All-Area Girls Soccer: Talented cast can do it all

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BY Dan Stickradt
Jul 19 2010

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

 

It was another banner year for girls soccer this past spring. Much like in previous years dating back to the mid-1980s, another local team reached the Final Four.

This time around, Rochester Adams made its third trip to that point in eight years and eighth semifinals run since 1990. That was only a sliver of what area teams and players accomplished this past season.

Troy also made a long run, reaching the Division 1 regional finals after playing in the state semifinals a year ago, and that included getting past state-ranked Troy Athens in the first round. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest won its first league title in nearly two decades and Clarkston captured its first league crown and set a school record for wins. Auburn Hills Avondale, Lake Orion and Rochester all spent some time in the top 10 or honorable mention in the rankings as well.

On the all-state lists, the area was shut out for the first time with no players on the All-State Dream Team, but not on the all-state lists. There were a total of 23 players from the www.northoaklandsports.com coverage area to garner some type of all-state honors, including 17 in Division 1, three in Division 2 and three more in Division 4. Beyond that, there were dozens of local stars that made their respective all-league and all-district squads.

On the 2010 All-Area Girls Soccer Team, selected by area coaches in conjunction with staff, it was quite difficult making either the first or second team, as many of these players have built up impressive resumes during their career and recent high school season. One of the most dominant positions was goalkeeper, where five local players earned all-state and two of them were first team and two more second team, all in Division 1.

Below are the capsules of the first-team honorees, which features three forwards, five midfielders, four defenders, two at-large players and two goalkeepers — all that turned heads in 2010.

FIRST TEAM

 

Forwards

KAYLA MANNINO, Auburn Hills Avondale: This four-year starter exits stage left as a four-time all-state honoree, including All-State First Team each of the past three years and Dream Team as a junior. Despite playing with a nagging injury, Mannino, who has many stints with the U.S. National Team in her age group dating back to middle school, still found time to collect seven goals and five assists while drawing double- and triple-teams all season. She has signed with the University of Michigan.

AMANDA ANTON, Rochester: This four-year starter was slowed by knee injuries during her career, with both her sophomore and junior season ending prematurely. This year she bounced back to register five goals and seven assists for a defensive-minded team and garnered All-State Honorable Mention honors for the Falcons. She has signed with West Virginia.

MIKAYLA FERER, Clarkston: Just a sophomore in her second season of varsity play, Ferer stepped up to become the Wolves’ leading scorer this season. She collected 14 goals with five assists and helped Clarkston set a school record for wins (15) and capture its first league championship. She was All-State Honorable Mention in Division 1.

Midfielders

JULIANNE BOYLE, Lake Orion: The senior midfielder will play at Oakland in the fall, but not before she left a mark on the Dragons’ program. The All-State First Team honoree in Division 1 finished her fourth year of varsity play with 15 goals and 15 assists. She had the ability to both create chances as a set-up player and score in the clutch.

“She was out leader out there,” said coach Ken Snage. “She did everything we needed her to do. She could score, set others up with a great pass. We would not have been able to do the things we did the past few years without her. She was fun to watch and the type of player you want to have on your team.”

HALEY BURTRAW, Rochester: The Falcons finished with a school record nine ties, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort and skill by this three-year starter, who missed her freshman year with an injury and has been a rock in the midfield ever since then. She finished with three goals and seven assists and was named to the All-State Second Team in Division 1. She will play this fall at Central Michigan.

MERLIN BECKWITH, Rochester Adams: The sophomore finished with six goals and three assists for a team that reached the state semifinals, but that doesn’t tell the story of this defensive-minded midfielder. She was often the one transforming the play from defense to offense and was a motivational-type player. She was named All-State Honorable Mention in Division 1.

“She was the heart of the team in the midfield,” said assistant coach Josh Hickey. “She was like having a coach on the field, just really smart. She was always (directing) others out there.”

MADELINE WIDEMAN, Troy: Named All-State First Team as a senior, Wideman finished the year with 10 goals and 15 assists, many off restarts, in leading the Colts to a third-place finish in the OAA Red Division and to the regional finals. Headed for Bowling Green, the four-year varsity veteran developed as a team leader and the go-to play on the attack.

