GIRLS SOCCER: The Gatekeepers: Rochester’s Heber, Troy’s Holland are two of state’s best between the pipes
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
When Stephanie Heber was in elementary school, she was usually the one that would stand in goal during soccer practice. She hasn’t left.
Either has Alison Holland, who began in a similar way many years ago..
The two felt quite comfortable between the pipes — and now they are two of the state’s best soccer goalkeepers as high school seniors.
Heber is at Rochester High and Holland at Troy High and are both in their final stage as senior goalkeepers. Heber will attend Seton Hall to play for the Pirates and Holland will be a scholarship goalie at Memphis.
“I was always the one that would volunteer to play in goal,” recalled Heber.
“I couldn’t think of anywhere else I would want to play,” offered Holland of her position on the soccer pitch.
The duo are two of the best at their craft and they both hail from the same high school conference — the OAA Red Division. Heber and Holland have both posted some gaudy numbers in goal both this season and during their career.
IN ACTION: Rochester’s Stephanie Heber (left in orange) and Alison Holland (in red) have emerged as two of Michigan’s top goalkeepers during their prep careers and hope to lead their respective teams to the Division 1 Final Four as seniors.
Holland has 40 career shutouts and a goals-against-average well under a goal a game for her four-year career, the past three as a starter. She has a 0.88 GAA this season despite missing three weeks due to injury. Holland had a 0.44 GAAA as a junior and 0.44 as a sophomore. As a backup her freshman year, Holland played in 5.5 games and yielded only 0.18 goals an outing for Troy.
“We always know that Alison is rarely going to make a mistake,” said Troy coach Brian Zawislak. “She keeps coming up for us, making the saves she is supposed to make and still making great saves when we need her to.”
Heber has started two seasons, with a combined 26 shutouts. She posted a 0.54 GAA as a junior and a 0.38 GAA as a senior over 21 games, giving up nine goals in the regular season this year and only 12 all of last season. Like Holland, Heber’s save percentage is around .900 this season and for her varsity career.
“She’s so steady in goal. We haven’t given up many goals the past couple of years because of Stephanie,” noted Rochester coach Cliff Brandmier.
Holland was All-State First Team Division 1 the past two seasons, while Heber made the All-State Second Team last season in her first season as a starter. Both are expected to finish high on the list when they are released in late June.
While the two have turned heads with their play and their numbers have helped them attain college scholarships, they both would love their high school careers to end with a state championship ring. Troy has lost in the state finals the past two years, while Rochester has not been able to escape one of the state’s toughest districts since finishing as the state runner-up squad in 2007.
“We came so close before. I know if we can make a run and have another shot at it, we can get it done this time,” said Holland, noting her team is at full strength. “It was tough being so close the past two years and coming up short.”
For Heber, it’s an odds game.
“The hardest part is winning our district. There are so many good teams in our district,” said Heber. “I know if we can win our district this year, we can make a run at a Final Four and have a chance at winning the state championship. We have the talent to do so. We just need to catch a break this season.”
Individually, Stephanie Heber and Alison Holland have caught plenty of breaks. They have posted eye-popping numbers and made timeless, acrobatic saves.
Now, they hope to ring in the summer with something special.
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