Washtenaw County girls soccer teams at a glance
AnnArbor.com's series of spring sports previews continues with a look at girls soccer teams in Washtenaw County:
Caitlin Brown (jr., M), Father Gabriel Richard: Was a Division 3 All-State selection despite not playing in the state playoffs due to an injury. Back to full strength, the University of Iowa commit will lead the Irish midfield.
Kara Johnson (sr., F), Chelsea: Already with a full-ride scholarship to Charleston Southern, Johnson is looking to prove herself at the high school level after sitting out the finals two-thirds of the 2009 season with a torn ACL. Johnson is now at full strength and ready to contribute. Emma Monaghan (sr., F), Dexter: A Division 2 second team All-State selection as a junior, Monaghan has already scored two goals in Dexter’s first two games and will be a threat up top for the Dreadnaughts.
Emilee Kaminski (jr., M), Saline: A Division 1 All-State honorable mention last season, Kaminski will dictate the action for Saline in the middle.
Coach: Tim Hunter (3rd year) Last season: 2-11-3. Key returners: Liz Caudill (so., D), Hannah Roe (fr., M), Shelbie Wolvin (sr., M). Key newcomer: Sarah Bergler (7th, F). Strength: Team chemistry. Weakness: Experience, youth and size. The Cougars have two seventh grade starters. Outlook: Middle schoolers make up more than one-third of the Cougars roster, which is an extreme physical and mental disadvantage. Coach Tim Hunter says: “My job is to keep it fun for the girls and make sure we compete as well as we can.”
CHELSEA BULLDOGS Chelsea returns eight starters from last season’s team, which made it all the way to the state semifinals. It will be interesting to see how the team handles a unique situation as Chris Orlandi will not be the official head coach for the first time in 16 years. He will take a one-year leave of absence for the birth of his second child. While Orlandi will still be around from time-to-time, the players for the most part will be under the combined direction of Kirsten Smart and Orlandi’s longtime assistant Dave Pieske. Orlandi says that if any group can handle this type of situation, it’s this year’s squad.
Coach: Kirsten Smart (1st year) Last season: 15-6-1, second in SEC White, lost in Division 2 state semifinal to East Grand Rapids. Key returners: Brook Ehman Schoolcraft (sr., F), Kelly Fournier (sr., M), Kara Johnson (sr., F), Anna Rode (jr., M). Key newcomers: Ashley Chrisman (jr., D), Emma Doty (fr., D), Katelynn Stehlik (so., M). Strength: Goal scoring and depth. Weakness: Team size. The Bulldogs match up well athletically with anybody but can, at times, get pushed around physically. Outlook: The SEC is packed with elite squads, so Chelsea should be battle tested and poised for another deep run come playoff time. Coach Kirsten Smart says: “We work together very well, it’s just a temporary deal and I think it will work out very well. There’s definitely a united front from a team and coaching standpoint.”
DEXTER DREADNAUGHTS Last year was a down year by Dexter coach Scott Forrester’s high standards. After taking the girls team to three consecutive Division 2 semifinals and the boys side to three consecutive finals - winning in 2006 - both of Forrester’s squads lost in regional finals in 2009. The girls want that feeling back and a bit of adversity may help do so. Senior defender/midfielder Caitlin Rize, who tore her ACL during basketball season, has elected to delay her surgery so she can play. “We have a young team and many don’t realize you only have so many years to play high school soccer and the seniors have a better sense of how special it is.” Forrester said. He thinks Rize’s situation may help get this message across.
Coach: Scott Forrester (6th year) Last season: Won SEC White, lost to eventual Division 2 state champion Bloomfield Hills Marian, 2-0, in a regional final. Key returners: Rachelle Alcini (sr., GK), Taylor Conter (sr., D), Kai Cortright (jr. , D), Kristi Hughes (sr., M), Zaryn Jennings (jr., GK), Emma Monaghan (sr., F), Caitlin Rize (sr., M/D). Key newcomers: Nicole Lucas (so., F), Victoria Pepper (so., M), Emily Tarnasky (so., M). Strength: Tradition. Last year was the first time Dexter hasn’t reached the state semifinals in four years. Weakness: Youth and inexperience. Outlook: Dexter has a solid core returning and recent history suggests a deep playoff run is almost inevitable. Coach Scott Forrester says: “We’ve been there, and weren’t last year, didn’t get a taste last season and want to get back. There’s a strong desire to do what the boys (state finalists 2006-2008, ’06 champs) had.”
FATHER GABRIEL RICHARD FIGHTING IRISH Father Gabriel Richard returns most of its talent from last year’s squad, which won district and Catholic League titles before being ousted by perennial powerhouse Detroit Country Day in the playoffs. Richard is loaded on the backline and through the midfield, but has already exhibited a lack of finishing touch in the season’s early goings. If the Irish can figure out the attacking third, they could be scary.