“I thought that Madeline really matured, really grew as a player,” said coach Brian Zawislak. “She was the leader for us and the other players responded to her. She helped us make another long run in the postseason.”

EMILY DZIK, Troy: Already verbally committed to Eastern Michigan, this junior earned All-State Second Team status in Division 1 after helping the Colts to become a top-10 team this season. She chipped in five goals and one assist on the offensive end, but was known more as a defensive midfielder. She was a force in helping her team record 14 shutouts and less than a goal an outing.

“Emily really made out team go,” said Zawislak. “She wasn’t flashy. She won a lot of tackles, balls out of the air and helped us transition from defense to offense.”

Defenders

KYLIE NYLEN, Rochester Adams: Another talented sophomore, Nylen only had six goals and three assists but the Highlanders didn’t score in bunches during its 16-3-3 season. Still, Nylen was Adams’ highest-rated field player in 2010, as she garnered All-State Second Team honors. She finished with six goals and three assists.

“She’s a solid player,” said Hickey. “Both defensively and offensively, she gets the job done.”

MARISA KOZIKOWSKI, Troy Athens: A lockdown defender, Kozikowski garnered All-State Second Team honors as a junior. Although she only had a goal and an assist, she helped the Red Hawks claim a 14-4-1 overall ledger, seven shutouts and allow only 1.00 goals a game. She has already given a verbal to Eastern Michigan.

“When (All-America) Olivia Brannon went down, we had to change some things to become more defensive and Marissa really helped lead us defensively,” said coach Tim Storch. “She’s a really sound player. She does not get beat very often and she sees the field well, understands the game. We expect big things from her next season as we will have a talented senior class.”

BRITTANY BUCKLER, Rochester Adams: A standout on her Michigan Hawks club team, this junior has built a reputation as being one of the top defenders in all of Oakland County. This season the she returned to form after some nagging injuries in the past to anchor a backfield that gave up less than a goal a game. She led her team to the OAA Red Division championship (8-1-1), 10 shutouts and into the Final Four, where the Highlanders gave up just four goals in six postseason games.

“She was one of our best players, but because she plays defense she doesn’t always get the respect,” said Hickey. “She’s one of those tough defenders who does not make many mistakes. She almost never gets beat 1-v-1.”

REGINA NOFS, Auburn Hills Avondale: The junior defender missed the early portion of the schedule, but came back to anchor a stingy backfield and lead her team to the Division 2 district finals, where the Yellowjackets lost 1-0 in a shootout to eventual state champion Birmingham Marian. She helped solidify the backfield that posted 12 shutouts and allowed less than a goal a game.

At-Large

ABBY HAELEWYN, Rochester Stoney Creek: The senior ends her career making All-State Honorable Mention in Division 1 after finishing among the Cougars’ leaders in goals, assists and total points. The four-year starter will play at Oakland.

HANNAH LEE, Rochester Adams: This sophomore saw her season cut short in the district semifinals against Waterford Kettering due to a knee injury. But the talented midfielder still had a strong enough season up to that point to make All-State Honorable Mention. She scored the game-winner in a district opener against Rochester in the second overtime and finished with four goals and six assists.

“We didn’t have her for the past few games of the tournament, but with her I think that could have been the difference in us making the finals. She meant a lot to us,” said Hickey. “She’s the energy-type player that you need in your midfield. She’s fast, has great vision, and knows what to do with the ball.”

Goalkeepers

VICTORIA TROCCOLI, Troy: Troccoli came to Troy as a freshman without a lot of high accolades and high-level praise, but departs with a Division I scholarship and All-State First Team status. In 16.5 games this season, the four-year starter allowed just 10 goals and posted a sterling 0.57 goals-against-average and 14 shutouts. She has signed to play at Drexel University.

“(Victoria) just kept getting better and better,” said Zawislak. “She made the saves that she had to and often came up with the big saves. She was one of the reasons why we were so successful the past couple of years.”

