MICHIGAN GIRLS SOCCER: Hudsonville Unity Christian’s Ava Lutke stands alone as Michigan’s top player with Miss Soccer award
- Dan Stickradt
- Jun 20
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 20
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
HUDSONVILLE, Mich. – Ava Lutke admits she gave it some thought a couple of times about potentially winning the prestigious Miss Soccer award this year in her home state of Michigan.
“I did think about it a couple of times. I know I was in the running last year and was on the (All-State) Dream Team last year,” said Lutke, a recent graduate of Hudsonville (Mich.) Unity Christian High School, during a phone conversation Memorial Day evening with the National Soccer Network.
Well, Lutke – a top 100 prospect nationally from numerous publications in the Class of 2025 – doesn’t need to think about winning the award anymore. It is now a reality.
On Thursday night, the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association tabbed her the 42nd recipient of the Miss Soccer award, given annually to the top high school girls soccer player. There was no winner in 2020 due to the spring sports season being cancelled.
The versatile Lutke, who plays either forward or attacking midfielder in high school soccer along with forward, midfielder and outside marking back in club soccer, won the award in a landslide.
It wasn’t even up for debate.
Her resume as both a senior and as a four-year high school player not only speaks loudly but was simply far superior than any other prep player in the state of Michigan. Lutke was second last season behind one of her Grand Rapids area club soccer friends Kendall Aikens of Hudsonville, who is now at national powerhouse Grand Valley State University.
Lutke, who committed to NCAA Division I Michigan State University back in the fall of 2023, signed this winter with her dream school after numerous D-I and D-II schools had recruited her. Even when MSU and colleges across the country had to rescind scholarship offers to top-level players due to the NCAA lowering roster spots at NCAA Division I schools in most sports and the ever-increasing size of the NCAA transfer portal, Michigan State still honored Lutke’s offer as she signed with the Spartans this past winter.
Lutke also made the All-State Dream Team (please see https://www.nationalsoccernetwork.com/post/michigan-girls-soccer-lutke-henry-walsh-amongst-standouts-on-mihissca-11-member-all-state-dream-t) this year, an 11-member squad selected by the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association featuring 10 field players and one goalkeeper. She was a rare three-time member to the prestigious squad after being honored as a sophomore, junior and now senior.
COURTESY PHOTO / HUDSONVILLE UNITY CHRISTIAN SOCCER
Hudsonville Unity Christian's Ava Lutke, shown here during the 2024 MHSAA state finals, helped her school reach four state title games and claim three straight state titles during her career. On Thursday, she was named the 2025 MIHISSCA Michigan Miss Soccer.
In her stellar prep career where she was one of the more dominant high school players in Michigan over the last decade-plus, Lutke was a rare four-time All-State First Team honoree as well as being a four-time Ottawa Kent Conference First Team, All-District, All-Region, and All-Area selection. She is a candidate for the 2024-25 Gatorade Michigan Player of the Year and National Player of the Year honor which will be released later this summer, and will be a lock for the United Soccer Coaches All-America Spring Soccer First Team.
This season, Lutke rang up 30 goals and 29 assists for perhaps Michigan’s top team, as she led the school to a third straight state title and fourth straight state finals appearance. The Crusaders, who actually fell out of the USC National Rankings in mid-May despite not losing a game this season, finished as the Division 3 state runner-up in 2022, won two state titles in Division 3 in 2023 and 2024, respectively, while also winning the Division 2 state title this season after an enrollment hike moved the Crusaders up. Lutke was a driving force behind those runs.
Unity Christian also finished undefeated this season at 22-0-2 and put up some impressive numbers along the way, including setting the Michigan High School Athletic Association state record with a 13th state title in the sport of girls soccer. Unity Christian entered the season tied atop of those charts with Madison Heights Bishop Foley.
While Lutke finished her stellar four-year career with 106 goals, 83 assists and 295 points to go along with countless game-winning goals and assists, braces and hat tricks – it’s her team’s totals that are equally impressive.
“We’re like sisters out there,” admitted Lutke after the state finals on June 13. “Everything that I do is for the team.”
Led by Hall of Fame coach Randy Heethuis, Lutke and her Unity Christian teammates helped the school reach a 17th state title game this year and 21st overall Final Four, which dates back to 1998 and a few years before Lutke was even born. Unity has also been to at least the Elite Eight 24 times in its history.
Lutke led her team in points each year and was either first or second with goals and assists each season. She also led her side to four straight Ottawa Kent Conference (Blue or Black Division), district and regional titles, four straight state finals appearances and the three straight state titles.
