The Gremlins came in second based on wins behind Kingsford. Their only loss was a 1-0 loss to Kingsford.

“I thought we played pretty well for our first game, ” said coach Emily Palosaari. “We knew Kingsford was going to be the toughest team in the tournament. They are physical and quick.”

Palosaari, who has been coaching soccer at Houghton for more than five years now, added that the 2023 Gremlins are senior heavy with nine. They lost only one senior in May to graduation. Add to that total seven juniors to help round out the roster. Her total roster which includes underclassmen, and eighth graders is at around 38. With that, there is enough to field a strong JV team, she added.

“I like our defensive strength. A lot of our returners were defenders, and they know how we operate,” Palosaari ssid. “As well, we are pretty strong in the midfield with some good attackers in front. The skill is there. Sometimes I think we are outsized, but that’s how it is.”

Houghton’s Addison Hembroff wins a ball in a game against Bayside Escanaba on Saturday at Alumni Field in Houghton. (Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette)

She and her coaching staff are equally excited about the recent news that soccer in the Upper Peninsula will now be officially recognized by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), and therefore teams will be able to participate in the state’s postseason tournaments downstate. The boys play in the fall and the high school girls’ season is in the spring across the state.

“I was shocked,” she said. “It came so sudden. I don’t think it will change much of what we do this season, since players and teams have been picked (with girls on varsity boys this fall). However, next year we will set a goal towards postseason playing downstate in our respective seasons.”

She added that she hopes the recent MHSAA recognition and ruling will inspire another soccer program in the area. As it is now, Marquette is the closest high school competition.

“I’d like to see Hancock or Calumet get started,” she said. “There is a conversation that’s begun at one school, and that’s a good start.”

UP NEXT

This week, the Gremlins traveled to Iron Mountain on Monday to face the Mountaineers. They will welcome the Kingsford Flivvers for a game at home on Saturday.