Kristine Adams Joins Ownership Group

AFC Ann Arbor are pleased to announce Kristine Adams’s joining of the ownership group. Adams has been a vital part of the AFCAA Family since the club’s first season and has made the rise from a volunteer helper in the first season, to the Women’s Team’s General Manager in 2019, to now officially becoming part-owner of AFC Ann Arbor. Adams is also the first woman to join the ownership group.

Adams started with AFC Ann Arbor in the lead-up to the first season in the club’s history in 2015 and attended the very first owners meeting in the club’s history. Adams had a history in working in sports with a corporate marketing internship with the Detroit Pistons and working with Eastern Michigan University athletics promotions and marketing. “I loved the fact that soccer was coming to Ann Arbor and I knew a few of the owners already,” she said about volunteering. An Ann Arbor native as well, she lived just a bike ride away from the then-home of The Mighty Oak, Ann Arbor Pioneer High School.

Over time, Adams became known among match attendees as the smiling face that was seen at the entrance of the matches while continuing to do excellent work behind the scenes as well. She continued to gain experience with The Mighty Oak and ultimately earned the job of the GM for the women’s team in their inaugural campaign.

The GM position, Adams said, was not a huge adjustment given her time already spent around the team. For example, one of the key responsibilities of keeping things running on time and on schedule was no issue to her given her other career as an event planner. “I plan events too, whether it’s a soccer game or sending a bride down the aisle, you have to start on time,” she noted. With the expanded responsibilities and the exceptional response to that first campaign, it had become clear that Adams’s guidance off-the-pitch was essential in making that season run smoothly.

As an owner, one of the key things Adams looks forward to bringing to the owners’ table with her is representation for the women in the AFCAA Family. “You have to have a woman in the room, it just makes sense,” she stated. Adams expressed how during the inaugural campaign she wanted to make sure the women’s team knew that she was a voice for them and is there to assist them. She was pleased at initiatives the club pursued such as offering coaching scholarships for women’s players, of which Mami Yamaguchi received one and was set to serve as player/coach for the 2020 campaign before its cancellation, and looked forward to continuing to amplify women’s voices in the organization.

When asked about why to become an owner and what she loved about AFC Ann Arbor, she said, “It really does feel like a family.” Adams appreciates how much love players have for the organization and the squad even after moving on to professional soccer or other ventures. She also noted how the family atmosphere surrounds not just the club, but the entire organization itself. With Kristine Adams in a leadership role as a part-owner, the expectation is that AFCAA will continue to amplify voices of women in the sport and promote positive change in the state of Michigan as well.

AFC Ann Arbor Players Continue to Fuel Community Kicks

Community Kicks has announced its new model of feeding the state of Michigan. In addition to its summer feeding plan, the move for soccer instruction by community coaches has moved from in-person clinics to online instructional videos. The AFC Ann Arbor family links are deep as nine of the twelve coaches have suited up for The Mighty Oak, representing six different countries.

The coaches include current professional members of the Ann Arbor, and state of Michigan, community, including Joseph Stanley Okumu (IF Elfsborg, Sweden), Brandon Bye (New England Revolution, MLS), Bethany Balcer (OL Reign, NWSL), and Azaad Liadi (FC Tucson, USL League One)  along with players whose most recent stop was in Ann Arbor, like Emily Eitzman, Andrea Garcia, Tara Arlin, and Stephen Turnbull.

The players will be focusing on a basic skill of the sport each week and the coaches will lead those interested in learning soccer skills through various drills. For most participants, this will be their first exposure to the beautiful game. 

For those who have signed on to assist in the coaching, this is an opportunity to give back to a community that they have a deep connection and love for. 

Azaad Liadi is from Sterling Heights, Michigan, and spent the 2018 season with AFCAA. Despite moving out to Tucson, the AFCAA family is still firmly in his heart and he notes that he felt prepared for that professional jump. He would state, “The season I was there, the coaching staff consisted of [Eric] Rudland, Boyzzz, [Jeff] Shuk, and Rod [Asllani] – across the board it was ran like a pro club in every session, in every aspect.” 

On being approached to join Community Kicks, Liadi said, “I couldn’t say yes fast enough! Having a chance to give back to kids in communities that are in my backyard is super special for me.” That tie to AFCAA will always continue for Liadi as he said, “It’s truly a family across the board, and it’s a family for a lifetime.”

Even players not originally from Michigan have immediately taken to Community Kicks. Stephen Turnbull, New York native, said, “Although I am not from Michigan and I never had been there before playing for AFC Ann Arbor, the people were so welcoming and kind, so it makes me want to give that same energy in return.” 

Turnbull noted that he will miss being able to interact with the kids in person at clinics, but emphasized his happiness about the new format and how he will still be able to impact lives in a positive way, before adding, “I am very lucky to have the opportunity to be a part of such a great organization.”

Plenty of coaches are no stranger to the program as well. Tara Arlin attended every Community Kicks event throughout the course of the 2019 season, so for her, this virtual format was a no-brainer to participate in. “I think Community Kicks is an amazing program with wonderful people who truly do want to find ways to give back to the kids and families around us,” she said. “The smiles and laughs you see while coaching the kids was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had.”

Arlin would add, “To Bilal [Saeed] and all the Community Kicks coaches, I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to be a part of these kids lives.”

Many more familiar faces from in-person events will be participating as well. Andrea Garcia, a native of Canada, said, “When I was with AFCAA last summer, I never experienced a dull moment. We did a lot of community work including visiting schools and seeing the students' faces light up really made me want to continue helping kids.” 

Garcia would also note her excitement about the format for this year and its availability to anyone online. “Being able to guide, and teach, the youth through soccer is such an effective and fun way that every kid enjoys doing so much,” she would add. “It’s different this year, but I am so happy the program has found a way to continue its outreach.”

Emily Eitzman, who is actively involved in not just Community Kicks, AFC Ann Arbor, but also as a board member of The Mighty Oak Youth Project, “Being involved with TMOYP and Community Kicks is both humbling and empowering, because giving back to my community and others is a priority of mine.” She would also add, “There are so many ways to positively impact the world, and I want to engage in as many of these as possible.”

As a graduating high school senior, Eitzman was familiar with having activities being cancelled as a result of the world situation, however she remains focused on the communal perspective, saying, “While we cannot work in person, we are going to help as many as we can online. We strive to excite and inspire kids who love the game of soccer as well as health and fitness and make a difference.”

About AFC Ann Arbor

Association Football Club Ann Arbor is an elite amateur  soccer club owned and operated by a diverse group of entrepreneurs, soccer fans and sports professionals. Originally founded in 2014 by Jamey Amrine, the club now operates through its board of directors and a group of dedicated volunteers. We are driven to make an impact in our community, with an emphasis on creating opportunity for our players all while focusing on building the AFC Ann Arbor family. 