Coach: Matt Carroll (5th year) Last season: 15-7-3, Catholic League division champs, lost to Detroit Country Day in regional semifinal. Key returners: Caitlin Brown (jr., M), Natalia Collins (sr., M), Megan McIntyre (sr., D), Rebecca Meagher (sr., D), Martha Sorenson (jr., D), Anna Zekany (sr., GK). Key newcomers: Monica Pagani (so., F), Mary Yocum (so., F). Strength: Richard’s midfield and defense is strong and has a wealth of experience. Weakness: The team is young at the forward position and has no definitive go-to scorer. Outlook: With its tradition and experience, Richard should be strong, but needs a scoring threat to emerge. Coach Matt Carroll says: “I am very excited about this team, I think it is the best team that I have had at FGR in the past five years.”
GREENHILLS GRYPHONS The Gryphons suffered a huge setback before the season even began with the loss of first team All-State midfielder Andi McIntosh. McIntosh - who is committed to play at Cornell next year - tore her ACL and will be out the entire season. Greenhills will also be faced with the challenge of replacing longtime coach Adil Solmoni, who stepped down after last season. Former Greenhills (Class of 2004) and Ohio Wesleyan player Jessie Seaver takes over in her first ever head coaching gig and inherits seven returning starters from last year’s regional finalist squad.
Coach: Jessie Seaver (1st year) Last season: Lost to Bishop Foley in double overtime in the regional finals. Key returners: Maddie Csere (so., D), Miranda Dershimer (sr., M), Maddy Hutchinson (sr., GK), Katie Lyders-Peterson (so., F), Tessa Robertson (jr., D), Lauren Satterwhite (so., F). Key newcomers: Leah Topper (sr., M). Strength: Not only are the Gryphons experienced, they are experienced in winning. Weakness: Greenhills has low numbers and McIntosh’s injury certainly didn’t help. Outlook: The boys side managed to make the state finals despite a new coach running the show, but the girls will be hard-pressed to do such with their top player on the sidelines. Coach Jessie Seaver says: “The team and I are excited about this season. We have a very strong and experienced team and can't wait to see what the season holds.”
HURON RIVER RATS All first year coaches should be as fortunate as Reese Richardson. He inherited a Greenhills squad fresh off a state semifinal berth in and took them to the finals in the fall, and now takes over for a Huron team just two years removed from a state championship. “I’ll take my blessings when they come, I’ll tell you what, I’ve had my share of knocks too, so maybe God’s smiling on me,” Richardson said. Huron’s roster took a big hit with the departure of two Division I-level athletes in Helen Steinhauser (Milwaukee-Wisconsin) and Lisa Masini (field hockey, Dartmouth), but still has a good chunk of players with championship level experience.
Coach: Reese Richardson (1st year) Last season: Won SEC Red and district titles before falling in regional final. Key returners: Meg Boyer (sr., F), Beth Boyer (jr.,M), Allison Lubbers (jr., D), Ainsley McAllister (sr., M), Jordan Schick (sr., F), Becca Wurster (jr., D). Key newcomers: Bianca Williams (fr., D), Casie Amnerman (fr., D). Strength: High soccer IQ and championship experience. Weakness: Offense. Huron needs to work on scoring. Outlook: Huron has tools in place to make another deep playoff run. Coach Reese Richardson says: “I got big shoes to fill with the departure of Todd (Pheiffer), a good friend and mentor. I just am proud to be part of a program he’s built.”
LINCOLN RAILSPLITTERS The longest-tenured coach in the area by a long shot, Terri Allen thinks her team’s defense could stymie opponents’ attack. Now if they can only get the attack to tag along. Lincoln’s hopes of catapulting perennial SEC White powers Chelsea and Dexter will greatly depend on if a definitive offensive threat can emerge from its lineup.
Coach: Terri Allen (17th year) Last season: Finished behind Dexter and Chelsea in SEC White. Knocked out in first round of districts. Key returners: Alexa Budd (sr., F), Kelli Bush (sr., GK), Lindsay Ellis (sr., D), Dunia Ismal (jr., D), Kelsey Janowiak (sr., CM), Laura Samuelson (so., D). Key newcomers: Shelby Crow (fr., M), Amanda Dalton (jr., F), Erika Graessley (fr., M). Strength: Janowiak is strong on set pieces and the defense as a whole is solid. Weakness: Need more creativity up top. Need to finish. Outlook: Improving its middle-of-the-road standing in the SEC White will be no easy task with Chelsea and Dexter up at the top. Coach Terri Allen says: “I don’t think we’ll give up many goals and, if we find a way to score ourselves, will surprise some people.”
PIONEER PIONEERS If the Pioneers can be any bit as stingy on defense as they were last year (13 shutouts), the season should be a rewarding one. Junior Kaitlyn Bedolla returns to the team and will be the keystone of a strong defensive squad in net. As usual, the Pioneers will be battling with Saline and Huron for the top spot in the SEC Red … and all three will tangle again in the same district tournament.
Coach: Lumumba Shabazz (2nd year) Last season: Went 13-5-2 and lost in the district final after ousting Saline in a semifinal shootout. Key returners: Olivia Clark (jr., M), Lauren Fearday (sr., D), Erin Huffnagle (sr., D) Nora Katterman (sr., M), Liz Melangton (sr., M), Cara Pardon (jr., D), Megan Schechtman (jr., F). Key newcomers: Kaitlyn Bedolla (jr., GK), Kimberly Borys (jr., D), Brittany Kaplan (so., F). Strength: Team chemistry and work ethic. Weakness: Mental consistency and self-confidence. Outlook: It’ll be a three-way fight for the SEC Red with Saline, Huron and Pioneer playing each other near the end of the year, and districts will likely be the same way. Coach Lumumba Shabazz says: “They work extremely hard, they are fun to be around and most importantly, they have all proven to be young women of the very highest character.”
