Maddie Anderson knew she had to be better, faster, smarter and more consistent this season.

Part of a small group of returning starters for a Pennridge girls soccer team determined to get back to Hershey, the senior midfielder knew more would be asked of her. It wasn’t anything new and Anderson simply did what she’s always done by working harder and training as much as possible to reach that level.

It showed on the field as the senior was a presence offensively, defensively and everywhere in between as Pennridge captured the District 1-4A title and reached the state semifinals.

After exceeding her own expectations, Anderson has been chosen as the Reporter/Montgomery/Times Herald Girls’ Soccer Player of the Year.

“I think it was definitely my best year I’ve had at Pennridge,” Anderson said. “I think last year, I was a little inconsistent with how I played but this year I was a lot more steady and had that same intensity in every game.”

Statistics don’t tell the entire story, although Anderson was certainly a contributor with four goals and six assists this fall, plus a handful of rebounds that led to goals and plenty of corner kicks the created chances. Much of her impact came in the way the Rams played, a high-possession style based on connecting passes, quick build-ups and winning the ball back when at the opposition’s feet.

Anderson had high expectations of herself but so did her coach.

“I think in some ways she surpassed what we expected just by being that presence in the midfield who could win that many balls,” Pennridge coach Audrey Anderson, also Maddie’s mom, said. “We had hoped for that but I was a little shocked how much she was able to win off of corners and free kicks and when she wasn’t there, it really did hurt us.”

Fair or not, there’s often a stigma attached to an athlete who has a parent as their head coach. Anything Maddie Anderson achieved was through her own work and putting in the incalculable hours of training and improving to be the best player she could be.

Playing mostly JV as a freshman and taking a slightly expanded role as a sophomore, Anderson cracked the starting lineup as a junior but in her own assessment never reached the level of play she wanted to. A good performance would follow with one or two inconsistent outings and she wanted to rewrite that script.

Mostly, Anderson wanted to prove she belonged on the field because of her ability and not her name.

“My mom always tells me ‘you’re never going to get handed anything,’ and growing up with her as my coach, that’s been what I go off, I have to work harder than everyone else,” Maddie Anderson said. “I can’t take one game off because someone’s always going to be there to see it and say something like ‘you’re only playing because your mom is the coach.’

“When I was being recruited, I had a college coach ask me how it’s been and I said it’s been really rough, I’ve had a lot of people say I don’t deserve certain things but they said it would help me because I would come into a college program mentally strong having gone through that.”

Almost as soon as the 2018 season ended, Anderson got back to work training and honing her skills to be more of a presence and leader on the field. She knew the Rams would have a lot of new faces in the starting lineup and wanted to be someone they could look to in a pressure moment and know the right decision would follow the ball off her foot.

Initially there was some thought about the senior playing center back, but once Lauren McIntyre and Maddie Angelo locked down those spots, Anderson was able to slot back in the central midfield. She would go on to form a dynamic duo with senior Chance Hendricks and meshed well with either Lindsey DeHaven or Grace Myers in the third spot.

Hendricks and Anderson played off each other perfectly, with Hendricks adding a second tough and physical ball-winner and the two seniors could interchange runs forward while the other covered the back line.

“I think a lot of it had to do with the players around her, she’s played with most of them growing up in the youth programs and they’re constantly making sure they know what the other one is doing,” Audrey Anderson said. “The players around her allowed her to be that calm on the field. She knew who was around her and who could do what.”

The midfielder played one of her best games this season in the District I final, where the Rams captured their first title since 2011. Not only did she battle Boyertown’s excellent junior Camilla Kuever, a German U16 national team member, all game but the senior help win and played the outlet ball that ended up as the match’s lone goal.

From the beginning, Maddie Anderson always wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Audrey (nee Dawson) Anderson had her jersey retired after a Hall of Fame career at the University of California (PA) and as soon as Maddie was able, she was jumping in training sessions as her mom began her coaching career.

 “I would listen to my mom tell me stories about what she had done and I loved hearing those stories about her playing and it motivated me, when I was growing up, I wanted to go to her college and get her number that they had retired, it was always something I strived to do,” Maddie Anderson said. “Her being that role model for me I think helped me to go on and play in college.”

