grandhaventribune.com

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."

Steinlage certainly fits the bill. In the classroom, she carries a 3.44 grade-point average. She's a member of the Spring Lake High School Green Club; has volunteered as a youth soccer coach and at an area food pantry; and has volunteered with the Special Olympics.

Then there are her accomplishments on the soccer field.

During the fall months, Steinlage plays for the Michigan Hawks, one of the top club teams in the Midwest. That obligation takes her to the Detroit area for practices twice a week, in addition to weekend games across the Midwest.

She's a member of the state and regional Olympic Development Program (ODP) teams. As a member of the ODP regional squad, she's played soccer across the country as well as in France, England, Portugal and Spain.

Steinlage is also a member of the U.S. Women's National Team for her age group.

"I feel so fortunate," Steinlage said. "Sometimes when we're there, we just can't believe we're in Europe. I'm very fortunate to be able to do all these things."

As a member of her high school team at Spring Lake, Steinlage earned first-team all-state honors as a sophomore midfielder last spring. As a junior, she's playing forward, and has made the transition with ease, scoring 23 goals and eight assists in 15 games heading into tonight's contest against Orchard View. Her scoring touch has helped her team earn a top-10 ranking a 14-1 record.

That scoring touch is something that surprised Steinlage, who typically plays defense on her other teams.

"I love it," Steinlage said of playing on the front line. "At first I didn't know if I'd like it. I'd never really been a scorer on any of my other teams. But I like it a lot. I think it's just something different, and everybody on our team is so good at distributing the ball."

Steinlage said the game's more enjoyable when she's on the attack.

"When I play sweeper or center back for other teams, it's completely different. I don't have very much fun," she said. "As a forward, when I lose the ball, my teammates are like, 'That's OK,'" Steinlage said. "There's not as much pressure."

Steinlage, the daughter of Bob and Lucy Steinlage, is no stranger to dealing with pressure. She watched her brother, Avery, win a pair of state titles as a goalie at Western Michigan Christian, then switch to Spring Lake for a successful season before moving on to Michigan State, where he led the Spartans into the NCAA Tournament last fall.

Steinlage will also play at Michigan State when her high school career comes to an end. She's still surprised that the game she loves has provided her with so many opportunities.

"I never really thought all this would happen," Steinlage said. "I've always loved soccer, but you hear everyone saying this has been my dream to play at this level since I was a little girl. ... I was never like that. I just always loved it and went along with it.

"I've just been so fortunate this all happened. I never knew all this commitment could go into one simple sport. Sometimes it's difficult, especially in the fall, but it's worth it."

Thelen, who has coached Steinlage since her freshman year, realizes he's been blessed with a very special player.

"She's got skill that's unbelievable, and the other thing is, Annie's a good kid," Thelen said. "For all the experiences she's had, she really is humble and works hard in practice. I've offered to give her days where she can rest, and she doesn't want to sit out a practice. She knows practice is important, and being with her team is important."

Thelen takes a great deal of pride in the prestige this award reflects on the Lakers' program.

"We have a significant number of girls who are putting in the work to make us a top team, and I'm glad Annie got this recognition for the Spring Lake soccer program. But Annie got this award because of some of her national activities as well, the Hawks, ODP, her national team experience. I'd love to take some of the credit, but this award is bigger than just a Spring Lake award."

Steinlage is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year, which will be announced later this month.