SALINE HORNETS Saline alum Dana Restrick is one of four first-year Washtenaw County coaches and one of three - along with Richardson and Seaver - taking the reigns at her alma matter. The former Virginia Tech varsity/Michigan club player has put together an aggressive out of conference schedule to prepare her team for the playoffs. Saline is young up top and has scored one goal in its first two games combined. Restrick doesn’t have illusions that her young team is at its best yet and hopes the tough schedule helps them to progress throughout the season.
Coach: Dana Restrick (1st year) Last season: Finished just above .500 and lost to Pioneer by way of shootout in the district semifinals. Key returners: Autumn Jacobs (sr., M), Emilee Kaminski (jr., M), Hayley Reynolds (so., GK), Kaitlin Suddendorf (sr., D), Janine Sulavik (sr., D), Meghan Stephens (sr., D). Key newcomers: Caitlin Ellis (fr., F), Mackenzie Schumborg (so., D), Mellissa Stevens (so., M), Kristina Veal (so., F). Strength: Midfield play. Weakness: Young and inexperienced as a whole. Outlook: With teams like Canton, Plymouth, Northville, Troy Athens and Okemos on the schedule, Saline’s record may suffer, but it will pay off in the long run. Coach Dana Restrick says: “Our basic thought was anybody out of conference we play we want to be top 15 in the state from last year.”
SKYLINE EAGLES In its first year of existence, Skyline went undefeated at the junior varsity/freshman level. The Eagles even picked up their first-ever varsity win when they advanced through the first round of district tournament play. Skyline won’t be a member of the Southeastern Conference until next year, which is one of the reasons it had trouble fielding a complete varsity schedule. The Eagles will play any varsity team that would have them and filled the rest of its dates with JV contests.
Coach: Chris Morgan (2nd year) Last season: Went undefeated (11-0-3) against freshman/JV competition and won a varsity game at districts. Key returners: Alisha Dawes (so., F), Maren Turner (so., M), Monica Ybarra (so., M). Key newcomers: Carmine Flesher (fr., M/F), Justine Jahnke (fr., D). Strength: Balance and depth. Morgan feels confident that he can sub players regularly and maintain a high level of play. Weakness: The all-freshmen and sophomore team will need to adjust on the fly to the speed of the varsity game. Outlook: It will be interesting to see if Skyline can maintain a consistent level of play while playing a JV/varsity schedule. Coach Chris Morgan says: “We are going to have some lows and highs, and we are looking forward to seeing how our team handles themselves in the low times.”
WASHTENAW CHRISTIAN WILDCATS The Wildcats have a young roster that, like fellow Division 4 program Calvary Christian, includes some middle school players. That’s why a freshman like Callie Osborne, who contributed last season as an eighth grader, can be considered a “key returner.” Coach Ivan Ankwatsa says his team uses soccer to emphasize the school’s Christian values and “exercise the qualities needed to become effective leaders of tomorrow.”
Coach: Ivan Ankwatsa Last season: Finished with an 8- 4 record. Lost in first round of district play. Key returners: Callie Osborne (fr., F), Clarissa Grimes (sr., M), Becca Grimes (so., M), Lauren Sherman (jr., D), Epiphany Donat (jr., D). Key newcomers: Becca Hughes (fr., GK), Katherine Koller (8th, M). Strength: A high-powered offense. Weakness: Inexperience. Outlook: Ankwatsa thinks his team’s young players can develop quickly enough to make them a contender in their Division 4 district tournament. Coach Ivan Ankwatsa says: “We are very young and our lack of experience gets us into sticky situations.”
YPSILANTI PHOENIX The jump from the Michigan Mega Conference to the Southeastern Conference will be no easy adjustment for the Phoenix. Ypsilanti will take its fair share of lumps and coach Ed Huebner knows that. Without enough numbers to fill a JV squad - therefore no reserves to draw upon - depth may be a problem as well as, according to Huebner, fitness and injuries.
Coach: Ed Huebner (2nd year) Last season: Went 10-4-2, finished second in the Mega Conference and lost to Adrian in district play. Key returners: Liz Herring (sr., F), Kiah Lowe (jr., GK), Bridget Rudolph (sr., M), Kiri Sylvestra (sr., M). Key newcomers: Victoria Banks (jr., M) Katie Madde (sr., D). Strength: Midfield play and senior leadership. Weakness: Low numbers, fitness and injuries, which all have a compounding affect. Outlook: Going from the Mega to the SEC will not be an easy adjustment for the Phoenix. Coach Ed Huebner says: “In the SEC, it will be a challenge for our girls for sure. Can’t quite put a guess at it. My goal for the girls is that we get better after each game.”
Note: Milan coach could not be reached to participate in this preview.