A Thomas Wolfe novel claims “You Can’t Go Home Again.”
That may be true, but he didn’t say anything about going to your wife’s home.
Riley Hogan is the new girls soccer coach at Gibraltar Carlson, his wife’s alma mater.
“I could not be more excited for this opportunity to coach at my wife’s high school and help grow the sport of soccer in the Downriver community,” he said.
2024 All-Region Girls Soccer: Huron defender Dolencic leads team
Hogan is a Birmingham, Ala., native who played four years of varsity soccer in high school, including a state-championship season as a junior in 2014.
He went on to play four years of soccer at Lourdes University in Ohio, where he met his wife. The couple moved to Knoxville, Tenn., in 2020 where he served as a boys varsity assistant and junior varsity head coach for three years.
They moved to Woodhaven in 2023.
He is sees great potential at Carlson.
“I have a phenomenal group of players this year with unbridled potential,” he said.
Previews for all of the Monroe County Region girls soccer teams follow.
AIRPORT
Coach: Nick Saurez, first year.
2024 record: 12-8.
Returning starters: Juniors Payton Toth, Emily Begeman, Olivia Bucki, Rylee Johnson, Nicole Lambrix; sophomores Lena Lozon-Bogedain, Marissa Chapdelaine, Taylor Johnson.
Other players: Senior Kelly Rodak; junior Autumn Welch; sophomores Makenna Haddox, Aliyah Calus, Alyssa Chytil, Hailey Cummings, Makenzie Timbrooks, Kaydence Atkisson, Erin Dostert; freshmen Cami Parra, Olivia Groh, Ella Marut.
Season outlook: Saurez, who coached Airport’s boys team in the fall, takes over the girls squad. He has an experienced group with eight returning starters who are all underclassmen.
Coach’s comments: “We have a solid group of returning players who understand our system and expectations. … The key for us will be consistency and chemistry, but this group has the talent to compete at a high level.”
BEDFORD
Coach: Kellie Grosteffon, third year.
2024 record: 7-10-3.
Returning starters: Avry Madalinski, Beth Klocek, Gabby Chapple, Jordan Whipple, Fabiana Valdez, Kami Morse, Kara Todd.
Other returners: Haley Lawson, Lily Zornow, Mia Meyers, Bella Wilhelm, Chloe Wanner, Aubrey Lisk, Audrey Palmer, Stella Clark, Teagan Jeffers, Dakota Frantz.
Season outlook: Valdez is returning for her fourth season as the starting goalkeeper. Klocek led the team in scoring last year.
Coach’s comments: “This will be a rebuilding year for us. Lots of new faces and talent. We have a young group that has a bright future. Looking forward to a productive season.”
DUNDEE
Coach: Mark Dotson, fifth year.
Returning Starters: Seniors Ava Richards, Griffin Knapp, Vanessa Crawford; junior Ryan Straub; sophomores Mackenzie Doody, Vivienne Conklin, Lydia Richards, Taylor Schneider.
Other players: Seniors Helena Johnson, Finn Taylor, Joni Mitchell; juniors Maria Lora, Aislyn Waggoner; sophomores Scarlette Trame, Brook Kuzala, Ericka Gumola, Emerson Westbrook, Evan Crawford; freshmen Caity Collum, Gabby Hovey, Alison Brandys, Mackenzie Mantie, Samantha Spaulding.
Season outlook: The Vikings lost only three seniors to graduation, so most of the starters return.
Coach’s comments: “We are very excited to see what this squad is capable of. They have a tough grit to them.”
FLAT ROCK
Coach: Craig Stanczyk, second year.
2024 record: 12-8-1.
Returning starters: Seniors Keola Botts, Courtney Kraszeweski, Megan Woelkers, Sarah Harkins, Lillianna Lukasik; juniors Sophia Ellison, Michelle Crum, Carlee Balogh, Eva Mouro; sophomore Elyse Rogier.
Other players: Riley Chevalier, Kendyl Servantes, Abagael Gibson, Willow Phlombo, Emma Kirila, Juliette Morrison, Ava Gillum, Layla Holbrook.
Season outlook: Woelkers scored 21 goals last season and already has five in two games this season. She and Courtney Kraszewski made the All-Region team. Sophia Ellison also is a proven goal scorer and the defense should be strong.
Coach’s comments: “We have exceeded our goals in each of the past three seasons…. Three trips in a row to the district finals, set a school record for most wins in a season with 10 shutout victories. This year’s senior group have played a huge role in shaping the culture of our team. They will leave a lasting imprint on this program for sure.”
GIBRALTAR CARLSON
Coach: Riley Hogan, first year.
2024 record: 5-13-3.
Returning starters: Seniors Katie Frommann, Lillian Raines, Alyvia Roll; juniors Gianna Majeske, Maya Genzel; sophomores Josi Farago.
Other players: Seniors Izzy Sgro, Kassidy Sugarbaker; juniors Noelle Lefko, Allison Gresham; sophomores Natalie MacBride, Sarah Pente; freshmen Jillian Farago, McKenna Belcher, Juliana Guzman, Giadda Fioritto, Hannah Cooper, Ella Roll.
Season outlook: Frommann earned a spot on the All-Region team last spring when she made 160 saves.
Coach’s comments: “We have a vastly talented group of young players coming up this year which will learn from their very talented upperclassmen teammates.”
IDA
Coach: Tim Allen, third year.
Returning players: Seniors Clare Allen, Klohie Carothers, Paityn Dorlack, Jordan Ludwig, Sophia Nadeauh, Rylee Shaffer, Brooklyn Swanbeck; sophomores Lilah Hemmele, Maddie Kreps, Meira Koepke.
