Community Corner

Brighton High School Grads Make Marks on Soccer Fields Across the U.S.

Brighton Soccer Alumni occupy positions on College Teams across the United States.

While many of us have enjoyed watching the fourth-ranked boys Brighton High School soccer team carve a place for themselves among the best in the state, talented Brighton alumni led by Summer Green are making marks of their own across the nation.  

Summer Green - #6 - Freshman Forward/Midfielder - University of North Carolina Tar Heels Summer Green was named the Duke Nike Classic MVP, ACC Women's Player of the Week, and TopDrawerSoccer.com National Player of the Week after a pair of 2-goal efforts for the Tar Heels against Marquette and San Diego. Green's 5 goals and 2 assists helped North Carolina to a 5-2-2 start before the freshmen joined the US Women's U17 National Team last weekend to play in the FIFA U17 World Cup in Azerbaijan.  

Tom Allott - #21 - Senior Defender - University of Detroit Titans  Tom Allott's Detroit Titans are off to a 3-0-0 start in the Horizon League and 5-4-0 start overall. The senior defender has seen action in 4 matches with 1 start.   

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Mika Bussey - #25 - Sophomore Forward - University of Connecticut Huskies Sophomore forward Mika Bussey has seen action in 3 matches for Connecticut this fall. The Huskies are off to a 6-4-1 start overall and 2-2-0 mark in the Big East. 

Grant Chong #27 - Sophomore Forward - Syracuse University Orangemen

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Syracuse has scored goals in bunches en route to a 7-2-0 overall start and 1-0-0 mark in the Big East. Sophomore forward Grant Chong is a mainstay in the Orangemen's attack, seeing action in 7 matches and contributing 3 shots including 2 on goal.

Alex Chwalibog #5 - Freshman Forward - Siena Heights University Saints

Alex Chwalibog has started all 7 matches and is playing big minutes for the 2-3-2 Saints. The freshman forward's first collegiate goal was Siena Height's first goal of the season and his 3 total goals tie him for the team lead with fellow Brighton alum, Brian Ebert.

Amanda Curtis #3 - Sophomore Defender - Spring Arbor University Cougars

Sophomore defender Amanda Curtis has helped Spring Arbor record 6 shutouts on the Cougars' way to a 7-1-1 start. She also has contributed 4 shots including 3 on goal. Amanda's sister Angela is a former player for the Cougars who currently serves as a student assistant.

James Dutcher #23 - Junior Midfielder - Western Michigan University Broncos

Junior James Dutcher is a fixture in Western Michigan's midfield rotation seeing action in 7 matches and contributing 4 shots to the team's attack. The Broncos lost a 1-2 heart-breaker to Michigan State on Friday, but are off to a 7-2-0 start.

Brian Ebert #18 - Senior Defender - Siena Heights University Saints

Brian Ebert has appeared in 5 matches for the Saints. The senior defender's 3 goals tie him for the team lead with fellow Brighton alum Alex Chwalibog. On Saturday, the Saints opened Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference action with a tie versus Madonna.

Tara Gessler #25 - Freshmen Goal Keeper - Schoolcraft College Ocelots

Freshman net-minder Tara Gessler has started all 12 matches for Schoolcraft College and has allowed only 6 goals this season. Her 0.5 goals against average has helped the Ocelots to a 8-3-1 start.

Brielle Haupt #19 - Freshman Defender/Forward - Loyola University-Chicago Ramblers

Listed as a defender, freshman Brielle Haupt has seen all of her action for Loyola Chicago as a forward. The Ramblers are 6-4-1, having won their last 3 in a row with Haupt delivering the game-winner against both Bowling Green and Cleveland State.

Helen Kiilunen #5 - Freshman Midfielder - Northern Michigan University Wildcats

Freshman midfielder Helen Kiilunen has played almost every minute of the season this fall for Northern Michigan University. The Wildcats are 2-5-0 overall and 1-2-0 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Jay Krause #21 - Junior Forward - Concordia University Cardinals

Jay Krause has started all 7 games that he has played this season for the 4-5-1 Cardinals. The junior defender has scored 1 goal on 1 shot and has contributed 1 assist. Concordia is 1-1-0 in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference and is coming off a big 1-0 win over rival Madonna.

Shannon McCarthy #8 - Freshman Defender - University of Miami Hurricanes

Freshman Shannon McCarthy has seen action as a defender in 7 of Miami's matches. The Hurricanes are 5-4-1 overall and 0-2-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Nick Schroeder #8 - Sophomore Defender/Forward - University of Evansville Purple Aces

Like Haupt at Loyola, Schroeder is listed as a defender, but has played exclusively as a target forward for 4-3-0 Evansville. The sophomore's goal at Georgia State leveled the score at 1-1, enabling the Aces to win in overtime and claim votes in 3 national polls.

Chloe Sosenko #24 - Sophomore Defender - University of Michigan Wolverines

As a starter for the Wolverines, Chloe Sosenko has helped Michigan record 8 shotouts en route to a 9-2-0 start. Michigan's 3-0-0 mark in the Big Ten includes a 3-0 shutout of #14 Wisconsin on Sunday. The sophomore has also contributed an assist versus Indiana.

Jillian Nichols - #11 - Senior Forward - Hope College Flying Dutch

Senior Jillian Nichols plays forward for Hope College. The Flying Dutch are 6-2-0 overall and 3-1-0 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association.  

Amanda Krause - #17 - Freshman Forward - Hope College Flying Dutch

Hope College has claimed sole possession of first place in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association with a 3-1-0 conference record. Freshman forward Amanda Krause has scored 2 goals for the Flying Dutch.  

Jackie Vaquera - #8 - Senior Forward - Madonna Crusaders

Senior forward Jackie Vaquera has started all 7 matches for 3-4-0 Crusaders. Madonna begins Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Association play this week.  

Chelsea Kasperski - #10 - Junior Forward - Northwood Timberwolves

Chelsea Kasperski has started all 6 matches for Northwood which is 2-4-0 overall and 2-1-0 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The junior forward has contributed 3 shots, including 2 on goal, to the Timberwolves attack.

If you know of Brighton alumni who are playing collegiate soccer that we have missed, please submit their photos and tell us how they are doing!

The following article was submitted by Jay Schroeder.


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