Dan Stickradt
Sports Scene
In distance, not much separates Walled Lake Northern, Northville, and Novi.
The three high schools are part of the mega Kensington Lakes Activities Association and are only about a dozen miles apart on a map. All three are ranked in MHSSCA Division 1 top 10 and are not only capable of contending for KLAA division and overall titles, but also capable of making deep runs in the postseason.
Novi has won five titles in the past decade, and Northville, which is normally in the same district, captured the Division 1 crown last year as part of a 23-0-0 perfect season. Walled Lake Northern, in its 13th school year, is a program on the rise, and the Knights were 9-0-1 at the end of April — their best start in school history.
Novi began the year 5-2-2 against top competition, while Northville, despite losing several offensive weapons to graduation, including two of the state’s top three players, was 7-1-2 to start the year — the Mustangs’ sole loss coming against Walled Lake Northern in the opener in late March.
Walled Lake Northern is the leader in the KLAA-North Division, while Novi and Northville are the co-favorites in the KLAA-Central Division.
In the KLAA, Brighton, Hartland, and Grand Blanc of the West Division are also having quality seasons, while Plymouth, Plymouth-Canton, and Livonia Churchill are battling for the crown in the South Division.
Walled Lake Northern finished 13-4-2 last year and reached the Division 1 regional semifinal. With a loaded lineup that features several returnees plus others who gave up Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) commitments to help make the Knights a title contender.
Junior forward Devyn Brough (Auburn) is a quality goal scorer and Emma Voelker (Oakland) is a returning all-state senior midfielder. Senior midfielders Rachel Rodeheffer (Wisconsin-Milwaukee) and Marisa Pyden (Central Michigan) are quality playmakers, and senior defensemen Libby Cousino (Ohio Northern) and Caitlyn Oliver (Valparaiso) and senior goalkeeper Hayden Cesarz have all been rock solid in the backfield.
Northville put together one of the most memorable campaigns in 2014, running the tables, despite playing top-level competition. While the Mustangs have come back down to earth and will not score 100-plus goals this season, scoring against them will still be a problem.
Senior Emily Maresh had 18 shutouts last season and has already recorded six clean slates this spring. Classmate Tara Pawloski and freshman Nikki Skinner have been steady in the back.
Sophomore Sydney Schembri has already committed to Xavier and is a reliable finisher at forward, as is senior Kelly McHugh. Seniors Alana Dorfstatter, Jenna Baughman, Sarah Castellano and Morgan Gozdor have stepped up and not only provide leadership but have also seen increased roles on a team still capable of reaching the state finals.
Novi lost a four starters to graduation and two others to ECNL. The Wildcats are still a quality team for new coach Todd Pheiffer.
Junior midfielder Megan Riley, senior midfielder Christina Macmillan, junior forward Jessica Halmaghi, junior forward Chloe Allen, and senior center back Amanda Minissale (Saginaw Valley State) are all returning starters. They have guided the Wildcats through the terrain in the early season.
Freshmen midfielders Mikayla Lynch and Reily Schultz, freshman forward Laine Fenchel, sophomore fullback Jaclyn Schubring, and sophomore midfielder Gracie Backus have stepped into the lineup and have contributed.
Senior goalkeeper Arsha Dharia has become solid in goal, as Novi remains one of the state’s top programs.
KLAA FLSHBACK
Novi is 5-0 in state title matches, the first win coming in 2005. Northville is 3-2 all time in Division 1/Class A finals and Walled Lake Northern has never advanced beyond the regional final.
The 24 current schools of the KLAA have combined for an 18-17 record in MHSAA Division1/Class A/Open Class state title games.
Livonia Stevenson is 5-2 all-time in state championship matches, Plymouth-Canton 3-3, Plymouth Salem 1-1, Livonia Churchill 1-2, Brighton 0-5, Grand Blanc 0-1, and Plymouth 0-1.
In the very first MHSAA Open Class state final in 1983, Livonia Stevenson blanked the now-defunct Saginaw Eisenhower, 8-0, to set the tone for one of the state’s best leagues, both by longevity and by current standards.