Other players: Seniors Mackenzie Dollison, Kaylea Hall, Reese Woelmer; junior Lizzie Sheerhorn; sophomores Alexis Etue, Clara Hearl, Sophia Maurer, Claire Scheerhorn; freshman Madilyn Adams, Emmy Benson, Mo Capling, Aubon Hamm, Trinty Jackson, Soliana Martinez, Brylee Slater, Elizabeth Thompson.
Season outlook: Ida’s large 26-player roster includes seven seniors returning from last year among 10 letterwinners.
Coach’s comments: “We returned a lot of players from last year. We should be competitive in our league. Looking forward to a great season exited to work with the returning players as well as the new additions.”
JEFFERSON-ERIE MASON
Coach: Dave Cousino, second year.
2024 record: 1-14-2.
Returning starters: Seniors Dakota Cousino, Sarah Anderson; juniors Camryn Cousino, Morgan Simota, Alena Schafer, Madison Cox, Joslynn Harris, Kylee Harvey, Baylee Goltowski, Adriaunna Moore.
Other players: Senior Starlyn johnson; juniors Madalyn Thompson, Mackenzie Rosensteel, Haley Burden, Molly Sepulveda; sophomores Andreas Hochleitner, Lily Lee; freshmen Alaina Rosensteel, Gabriela Esteban-Chavez, Kate Otting, Kaylee Rupp.
Season outlook: The second year of the co-op between Jefferson and Erie Mason features a lot more experience this season with 10 returning starters.
Coach’s comments: “I know our record didn’t show it, but these girls really improved last year. We played four more games in 2024 than we did in 2023, and we gave up 60 fewer goals. We have to just keep working hard and good things will happen.”
MILAN
Coach: Phil Hayes, third year.
2024 record: 11-7-3.
Returning starters: Seniors Olivia Henry, Leah Mazei, Emma Budd, Isabel Fetterolf; juniors Aubree Higgins Kaily McDaniel, Abbi Neuhart, Layla Chafee Emma Walline; sophomore Molly Walline.
Other players: Seniors Abi Bortles, Marissa Beck, Juniors, Trista Hubel, Audrey McClaran, Alivia Held; Sophomores Ava Majer, Destinee O’Connor, Elyse McClaran, Maddison Coffey; freshmen Ellie Budd, Violet Burdette, Charlotte Finch, Isabel Willett, Greta Hill, Honesty Zdunczyk, Ashely Reutter.
Season outlook: The Big Reds return a pair of All-Region players in Emma Budd, who led the team with 23 goals last spring, and Aubree Higgins, who finished with 8 goals and 10 assists. Olivia Henry is beginning her third season as the starting goalkeeper.
Coach’s comments: “This is yet another extremely experienced team I get to coach along with a lot of returning players. … This group has a lot of potential to be great with time and patience.”
MONROE
Coach: Scot Chaffin, second year.
2024 record: 11-6.
Returning starters: Seniors Emily Eshenroder, Alexis McMahon, Ally Younglove; sophomores Bella Reed, Gabby Willis, Alle Marcero, Aubrey Cowen,
Other players: Senior Rowan Stamper, Claire Charnock; juniors Abby Dieckman, Lindsey Kleinow; sophomore Lola Cacioppo; freshmen Josslyn Jones, Briley Lechner, Dillan Chaffin, Carmen Flatt.
Season outlook: Leading scorer Eshenroder and goalkeeper lead a strong group of returning players and Charnock is back after skipping the high school season a year ago.
Coach’s comments: “We have a very talented squad and looking to do great things this season. The girls have been working hard to compete in the SEC red and looking to go far in districts this year.”
NEW BOSTON HURON
Coach: Matt Lividini, third year.
2024 record: 14-1-3.
Returning starters: Addison Dolencic, Rylie Cassette, Gabriela Emelian, Shaylyn Carpenter, Callie Eaton; juniors Maggie Mentzer, Ava Banko, Brooklyn Burke; sophomore Mikey Skamiera.
Other players: Seniors Ava Plackowski, Sarah Stewart, juniors Nhi Vo, Madison Wilson, Avery Turk, Savannah Elliott, sophomores Kayla Christensen, Savanna Rupnow, freshmen Grace Pacheco, Leah Purcell, Malaya Singer, Maiya Thomas.
Season outlook: Nine of the 11 starters are back for a team that allowed just seven goals last season.
Coach’s comments: “I’m so excited for these girls, not just for this year but for the next four years. After beating Monroe 9-0 last week in a scrimmage, we got to see where we are and where we need to be if we are going to be serious at making a run for the state championship.”
SMCC
Coach: Laura Perry, fifth year.
2024 record: 5-15-1.
Returning starters: Seniors Alex Wickenheiser, Ana Perna, Julianna Classic; juniors Quinn Harrington, Nora Kinsey, Isabelle Morin, Briana Lynch, Sophia Short; sophomore; Addison Welker.
Other players: Senior Ann Marie Gessner; Isabella Grippi, Hailee Willis; freshmen Audrey Calkins, Leah Genaw, Olvia Horning.
Season outlook: The Kestrels have nine returning starters and Dotson says all of them have made improvements during the offseason.
Coach’s comments: “I couldn’t be prouder of this group. We have a disciplined team that shows up every day ready to work, not just for themselves but for each other. I know they are ready to compete, and I’m excited to see what they accomplish this season.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Previewing the 11 Monroe County Region’s girls soccer teams
Reporting by Niles Kruger, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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