Marked by remarkable moments, the 2023 spring soccer season stood tall as a remarkable year. Suttons Bay, Leland, and Glen Lake showcased toptier competition with a season packed with highlights. With thrilling goals and surprising upsets, the Lakers, Comets, and Norse demonstrated their soccer skills against all opponents. The Dream Team was chosen by soccer coaches Joe Burda (Leland), Eric Luthardt (Glen Lake), Randy U’Ren (Suttons Bay), alongside sports editor Brian Freiberger.
MVP: Elli Miller (Leland)
Leland junior Elli Miller claims the 2024 soccer Dream Team Most Valuable Player for her skills in net.
“I’m going to remember the team and how we all had a good time at practice and in games,”Miller said.
The junior team captain had 13 shutouts and allowed only 16 goals through 22 games in 2024.
“Everyone on the back line was able to help each other … We could overlap and I think we all could communicate and make sure that nothing really got near the goal,” Miller said.
Miller’s best performances came during the conference regular season where she allowed only four goals in 12 games. As a junior, Miller is excited to get back in net for her senior year in 2025.
“Elli controlled the back of the field which allowed her team to control the rest of the field, confident that she had their backs,” Leland coach Joe Burda said.
Willa Murray (Leland)
Leland sophomore Willa Murray was attacking from all angles this season to claim her spot on the dream team. She also received multiple votes to be the Dream Team MVP.
“We had a great season this year. Some of my favorite memories were the team dinners that we had leading up to important games throughout the season. I think it was a really nice thing to spend time with my team,” Murray said. “I’m excited for our team to keep improving and working together.”
Murray had 14 goals and four assists during the 2024 campaign and was a threat to score every time she got the ball.
“Willa was our most often marked and defended player on the field. Willa is offensive minded and once crossing midfi eld towards the goal it is downhill for her. She picks up speed and is hard for defenders to catch, she created several opportunities for herself using her speed on the ball that ended up as 1v1 with the opposing keeper,” Leland coach Joe Burda said.
Ava Raymond (Glen Lake)
Glen Lake senior Ava Raymond made her way on the dream team because of her savvy play and remarkable goals for the Lakers.
Raymond was a team captain and voted MVP of Glen Lake’s team. She was also named alldistrict and all-conference for her efforts.
“(Raymond) laid everything out on the line every game, always trying to attack, dribbling past multiple players and setting us up to score or just scoring herself. She was our main offensive weapon for much of our season,” Glen Lake coach Eric Luthardt said.
Ariah Amin (Leland)
On most nights, Leland freshman Ariah Amin was the strongest and fastest player on the field.
“Only a freshman, everyone will hear this name each of her following seasons,” Leland coach Joe Burda said. “Each night players, coaches, and fans expressed something that impressed them that night about Ariah. She is only going to get a lot better, a great kid, coachable and wants to succeed, great at attacking from the backfield.”
From the outside back position, she had three goals and two assists to make the Dream Team from the defensive side of the field.
Addi Waskiewikcz (Leland)
Leland sophomore Addi Waskiewicz is one of the most well-rounded players on the field whenever she laces up the cleats.
“(Waskiewicz) has a knack for finding the back of the net on free kicks, and can lock in on defense in the middle of the field as well. Can place the ball very well, from set plays, corner kicks and within the offense,” Leland coach Joe Burda said.
Waskiewicz scored 14 goals and nine assists in 2024 from her center-defensive midfielder position.
Lauren Lint (Suttons Bay)
Suttons Bay senior Lauren Lint made the dream team thanks to her competitive spirit.
“(Lint) was skilled with both feet. She was able to find the net for us this year, and she was able to score goals. (Lint) ended up leading number of goals scored this year for the team. We’re going to miss all of those things about her,” Suttons Bay soccer coach Randy U’Ren said.
Lint scored 25 goals and 16 assists for 66 points in 2024. She will pass the baton off to her little sister Megan Lint.
Megan U’Ren (Suttons Bay)
Sutton Bay sophomore Megan U’Ren elevated her game from her freshman to sophomore year to make her second dream team of her young career. U’Ren led the team in points, the same as last season.
“She was able to keep control with a calming presence and know that if she got the ball she could hold it and find another teammate, or score the goal,” Suttons Bay coach and father Randy U’Ren said.
Megan had 24 goals and 19 assists for a total of 67 points on the season.
Jacqueline Hearne (Suttons Bay)
Jacqueline Hearne is a threeyear starter for Suttons Bay that was able to provide a spark for the Norse from the defensive end and midfield all season long.
“I’m looking forward to seeing her as a senior. (Hearne) is already a leader … she can set an example and make other people better for her senior year,” Hearne said.
Hearne had four goals and eight assists (16 points) in 2024. Hearne is a junior at Lake Leelanau St. Mary.
Amanda Tarsa (Suttons Bay)
Lake Leelanau St. Mary senior Amanda Tarsa found her fit on the Dream Team thanks to her competitive nature on defense.
“We will miss (Tarsa’s) toughness and she was just a rock on the defense for her three years of playing for us,” Suttons Bay coach Randy U’Ren said. “Three years of experience in the center back position, that’s hard to replace.”
Tarsa had one goal this year on a free-kick from her defensive position.
Autumn Staley (Glen Lake)
Glen Lake senior Autumn Staley was a defensive mastermind in 2024 to provide a staple for the Laker soccer team.
During all stops this season the offense, Staley was always involved.
“(Staley) was in charge of our three defensive lines. Every game she would often have two forwards to deal with. (Staley’s) defensive skills, leadership, and offense were huge this year,” Glen Lake coach Eric Luthardt said. “(Staley) had so many key passes, she did great to find players versus just booting the ball out. She played physically, but was always clean.”
Staley earned All-district and All-Conference honors.
Lillian Connor (Leland)
Leland freshman Lillian Connor was an offensive threat whenever she got the ball.
Despite starting only a few contests, she was our leading scorer.
“Scoring comes naturally to her, and once she is comfortable with it, her numbers will double. Lillian is a team player first but knows where to be when it’s time to move up the field and has a great finish on net. She will be a force in the future and a key to our future success,” Leland coach Joe Burda said.
Connor scored 16 goals and six assists on the season.
Honorable mention
Plenty of soccer athletes earned honorable mention recognition for their effort during the 2024 spring season.
Leland’s Emerie Burda, a junior team captain, was a physical and quick defender that prided herself in being a team motivator and communicator. She scored four goals from her center back position.
Leland sophomore Hadley Bison had five goals and nine assists on the season. She has a combo of quickness and tenacity all bundled up together. Bison controlled the outside wing and delivered offensive opportunities throughout the season.
Glen Lake sisters Abby and Paige Steffke received honorable mention.
Abby was voted most improved on the team, Alldistrict and All-Conference with six goals and seven assists on season.
“Abby has an incredible future... Herdribblinginkey moments while outnumbered was incredible. She did a great job passing the ball, being the outlet, getting assists and scoring quite a few herself. It will be hard to find another player that covered as much ground as she did this year,” Luthardt said.
Paige dealt with huge adversity this year. She worked all offseason to play in one game and she scored on a 40-yard bomb.
“Her presence in just one game changed everything for us. She has been a perineal All-Conference, All-District player for the past three years. Her 44 goals and 42 assists in her first three years shows a player with vision, shooting and able to take on players,” Luthardt said.
