Once again the area’s best high school student-athletes are being recognized in the Free Press and will be featured in our print product throughout the winter sports season.
The 2021 Detroit High School Sports Awards honors the top competitors in the Detroit metro. Despite the coronavirus interrupting or delaying meet and games, local teens in nearly a dozen sports were named to the area team — one of six in the state. These young stars will be recognized in a June 30 show, where winners will move on to the national show, and a chance to be named the player of the year in their sport.
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Soccer honorees have been announced for girls competition. You can find out the finalists and winners June 30:
Sophia Baumann
Romeo, junior forward
Romeo had a historic season this year, winning its first district title ever thanks in large part to Baumann, who has committed to Eastern Michigan. A dangerous finisher as a forward, Baumann finished with 17 goals and six assists for the Bulldogs.
Lilley Bosley
Stoney Creek High School, sophomore defender
A versatile player who can excel in the midfield and at forward, Bosley finished with a school-record 22 goals to go along with three assists. Bosley already has collected attention from prominent college programs and should be one of the state’s best scorers over the next two years.
Alyssa Carnes
Troy Athens, junior defender
Athens made a run to the Division 1 state championship game thanks in large part to Carnes, who was the backbone of Athens’ defense. Named first-team all-state in Division 1, Carnes added some offense as well, finishing with nine goals and four assists.
MORE TEAMS:
Meet our honorees for hockey
Meet our honorees for softball
Meet our honorees for baseball
Meet our honorees for girls bowling
Meet our honorees for boys bowling
Meet our honorees for girls swimming
Meet our honorees for boys tennis
Meet our honorees for volleyball
Meet our honorees for boys cross country
Meet our honorees for girls cross country
Meet our honorees for football
Meet our honorees for gymnastics
Meet our honorees for boys soccer
Olivia DeConinck
Birmingham Marian, senior defender
DeConinck, another defender named to the all-state Dream Team, was the big reason why Marian not only won its fourth straight Division 2 state title but didn’t allow a goal the entire tournament. Offensively, DeConinck pitched in with three goals and an assist. She has signed with Bucknell.
Macayla Harris
Salem, senior forward
Harris was the rock all year for the Rocks, finishing with nine goals and five assists in being named to the all-state Dream Team and helping Salem lose just one game all year. Harris will continue to play soccer at Ashland University.
Sophie Homan
Stoney Creek, sophomore goalie
Homan was dominant this year for the Cougars, registering a school-record 16 shutouts and allowing just five goals the entire season. The Michigan commit was named to the all-state Dream Team.
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Justina L’Esperance
Hartland, senior midfielder
A captain for a Hartland team that captured its first Division 1 state title in school history, L’Esperance finished with 24 goals and 10 assists for the Eagles. L’Esperance was named to the all-state Dream Team by the coaches association.
Abbey Pheiffer
Novi, senior goalie
Pheiffer finished this season with eight shutouts, 102 saves and a .88 save percentage. She will be remembered as one of the best goalies in Novi’s decorated history and was named first-team all-state in Division 1.
Sophia Morgan
Ann Arbor Skyline, junior midfielder
Morgan finished with 13 goals and 10 assists in helping Skyline advance to the Division 1 state semifinals. Her first-team all-state season sets up a senior year, in which she’ll likely be the focal point for Skyline’s attack.
Tai Tworek
Ann Arbor Skyline, senior forward
Tworek, leader of a young Skyline team that reached the Division 1 semis, finished with 14 goals and five assists. Tworek is also on the roster in the offseason for the Detroit City FC Women’s Team.
Maddie Salzenstein
Birmingham Detroit Country Day, senior midfielder
Named Miss Soccer by the coaches association, Salzenstein was the engine that made Division 3 state champion Country Day go. She finished with 16 goals and eight assists, including two in the title game. She is on the roster for the Detroit City FC Women’s Team and has signed with Western Michigan.
Andie Wolfe
Walled Lake Northern, senior defender
Wolfe was one of the best defenders in the state. She was named to the all-state Dream Team by the coaches association after finishing with three goals and three assists. Wolfe has signed to play for Michigan State.
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