While older sister Gillian gravitated more toward basketball, Maddie was hooked on soccer. But she didn’t foresee her career unfolding along the same family path.

 “I wanted to play in college but I didn’t know what level I would be able to play at, I was still growing into my body and I was actually pretty clumsy before I got to middle school,” Anderson said. “I wasn’t fast, I don’t think many people would have noticed me and I wouldn’t have stuck out when I was younger as a player. Once I got into eighth grade and my freshman year I knew if I wanted to play in college, I had to start training on my own and do things other people weren’t doing.”

Audrey Anderson is admittedly a tough coach on all her players and Maddie is no exception. The difference is, unlike everyone else on Audrey’s teams, they have to go back to the same house.

It’s certainly a unique dynamic and one the Andersons have worked hard to balance, especially the last two seasons when Maddie moved into the starting lineup.

“We take separate cars, which is great,” Audrey Anderson said with a laugh. “I’m proud of her as her coach but I’m also proud of her as a parent. I’ve learned over the course of many years coaching her I need to be her mom as well and she likes when I can talk to her not as a coach but just like any other parent especially after a game where she’s frustrated.

“We get a chance to digest the game and keep things in perspective. She’s a teenaged girl, I’m her coach but also her mom.”

Maddie Anderson said it took a little work, but the two of them figured it out.

“We have that time on the field and after the game, we get in our separate cars and once we get home, it’s like she wasn’t my coach,” Maddie said. “We do a really good job of separating home and what happens on the field. It would be really frustrating if we didn’t have that kind of relationship and everything was just about soccer.”

While Gillian Anderson did play soccer at Pennridge, basketball was her main sport and the sisters were able to bond through their shared competitive nature.

“She loves coming to my games and I loved going to her basketball games,” Maddie said. “Having my sister be such a good basketball player opened my eyes to the differences that people face in different scenarios in other sports. It was cool to see what she did to prepare for her basketball season compared to what I did to prepare for my soccer season and I loved going to her games and being in that different atmosphere.”

Anderson didn’t end up following her mom to Cal and instead will be a part of the St. Joe’s program next year. While the senior is excited for the next step and continuing to work for everything she wants, part of her is sad her time at Pennridge is over.

“I have never been more proud of a team that I’ve been a part of,” Maddie Anderson said. “I’m so glad and fortunate I could be a part of this program and especially this year. I feel like so many younger players stepped up and even if they weren’t getting the playing time they felt like they should have, everyone who was a part of the team was so supportive.”

2019 The Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery News All-Area Teams

FIRST TEAM
F: Emily Varilla (So./North Penn)
F: Kellie Gillen (Sr./Lansdale Catholic)
F: Taylor Moyer (So./Central Bucks West)
M: Maddie Anderson (Sr./Pennridge)
M: Cam Ryan (Sr./Hatboro-Horsham)
M: Chance Hendricks (Sr./Pennridge)
M: Tori Albrecht (Sr./Central Bucks West)
D: Maddie Angelo (Jr./Pennridge)
D: Grace Sacchetti (Sr./North Penn)
D: Ava Schreiber (Jr./Plymouth Whitemarsh)
D: Darby Kramer (Sr./Souderton)
GK: Meghan Kriney (Sr./Pennridge)

SECOND TEAM
F: Casey Touey (Jr./Abington)
F: Carly Amato (Sr./Wissahickon)
F: Ryan Fitzsimmons (Sr./Central Bucks West)
M/F: Averie Doughty (Jr./Souderton)
M: Mollie Hanson (Sr./Gwynedd Mercy Academy)
M: Lindsey DeHaven (Jr./Pennridge)
M: Leighann Kafel (Jr./Archbishop Wood)
D: Casey Cavanaugh (Sr./North Penn)
D: Bella McNew (Jr./Plymouth Whitemarsh)
D: Julia Boccella (Sr./Lansdale Catholic)
D: Sarah White (Sr./Gwynedd Mercy Academy)
GK: Jaclyn Martino (Jr./Upper Moreland)

