Lake Shore claims MAC Gold title behind senior core

ST. CLAIR SHORES — It was a completely different atmosphere just a year ago for St. Clair Shores Lake Shore girls soccer.

Senior midfielders Samantha Dietz and Maddie Kler were sidelined for their junior season due to ACL injuries, Lake Shore was sporting a 7-11 record, and a handful of seniors were set to graduate, leaving questions as to where the team would stand in 2023.

There were high expectations in 2022 after a district-winning season just a year prior, and the 2023 senior class who helped lead the squad to a district title wasn’t going to end their high school career on a negative note.

Behind the return of Dietz and Kler (team captain) and seniors Lindsay Jacob (goalkeeper), Emma Fries (midfielder/forward), Carlie Chamberlain (defender), and Shirley Garcia Carabello (defender), Lake Shore (11-2-1) has been dominating the competition this season.

Dietz, Kler, Jacobs, Chamberlain and Fries all have four years of varsity experience on their resume, and now they’re leading the charge to another district championship.

“I would consider it one of the biggest reasons for our success,” Lake Shore coach Chris Gwozdz said. “They’re unbelievable leaders, all five of them. They’ve been part of the program all four years and they know what it takes. It’s a big reason why we’ve been so successful.”

While eyeing the state tournament, Lake Shore impressively took care of business in the Macomb Area Conference Gold division, holding an unbeaten 6-0 divisional record en route to a league title.

Jacob, a team captain, holds eight shutouts this season in net while Carabello, Chamberlain, junior Emma Lucido, sophomore Maris Rutledge, sophomore Ellie Morell and freshman Bella Salkowski lead the defensive effort. Lake Shore has allowed less than a goal per game this season and two or more goals in only one game.

Offensively, a healthy Dietz and Kler were exactly what the Lake Shore offensive unit needed, but it took some adjusting for the veterans to transition back onto the field.

“Coming into the season, it was really rough in the beginning,” Kler said. “When it’s cold out, you get really stiff and it’s hard to move, but I’ve gained a lot more confidence. Being in this team too really helps. They’re really helpful, supportive, and encouraging.”

Alongside the senior duo, Fries, junior midfielder Josephine Gore, junior midfielder Ava Mechlowitz, sophomore forward Megan Morell, and sophomore midfielder Lillian McParland lead a Lake Shore offense that averages just under five goals per game.

If the seniors’ impact hasn’t been enough on the field, their leadership off the field has shined as Lake Shore’s freshmen have become immediate impact players.

The growth of freshmen Carly Best (midfielder), Charley McIntyre (midfielder/forward), Lillian Wallace (midfielder) and Scarlett Robertson (midfielder/defender) has caught the attention of the seniors.

“I think it’s really impressive seeing how well they’re doing and how hard they’re working at practice, because I think they feel more motivated and pushed to do the best they can do, and it’s just impressive seeing them have that much motivation at such a young age,” Fries said.

With two games before their opening state tournament game against Warren Fitzgerald (2-12) on May 24 at Lake Shore High School, Lake Shore has yet to lose a game since their March 29 matchup against St. Clair Shores Lakeview

Between their mix of experienced veterans and young talent, there’s unmeasurable potential for the MAC Gold champions.

“A lot of these girls have been playing the game for a very long time,” Gwozdz said. “They’re very experienced and they know what it takes.”