About Community Kicks

The United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Lindsay Tarpley and AFC Ann Arbor teamed up in 2018 to create 'Community Kicks,' clinics which offer youngsters a chance to learn  4 basic soccer skills, 4 basic nutrition tenets and 4 life-skill qualities. The mission of Community Kicks: To positively impact the youth in under resourced communities by introducing them to basic soccer, nutrition and life-skills. 

About Milk Means More

Milk Means More is part of the United Dairy Industry of Michigan. The United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) is the umbrella organization for the Dairy Council of Michigan and the American Dairy Association of Michigan, dedicated to serving Michigan’s hard-working dairy farm families. 

About Lindsay Tarpley

As a board member for US Soccer’s Athlete Council, Lindsay Tarpley remains very active within the sport she once represented her country for. Tarpley helped launch Community Kicks and continues to advocate for kids to gain access to the sport in addition to her efforts to promote gender equality within the game. Tarpley has continued her success as an Olympian to her current life as a mom of two amazing kids, a successful business woman and promoter of the beautiful game and equality. 

Community Kicks Boosted by $10,000 Donation

The Community Kicks program received a massive boost in its efforts to assist the youth of Michigan with a generous donation to the tune of $10,000. The donators, Gabi and Alex Severt were residents of Ann Arbor, before moving to California in late-2019. 

Massive supporters of AFC Ann Arbor (the Severt’s are part of the Main Street Hooligans), as well as Community Kicks and The Mighty Oak Youth Project (TMOYP), the Severts became outstanding members of the community, as well. "When we moved to Michigan in late 2016, we had one friend in town and little idea of how we would make Ann Arbor a home,” they said. “Fast forward a few years and we can confidently say that the AFC Ann Arbor family is a family we can call our own.” They also added, “The love that the folks at AFC Ann Arbor and by extension, TMOYP and Community Kicks have for Michigan really is something to aspire to.”

Speaking as to why they chose to donate to Community Kicks and TMOYP in particular, the Severts said, “Blending things that are fun, with things that are vital to healthy child development is really a no brainer.” They continued, saying, “When an organization that has such a simple yet effective operation happens to be spearheaded by some of the best people we know, it just made sense.”

Nick Lacy, Chairman of TMOYP, knows how important this donation is at a time like this. 

“When the COVID-19 crisis hit, so many of the plans of the TMOYP were delayed or canceled. We saw this illness hit our community, saw parents struggling, and kids without healthy physical outlets, and our hearts broke. We could not help kids and families as we had in the past, and lacked the resources to shift our delivery.”

Talking about what this donation could do for the program, Lacy said, “The gift from the Severts will have an enormous impact on our ability to engage kids, help families and provide positive experiences for kids that so desperately need them at this time; and it is not an exaggeration to call this gift transformational.” He would add, “We are grateful that the Severts have chosen to invest in our regions' youth through Community Kicks.”

 Bilal Saeed, Chairman of AFC Ann Arbor, and Co-Founder of TMOYP and one of the people behind the creation of Community Kicks, said, "The Severts’ gift will make an impact on hundreds of kids in Ypsilanti, Detroit and across the state through soccer and wellness education.” He added, “I've been lucky to get to know them over the past couple of years and am beyond grateful they're a part of the AFCAA Family.” He would also state, “Their commitment to making a difference is truly inspiring." 

 “In a time where maybe soccer can’t be done at the scale that it could have been done in the summer's past, we feel it’s even more important to build other good habits and celebrate what our communities can do to support each other,” the Severts noted. “Simply put,” they said, on why they felt the desire to assist in this way, “we just wanted to help good people do good things in the world.”

 The money the Severts have donated will support the amount of lunch bags disributed at feeding sites all across the state of Michigan, as well as additional necessary resources and projects geared towards encourage youth participation in soccer from home. We are grateful towards the Severts and thank them profusely for their kindness.

About Community Kicks

Founded in 2018 by AFC Ann Arbor, Milk Means More and Olympian Lindsay Tarpley, the goal was to introduce soccer to kids who previously didn’t have access to the sport. By partnering up with feeding sites and adding nutritional and life-skills components, the program developed quickly and expanded rapidly in 2019 to include spending more time at each site. Community Kicks has been operating its programming around the state with specific emphasis in Ypsilanti, Detroit, Portage, Muskegon and Lansing.

About AFC Ann Arbor

Association Football Club Ann Arbor began competing as a top men’s team in 2015 before adding a women’s side in 2019. The club’s sporting director, Eric Rudland, has helped shaped the culture of a club that can springboard players into the pros from Ann Arbor. In addition to creating a culture rooted in winning, the club has a strong focus on serving the community with projects such as Community Kicks, Kicks & Tricks and our youth player and women coaching scholarships offered through The Mighty Oak Youth Project, our non-profit arm. AFC Ann Arbor is dedicated to making Washtenaw County a stronger community through soccer.

Club Statement: 2020 Season

Given the current state of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States, AFC Ann Arbor have made the decision to withhold both its men’s and women’s teams from any league competition in the 2020 season. The nature of the situation in the country, as well as the state of Michigan, has made it unfeasible to participate in either the USL League Two, given the cancellation of the league’s season on Thursday, or the UWS league seasons.

The difficult decision was made after conferring with the club’s board of directors and staff while remaining in close communication with both USL2 and UWS. This decision also takes into account the guidelines from health professionals. 

AFC Ann Arbor will continue to provide fans with the content they know and expect from our club. We intend to place significant time and effort in giving fans a high-quality media experience despite a lack of league season on the pitch.

Head coach for the men’s side, Eric Rudland, said, “Obviously we are really disappointed with the outcome of not having a season. I felt like we had a top roster compiled, one who would have competed for a national championship.” He would also state, “With that being said, the health and well-being of our players as well as the long-term stability of our club is the most important thing, so we respect & support our wonders decision.”

Head coach for the women’s side, Boyzzz Khumalo, added, “It’s sad, but at the same time, this is what we have to do to make sure that players don’t get ill and that everybody’s staying healthy.” “Even though it hurts to go through this,” he said, “we’ll see them next year.”

“The momentum our clubs have built in League Two across the country in recent years has been tremendous, and today’s announcement – while disappointing – will do nothing to alter that,” said USL League Two Vice President Joel Nash. “We will continue to support soccer being played when and where possible in 2020 and use this time to get even stronger as a league and look forward to returning to competitive action better than ever before in 2021.”

Although the teams will not be competing, the club will continue to it’s community based initiatives, with our Community Kicks program expanding to multiple sites in Ypsilanti and Detroit due to the increased need for summer meals.

Members have been contacted about their 2020 membership and if anyone hasn’t received a communication from the club yet please reach out to info@afcannarbor.com.

2020 Women's Tryouts Canceled

The club has decided to cancel the 2020 women’s tryout, scheduled for Friday, March 13th. All registered participants have been issued a full refund and have been contacted by the front office with an invitation for an early season trial with the club. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and welcome any questions, concerns or comments which can be directed to info@afcannarbor.com.

