NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
BY DAN STICKRADT
WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF NEWS
Premier Media Group | National Soccer Network and affiliates
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TW/X: @msn_stickradt @MiSoccerNetwork, @NatSoccerTV
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – Presley Jones set numerous school records last season as emerging as a pure goal scorer.
Jones was back it again Wednesday night to start her senior season on the right foot.
The Sterling Heights Stevenson senior forward netted the game-winner in lifting the Titans to a 1-0 victory over visiting Madison Heights Lamphere in a Macomb Area Conference crossover contest. It was the season opener for both teams.
“I thought we played very well for our opener despite it being really windy,” said Stevenson coach tony Casali. “It helps that we a player up top like Presley Jones who can finish. She was back it again against Lamphere.
“I thought Lamphere is a solid team,” continued Casali. “There was a stretch there where we carried play but their goalie played really well. She made some great saves to keep it close.”
Senior Natilie Rose finished with 12 saves for Lamphere (0-1-0). But she couldn’t keep Jones and Co. off the scoreboard in the end.
Jones played all over the field as a sophomore in 2023, rotating between defense, midfield and forward. But the Titans struggled overall to a 6-11-3 record and last-place finish in the MAC-White.
Last season she was shifted more towards a forward position and spend most of the 2024 campaign up top looking to finish or create scoring opportunities.
Jones – who has committed to NAIA Lawrence Tech University – helped her team climb to fourth in the MAC-White and finish 10-10-0 overall in 2024.
She scored a single-season school record 28 goals, a record that had stood since the early 1990s and she added some other impressive totals along the way. Jones added nine assists while netting five hat tricks and eight game-winning goals – both single-season school records – along with four braces, 12 goals in league play and was also involved in 37 of her team’s 50 goals – a .740 percentage, another school record.
Jones earned All-MAC White Division, All-District, All-Region and Division 1 All-State First Team.
“I think was Presley and our other seniors were freshmen, we only won two games,” recalled Casali. “Then we had six wins two years ago. Last season we didn’t have any ties, which was odd. But we finished 10-10 and were much improved over the previous two years. It helps that we were a little older last season and had more experience. And it helps to have a bunch of girls that have just got better. We hope to continue that this year.
“We play a tough schedule this season,” added Casali. “We play three MAC-Red teams this year. We play South Lyon East at the (Lawrence Tech University) Showcase, and we even play Rochester – and they are an OAA-Red (Division) team and are always very good. That will challenge us. But I think we can move up in our league and maybe even contend this year.”
Senior goalkeeper Diana Marku notched the shutout for the Titans against Lamphere. Stevenson only recorded five shutouts as a team last season but with 13 returning letterwinners back this spring, the Titans should be able to improve its defense.
Senior Maria Micakaj, junior Chloe Nissan and sophomores Marlee McKnee and Sophia Gabala all return to the back line and form an experienced nucleus in front of Marku, a returning starter as well.
Sophomore Isabella Reda (M) and senior Ava McGowan (M) are also returning starters. Junior midfielder/forward Liala Martin joins the team after competing with National SC Girls Academy the last couple of year. Stevenson also welcomes in three freshmen and one will start – midfielder Alyssa McGowan. Freshman midfielder Ayla Martin should also gain a ton of minutes.
“Our whole starting back line is back and two of them are sophomores who started as freshmen,” said Casali. “We have some nice freshmen this year that will help.
“We are blessed that we have a junior who did not play high school last year that played with Nationals Girls Academy last year. She’ll help us a lot,” continued Casali. “She’s very talented. Having her in our (attack) playing with Presley Jones gives us two players that can score. This will make us even more dangerous.”
And Jones is only two goals away from tying the school record for goals, as she now has 47 and the record is 49. She’ll get that chance after spring break when the Titans visit Utica Ford in another MAC crossover affair. Ford won the last two MAC-White Division crowns and is now up in the MAC Red Division.
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(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the National Soccer Network regarding club/youth soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with ties to a particular state or states, contact Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and news@nationalsoccernetwork.com, or call 248-525-2349. Dan Stickradt is a 32-year veteran of the Michigan and national media circles and recently joined the staff full time at PMG in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/NSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@thepremiermediagrp.com.)
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