Henry, Opdahl earn all-State honors for Bloomfield Hills soccer

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — For the second season in a row, Bloomfield Hills girls soccer has an underclassman on the all-State list.

Junior goalkeeper Jenica Opdahl, who was first team all-State last season in net, was recognized this year by the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association as a Division 1 all-State honorable mention.

Continuing the trend of sophomore all-Staters, sophomore forward Emma Henry earned second team all-State honors this season with five goals and eight assists to her stat sheet.

“Emma has just taken her game to another level from last year,” Bloomfield Hills coach Alan Zakaria said. “She was a starter on the state championship team, and she’s just worked so hard to take her game to another level. She’s extremely fast, extremely skilled, and arguably one of the best strikers in our area. She’s earned that with her hard work and discipline.”

Henry got a first-hand look her freshman year at the 2022 Bloomfield Hills team that possessed an unbreakable bond and leadership, and Henry said she expects the team to have a similar dynamic next season.

“My mindset going into the next season is to set high standards for myself and my teammates,” Henry said. “The leadership from the captains the season we won the state championship was very strong. We had to hold ourselves accountable for certain things, but also had each other’s backs if we needed support. That is the standard I would like to set for our team going into next season.”

A vital part of that leadership will be Opdahl, who started in net for Bloomfield Hills during their title-winning season and made two crucial saves in the state finals shootout to earn the state title.

Opdahl solidified her status as one of the top keepers in the state this season, tallying seven shutouts on the year.

“In my opinion, she’s the best goalkeeper in the state,” Zakaria said. “Just another rock in the back, and we’re so excited to have her back for another year.”

Opdahl, a United States Air Force Academy commit, will look to end her high school career on a high note after leading Bloomfield Hills to a district title this season.

“I believe we have another state championship in us, and since it will be my last year on the team, I am willing to work extra hard for it,” Opdahl said. “I think we could’ve won states this year, but I am only using the outcome as fuel for next year.”