Unity Christian finished three consecutive postseason runs with a combined 18-0 record and 18 straight tournament shutouts. During the state tournament over four seasons, the team was 23-1 and outscored the opposition 108-5 with 21 shutouts. Overall during the four-year stretch from 2022-25 with Lutke on the roster, Unity Christian finished 86-4-6 overall with 58 shutouts, a scoring edge of 435-40, and a win percentage of .896 – Michigan’s best during that stretch.
With Lutke earning the Miss Soccer award for 2025, it marks the third year in program history that the Crusaders had a player given the award. Laura Heyboer, who was a two-time All-America selection at Unity Christian and later starred at Michigan State, won the award in both 2006 and 2007 as a rare two-time winner. She will accept her Miss Soccer trophy at the MIHISSCA All-State banquet in Lansing on June 26.
Lutke was also a standout for her Michigan Rangers club team, which competes in the USYS Elite 64 level just below the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) and Girls Academy League (GA). She was still dominant there, winning the 2024 USYS National Tournament MVP and Golden Boot for the leading goal scorer of the tournament.
Lutke is also the second straight player to come from the Michigan Rangers youth club soccer organization to win the Miss Soccer award.
She will play in the USYS Midwest Regional at the end of this month before heading over to Michigan State on July 12 to begin her collegiate career.
MICHIGAN GIRLS SOCCER: Ava’s Way: Unity Christian star Lutke about to exit stage left with incredible resume: https://wix.to/pQJYjRa
#MichiganGirlsSoccer #AvaLutke #SoccerNews #NationalSoccerNetwork #HudsonvilleUnityChristian #MichiganStateWomensSoccer
ALL-TIME MICHIGAN MISS SOCCER WINNERS
Below is a list o f the Michigan Miss Soccer winners, as presented by the Michigan High School Coaches Association each year to the top-ranked high school soccer player. The award debuted back in 1983. Based on research, the Premier Media Group / National Soccer Network / Michigan Soccer Network is still trying to fill in the Miss Soccer winners from 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988.
Asterisk denotes a co-Miss Soccer Winner; * Asterisk denotes player was a non-senior when they earned award.
2025: Ava Lutke, Hudsonville Unity Christian sr. M/F
2024: Kendall Aikens, Hudsonville M
2023: Lilley Bosley, Rochester Stoney Creek M/F/D
2022: Lilley Bosley, Rochester Stoney Creek M/F **
2021: Madison Salzenstein, Birmingham-Detroit Country Day M
2020: No Winner, Season Cancelled
2019: Jesse Bandyk, Novi F
2018: Zoe Gaffney, Birmingham Seaholm M/F
2017: Danielle Stephan, DeWitt F/M
2016: Sydney Blitchok, Grandville M
2015: Taylor Mulder, Saline F
2014: Megan Buckingham, Northville M/F
2013: Madi Lewis, Plymouth F
2012: Irene Young, Troy F
2011: Olivia Brannon, Troy Athens F
2010: Annie Steinlage Spring Lake F
2009: Paige Wester, Portage Central F
2008: Laura Heyboer, Hudsonville Unity Christian F
2007: Laura Heyboer, Hudsonville Unity Christian F **
2006: Emily Esbrook, Novi F
2005: Kristi Timar, Novi F
2004: Megan Garrity, Birmingham Marian M
2003: Megan Pimpkins, Holt M
2002: Lindsay Tarpley, Portage Central F
2001: Anne Morrell, Plymouth Canton F
2000: Tiffany Laskowski, Troy Athens F*
Anne Morrell, Plymouth Canton F*
1999: Andrea Sied, Livonia Stevenson D**
1998: Allison Campbell, Livonia Stevenson F
1997: Sara Kloosterman, Farmington Harrison G
1996: Amber Berendowsky, Brighton F
1995: Heather Brown-Charron, Birmingham Seaholm M
1994: Carrie Povalaitis, Troy D
1993: Stephanie Lusiner, Troy Athens M/F**
1992: Kara Nance, Rochester Adams M**
1991: Ragen Coyne, Livonia Stevenson M
1990: Carrie Maier, Farmington F
1989: Jenny Russell, Birmingham-Detroit Country Day M
1988:
1987:
1986: Cindy Wass, Troy Athens M/F
1985: Mary Kay Hussey, Livonia Stevenson F
1984:
1983:
SCHOOLS WITH THE MOST MISS SOCCER WINNERS
(This list is missing four winners from the 1980s)
4 – Troy Athens
4 – Livonia Stevenson
3 – Novi
3 – Hudsonville Unity Christian
2 – Plymouth Canton
2 – Portage Central
2 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day
2 – Birmingham Seaholm
2 – Rochester Stoney Creek
2 – Troy
1 – Farmington
1 – Rochester Adams
1 – Holt
1 – Brighton
1 – Birmingham Marian
1 – Hudsonville
1 – Spring Lake
1 – DeWitt
1 – Saline
1 – Grandville
1 – Northville
1 – Plymouth
1 – Farmington Harrison
4 – Unknown (1983, 1984, 1987, 1988)
Email updates to Dan Stickradt at dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com
ALL-TIME MICHIGAN MR. SOCCER WINNERS
Below is a list of the Michigan Mr. Soccer winners, as presented by the Michigan High School Coaches Association each year to the top-ranked high school soccer player. The award debuted back in 1974.