Ellie Ferguson Joins The Mighty Oak in 2020

AFC Ann Arbor are pleased to announce the joining of Ellie Ferguson to The Mighty Oak ahead of the 2020 season. Ferguson comes to Ann Arbor with an impressive resume despite only just finishing her freshman year of college. Ferguson has represented the Ireland women’s national team at the U15, U16, and U17 levels, captaining them at each step of the way. Ferguson also partook in the qualification rounds for the UEFA U17 European Championships in both 2018 and 2019. Despite hailing from Ireland, Ferguson spends her collegiate season in Athens, Ohio, as she currently attends Ohio University.

Ferguson is looking forward to growth in multiple facets for the upcoming season. “I am most looking forward to playing my first ever season of club soccer here in the U.S.,” she told AFCAA. “I think it will really help me develop as a player and person gaining this experience.” While she may not have experience playing club soccer in the U.S., she has ample experience playing in Ireland. She spent 2014-2019 with Shelbourne FC, who won the Women’s National League in 2018 while she was part of the youth set-up. Her experience with a top-tier youth set-up in Europe immediately gives her a leg-up in understanding what needs to be done in order to succeed at a competitive level.

She also spoke about what drew her attention to AFC Ann Arbor as a club, as she said, “What appealed to me most about AFC Ann Arbor was the culture of the club.” She immediately took an understanding of what the club both expects from its members, as well as provides, as she said, “The club seems to have very high standards and expectations of its players and I hope to fulfill that. I know that the club looks after its players and cares for them too.”

The Mighty Oak, and Boyzzz Khumalo specifically, received a strong referral in signing Ferguson for the 2020 season. “Ellie was recommended to us by Rafael [Simoes], who used to play with us.” Indeed, one of the key members of the 2016 and 2017 sides, Simoes currently coaches at Ohio University and gave his stamp of approval on Ferguson. The former attacker graduated from Charleston and spent time at Marshall with the men’s side, before heading to Athens. The approval from Simoes serves as an indication of Ferguson’s quality.

Ferguson also broke down her play style a bit, saying, “I would describe myself as a ball playing center back or defensive midfielder. I like to stay calm on the ball and can play both short and long passes.” She emphasized her favored aspects of the game as she said, “I definitely like to get on the ball as much as possible and spray passes around.” Khumalo agreed with her assessment of her skills highlighting her quality on the ball as something to look forward to seeing in action in the summer. As a whole, Ferguson offers maturity and high levels of experience on the pitch, and a skill set that any team would be thrilled to have.

The opportunity to play with AFC Ann Arbor serves as a great opportunity to continue to play at a high level for Ferguson even during the collegiate offseason. “Personally, I would just like to get as many minutes under my belt as possible, be able to help the team as much as I can and get even fitter and stronger going into the fall season,” she explained. In terms of team goals, hers are simple: “As a team I would like to win as a much as possible and I think we could be capable of doing that.” 

Tatiana Mason Returns to AFCAA Ahead of 2020 Season

AFC Ann Arbor are pleased to announce the return of Tatiana Mason to the club’s women’s side ahead of the 2020 season. Hailing from Ann Arbor, Mason played her high school soccer at Ann Arbor Skyline and has completed her sophomore season at Ball State University. She was a vital member to the inaugural AFCAA women’s side providing pace and brilliant delivery in attack as a winger. 

On returning to the club, she says, “I am so excited to have the opportunity to play with AFC Ann Arbor again this summer!” Mason also added how she looked forward to build off the inaugural season and grow as a team. A constant fixture in last season’s team, she ended the year in the top five of minutes-played in UWS competition – allowing her to gain valuable experience ahead of the 2020 season. 

At the collegiate level, Mason has been a star for Ball State. Making thirty starts and forty appearances over her two seasons, Mason earned the MAC Freshman of the Year Award in 2018, to go with All-MAC Second Team honors, with a six-goal, three-assist, season. She followed that up after a summer with The Mighty Oak with two goals and seven assists and earning a spot on the Academic All-MAC Team through her work in the classroom. Her Cardinals won 29 games over the two seasons she has been with the team and finished first in goals and points in her freshman season and first in assists and second in points as a sophomore.

While she spends her collegiate seasons in Indiana, Mason is still Ann Arbor through-and-through. “Being from Ann Arbor and being able to represent the city I grew up in is an incredible experience,” Mason told AFCAA. She would continue to add, “The magnitude of the support from the community is something I’ve never seen before. It really feels like home.” Noting the support of the community, Mason also highlighted how she entering the community and helping out within it. She explained, “I especially love being able to give back to my city through the beautiful game as well as through the many volunteer opportunities that AFC provides for its players.”

The addition of Boyzzz Khumalo to the staff as head coach also has Mason excited for the season. “He has so much experience and knowledge of the game,” Mason said of the newly installed head coach. “I can’t wait to learn as much as I can from him.” Khumalo also looks forward to having a key player from the 2019 as his disposal for the summer. Khumalo highlighted her technical ability on the wing as a great weapon to have in the side. He also highlighted her being from Ann Arbor as something positive as a stellar representative of the community. The mutual excitement is clear in Khumalo and Mason working together. 

Mason talked about the adjustments that are needed in an inaugural season for a club, saying, “The inaugural season is always somewhat challenging because both the players and the coaches are adapting to a new team and a new environment.” While she acknowledged the growing pains that come with the implementation of a new club, she also said, “I think our potential this year is through the roof.”

Mason, in looking ahead to goals for the season, has high hopes for the sides. “With the quality of players coming back and the continued support from the community I know we can be a dominant team in the UWS and make a deep run in the post season.” With the addition of the returning Mason for 2020, dreams of a postseason run and making noise in the UWS Midwest are that much more obtainable. 

Emily Eitzman Returns to The Mighty Oak for 2020

AFC Ann Arbor are excited to announce Emily Eitzman as the first player to join The Mighty Oak’s women’s team ahead of the 2020 season. A local product from Saline, Eitzman went down in club history as the youngest goal scorer for either the men’s or women’s side scoring a goal in the Michigan Milk Cup against North Oakland as a 17-year-old. Still in high school, the hope is for her to continue to build upon her historic first season with the club.

“Returning to AFC Ann Arbor is truly like coming home to family,” said Eitzman on her return. “Bilal [Saeed, Chairman of AFC Ann Arbor] and all the owners of the club made it easy to establish a special bond with the team and program last year, and I am so grateful and honored to be asked back.” Eitzman would also highlight how she feels that the front office and coaching staff is committed to the players just as she is to the club. 

This season also serves as a sort of reuniting of sorts for Eitzman and her former coach. “I am really looking forward to playing under Coach Boyzzz. He was my coach when I was around ten years old.” Khumalo recalled what stood out to him about Eitzman even as a young player: “She was always a good technical player; she was very good on the ball.” Eitzman recalled fond memories from last season when Khumalo would join in on some training days and scrimmage with the women’s side, and she looks forward to seeing what the team can accomplish with him at the helm. 

