Michigan High School

SPRING LAKE — For a young woman whose soccer career has taken her across the country, and around the globe, Annie Steinlage has remained remarkably humble.

That doesn't mean others haven't taken notice of her formidable talents.

Steinlage, a junior at Spring Lake High School, was announced as the Gatorade Michigan Girls Soccer Player of the Year on Tuesday.

The recognition stunned Steinlage, who learned of the award from coach Jeremy Thelen prior to Tuesday's practice.


"It's a huge honor," Steinlage said. "I don't really know what it entails, but Coach (Jeremy) Thelen said that it's out of the whole state of Michigan, and there are so many good players in the state. It's just a really big honor. It's completely unexpected."

The award "recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field." more

Trenton has been perfect so far

The Trojanettes have all but clinched the Mega White, improving to 8-0 after two more wins last week.

Trenton avoided a trap by edging out last-place Belleville on the road 1-0 Wednesday.

Freshman Megan Wilson scored the game-winning goal unassisted with 15 minutes left.

"She stole the ball and dribbled in about 40 yards and she shot it from 15 yards out," Coach John Horrigan said. "Belleville played much tougher than their record."

Goalkeeper Stephanie McLeod earned her third shutout of the season.

On Monday Trenton beat Redford Union 6-1, helped by a four-goal second half. more
 

Woodhaven takes control of the Red division lead

The Woodhaven soccer team made a statement on Wednesday against Dear-born: the Michigan Mega Conference Red division wasn't big enough for the both of them.

The Warriors won 1-0 to wrest control of the Red lead, after playing to a tie in the first meeting be-tween rivals.

With eight minutes left, Kaitlynn Clemens took a pass from Renee Morrison and scored the winner.

"Kaitlynn went around two defenders, cut inside and past another de-fender," Coach Bernie Turner said. "As the keeper rushed out to the top of the 18-yard box, she slid it into the far corner. It was a beautiful effort."

In net, goalie Shelby Jackson earned her ninth shutout of the season.

With the win, Wood-haven (5-0-1) holds first place by itself, while Dearborn Edsel Ford slides into second and Dearborn to third. more

Ram soccer picks up state ranking

Montrose kickers add pair of 1-0 wins

MONTROSE - For the first time in the history of Montrose girls' soccer, the Rams are state ranked. Coach Jason Perrin said the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association gave the Rams an eighth place slot in Division II during the first week of May.


"It's a testament to what these girls, and the ones before them, have done to build our program," Perrin said. "Hopefully, it motivates us to work harder."

Perrin's hopes may be fulfilled, as the girls added two non-conference1-0 wins following the state-ranking announcement. The Lady Rams out shot Waterford Mott 10-3 in a week capping game on Friday, May 1 before launching the next week with a 23-1 shot advantage over Bad Axe on Monday.

On May 1, both the hosting Montrose and visiting Waterford Mott went into the second half scoreless. Coach Jason Perrin said the Corsairs controlled the first ten minutes of play in the second half before the Rams could regain their momentum with three shots that deflected off the post. more

Western High School girls soccer team wins third game of the week
Citizen Patriot staff, May 02, 2009 8:50 p.m.

The Western High School girls soccer team won its third game of the week on Saturday with a 4-0 shutout of Northwest.

The Panthers did not give up a goal in the three games. Earlier in the week, they beat Columbia Central 1-0 in a shootout and topped Jackson Christian 6-0.

"We were able to connect with our midfield to forward play," Western coach Lance Rogers said. "We had better movement up top and just created some better shots."

Rogers has recently noticed improvement in his team's ability to create scoring opportunities.

"Before, we did well defensively but our shot selection was not very good," he said. "Now the girls are picking their heads up and finding the open player."

Brooklyn Morgan scored two goals for the Panthers (7-3).
 

Petoskey remains unbeaten in Big North Conference

One was all they needed.

Junior Halley Shaw scored two minutes into the second half Thursday, lifting Petoskey to a 1-0 victory over Alpena in a Big North Conference girls’ soccer match.

“It is always tough to win in Alpena,” Petoskey coach Scott Batchelor said after his team improved to 7-1-1 overall. “They played a very defensive game and really did a good job of limiting our chances.”

The Northmen, 4-0-1 league, are the only unbeaten team in the Big North through the first half of the conference schedule. Traverse City Central dropped its first league game, 1-0, to Gaylord on Thursday to fall to 1-1-3.

Petoskey plays host to Bay City John Glenn in a non-league contest today, Friday, at the Click Road Soccer Complex.

Venemans goal lifts Caledonia  past Catholic Central

CALEDONIA -- Caledonia senior Heather Veneman called it a "lucky shot."

Veneman's perfectly placed shot sailed beyond the goalkeeper and dropped into the left corner of the net, giving the Fighting Scots a 1-0 win against fellow O-K Gold Conference front-runner Catholic Central.

Both teams entered Friday night with unbeaten records in conference play.

Caledonia improved to 7-0 (10-0-1 overall), while the Cougars slipped to 5-1 (5-2-1).

"This was a really big win and we needed to play tough," Veneman said. "We needed to come out strong in the second half to beat them, and my team just pushed through."

After a scoreless first half, Veneman's goal came less than two minutes into the second half.

Caledonia sophomore Hailey Yondo delivered the pass to Veneman for the game winner past Catholic Central goalie Kailey Naumcheff. more

Lakeview girls' soccer wins East

On Wednesday night, the Lakeview girls' soccer team defeated Sturgis 5-0 to win the SMAC East title outright. Lakeview has won five of the last six SMAC East titles.

"This was one of our goals at the beginning of the year," said Lakeview coach Todd Wells.

"I'm really proud of what the girls have done so far, but we know that we have more to do.

Lakeview's Lindsay Johnson led with three goals and one assist. Also for Lakeview (7-2, 4-0), Grace Labrecque had one goals and three assists. Allison Osborne had the other goal.