Marked by remarkable moments, the 2026 spring soccer season stood tall as a banner year for area girls soccer. Suttons Bay, Leland, and Glen Lake showcased top-tier competition with a season packed with highlights. With thrilling goals and surprising upsets, the Lakers, Comets, and Norse demonstrated their quality against all opponents, pressing high and competing on both sides of the ball. The Dream Team was chosen by soccer coaches Joe Burda (Leland), Eric Oleson (Glen Lake), Randy U’Ren (Suttons Bay), alongside sports editor Brian Freiberger.
MVP: Megan U’Ren (Suttons Bay)
Suttons Bay senior Megan U’Ren takes home the area Dream Team MVP after an impressive senior campaign. U’Ren scored 17 goals and six assists on the season and displayed tremendous skill, strength, dribbling ability and vision — a complete player who could dictate the tempo from midfield while tracking back on defense when called upon.
“Soccer was definitely my favorite season. Just getting to play with all of my friends. All the girls on the team are super nice, and getting to spend every day at practices and bus rides to games was always super fun,” U’Ren said.
Over the years, U’Ren had the pleasure of playing alongside her older sister Dani U’Ren with her father Randy U’Ren on the touchline as coach. She hopes the younger girls take the challenge head on moving forward without her.
“I would say take in every moment because it really flies by. Put in the work and try your best. Never get too disappointed in yourself because if you try, that’s all that matters. Just have fun with the game,” U’Ren said.
A box-to-box midfielder who could control the ball and find the back of the net, U’Ren was equally comfortable dropping deep to win possession or making late runs into the final third.
U’Ren is working at Hop Lot during the summer before heading to Michigan State in the fall. She doesn’t know her major but will definitely be trying out for some club soccer along with intramurals.
Ariah Amin (Leland)
Leland junior Ariah Amin anchored the defensive line for the Comets to earn an MVP vote herself — a commanding presence at the back who made life difficult for opposing forwards all season.
“We got through a lot of games this season, and a lot of coaches made comments about how she is a beast back on defense,” Leland coach Joe Burda said. “I said her freshman year that you are going to hear a lot about this girl. Every year she just keeps getting better. We put a lot more faith in her, and she just comes through every game.”
Lily Connor (Leland)
Leland junior Lily Connor was the leading scorer for the Comets, a clinical finisher who earned her spot on the Dream Team with 22 goals and four assists on the season.
“She just scores goals. (Connor) is our finisher. She’s going to have a big season next year coming back. She’ll be marked next year, but she’ll find her way through it, and I think she’ll be another 20 goal scorer,” Burda said.
Willa Murray (Leland)
Leland senior Willa Murray caps off an incredible career for the Leland Comets. A dynamic presence with the ball at her feet, Murray had a knack for turning defenders and finding space when it mattered most.
“Her determination, (Murray) just gets this look in her and she finds another gear and all of a sudden with the ball on her foot, she’s blown by people and they just can’t catch up to her,” Leland coach Joe Burda said.
Addi Waskiewicz (Leland)
Leland senior Addi Waskiewicz served her teammates up constantly all season long — a two-way contributor who could win the ball and distribute it with equal composure.
“Her composure on the field is unmatch and she’s a complete player on the defensive and offensive end along with her leadership,” Burda said.
Lorna Wiesen (Leland)
Leland senior Lorna Wiesen served as an anchor for the Comets alongside Ariah Amin, forming a reliable center-back partnership at the heart of Leland’s defensive shape. A four-year starter, Wiesen brought consistency and experience to the back line throughout her career.
“She became a constant back there and everyone leaned on her and she came through every game,” Burda said.
Cora Meyer (Suttons Bay)
Suttons Bay freshman Cora Meyer earned her spot on the Dream Team for hardening the Norse defensive line in her debut season at the varsity level.
“(Meyer) is very tough, fast and a smart defender,” Suttons Bay coach Randy U’Ren said.
Meyer earned the team defensive MVP for her efforts.
Taylor Randolph (Glen Lake)
Glen Lake junior captain Taylor Randolph marshaled the back line for the Lakers all season long, organizing the defense and setting the tone from center back.
“(Randolph) is the lynchpin of our team culturally on the field. She plays center back and she is the reason we had seven shutouts this season,” Glen Lake coach Eric Oleson said. “(Randolph) works harder than anybody else on the field, either direction, and protects our goal. This season, she managed to get to take a couple of penalty kicks and added two goals to go along with her defensive front.”
Mackenzie Schaub (Suttons Bay)
Lake Leelanau St. Mary senior Mackenzie Schaub earned the top goalkeeper honor after being named alldistrict. Schaub posted six clean sheets in 14 games between the posts.
“Improved immensely to be able to make all different types of saves,” Suttons Bay coach Randy U’Ren said.
Brook Cooper (Glen Lake)
Glen Lake freshman Brook Cooper found her way onto the Dream Team after her first year on the pitch, showing the kind of instincts that are difficult to teach.
“(Cooper) has natural instinct towards the goal and she is willing to work hard and is humble while trying to get better every day,” Glen Lake coach Eric Oleson said. “She works for her team and she backs up everybody else and then plays smart with defensive football.”
Cooper led the Lakers with 12 goals on the season.
Ada Wetherbee (Suttons Bay) Suttons Bay junior Ada Wetherbee was a creative force from midfield, contributing nine goals and six assists while pulling the strings in transition.
“(Wetherbee) has amazing skill and touch on the ball with a high soccer IQ,” Suttons Bay coach Randy U’Ren said.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Suttons Bay’s Clarice Bardenhagen was all over the pitch for the Norse all season long with five goals and four assists, a tireless pressing forward who could hold the ball up and bring teammates into play.
“Such a good target forward that could keep the ball, great touch and passing ability,” U’Ren said.
Abigail Steffke (Glen Lake) earned an honorable mention spot for her effort in the midfield for the Lakers.
