15 girls soccer players to watch in the Blue Water Area this season

Spring weather has yet to arrive in the Blue Water Area. Fortunately, spring sports are here to stay.

The 2024 MHSAA girls soccer season began March 20. Here are some local players to watch for this year, listed alphabetically.

Lucia Calleja, Imlay City, senior

With the new season came a new position for Lucia Calleja, who's now at center back for the Spartans.

"She is picking up our direction like a sponge, her attitude is beyond positive," Imlay City coach Ken Kunz said. "She's got some really decent skill and is physically strong."

Calleja also boasts considerable speed, which gives her the ability to recover defensively and chase down opponents.

"(I want her) making sure her defensive team is properly positioned," Kunz said. "Her ball distribution has improved."

Kelsey Coombs, Croswell-Lexington, senior

There's no question as to who sets the tone at Cros-Lex. It's Kelsey Coombs.

"She is able to control the tempo of the match very well by herself," coach coach Kurt Stanbridge said. "She sends our free kicks in, indirect and direct free kicks, and our corner kicks in as well. She's very good at centering the ball into space."

This season, the Pioneers want Coombs to be more assertive on the attack.

"I'd like to see her take more control of the ball," Stanbridge said. "I'd like to see her dribble into open space. So, when the defenders aren't pressing on her and are giving up space between them, I want her close that space in with her dribbling skills and then make a pass or dribble around the defender."

Wren Dennis, Imlay City, junior

As a longtime coach, Kunz has seen it all. So, while this is his first season at Imlay City, he already knows what the team has in Wren Dennis.

"She's a born leader," Kunz said. "She's got a very good awareness of where she's at on the field and has a high soccer IQ."

Dennis finished with one goal and three assists in the Spartans' 4-0 win over Cros-Lex on Wednesday.

"I want her to just keep doing what she's doing," Kunz said. "She's like the complete player. I'm extremely pleased with her in every aspect as far as leadership and playing ability."

Tia Dewalls, Marine City, junior

After finishing 0-14 in 2022, the Mariners went 10-3-1 last season to complete a remarkable turnaround. What comes next will be determined by players like Tia Dewalls.

"Tia has all the tools a team could ever want from a top teammate," coach Mark Diskin said in an email. "Tia plays (running midfielder) to perfection making quick accurate passes. She is the quarterback of our side, always talking and directing traffic. Tia led the (midfielders) in steals and passes last season and earned All-Conference honors."

Finley Hatcher, Marine City, sophomore

The Mariners surrendered just nine goals in the 2023 regular season and recorded eight shutouts. Hatcher was one of the main reasons why.

"Finley earned All-Conference and All-District last season," Marine City coach Mark Diskin said in an email. "Finley had 96 steals at center back last year."

In addition to playing center back, she'll also spend time as a holding midfielder in 2024.

Jesse Kautz, Almont, senior

Is there a better scorer in the Blue Water Area than Jesse Kautz? Possibly, but it's hard to argue against someone who had 35 goals last season.

"She brings that energy where she's not only there to get her own, but she's there to help her teammates," Almont coach Mike Kepler said. "She's got 30 career assists, so she likes to share the ball as well. She's not just a goal scorer, she's a playmaker and a facilitator."

In 2023, Kautz received Division 3 All-State honorable mention from the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association (MIHSSCA). She was also named to the BWAC All-Conference First Team as well as the All-District and All-Regional teams.

"She's one of three seniors (on a very young roster)," Kepler said. "I'm really looking for her to continue to build on the culture (we've established). She's been able to carry that culture each year and teach the new girls how it's done."

Aireonna Keller, Yale, junior

As a sophomore, Aireonna Keller earned a BWAC All-Conference honorable mention.

"She is an all-around team leader and devoted player who will be leading our defensive team this year," coach Anthony Martin said in an email.

Tara Malone, St. Clair, senior

Vying for their fourth straight trip to a regional final, the Saints will lean on a veteran group, led by Tara Malone.

"She's the ultimate team player," coach Cliff Freeland said. "She always puts the team first and can play any position on the field. She makes everybody around her better."

Malone was a key part of last season's team, which finished 15-3-1 overall and won its third-consecutive district championship. She also received an MIHSSCA Division 2 All-State honorable mention.