ANDREA STRAUSS, Auburn Hills Avondale: This junior is a fine three-point marksman in basketball. On the soccer pitch, she turns heads with her athleticism between the pipes. The junior did not allow a goal in the flow of three state tournament games and took Birmingham Marian nine deep in a shootout before falling in the district finals. She had 12 shutouts and a goals-against-average of 0.83, and that includes a tough OAA Red Division schedule.

COACH OF THE YEAR

SARAH WASILK, Clarkston: Wasilk came to Clarkston seven years ago and has seen some ups and downs, but her efforts in guiding a young team back from the depths in two years helped her win All-Area Coach of the Year honors for the first time. After winning one game two years ago and finishing below five-hundred last season, Clarkston was 15-3-2 overall this season. They were 9-0-1 in winning the OAA White title, its first in program history, and reached the Division 1 district finals before falling to eventual state semifinalist Rochester Adams, 3-1.

 

2010 ALL-AREA GIRLS SOCCER TEAM

FIRST TEAM

 

Forwards

Kayla Mannino                  AH Avondale

Amanda Anton                 Rochester

Mikayla Ferer                    Clarkston

 

Midfielders

Julianne Boyle                   Lake Orion

Haley Burtraw                   Rochester

Merlin Beckwith               Roch. Adams

Madeline Wideman        Troy

Emily Dzik                            Troy

 

Defenders

Kylie Nylen                         Roch. Adams

Marisa Kozikowski           Troy Athens

Brittany Buckler                Roch. Adams

Regina Nofs                        Auburn Hills Avondale

 

At-Large

Abby Haelewyn                Roch. Stoney Creek

Hannah Lee                        Roch. Adams

 

Goalkeepers

Victoria Troccoli                Troy

Andrea Strauss                 A.H. Avondale

SECOND TEAM

Forwards

Irene Young                       Troy

Stephanie Carter              Roch. Stoney Creek

Taylor Tremonti                                Lake Orion

Leah Schmitz                      Troy Athens

 

Midfielders

Cayla VanGorden             RH Lutheran NW

Olivia Brannon                   Troy Athens

Darcy Johnston                 A.H. Oakland Christian

Katie Vondette                 Clarkston

 

Defensemen

Jordan Penz                       Troy Athens

Hillary Braun                       Rochester

Jessica LaBond                  Lake Orion

Madison Pines                  Troy

 

At-Large

Demaree Wells                 Clarkston

Jenna O’Dell                       Troy Athens

 

Goalkeepers

Hailey Redd                        Lake Orion

Jessica Wineke                  Rochester Adams

 

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Auburn Hills Avondale: Bree Dobbins, sr. D; Natalie Lopes, jr. M; Auburn Hills Oakland Christian: Dana Johnston, sr. M/F;  Clarkston: Jackie Gipe, jr. M/F; Andrea Butler, sr. M; Kaylee Liddle, jr. M/F; Breanne Timm, sr. D; Clarkston Springfield Christian: Michelle Whitmore, fr. M; Lake Orion: Alyssa Wesley, jr. D; Jamie Tasco, jr. F; Maddie Hutchison, soph. M; Katie Wagner, soph. M/F; Allegra Recknagel, sr. D; Lake Orion Baptist: Hannah Moore, sr. D; Jill Streetman, soph. G;  Oxford: Sarah Stroope, jr. G; Amanda Roth, sr. M; Chelsea Johnson, soph. M; Rochester: Jessica Nieman, jr. D; Laura Ivezaj, jr. G; Rochester Adams: Brittany Campbell, sr. D; Mackenzie Barber, fr. F; Rochester Stoney Creek: Tori Anderson, jr. G; Mia Brehler, sr. D; Joanie Sieja, soph. M; Rochester Hills Christian: Allise Dubay, soph. M/F; Jane Crile, jr.D; Caroline Milsk, jr. M; Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest: Abby Looker, soph. D; Haylee Leudtke, soph. F;  Troy: Erin Farley, jr. D; Troy Athens: Liz Abro, fr. F; Troy Bethany Christian: Sarah Tomkowiak, fr. M; Carryle Zaldariaga, sr. M; Anna Tomkowiak, soph. F.

 

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Last updated: Jul 19 2010 at 6:48 PM

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