Eitzman’s excitement to be coached by Khumalo is reciprocated by the newly installed head coach of the women’s team. Khumalo was actually key in recommending her to the club for the 2019 season, along with one of her fellow former coaches and club legends, Knox Cameron. In talking about why he was excited to bring Eitzman back, Khumalo noted that she is not only a good player, but also a good person, and he looks forward to seeing her improve her game.

Khumalo is not the only person that Eitzman is looking forward to learning under, however, as she said, “Having Mami coach us (as well as play with us again) is another reason I am confident we will see growth.” Of course, referring to Japanese national team star and 2019 Women’s Team MVP Mami Yamaguchi, who will serve as a player/coach for the upcoming season. She also gave acknowledgement to the supporters of AFCAA, saying, “Playing for them, with the Main Street Hooligans cheering us on, is going to be a truly great experience!”

As a local resident, this is more than just a soccer club to Eitzman. “The program is a way to represent the city and connect community members in a positive way. The Mighty Oak Youth Project is just one of the ways many members of this club work to give back.” Eitzman was recently named to the board of TMOYP, making her the youngest board member of the club’s non-profit arm. She hopes to use this position to continue in furthering her reach in helping the local youth, saying, “I hope to be even more impactful as we spread our mission of empowering youth through soccer in Ann Arbor and surrounding areas.”

In discussing goals, it is all about improving and the experience for Eitzman. “My goals for this year are to have fun with my AFC family and improve on what we began last year.” She noted that it was a learning process in the first season, but she is ready to work hard in whatever role that Khumalo has marked out for her. “I have been looking forward to this season since the last one ended,” Eitzman stated. “I cannot wait to train hard, win games, and spend time with my AFC family, new members and old, on and off of the field.”

Adrian Motta Joins AFC Ann Arbor Women's Coaching Staff

AFC Ann Arbor are pleased to announce the joining of Adrian Motta to the women’s coaching staff ahead of the 2020 season. Previously a player for the men’s side, Adrian is a well-regarded and respected player and coach. In line with his career in net and other coaching commitments, he will be deputized with the coaching of the goalkeepers. 

In addition to Motta’s experience with the club previously, he has other high-level experience as a player. A graduate of Madonna, he played a season with F.C. Sparta (now Michigan Stars) before spending two seasons playing in Portugal. Last season he spent the club season playing for the Michigan Jaguars in their inaugural UPSL season. He brings a wealth of playing experience in the state of Michigan as well as valuable insight from his time overseas.

As a coach, Motta has coached on both the club and university level. He has spent time at Schoolcraft and Concordia (coaching AFCAA keeper Spencer Ward) as the men’s teams’ goalkeeping coach. In addition, he has served as a goalkeeping coach for the Michigan Olympic Development Program since 2016 and also serves as the Jaguars’ director of goalkeeping as well as a head coach for youth developmental teams with the club. 

In talking about his return, Motta said, “I’m excited to be back at the club, I’m really looking forward to working with Boyzzz.” Motta spoke of his love of coaching as well noting it being a lot of fun to coach at the youth level. He also mentioned while talking about new challenges that, “The league and level is much different from anywhere I have coached” in reference to the high standard of play UWS provides. 

For women’s head coach Boyzzz Khumalo, that knowledge and dedication to the club as a member of the roster was a driving force behind bringing him in. “I picked Adrian because he is someone familiar with the club,” Boyzzz said. “He was a guy who was committed in coming to training and learning from coach Jeff Shuk.” With Shuk in the fold as the men’s goalkeepers’ coach, he is a valuable source of knowledge that Motta and Khumalo both have learned from and can continue to learn from.

For Motta, this is a chance to help not just players grow but also an opportunity for self-development. “This is a learning experience for me, and I am excited,” he said. When talking about what he looks most forward to, Motta said, “I’m really excited to get back on the field with AFC and meet some new players and staff.” The Mighty Oak are looking forward to welcoming Adrian back into the fold of the club.

Mami Yamaguchi Returns to AFC Ann Arbor as a Player-Coach for 2020

After a highly-successful first season where she earned the team’s MVP award at the end of season awards banquet, AFC Ann Arbor are excited to announce Mami Yamaguchi will be returning with the club in 2020. Yamaguchi will serve as a player/coach for the club’s second campaign and joins Boyzzz Khumalo on the coaching staff. This will be the first club coaching job at this level for Yamaguchi. She currently serves as an academy coach for Michigan Wolves-Hawks and has since 2018. In addition, Yamaguchi also has experience as a volunteer assistant coach for Florida State in 2015-16. 

As is well known by fans of The Mighty Oak, Yamaguchi’s playing career has been nothing short of spectacular. Yamaguchi has represented Japan in eighteen matches, scoring eight goals in the process, and helping ensure qualification for the 2011 Women’s World Cup; a tournament that Japan would go on to win. Prior to her exploits on the national level she also won the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2007 with Florida State as the best women’s collegiate player in the nation. She would eventually make the jump to the professional level where she spent time with Umea IK in Sweden making a UEFA Champions League Final in 2008. 

“I’m excited to become part of the coaching staff for next season,” Yamaguchi said. She noted though that while not properly a coach, she was doing plenty of teaching last season as well as a player. “I was providing advice and instructing and demonstrating to young players at practice/games.” Highly regarded by all involved with the club, players have already proven eager to learn under Yamaguchi’s tutelage. 

Boyzzz Khumalo expressed excitement about being able to have Yamaguchi back as both a player and coach. “I think Mami is a very intelligent player. She does her talking by playing on the field,” Khumalo would say, “I know some of the girls look up to her. I think she’s a good asset to the team and the club because she’s very knowledgeable about the game.” Yamaguchi, too, is looking forward to working with Khumalo as she said, “It is neat to have someone who has a similar background, and already has rich coaching experience and knowledge of the game.” She also said that she has had a couple chances to talk to Khumalo and has learned much about life and sport from the new head coach.

While she acknowledged that there is still plenty of time from now till the start of the season, there is still work to be done even this far out. “It probably starts helping to recruit players in offseason, and discussing with other coaching staff how to build the team.” There is also the always-present emphasis on not just good players but good people: “For this coming season, I expect to see the team/players not just on the field but also off of the field.” 

Yamaguchi has fond memories of the first season of the women’s side’s existence. She told AFCAA that she felt plenty of support from the club and community alike – especially including the fans. While only a moderately brief season, she said that team chemistry around the team was “outstanding” and elaborated saying, “Everyone was taking care of each other, and we all had great experiences.”

With it being the first season, there were many unpredictable aspects of the year. Now, with season two for the women on the horizon, those can be translated into learning experiences and lead to a greater understanding of what to expect throughout this coming season. “We learned many things from last season and now, we can actually learn from our own experience, improve, and have positive plans.” Yamaguchi closed by saying that she is positive in the club continuing to evolve and build up in a positive manner, and she is very excited to return to the club. “It is a new adventure for me and I can’t wait to kick start!”