** Asterisk denotes player was a non-senior when they earned award.
2024: Alex Rosin, Rochester Adams sr. D/M/F
2023: Sebalian ‘Sebi’ Roy, Clarkston M/F
2022: Kyle Pierson, Novi Detroit Catholic Central F
2021: Jack Guggemos, Okemos F
2020: Bosh Tonyi, Grosse Ile F
2019: Aidan O’Connor, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern D
2018: Brennan Creek, Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep M/F
2017: Michael Melaragni, Rochester Stoney Creek M/F
2016: Dalton Michael, Traverse City West F
2015: Anthony Bowie, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central F
2014: DeJuan Jones, East Lansing M/F
2013: Alec Lasinski, Ann Arbor Skyline F **
2012: Dewey Lewis, Rockford F
2011: Zach Carroll, Grand Blanc D
2010: Dzenan Catic, East Kentwood F
2009: Soony Saad, Dearborn F
2008: Kevin Cope, Plymouth Salem D
2007: Casey Townsend, Traverse City West F
2006: Casey Townsend, Traverse City West F **
2005: Eric Alexander, Portage Central M
2004: Jake Stacy, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central F
2003: Billy Weaver, Lake Orion F
2002: Simon Omekanda, Rochester Adams F
2001: Ryan Alexander, Detroit U-D Jesuit M
2000: JD Johnston, Portage Northern M
1999: Ricky Strong, Rochester Adams F
1998: Nick DeGraw, Clinton Twp. Chippewa Valley M/F
1997: Ryan Mack, Birmingham Seaholm F
1996: Corey Woolfolk, Ann Arbor Pioneer M
1995: Anders Kelto, Traverse City Central M
1994: Brandon Maggio, Birmingham Detroit Country Day M
1993: Adam Hunter, Birmingham Detroit Country Day F
1992: Tom Baker, Plymouth Canton M
1991: Travis Roy, Livonia Stevenson D
1990: Brian Maisonneuve, Warren De La Salle M
1989: Joel Russell, Birmingham Detroit Country Day D/M
1988: Lamar Peters, Birmingham Brother Rice F
1987: Alexi Lalas, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood M/D
1986: Lars Richters, Livonia Stevenson F
1985: Lyle Wensley, Allen Park Inter-City Baptist F
1984: Mark Noffert, Troy Athens F
1983: Kantu Lulaj, Hamtramck M
1982: Gary Mexicotte, Livonia Stevenson M
1981: Marty Hagen, Troy Athens
1980: Nikki Gogri, Bloomfield Hills Lahser
1979: Tag Graham, Bloomfield Hills Laser
1978: Bill Holmes, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
1977: Dick Huff, Birmingham Groves
1976: Tony Hermiz, Ferndale
1975: Doug Manning, Birmingham Seaholm
1974: George Poppa Jr., Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
SCHOOLS WITH THE MOST MR. SOCCER WINNERS
3 – Traverse City West
3 – Birmingham Detroit Country Day
3 – Livonia Stevenson
3 – Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
2 – Rochester Adams
2 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
2 – Birmingham Seaholm
2 – Troy Athens
2 – Bloomfield Hills Lahser
1 – Clarkston
1 – Novi Detroit Catholic Central
1 – Okemos
1 – Grosse Ile
1 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
1 – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep
1 – Rochester Stoney Creek
1 – East Lansing
1 – Ann Arbor Skyline
1 – Rockford
1 – Grand Blanc
1 – East Kentwood
1 – Dearborn
1 – Plymouth Salem
1 – Portage Central
1 – Lake Orion
1 – Clinton Township Chippewa Valley
1 – Ann Arbor Pioneer
1 – Traverse City/Traverse City Central
1 – Plymouth Canton
1 – Warren De La Salle
1 – Birmingham Brother Rice
1 – Allen Park Inter-City Baptist
1 – Hamtramck
1 – Birmingham Groves
1 – Ferndale
HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER: All-time Michigan Miss Soccer—Mr. Soccer award winners: https://wix.to/TqkFcC5
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