U18 GIRLS REACH FOR TOMORROW

VARDAR SOCCER PLAYERS COMMITTED FOR COLLEGE PLAY

With the girls' high school soccer starting, a number of area high school seniors begin their final season before continuing play on the college level. Vardar III (Girls U18), representing some of the most accomplished players from area high schools, is sending many of its players to a number of Division I soccer programs in the fall. Playing in the elite USYSA National League, and boasting three State Championships, the Vardar girls will join up one last time after high school season is over to compete in the USYSA Region II Championships in Sioux Falls, SD in late June before moving on to their respective college teams.

Chelsea Atiyeh (Novi) has signed with Oakland University. Caitlin Brown (Troy Athens) will play at Loyola University - Chicago. Joining the squad at University of Detroit Mercy are Nicole Gipson and Melanie Slusher (Sterling Heights Stevenson), Shelley Marick (Lake Orion), Lauren Moss (Bishop Foley), and Rachel Stesney (Troy Athens). Michigan State adds Kelley Amormino (Sterling Heights Stevenson), Lauren Carter (Rochester Stoney Creek), and Kristi Timar (Novi) to their roster. Kate Kelly (Farmington) has committed to the Virginia Military Institute, Eileen Larkin (Troy High) joins the team at the University of Pennsylvania, Laura Pfeffer (Rochester) will play at the University of Memphis, and Katie Zundel (Henry Ford II) joins Eastern Michigan University. Rachel Marshall (Troy High) and Brittney Zuzindlak (Royal Oak Dondero) remain undecided. The girls are coached by Mike Lupenec and Steve Piotrowski.

For further information, contact coach Mike Lupenec (lupenemi@udmercy.edu or 586-413-2129) or team manager Kate Larkin (larksfam@comcast.net or 248-408-1023)