AFC Ann Arbor Men's Team Will Begin Play in USL2 in 2020

Association Football Club Ann Arbor are proud to announce that the club have joined USL League Two ahead of the 2020 season. The club will join the Great Lakes Division in the Central Conference. The club looks forward to competing in the third-tier of the USL league set-up, the country’s top pre-professional league. 

“The move to USL2 is an exciting new chapter for our club,” said Head Coach Eric Rudland.
“The competition will present a welcome new challenge for our players and staff in terms of preparing to play new rivals and shifting how we go about building our roster. The standard of play in the Midwest is extremely high, so we are working hard to enter the league on competitive terms.”

On the move, co-owner Rishi Narayan said, “While we have enjoyed the time spent and relationships developed in every league we have participated in, we feel that this is the best move for our whole organization, particularly for our players and our supporters.” 

“It’s an incredible accomplishment for our club, particularly for how we have ascended up the soccer pyramid in our short time of existence,” added Knox Cameron, fellow co-owner and former player for The Mighty Oak. “I think that speaks volumes about the ambition of our organization as well as our staff, particularly Eric, we have brought in to oversee the soccer operations.”  

Cameron would also note, “A big part of this ascension of the pyramid is directly related to the successes we’ve had on the field.” The Mighty Oak possess a 38-9-13 record over the five years existence. The side have finished in the top two in each of the four years spent in the NPSL’s Great Lakes Division and helped found and compete in the Great Lakes Premier League in 2015, the club’s first year of existence. 

AFC Ann Arbor be joining USL2’s 2019 National Champion, Flint City Bucks (formerly known as the Michigan Bucks), as the second team from the state in the Great Lakes Division. Prior to relocating to Flint in 2019, the Bucks and Ann Arbor met just once, in the first round of the 2017 U.S. Open Cup, dropping a tight 1-0 contest to the historic club.  

Fans can expect the same amount of home matches for the men, continuing their May-July schedule. 2020 Season Memberships are now on sale, which includes admission to all men’s (USL2) and women’s (UWS) home matches. Membership prices will not increase and can be purchased now at afcannarbor.com/memberships. 

Club founder, Jamey Amrine summed up the move best by saying, “From the very beginning, when we started up the club, our vision was to continue building our organization both on the field and off. We’ve always sought to continue growing as a club and to play against the best possible competition.”

About AFC Ann Arbor

Founded in 2014, Association Football Club Ann Arbor began competition with their men’s team in 2015 in the Great Lakes Premier League. After joining the National Premier Soccer League in 2016, The Mighty Oak became the only club in NPSL history to qualify for the regional playoffs all four years since joining the league while securing two Great Lakes Conference Championships, two Midwest Region Finals appearances and producing the 2018 National Player of the Year, in Joseph Stanley Okumu (who went on to become a USL record transfer as he know plays in the top division in Sweden). In just five years, the men’s team has produced sixteen professional players and have dedicated significant resources and energy to creating opportunities for their players to push on. The move to USL2 will only enhance these opportunities as AFCAA now have a direct #Path2Pro. 

About USL2

USL League Two is poised to make elite pre-professional soccer more accessible than ever for elite collegiate soccer players and others with amateur status in the 2020 season. In addition to valuable consistency in competition and an emphasis on development for players, the USL League Two’s platform is unique in that it also prioritizes the growth of coaches, communities, and executives on the “Path2Pro.”

USL & AFC Ann Arbor History

AFC Ann Arbor have faced two teams, both from the mitten state, that are part of the USL. In 2017’s U.S. Open Cup first round, Ann Arbor dropped a tight 1-0 match to the Michigan Bucks (USL2) before losing 2-1 to USL1’s professional side, Lansing Ignite in the 2019 first round match of the Open Cup. 

In September 2019, former AFC Ann Arbor standout Joseph Stanley Okumu became the largest transfer in the history of the USL when he left Real Monarchs (who he joined immediately after his summer with AFCAA) for Sweden’s top division team, IF Elfsborg. 

Rudland Extends Contract Through 2022

AFC Ann Arbor are pleased to announce that the club have agreed on a three-year contract renewal with head coach of the men’s side Eric Rudland. The upcoming 2020 season will mark Rudland’s fifth year at the helm of the team where he has led The Mighty Oak to a 36-7-9 record (winning 69.2% of games played) in league play over those four seasons. Over the course of his four seasons, he has led The Mighty Oak to a pair of NPSL Great Lakes Conference Championships in the 2017 and 2018 seasons while guiding the club to three trips to the U.S. Open Cup. 

During his time with the club, Rudland has recruited and coached elite players to Ann Arbor in all walks of their career. Sixteen players that have spent time under Rudland are currently playing professionally across three continents. He has managed three players (Sergio Campbell, Dario Suarez, Joseph Stanley Okumu) with senior national team caps, and Okumu, the 2018 NPSL TopDrawerSoccer Player of the Year, most recently made a USL Championship record move from Real Monarchs to IF Elfsborg after impressing at the 2019 African Cup of Nations with Kenya. Rudland is also the reigning 2019 NPSL Great Lakes Conference XI Coach of the Year and, over the course of three seasons of the regional XI award format, seen five players named to the Midwest Region Best XI. 

“I think the club is positioned well for both short term and long-term success which makes AFCAA an exciting project to still be a part of,” said Rudland. He noted that while things have changed around the country in terms of soccer landscape, AFCAA remain stable as ever. “During my time with the club the entire landscape of US Soccer has changed a great deal…new leagues, expansion franchises, etc., etc. Even though the landscape around us has continued to shift we have steadily built our football brand and reputation.”

In regards to his goals for the coming seasons with the club, Rudland’s hopes are straight forward, “To continue building off of the progress we have made over the past 4 seasons.” “Looking back, it's hard to believe that it's already been 4 years with the club, which makes me even more eager to carry on pursuing our club objectives,” he would add. The intentions of the club for players is straight forward as well, “make the play-offs, provide players with a first-class football experience and help men push on to achieve their football ambitions.”

Rudland joined AFC Ann Arbor ahead of the 2016 season from Lansing United. Prior to that experience, though, he had a handful of other stops around not just Michigan, but elsewhere in the footballing world. Rudland spent the 2004-05 season within the Crewe Alexandra set-up in England with the EFL Championship side. His first head coaching job was at Spring Arbor University before he moved to Madonna as an assistant coach. At the club level, he spent a year with Michigan Bucks before moving to Lansing United. In addition, he also currently serves as a Director of Coaching for Rush Soccer.

Since coming to Ann Arbor, he has led The Mighty Oak to four regional playoff appearances in the first four seasons within the NPSL for the club – something that no other active team has done. While the season remains off in the distance, fans of the club can rest assured that their head coach will remain in place for the club as it will embark on another thrilling year.

