruger are also quality players for defensive-minded Churchill. Junior forwards Addison Mussen, Hannah Lapko and Alexis Staff are the targets up top.
37. GROSSE ILE (26-1-0): The proof in is the numbers. Grosse Ile is perhaps the most dominate program in the downriver area in recent years. It has posted a 42-0 record in the Huron League over the past three seasons, 57-1-1 during the regular season. Senior G Olivia Reckley (All-State First Team) posted 22 shutouts last season, while senior M Caroline Fleming (All-State First Team), senior D Melissa Brick (All-State Second Team), junior M Allyson Lemerand (All-State Honorable Mention) and junior F Kelsie Krauss (All-State Honorable Mention) are all back to help the Red Devils make a deep run. Senior M Aubrey Fleming, junior M Haley Labadie, sophomore F Lindsey Miles and seniors defenders Madison Thompson and Laila Al-Jerdi are also back. Senior M Kate Tobin, who was All-State two years ago but did not play as a junior, makes a return. Sophomores F Lindsay Miles and M Catie Masserant are also back.
38. PORTAGE CENTRAL (11-8-1): Injuries might hurt the Mustangs in the long run, but a 3-0-1 start despite missing some key players is promising. Senior G Sophia Lentz is a four-year starter and also starts on a state championship club team. Senior Audrey Orwin and juniors Audrey Haines and Taylor Maystead are all sturdy defensive players in front of Lentz. Sophomores Morgan Wright and Kayla Mathieu are keys to the midfield, and junior Josie Sibley will join Alana Richmond up top at forward. Richmond is a nationally-ranked freshman who’s being recruited by Big Ten programs. If the Mustangs can get back senior M/F Corey Sawall (All-State Honorable Mention, Grand Valley State) and junior M/D Devin Jaqua (Region II ODP player, Michigan State) back from injury, then Central could be a threat in the tournament.
39. KALAMAZOO LOY NORRIX (9-7-2): If there is a sleeper pick to make a surprise run in D-1, it’s Loy-Norrix. Locked in several close battles last season, the Knights showed vast improvement and will compete with perhaps its best team to date, a squad that could rival some of the best D-1 programs in Kalamazoo-Battle Creek-Lansing area. Senior M Grace Labadie (Indiana) is slated for a big season, as is twin sister Jane Labadie (Western Michigan), who anchors the back. Senior F Julie Zavek, junior M/F Maria Egloff, senior D Megan Zavek and sophomore D Katie Stamper are also solid players.
40. MIDLAND (14-4-2): The Chemics are down slightly from last year’s run to a D-1 regional final but are still a dangerous side. Senior M Marle Bringard (Central Michigan), junior F Abby Avery, senior midfielders Hailey Werth and Abby Fowler have experience. Junior Emma Wolf and senior defender Erin Murphy (Michigan Tech) are also noteworthy.
41. ROCHESTER ADAMS (9-6-3): This will be the Highlanders’ youngest team with only two seniors but still a squad that could knock off some top-10 teams. Part of that will be the play of senior G Olivia Olivia Argeros (signed with Michigan State) who made the Dream Team as sophomore and All-State Second Team as a junior due to injuries. Senior M Meghan Emke and junior D Ryann Owusu are experienced players on a team loaded with sophomores.
42. TROY (7-7-3): Three years removed from a D-1 state title, Troy has a new coach with the hopes of trying to climb back into the elite after a pair of rebuilding seasons. Sophomore M Sydney Hyatt (Indiana State) and freshmen Lauren Miller (D) and Thara Brodbine (M) are three younger players that will be the foundation of a comeback. Senior G Addison Bouzide and sophomore M Clare McAuliffe will contribute.
43. WOODHAVEN (20-4-0): Woodhaven is always in contention for a league and district title, and the same expectations are in store for this season. Senior M Abbey Lorenz (All-State Second Team) is a D-I college prospect with huge offensive numbers in her career. Junior G Kerstyn Williams (All-State Honorable Mention) has improved her craft and unior F Katlyn Varney is a big-time goal scorer. Senior F Jenna Drumm, senior midfielders Elizabeth Ferguson and Christina Cobett, sophomore defenders Natalia Milanowski and Becky Toth, junior Sydney Acosta and senior Erin Dolce return to the defensive unit. Freshmen Caitlin Brown and Elaina Hillman are versatile starters.
43. EAST LANSING (12-7-2): After a down year in 2014, East Lansing changed directions last season and hopes to be one of the top Lansing area programs this season. Senior Aubrey Hogan and junior Allie Bradley will anchor the midfield, sophomore Mara Henry and Alyssa Kump head up the defensive unit and sophomores Sophia Perrelli and Erin Caldwell will provide the scoring punch up top.
44. GRANDVILLE CALVIN CHRISTIAN (22-3-0): After capturing four straight state titles, the Squires are still the queens of D-4 until someone knocks them off. Calvin Christian is 87-8-5 in that stretch and still have plenty of holdover talent in the mix that will keep them in the top 10 in D-4. Tim TerHaar is now just the second coach to lead a program to four straight state titles. Calvin Christian outscored its postseason foes 41-3 last season. Junior F Kaleigh VanElst will lead the Squires this season.
