MICHIGAN GIRLS SOCCER: Unbeaten Saline doesn’t mind playing with the No. 1 tag
- Dan Stickradt
- 36 minutes ago
- 5 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
SALINE, Mich. – If you would have asked Leigh Rumbold in the early spring of 2023 that his Saline girls soccer team would make a run to the Division 1 Final Four that year, he might not have believed you.
The Hornets were young that season but put it all together to reach the state semifinals for the first time since 2015. Saline eventually lost to eventual D-1 state champion Rochester Stoney Creek (2-0) that season in the state semifinals, Rumbold’s second at the helm.
But nevertheless, the Hornets were back on Michigan’s soccer map.
“I honestly didn’t expect that,” offered Rumbold. “We were talented but very young. But we started to win some close games and then we were able to make that run. We weren’t even ranked until late in the season. I don’t think very many teams out there thought that we would make it that far.”
Understandably last season, Saline was ranked in the top five in Division 1 during the duration of the 2024 campaign, even though there were several freshmen and sophomores on the roster.
“We were still really young last year,” recalled Rumbold. “But we really started to play well last year.”
Saline’s only problem in 2024? The answer was Ann Arbor Skyline. The Hornets went 0-2-1 last year against Skyline, losing to the Eagles (1-0) and tying Skyline (1-1) in the final Southeastern Conference-Red Division game of the regular season. Saline finished second in the eight-team league behind Skyline a year ago.
The two faced off again in the D-1 district finals last year with Skyline again winning 1-0 to capture the district crown. Saline went home with a 14-2-3 record – and the Hornets’ only two losses coming against Skyline.
Skyline graduated 10 key players, while Saline brought back a bulk of its roster from a team that went 7-1-2 in league play, outscored the opposition 93-12 and recorded 10 shutouts in 19 games. Overall, the Hornets finished 14-2-3 last season (.737 win percentage).
COURTESY PHOPTO / SALINE ATHLETICS
Saline junior forward Sadie Walsh is part of a loaded junior class in Michigan and is one of the top talents on the No. 1-ranked Hornets.
This year Saline entered the year with high expectations – the Hornets were listed as one of 25 schools to watch in the preseason by the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association – and have lived up to that billing so far this season. Saline has been ranked No. 1 in the Division 1 coaches rankings and have put up some gaudy numbers.
As of April 19, Saline stands a perfect 8-0-0, including 2-0-0 in the SEC-Red, and have outscored the opposition 60-3 with six shutouts – including five straight following Saturday’s 2-0 shutout of Rochester Stoney Creek, the same program that knocked the Hornets out two years ago.
The Hornets are good, too, with several college prospects on the roster – players that have drawn interest from NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III and NAIA programs as well. Several players on the roster play for the Michigan Tigers, Michigan Hawks, Liverpool FC-Ann Arbor and the Saline Soccer Club. Collectively, they are one of the favorites to get to the Final Four and contend for a state crown.
This season serves as the 10-year anniversary of not only Saline winning its first and only Division 1 state title but also the 10-year mark where the Hornets also put up some incredible offensive and defensive numbers. Saline finished 22-0-3 that season, scored over 100 goals as a team, and posted a stellar 0.16 goals-against average and 22 shutouts. Those totals are some of the best in MHSAA history.
“That team, I’m told, put up some incredible (stats). I don’t know if we are that good or not. But I do know we have a lot of talent on this team,” said Rumbold. “But there’s a lot of quality players that have played together for a long time.”
Although Cora Conley graduated early and left for NCAA Division II national powerhouse Grand Valley State University at the end of January – Conley was All-State First Team in 2024 – there is still plenty of talent back in uniform. Forward Avery Nam (All-State Dream Team, All-State First Team), who is now at NCAA Division I University of Richmond, and defender Audrey Driskell (All-State Honorable Mention) also graduated.
Junior forward Sadie Walsh (All-State Honorable Mention) has emerged as a pure goal scorer and is on pace to score 30-plus goals. She’ll be one of the frontrunners for the Miss Soccer 2026 award and the Michigan Tigers club prospect has already committed to NCAA Division I University of Toledo.
Junior center back Lydia Zajchowski is also finally healthy. She suffered a knee injury two days before the state semifinals in 2023 and despite earning All-State Third Team honors that season, only played in a couple of games last season with another leg injury. She anchors the Hornets' stingy back line that currently has a 0.38 goals-against-average, and has recently pledged her talents to NCAA Division II Saginaw Valley State University.
Senior midfielder Sienna Snyder (All-State Honorable Mention) is uncommitted but is one of the engines that fuels this raging fire of talent. Junior holding midfielder Nada Derneika, sophomore Nora Walsh (CM), sophomore Caylin Sturms (OB/M), senior Bettina Soares (D/M), senior Ava Printy (M/RB) and junior Kaylee Mitzel (G) all started games last year and several of them were starters two years ago during the Final Four run. Snyder is a fourth-year starter.
Junior MaKena Means (F) has seen an increased role, while two junior-varsity call-ups Teagan Warden (M) and Elayna Tousa (F) have made an impact. Amani Collette (M) is the sole freshman vying for minutes.
The Hornets strength of schedule will get tougher in mid-April and into May.
“We still have a lot of soccer to play. Right now we’re focusing on getting better and playing (quality team soccer),” offered Rumbold. “We also have to stay healthy. If we do all of that, then success will come. Sure, the girls want to win. And I understand that based on o
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