HONORABLE MENTION
Abington: Maura Day (Fr./M), Emily Friel (Sr./D)
Archbishop Wood: Alyssa DeGeorge (So./F), Paige Hoeger (Jr./F)
Bishop McDevitt: Samantah Dever
CB West: Erin Fitzsimmons (Sr./D), Keely McGlone (Jr./D)
Cheltenham: Donya Baxter (Jr./F)
Dock Mennonite: Laura Frederick, Emma Kratz
Faith Christian: Karleigh Garber, Cassidy Norley
Germantown Academy: Lily Funk
Gwynedd Mercy Academy: Sam Berish (Jr./F), Hailey Morris (Jr./D)
Hatboro-Horsham: Maggie O’Neill (Jr./F), Emily Thomas (So./F)
Lansdale Catholic: Danielle Mehlmann (Sr./D), Taylor Connelly (Sr./M)
Lower Moreland: Nicole Castor (Sr./F), Ceili Courduff (Sr./GK)
Methacton: Jessica Lineen (Jr.), Kate Evans (Sr.)
Mount Saint Joseph: Madison Hornig (Sr./F)
Norristown: Emily Brownell (So.)
North Penn: Emily Schurr (Sr./M), Tia Sheehy (Sr./M)
Pennridge: Lauren McIntyre (Sr./D), Emily Kriney (So./F)
Plymouth Whitemarsh: Kaitlyn Flanagan (So./D), Natalie Lannie (Jr./M)
Saint Basil Academy: Lizzie Deal (Sr./M), Maria Storck (Sr./D)
Souderton: Morgan Molyneaux (Jr./GK), Hannah Alderfer (Jr./F)
Springfield-Montco: Elena Hincapie, Macy Lietzel
Upper Dublin: Laura Pendleton (Sr./M), Anna Desch (Jr./M)
Upper Merion: Sophia Lamesta (Jr.)
Upper Moreland: Kathryn Morrow, Grace Burns
Wissahickon: Kylie Friedman (Fr./F), Margo Kasenchar (Fr./D)
William Tennent: Liz Layer, Caroline Weir

In a recent column, I referenced a make-believe ‘All-Decade Team.’ I continued to see others talk about creating all-decade teams in their area. I’ve covered Pioneer Athletic Conference soccer for the entire decade – since 2006 – so it got me wondering, ‘What would my all-decade teams look like?’ And off it went.

The criteria for inclusion was varied and inexact: the No. 1 criteria was high school postseason awards, including All-America, All-State and Mercury All-Area. Multiple years at an All-Area level carried weight, as did an especially elite or memorable season. Success at the college level (when applicable) was a bonus in some cases. 

PAC Boys’ Soccer All-Decade Team

In the interest of creating a real team, positions were an important factor during selection. While plenty will have played multiple positions in and out of high school play, players were chosen at their primary position of their peak high school years.

Reflective of a match day squad in the English Premier League, 11 starters and 7 substitutes were named to the PAC All-Decade Teams.

The squads are up for debate because, after all, choosing 18 players from 10 years of play leaves plenty of quality players without a spot on the squad. 

Your all-decade team may look different than mine, and that’s OK – this is meant to be a fun exercise to shout out some of the area’s best of the past 10 years. 

But I’ll happily put mine up against yours. May the best team win.

Starting XI

F – Lauren Benner, Phoenixville (2015 – NSCAA All-East Region All-American, Mercury All-Area Player of the Year 2014)

F- Kayla Smith, Upper Perkiomen (2014 – PSCA All-State & Mercury All-Area POY 2013, Indiana University)

F – Mahogany Willis, Owen J. Roberts (2018 – USC Region II All-American, All-Area POY 2017, IUP)

M – Cecilia Knaub, Phoenxville (2015 – PSCA All-State 2014, Penn State)

M – Kylee MacLeod, Owen J. Roberts (2019 – PSCA All-State 2018, Mercury All-Area POY 2018, Kutztown)

M – Emily Morgan, Owen J. Roberts (2013 – PSCA All-State 2012, two-time Mercury All-Area POY, Georgetown)

D – Kylie Cahill, Owen J. Roberts (2017 – USC All-Region II East All-American, two-time All-Area first team, Longwood)