Pro Watchlist: Sixteen Professionals to Follow This Fall

Sporting Director & Men’s Head Coach Eric Rudland has helped push on a number of professionals including domestic and international opportunities. There are sixteen members of the AFC Ann Arbor family that are playing professionally this fall, including at least one player from every season.

Overseas: 

Stanley Joseph Okumu -- IF Elfsborg (Sweden, Allsvenskan): The winner of the 2018 NPSL Player of the Year award, Okumu is much loved in Ann Arbor despite spending just a season with AFCAA. The dominating center back made the move from The Mighty Oak to Real Monarchs after the postseason in 2018, but after a standout performance at the 2019 AFCON Okumu made a move to the top division Swedish side. After playing against the likes of Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) and Sadio Mane (Senegal) over the summer, he will now be in the top-tier of Swedish football in hopes of playing those same European elites in European competitions soon.

Jack Cawley -- Concord Rangers (England, National League South): Back in his native England, ‘Captain Jack’ is applying his trade in Southeast England for the sixth-tier side, just a couple steps off the Football League in England. Rangers have staked a claim early for a promotion playoff place and Cawley has been key to the side, regularly featuring as LCB for the side. With the regular season getting into the meat of the schedule and FA Cup qualifying set to begin for the side, Cawley is hoping to feature for a side that is on the rise in the English pyramid.

Serge Gamwanya -- Melhus Football Club (Norway, 3. divisjon): Coming to AFCAA for the 2018 season from Stony Brook, Gamwanya is applying his trade over in Norway over the course of this season. Melhus play in the fourth tier of the Norwegian football pyramid and this serves as a return home for the Norwegian midfielder. An instant hit for The Mighty Oak in his lone season of participation with the club, he will be fondly remembered for not only helping establish the Stony Brook pipeline, but his hard work in midfield whether as a attacking-minded midfielder, or a more defensive one. 

Chris Odhiambo -- KCB Football Club (Kenya): Odhiambo served as the key number nine for The Mighty Oak in 2018 by the end of the season, and since then he has returned to Kenya to provide his skills to the pitch there. Coming over to the States with countrymate Okumu was a massive undertaking for the much-loved striker. Winning fans over with hard work and determined pressing ability on opposing back-lines, his game-winning goal in Keyworth Stadium against Detroit City helped to make sure he would go down as a club hero in his season with The Mighty Oak. 

USL Championship: 

Mike Novotny -- Hartford Athletic: After having played with Stode IF in Sweden, his successes with the Swedish side, along with his 2018 in Ann Arbor, have helped translate over into a spot with USL Championship side Hartford Athletic. With Okumu’s exit to Elfsborg, Novotny is currently the AFCAA alum that sits the highest in the American soccer pyramid with second-tier Hartford. A long and well-traveled road has seen Novotny excel at each of his stops. The hope is that, with a superb coaching staff and strong keeper talent to keep Novotny competitive in training, he will continue to improve as a keeper.

USL League One: 

Lars Eckenrode, Kaleb Jackson -- Tormenta FC: Eckenrode and Jackson have differing backgrounds that led them to Ann Arbor, but both are currently once again at the same stage of their journey. Eckenrode, a product of the D.C. area, played at the University of Michigan and became the first ever AFCAA alum to get drafted in the MLS. Jackson is a native of St. Louis and played at Rockhurst. The ever-solid in defense Eckenrode spent 2015 and 2016 with the club while the goal-scoring Jackson spent 2017 in Ann Arbor and terrorized the defenses of the Great Lakes with his attacking prowess. 

Steven Hernandez -- Orlando City B: A member of the 2017 team, Hernandez made the jump this past season to the Orlando City organization. The midfielder has featured heavily in the ‘B’ team’s side having caught the eyes of Orlando after a successful season in Ann Arbor followed up with a USL League Two/PDL runner-up finish with Reading United. As Hernandez continues to feature for the U-23/B side of the club, the hope is that the next step of progression can see Hernandez carving his way into the MLS side’s regular line-up.

NISA: 

Dario Suarez, Hector Morales -- Miami FC: Ann Arbor’s favorite Cubans featured with back-to-back NPSL Champions Miami FC in 2018 and 2019. They will be joining the club as Miami begin play with NISA here in late-2019. Two-thirds of the feared ‘El Tridente’ attack, Suarez and Morales were instant club legends known for their goal-scoring and Cuban camaraderie. Suarez finished second in goals for Miami with eleven goals in 2019 in seventeen appearances (eleven starts). Morales finished with a pair of goals and five assists over thirteen appearances (six starts). 

Sergio Campbell, Jake Rufe, Ian McGrane -- Stumptown Athletic: One of the newly-founded teams in the wake of NISA’s creation, Stumptown have scooped up a trio of AFCAA alum. Campbell, known for featuring in the MLS as well as the Jamaican National Team, joins as a veteran presence in defense. A member of the 2018 side, he was also awarded the inaugural Boyzzz Khumalo Award at the end of the season. Rufe won this season’s COYMO Award, showing that Stumptown are taking a good, hard look at the sort of leadership traits these AFCAA Family members have to offer. Finally, McGrane, after an impressive first season with the club, has been able to make the jump following a stellar collegiate career and year at the club level to a professional opportunity.

MASL:

Matt Braem, Will Eskay -- Harrisburg Heat: Team MVP ‘Frenchy’ and 2019 newcomer Eskay will be returning to Harrisburg for their second indoor seasons both together and as professionals. An icon within the club, Braem learned plenty as was apparent on the pitch in 2019 from his experience in the faster-paced indoor soccer environment. Eskay was a versatile attacker for AFCAA in 2019 as well and he forced teams to worry about him challenging them from multiple positions as an attacker. Eskay played in all 24 games for Harrisburg last season and, despite being playing a more defensive role in the arena game than on the outdoor pitch, he still scored eleven goals in the high-octane sport. Braem chipped in four goals and five assists over his thirteen games played from his much deeper role.

Sam Zisette -- Tacoma Stars: Zisette spent the 2017 season with The Mighty Oak and was able to turn that experience into an opportunity with Tacoma Stars in his native Washington. A graduate of Puget Sound University, he came to Ann Arbor following the finishing of a successful four-year campaign. A former Seattle Sounders youth player, his versatility has made him a great option in midfield and defense at the indoor level. Fans will remember him fondly for earning the second ever Strength in the Oak Award and being part of a defense that put together seven clean sheets in his lone campaign with the club.

Boyzzz Khumalo Named Women's Head Coach

AFC Ann Arbor are pleased to announce Boyzzz Khumalo as the head coach for the AFC Ann Arbor women’s team. Having served with The Mighty Oak since 2016, most recently as technical director for the club, he has served with many hats. He has been a key part of the men’s coaching staff while also assisting on the women’s side during practices last season in the inaugural campaign. With collegiate coaching experience also for the Madonna men’s side, Khumalo is well-prepared in undertaking his first head coaching job with the club he has put the last four years of his life into. 