"I'll need her to score more girls this year," Freeland said. "We lost Kennedy (Hollerbach to graduation). She was our big goal scorer. So, I need someone to step up and score some goals and I'm going to count on (Malone)."

Kimberly Martin, Yale, junior

Kimberly Martin rewrote the history books at Yale last year with 10 goals and six assists, both of which were single-season records.

"Kimberly is a great role model and team player to the younger players and motivates them to perform at their best," coach Anthony Martin (who's also Kimberly's dad) said in an email. "We look to Kimberly as an all-around player who can play any position and will even step in as goalie when needed."

She was also named to the BWAC All-Conference First Team in 2023.

Eliana Moser, Port Huron, junior

Technically, this is Moser's first year as a team captain, but she's practically had that role for a while.

"She leads by example on the field," coach Mary Roman said. "She's profoundly good with her foot skills and keeping the ball at her feet. She's the kind of player that is going to be able to take someone one-on-one and beat her. She has explosive energy on the ball and a great shot."

Now it's time for Moser to utilize it.

"I would like to see her progress in her confidence and in her shot," Roman said. "She's a (center midfielder). So, as a center mid, they're known to always be told to pass the ball. This year, I'm looking for her to not just pass the ball, but look for opportunities to shoot the ball more often and be a driving force in the attacking third."

Eliza Nelson, Croswell-Lexington, senior

As one of the Pioneers' shorter players, it's fair to say Nelson doesn't look like a typical goaltender. But that's OK, because she's better than most.

"Her passion to play the game (stands out)," Cros-Lex coach Kurt Stanbridge said. "She is willing to put her body on the line as the keeper to keep the ball from going in the frame."

Stanbridge emphasized her toughness, which was on display Wednesday against Imlay City. While going to make a save, an opposing player inadvertently kicked Nelson in right in the hands. She fell down from the collision but quickly recovered.

"She just popped up, delivered the ball back to us and kept moving," Stanbridge said. "She didn't even flinch ... she has ice in her veins and keeps us in the matches."

Avery Peake, Almont, junior

The top defensive players don't usually show up in the scorebook. But they make a difference in the win column. Just look at Avery Peake.

"Avery is really, really good," coach Mike Kepler said. "She's a very sound player and very smart. She was on that '22 team as a freshman and was the anchor of that defense. That continued into last year and she was the BWAC Defensive MVP."

Though Peake is known for her defense, the junior scored two goals in the Raiders' 3-2 victory over Armada on Wednesday.

"As a new captain, I'm really looking for her to be that verbal leader," Kepler said. "Part of that glue that keeps our young team together and keeps them close ... if you're close a team, you're going to fight harder for each other and be a better team overall."

In 2023, Peake was named to the BWAC All-Conference First Team as well as the All-District and All-Regional teams.

Zaira Sullivan, St. Clair, Sophomore

Being a goaltender requires a certain mindset. Not everyone has it, but Sullivan certainly does.

"She's fearless," Freeland said. "She has the ability to make crazy saves and is very, very athletic. She can kick the ball a long ways and, honestly, Zaira is going to be amazing for us."

While this is Sullivan's first year on varsity, the Saints believe in their rising star.

"I want her to be a vocal leader in the back," Freeland said. "And I actually think she's going to win us a couple games. She has the ability to do that. She'll make saves when she probably shouldn't and we'll probably get some wins for it."

Ryann Thomas, Port Huron Northern, senior

The Huskies will navigate the rough-and-tumble MAC Blue under Thomas' guidance.

"Ryann uses her skill and experience in the back to keep a youthful team ready," coach Bryan Becker said in a text message. "I would like to see Ryann build confidence in the younger players and be an anchor in the back."

Iliana Williams, Port Huron, senior

After taking a year off to focus on her basketball career, Williams has returned to the Red Hawks.

"Having her come and play soccer this year is awesome," Roman said. "Because she is just as good at soccer (as she is at basketball). She is very dynamic on the ball, provides a lot of creativity and sees the game (well enough) to alter the attack anytime she wants. She's basically the tempo of the game."

Like Moser, Williams is also a team captain.

"I'm looking for (from both of them) is to play to their full potential every game," Roman said. "And to be encouraging the inexperienced players that need their leadership to progress and understand the game."

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Blue Water Area girls soccer players to watch in spring 2024