GIRLS SOCCER: Romeo upends No. 2-ranked Utica Eisenhower
- Jonathan Turner
- Apr 22, 2025
- 3 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
ROMEO, Mich. – Soccer wins over Utica Eisenhower have been few and far between for Romeo’s girls soccer program over the years.
In fact, until this season, it had only happened once before.
The Bulldogs, listed as honorable mention in the Division 1 rankings this week, took down previously-unbeaten and Division 1 second-ranked Utica Eisenhower 2-1 Monday in Macomb Area Conference Red Division play for one of those rare wins over the Eagles.
“This is the first time we’ve ever beaten them at home,” noted Romeo girls soccer coach Trevor Foster. “So we have that. This is also the second time we’ve ever beaten them two times in a row. Last year was the first time we’ve ever beaten them.”
Last May, Romeo upended Utica Eisenhower 2-0 in a Division 1 pre-district contest in a year where Eisenhower was ranked in the top 15 the entire season and won the MAC-Red Division title. That was the first time in Romeo’s archives that a girls soccer victory was recorded over the Eagles.
Devyn Raymond scored the lone goal for Eisenhower, which slipped to 7-1-0 overall with its first loss of the season. The Eagles still own four clean sheets and a 33-8 overall scoring edge, while they still stand in the league lead – barely. Eisenhower is still one of the more talented teams around the state of Michigan this season with several future college players up and down the roster.
“We’re right there with Eisenhower in the driver’s seat in the league,” noted Forster. “By us beating them it kind of breaks it wide open. We did not want to fall further behind them. We had a (0-0 tie) last week to (Macomb) L’Anse Creuse North that we would love to have back. But Eisenhower is a very good team with some great players. We had to play a great game to kind of slow them down.”
Romeo moved to 4-2-1 overall and 2-0-1 in the league, good for seven points. Eisenhower has a 3-1-0 league record for nine points nearly halfway through the conference schedule of the MAC-Red, which has six schools this season.
Clare Carmody scored the first goal for Romeo. Her initial serve from the corner was sent back out to the edge of box by Lexi Meier and Carmody ripped home her shot.
Pushed up into the attack, outside marking back Julie Sandoval picked up the second goal when she scored off a pass from Lydia Hill.
Romeo now holds a 13-7 scoring edge this season but has a tie and two one-goal losses. Playing Eisenhower still brought out the best in the Bulldogs.
“I know. You’re telling me,” beamed Foster. “If we would have beat L’Anse Creuse North last week…We had chances in that game but just couldn't score. But against Eisenhower we came ready to play. This may have been one of our best games (this season).”
Junior Isabelle Stojanovski recorded 12 saves to gain the win in goal for Romeo, which lowered its team goals-against-average down to 1.00 this season with the win. Only one team has scored more than one goal against the Bulldogs.
Addison Speed and Olivia Luther anchored Romeo’s back line, along with the aforementioned Sandoval.
“Eisenhower not only has great players, but they have girls that can shoot it from distance,” said Foster. “Our goalie (Isabella) made a few game-changing saves. Sometimes they shoot it from way out and it takes a weird bounce. But Izzy was there to scoop them up. She made some great saves and our defense sat back and played them tough. Both of our goals came off counter (attacks)."
Romeo has won some MAC-Blue and MAC-White league titles in the past but hopes to remain in contention with Eisenhower in the MAC-Red this season. Macomb Dakota is in third place in the league at 2-1-0.
“Romeo’s had soccer programs for a long time, but it was only in the last 10-12 years that they have become really competitive,” noted Foster. “Eisenhower is always really good. They have some talent on that roster. We had to play a great game to beat them. And I’m sure we’ll see them again in the league and maybe even in districts.”
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