Bilal Saeed, chairman of AFC An Arbor, said of Khumalo’s new role, "We're excited about this new chapter for our women's team and Boyzzz couldn't be more deserving of the opportunity. He's got an exceptional understanding of the game, he's very active in giving back to his communities and he is driven to help develop players." Much loved by players of both the men’s and women’s teams, Khumalo’s ability to relate to the players having played in the MLS with DC United makes him a fantastic man for the job.

“I felt like this would be a new challenge and this will help me grow as a coach. Something I’ve always wanted is to be a head coach one day,” said Khumalo when talking about his first impressions of taking the job. “I kind of know what’s needed or requested of us as coaches and as people.” A deep understanding of the club’s set-up makes him a valuable asset in leading the women’s team into their second season of existence.

Even in the early days of preseason, Khumalo already has ideas of the team’s composition for 2020. “You want players who can adapt right away,” he said. With the high level of player in NCAA/NAIA, though, he expects that will not be difficult. He also summarized his coaching philosophy saying, “I see myself more as a teacher, I like to teach the game. I love to see players get better, of course.” 

Within the summer club season, Khumalo is understanding that the women who join the side are looking to help better themselves ahead of a collegiate season or professional future. He hopes to continue to make that possible as he said, “The same thing that’s happening on the men’s side is what we want happening on the women’s side.” With the likes of Stanley Okumu joining a top-tier European side in the men’s game, Khumalo and the club continue to eagerly anticipate the first women’s player to make that jump in competition.

Despite it still only being September, Khumalo is always continuing to learn as a coach. “With me as a person, I’m looking to learn. I still got to make sure I educate myself,” he said. He has already continued to make strides in that. He noted that in addition to attending local collegiate matches he also attended a Chicago Red Stars game “to get an idea of what the pros do” live and in person. “I watch a lot of NWSL games now just to make myself familiar with the women’s game,” he added. For now, in the offseason, the goals are to continue to support those women’s team players that were a part of the inaugural season while also continuing to look for prospective new talent.

With season one now in the books and much of the club’s ‘inaugural history’ being spoken for with the first goals, games, wins, and hat tricks spoken for, some of this pressure of the first season is now off. Khumalo has helped build up teams alongside Coach Rudland at Lansing and AFCAA, and now he will mark his own mark on the women’s side of The Mighty Oak as they continue to build off a first season with talented players and memorable moments. 

2019 AFC Ann Arbor Collegiate Watchlist

The 2019 collegiate soccer season is underway and AFC Ann Arbor family members are scattered across the country on different campuses this fall. With the network bigger than ever after the inaugural women’s club season, things may be tricky tracking players with the quantity and diversity in location. Not to worry, though, as The Mighty Oak are pleased to have your all-encompassing guide of teams (and players) to watch for in the wake of yet another playoff season for the men, and the very first season for the women.

Men’s Teams:

Michigan: Jack Hallahan (senior), Abdou Samake (senior), Joel Harrison (sophomore), Marc Ybarra (junior)

The Michigan Wolverines are coming off a strong season in the Big Ten, making back-to-back NCAA Tournaments, reaching the Big Ten Tournament finals, and going on a nine-match unbeaten run during the season. The Mighty Oak are well-represented by the hometown Division One school as two of three captains for the Wolverines (Harrison, and Ybarra) have worn the blue and white of AFCAA. Additionally, Hallahan is the returning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and will hope to have a repeat performance of last season.

Madonna: Breno Stapcinkas (junior), Bruno Piva (freshman), Yuri Farkas (senior), Caio (junir), Leonardo Abonizio (junior)

The NAIA runner-up in the 2018-19 season, Madonna and AFCAA have always seen plenty of players play with both sides. Stapcinkas and Piva will be in their first seasons with the Madonna program, but The Mighty Oak faithful are sure to be watching out for Farkas, coming off a superb season with Flint City Bucks, along with Caio and Abonizio. While Marlon de Freitas is now graduated, they return plenty of talent, and will hope to make a run once again in the NAIA Tournament. A special note of mention goes to Jeff Shuk and Rod Asllani as they coach Madonna, and also to Carlos Rivas (senior) who was a member of The Mighty Oak’s staff. 

Stony Brook: Stephen Turnbull (junior - RS), Jarred Dass (senior)

The Stony Brook-to-Ann Arbor pipeline has been well in motion for two years running, and this will be the second collegiate season that fans in Ann Arbor can have a vested interest in the Seawolves season. Serge Gamwanya and Moco Watson graduated from a team that won the American East regular season crown, but Dass was that team’s leading scorer and was voted to the 2018 America East First Team. Turnbull is a mainstay and be looking forward to this season after having played in just three games last season. 

Concordia: Spencer Ward (senior)

Ward gets special note for being the lone man who will play his collegiate and AFCAA home matches in the same venue. Having made 97 saves last season for a 78.2% save percentage, Ward will be hoping to get into similarly good shot-stopping form for his senior season. The keeper made the start for The Mighty Oak in a handful of games, including the club’s U.S. Open Cup match, as well as serving as Eric Rudland’s favored keeper for the Michigan Milk Cup.

Western Michigan: Lukas von Lienen (sophomore)

Another in-state club with another keeper as their lone representative. Lukas von Lienen will look to continue serving as Western Michigan’s number one keeper as they continue to be one of the MAC’s premier soccer programs. He was the MAC’s best keeper in terms of GAA last season with a one-even, and stopped fifty shots in his sixteen matches. The German, in addition to applying his trade in net this summer, also gained valuable experience as a pilot and even celebrated his first solo flight in Ann Arbor.

Lawrence Tech: Bryce Nicholson (junior)

The ultra-versatile Nicholson played both center back and full back with AFCAA this past summer, and contributed some valuable minutes both early and late in the season. As an upperclassman, now, he will hope to continue anchoring the LTU back line in the NAIA. An ever-present with the club, he was one of the few players able to be a part of the side from the very first preseason game all the way through the playoffs. 

Stetson: Sebastian Chalbaud (sophomore)

An All-Great Lakes Conference XI choice for 2019, Chalbaud will hope to use that momentum and build upon an outstanding freshman season that saw him named to the ASUN All-Freshman Team. The Venezuelan youth national played and started in eighteen of the Hatters nineteen games and contributed five assists. Now wearing the #10 shirt, big things are expected from the midfield man. 

Florida Atlantic: Alex Alexis (senior) 

Alexis played in all fifteen matches with the Owls as a junior and will look to contribute even more after this summer season. The scorer of the first U.S. Open Cup goal in club history, the pacey winger scored a pair of goals with the Owls last season while contributing seventeen shots as a whole. He hopes to end his career with a bang in the C-USA.

