BY DAN STICKRADT
CORRESPONDENT
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
LINDEN — Perhaps the greatest season of girls soccer for Linden is in the school’s record books.
The Eagles, ranked as high as sixth in the Division 2 polls entering the postseason, advanced all the way to the D-2 Final Four for the first time in school history.
Linden’s dream season ended in a 2-0 defeat to unbeaten, top-ranked and eventual state champion Birmingham Marian in the state semifinals back on June 13 at Novi High School.
Over the past 18 seasons under veteran coach Kevin
Fiebernitz, Linden has reached unprecedented new heights.
“This senior class has been very successful, one of the best that I have ever coached,” smiled Fiebernitz. “They worked so hard, we’re leaders, played as a team and did whatever it took for us to be successful.”
The school has captured five district crowns, reached the regional finals back in 2011 and also pulled a notable upset in this year’s regional title match with a 3-2 victory over third-ranked and defending state champion Pontiac Notre Dame Prep.
The regional title in 2017 was also the school’s first. The senior class helped Linden post a combined 70-15-6 record at the varsity level from 2014-17 — the best-ever stretch in school lore.
Linden boasted three All-State players this season, where the Eagles finished a school record 22-3-3.
Senior midfielder Alia Frederick, bound for Eastern Michigan University in the fall, and senior goalkeeper Madison Paige both garnered All-State First Team accolades. Senior forward Madeline Zayan was honored on the All-State Third Team.
Several Eagles also earned All-Region, All-District or All-Flint Metro League honors as well. The Eagles featured a deep and talented senior class of 10 players.
“Getting to the Final Four as a seniors — not a lot of people thought we could get this far,” smiled Frederick. “To win a district and regional championship and defeat the defending state champions…what a great year. Linden has never (advanced) this far in soccer.”