45. GRAND RAPIDS FOREST HILLS NORTHERN (16-4-2): This team has captured the OK Bronze Division six years in a row and is capable of advancing far in the D-2 postseason. Sophomore M Emily Ashby did not play high school last season but is one of the top 100 sophomores in the country with multiple scholarship offers from big-time programs. Fellow sophomore G/F Lauren Kozal recently committed to Michigan State. Junior G/D Amanda Young (Michigan Tech), junior D Ali Richter, junior M/F Natalie Belsito, junior D Krystina Dunston and sophomore M/F Sophia Terzes will help make the Huskies a sleeper pick this season.
46. LANSING CHRISTIAN (20-5-0): Two years ago Christian reached the D-4 semifinals and last year reached the state finals for the second time in five years. Sophomore F Kasey Jamieson (All-State First Team) is a rising star after scoring 46 goals during her freshman season. Junior Juliana Figueiredo is a quality set-up player in the midfield, and sophomores Jenna Li (D), Alex Hanks (G) and Jessie Kruger (M) are also back and will play bigger roles this season.
47. MIDDLEVILLE THORNAPPLE KELLOGG (17-2-2): This is a program that is trying to join the D-2 elite after posting its best season last year. The defending OK-Gold Division champions found their way into the rankings last year for the first time and could be even better. Sophomore M Haley Dehaan did not play last season and is a high-level recruit in her age bracket. She played for her nationally-ranked Midwest United club team and junior F Alyvia Thorne (All-State Third Team) is slated for a big year. Senior G Ally Miller posted 26 shutouts her first two seasons but missed last season to an injury. Junior F Allexus Barnes, senior M Makayla King, senior M Olivia Lamberg and senior F Holly Hall are all quality players who hope to build on last season’s success.
48. SOUTH LYON EAST (11-6-3): Less than a decade old, East is a program on the rise. The Cougars won a D-2 district last season. Senior M Sydney O’Donnell (All-State Second Team), senior F Amber Hamers, sophomore D/F Lauren Kuznicki, junior G Abby Jones, senior defenders Paige Green and Alex Callan, junior F Katherin Crapps are all returning starters. Freshmen Taylor Jakubiec (D), Adrienne Gilson (F) and Veronica Bolanos (D-F) will all step in and help immediately.
49. LAKE ORION (11-6-2): The Dragons lost 12 players to graduation but will be a force in the OAA White Division. Senior G Lauryn Auspitz, senior F Emily Edwards, junior forwards Lily Cady and Jordan Marchese, junior D Paige Goodman, senior D Katelyn Rusz and sophomore M Megan Danielson are quality players.
50. FREELAND (23-4-0): Back-to-back state semifinals appearances in Division 3 has placed the Falcons on the soccer map. Freeland did lose 10 players to graduation but still bolster sophomore F Michelle Herring, junior F Mackenzie Stroebel, senior midfielders Danica Miller and Jessie Piper, and sophomore G Alexa Walker that should help it remain as one of the best teams in the division.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Division 1 — Ann Arbor Huron, Ann Arbor Pioneer, Ann Arbor Skyline, Farmington Hills Mercy, Fraser, Garden City, Grosse Pointe North, Grosse Pointe South, Holt, Jenison, Lapeer, Macomb L’Anse Creuse North, Midland Dow, New Baltimore Anchor Bay, Portage Northern, Rochester, Rockford, Royal Oak, Saginaw Heritage, Traverse City Central, Traverse City West, Walled Lake Central, Walled Lake Western, Waterford Mott.
Division 2 — Auburn Hills Avondale, Bay City John Glenn, Berkley, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, Charlotte, Chelsea, Clio, Dearborn Divine Child, Dexter, Fruitport, Grand Rapids Christian, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern, Grand Rapids Northview, Haslett, Hazel Park, Holland Christian, Lowell, Madison Heights Lamphere, Mason, Mt. Pleasant, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, Ortonville Brandon, Plainwell, St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, St. Johns, Spring Lake, Stevensville Lakeshore, St. Joseph.
Division 3 — Allen Park Cabrini, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, Birch Run, Brooklyn Columbia Central, Clawson, Cheboygan, Frankenmuth, Goodrich, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Grand Rapids South Christian, Jackson Lumen Christi, Lake Fenton, Lansing Catholic Central, Leslie, Macomb Lutheran North, Marine City, Marshall, Midland Bullock Creek, Muskegon Oakridge, Muskegon Orchard View, Otsego, Ovid-Elsie, Paw Paw, Saginaw Swan Valley, Williamston.
Division 4 — Ann Arbor Greenhills, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, Bad Axe, Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, Birmingham Roeper, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clarkston Everest Collegiate/Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Unified, Elk Rapids, Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, Harbor Beach, Harbor Springs, Holland Black River Academy, Kalamazoo Hackett, Kalamazoo Christian, Leland, Ludington, Madison Heights Bishop Foley, Manchester, Maple City Glen Lake, Marine City Cardinal Mooney, Marlette, Midland Calvary Baptist, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian, Plymouth Christian, Quincy, Riverview Gabriel Richard, Roscommon, Royal Oak Shrine, Saginaw Nouvel, St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic, Troy Bethany Christian, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, Wixom St. Catherine of Siena.
