Grand Rapids girls soccer season preview

The Grand Rapids girls soccer team starts their 2024 campaign this Friday against Duluth Denfeld at Noble Hall Field.

The Thunderhawks finished 2023 8-6-2 after falling to Hermantown in overtime in the Section 7AA Quarterfinal to end the year, and are looking to build upon the success they had last year.

Redemption is on the table for the Thunderhawks as they return a strong group of players with a mix of experience and youth that’s ready to step in and make an impact.

Kylie DeBay and Taelyn Cash both return this season after the pair tied for the team lead in goals with four each in 2023. Eighth-grader Brooklyn Troumbly returns for her second year on the varsity squad after scoring two goals for the Thunderhawks as a seventh-grader.

Head coach Brooke Moses says she looks forward to being able to slide Troumbly around the field and use her in different roles this year.

“Brooklyn will get a lot of playing time this year in various positions,” says Moses. “She is a utility player that can play multiple positions and play them well.”

Another young up-and-comer, ninth-grader Addie Peterson, can expect to see the field plenty this year. Coach Moses says she expects Peterson to be a strong presence in the middle of the field.

“Addie will be a strong player in the midfield this year, specializing in playing balls to forwards and winning aerial 50/50 balls.”

The Thunderhawks lost five-year starter Cali Madsen to graduation this year, leaving a major hole to fill on their back defensive line. Still, Moses expects the team to come together and still play quality soccer.

“My hope for this season is that our team finds our team chemistry quickly and works hard to keep that going through the season. I hope we play clean soccer, keeping possession and moving the ball around the field. I hope that we continue to build our program and continue to have a winning record and progress further into sections. I hope our team has FUN this year!” Moses said.

Her expectations of the players on and off the field should lead to success for Grand Rapids, especially with the players buying into a team-first culture that’s already been established in years past.

“My expectations of my student athletes is that they work hard on the field and in the classroom. As representatives of the school and our community, I expect my student athletes to behave in a manner that reflects positively on their team, school and Grand Rapids as a whole.”

Moses continued: “Commitment and hard work. Showing up everyday to work hard in practice and games. Playing together as a team, through the highs and lows of the season. Working together to improve our game!”

The strong mix of players Grand Rapids will field this year should come with high expectations, as long as they continue to put in the work everyday.

“Commitment and hard work,” Moses says, is the key to their success. “Showing up everyday to work hard in practice and games. Playing together as a team, through the highs and lows of the season. Working together to improve our game - We have a very strong group of players this year, and we expect great things this season!”

The Grand Rapids girls soccer team kicks-off their season this Friday at Noble Hall Field, against Duluth Denfeld, at 4 p.m.