Maryville: Iwan Webster (junior)

The Liverpool native became a key component in the back line for AFCAA. Whether it was starting in the Open Cup, or rotating in the center back position alongside Matt Braem or Ben Thornton, Webster was able to make himself right at home in Ann Arbor. Now, he goes back to Maryville where he started 37 of his 38 games played and helped push his Saints to back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths, as well as a 2018 GLVC Tournament Championship.

Siena: Jacob Pacheco (junior)

A junior-college standout in Arizona, Pacheco makes the move up to Division One this season as he joins the Siena Saints for his career’s next chapter. Having played both defensive midfield and center back during the course of the year, the hard-working Pacheco is more than suited to making the jump in competition to the MAAC for the next two seasons. 

Georgia Southern: Azaad ‘AZ’ Liadi (senior)

Pacheco is not the only man making a transfer up to Division One. Liadi, after a successful stint with Cincinnati Dutch Lions in USL2, will be moving down south to play with the Eagles. Liadi is best known with The Mighty Oak for his 90th minute stoppage time equalizer in the 2018 Midwest Regional Final against Duluth FC and brings an abundance of talent to the pitch. 

Women’s Teams: 

Aquinas: Jenna Smith (senior), Olivia Borgdorff (senior), Brittney Carter (sophomore), Katie Vitella (student manager)

The Aquinas Saints are the best-represented women’s side on this list. With Smith (who played in nine of the ten UWS matches this summer) and Borgdorff having made the jump from Schoolcraft to the Saints prior to last season, they are hoping to finish their collegiate careers off strong. Carter, meanwhile, looks to continue to build off her freshman year and contribute for the Saints. Vitella, having wrapped up her own successful collegiate playing career, now joins the support staff for Aquinas as a graduate manager. 

Central Michigan: Devyn Brough (junior - RS), Amanda Britain (junior)

AFCAA will have a pair of Chippewas playing this season as Brough and Britain look to enter their years of upperclassmen eligibility with a strong season. The Michigan natives went to Auburn and Mount St. Mary’s, respectively, before ending up in Mount Pleasant. Both were named Academic All-MAC honorees and Brough made nine appearances while Britain made eight in the UWS this summer. The CMU pair were key to The Mighty Oak’s play in the inaugural season and will hope to contribute at the same level yet again with the Chippewas. 

Ball State: Tatiana Mason (sophomore), Alex Deruvo (sophomore)

A pair of sophomores from the greater Ann Arbor area will hope to make an impact with one of the top women’s sides in the MAC. The reigning MAC Champions, Mason also returns to the Cardinals as the 2018 MAC Freshman of the Year and a All-MAC Second Team selection. She led Ball State with six goals and chipped in three assists. Known in Ann Arbor for her red scrunchie, she offers creativity and pace on the wing. Deruvo will be hoping to break in the Cardinals first team as she continues to gain valuable experience learning with a strong stable of goalkeepers in Muncie. 

Saginaw Valley State: Tara Arlin (junior)

Arlin makes the jump from Schoolcraft up to SVSU for her next two seasons of collegiate soccer. The first ever female COYMO Award winner, Arlin started 27 of the 28 matches she played in for the Ocelots and saw a massive jump in shots taken as well from her freshman to sophomore seasons. Always a consistent presence on the pitch, as well as in the community, Arlin and the Cardinals hope to build off a team that reached the NCAA Tournament last season.

Lawrence Tech: Alayne Nyboer (senior) 

One of the most consistent members of the AFCAA back line, Nyboer made nine appearances in the UWS as well as sixteen appearances with LTU last season. She was a key points threat for the Blue Devils in the 2018-19 season with five goals and six assists, second-most on the team in terms of total points and goals, but those six assists were good for team best. 

Adrian: Caroline Fleming (senior)

Fleming enters her senior season as one of the immediate team leaders for this 2019-20 Bulldogs side. A three-year starter, she has made sixty starts, including all 21 for the side that won the MIAA Conference Championship for the first time in program history. She has contributed 23 goals and twenty assists to the Bulldogs over her three years and is coming off back-to-back double-digit goal seasons. 

Columbus State: Rachel Sweigard (sophomore)

When it comes to standout performers from the inaugural women’s season, Sweigard certainly is at the front of that list. Sweigard led the club in goals with seven in seven UWS matches, including a hat trick in the 5-2 home opener victory against Grand Rapids FC. She was also named to the UWS Midwest First Team. Her Cougars went 18-1-2, including a perfect 10-0 in conference play, en route to the national quarterfinals last season. Sweigard played in twenty of those matches, started seven, and chipped in seven goals and four assists -- leading to a points tally good enough for fourth on the team. After impressing in the summer, she hopes to help get Columbus State back to the top of the mountain.

Martin Methodist: Suzuho Yamasaki (sophomore)

The club’s Goal of the Season winner, Yamasaki’s stunning 35-yard strike in the victory over GRFC instantly made club history. Yamasaki was at the heart of the midfield for the entire season and would end the season as the club’s leading minute-getter. In addition, Yamasaki would also be named to the UWS Midwest Second Team for her efforts. She now returns to Martin Methodist where the Redhawks went 19-1-2 and made it to the Second Round of the NAIA Tournament last season. 

Ashland: Bella Petrock (sophomore)

Appearing in six matches in midfield for The Mighty Oak, Petrock was also a stable presence in midfield and was able to help AFCAA control through the middle during matches she was involved in. Petrock made eighteen starts while playing in all twenty matches for the Ashland Eagles, providing three goals. Her Eagles made the NCAA Tournament as an at-large side, and the hope is for a return to the tourney this November. 

Boston: Margaret Berry (sophomore) 

The women’s team’s defensive MVP for the inaugural season, Berry played a vital role with the club. This collegiate season she will return to the Boston Terriers where she played in six matches over the course of the season. Boston enter 2019 as the reigning Patriot League Tournament Champions and will hope to make another NCAA Tournament appearance. The Holly native will hope to transition a superb season with The Mighty Oak into more accomplishments for her collegiate side.

East Carolina: Madie Knaggs (junior)

Knaggs appeared in seven matches in UWS play for AFCAA, and showcased skill time and time again. She will be gearing up for her third season in purple as the Trenton native will look to continue contributing to East Carolina. She appeared in sixteen matches last season and scored a pair of goals, including one in her second career start against SMU. 

Illinois: Erin McKeown (sophomore)

The Ann Arbor Pioneer graduate will be starting her second season of Big Ten play with the Fighting Illini this fall. Having made a handful of appearances with The Mighty Oak this summer, she now looks to translate that into a greater advantage in the demanding Big Ten. With Illinois she made a pair of early-season appearances as a freshman.

Nebraska: Ashley Zugay (sophomore)

Zugay is another Pioneer graduate who played a key role while back in her hometown with The Mighty Oak. She will return to a solid Nebraska side that secured five wins in a tough Big Ten while she played in nineteen matches, with nine starts. She continued to gain more-and-more playing time as the season went on and ultimately played in both matches of the Cornhuskers run in the Big Ten Tournament.