GIRLS SOCCER PROVING QUALITY CAN OUTSHINE QUANTITY
With a team make-up of seven juniors and seniors, and eight freshmen and sophomores, the Greenhills girls varsity soccer team is blending young talent, technical ability, veteran leadership, and a lot of heart to power their 2025 campaign. And so far, it’s working.
The Gryphons have surged through their last three matchups. They defeated Romeo Summit Academy 8-0, shut out Clarkston Everest Collegiate 2-0, and dismantled Macomb Lutheran North 6-0, improving to 3-1-1 on the season.
“The quality of players provides us with a great opportunity to be a contender for the league playoffs and, of course, to challenge the district championship and regionals,” said head coach Lucian Popescu.
Greenhills competes in the demanding Catholic High School League, where experience often tips the balance. But Popescu’s team is bucking that trend. Seven of the Gryphons’ starting 11 are freshmen or sophomores, and they’re not just filling gaps—they’re helping lead the charge.
Sophomore Cate Alumkal anchors the midfield as a defensive stalwart, pairing strength and technique in a way rarely seen at her age. She’s joined by fellow 10th graders Maia McSparron and Atiya Khaldun up top, both relentless attacking threats who combine speed, power, and scoring touch. In goal, Kiya Baylor ’27 provides confidence and consistency with excellent shot-stopping ability.
Ninth grader Lily Belen has quickly become one of the team’s most promising newcomers, bringing strength, vision, and composure to the midfield. Her ability to read the game, win the ball, and distribute effectively has made her an essential piece in both Greenhills’ build-up play and defensive shape.
Providing leadership and guidance are three senior captains: Anjali Brahmasandra, a cerebral playmaker with a sharp eye for the final pass; Mia Melendez, a creative attacking presence and proven finisher; and Manon Rouillard, who is a leader on and off the field. Junior center back Alana Andrews anchors the defense with speed and strength, giving the Gryphons a solid foundation.
<a data-flickr-embed=”true” href=”https://www.flickr.com/photos/wearegreenhills/albums/72177720325282908″ title=”Girls Soccer – April 8, 2025″><img src=”https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54465672867_36b9ae17bb_b.jpg” width=”1024″ height=”768″ alt=”Girls Soccer – April 8, 2025″/></a><script async src=”//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
“We play a technical brand of soccer,” Popescu said, pointing to the team’s 17 goals across the first five matches. “We’re creating numerous opportunities every game.”
Greenhills faces Jackson Lumen Christi in an important league contest on April 24, before traveling to Williamston High School on April 26 for a tournament that will pit them against some of the top teams in the state.​