D – Jenna Dubs, Boyertown (2012 – PSCA All-State 2011, Marshall University)

D – Taylor Newhart, Spring-Ford (2016 – three-time All-Area first/second team, PIAA finalist/quarterfinalist (2), La Salle)

D – Laura Suero, Spring-Ford (2016 – PSCA All-State & Mercury POY 2015, two-time All-Area first team, Penn State)

G – Emily Armstrong, Perkiomen Valley (2012, NSCAA All-East Region All-American 2011, UConn, playing professionally in Sweden)

Substitutes

F – Kayla Mesaros, Pope John Paul II (2018 – PSCA All-State 2017, three-time Mercury All-Area first team, St. John’s)

F –  Gabrielle Vagnozzi, Spring-Ford (2016 – two-time All-Area first team, St. Joseph’s)

M – Gabby Kane, Spring-Ford (2017 – USC All-Region II East All-American, All-Area POY 2016, Kutztown)

M – Emilie Kupsov, Owen J. Roberts (2016 – three-time All-Area first team, Longwood University)

M – Gabrielle Perrotto, Phoenixville (2019 – PSCA All-State 2018, Drexel)

D – Molly McHarg, Spring-Ford (2017 – two-time All-Area first team, Kutztown)

G – Sarafina Valenti, Boyertown (2016 – USC All-Region II East All-American, three-time All-Area first team, Penn State)

FIRST TEAM

G – Madison Gallagher, senior, Boyertown
G – Emme Wolfel, senior, Pottstown
D – Becca Delp, senior, Pottsgrove
D – Mikayla Moyer, junior, Boyertown
D – Mo Weaver, sophomore, Owen J. Roberts
M – Ella Curry, senior, Spring-Ford
M – Hope Flanegin, junior, Spring-Ford
M – Camilla Kuever, junior, Boyertown
M – Maddi Monka, senior, Boyertown
F – Calista Daye, sophomore, Pottstown
F- Skylar Glass, senior, Pottsgrove
F – Samantha Goffice, junior, Boyertown

SECOND TEAM

GK – Hannah Landis, senior, Upper Perkiomen
D – Emma Elwell, senior, Boyertown
D – Jess Lineen, senior, Methacton
D – Morgan Kline, senior, Boyertown
D – Lainey Owens, junior, Pope John Paul II
M – Bryanna Marinari, junior, Upper Perkiomen
M – Cassidy Polignano, senior, Perkiomen Valley
M – Veronica Roach, senior, Owen J. Roberts
M – Molly Thomas, junior, Spring-Ford
F – Hannah Delahaye, senior, Owen J. Roberts
F – Ava Labik, junior, Phoenixville
F – Hailey Strain, junior, Pottsgrove

HONORABLE MENTION

Boyertown: Courtney Actis, Samantha Devlin
Daniel Boone: Nicole Brown, Lily Ferguson, Hailey Kaba, Elizabeth Trani
Hill School: Lindsey Coffey, Marah Krick
Methacton: Kate Evans, Julia McCann, Ruby Murray, Lizzie McNichol
Norristown: Emily Brownell
Owen J. Roberts: Gabrielle Koury, Emily Sands, Alexa Vogelman
Perkiomen School: Abbey Glavin, Sophia Krouse, Cheyenne McCloud, Rianne Moll, Cece Vassallo, Sasha Vassallo.
Perkiomen Valley: Nikki Foller-Moll, Riley Hill, Elizabeth McMahon, Madelyn Zielke
Phoenixville: Lily White, Maddie White, Natalie White, Ella Stout, Morgan Beatty, Savana Seldes
Pope John Paul II: Erin Flanagan, Delanie Didier, Julia Hull, Lauryn Rezza
Pottsgrove: Alexis Zook, Avery Makoid, Emily Vishio
Pottstown: Aniya Hoskins, Melissa Coleman
Spring-Ford: Carlin Glancy, Caitlin Norwood, Riley Wallace, Emily Higgins
Upper Merion: Sophia Lamesta
Upper Perkiomen: Lauren Powers, Sam Kozminski, Kyra Lesko

Boyertown girls soccer coach Bill Goddard

COACH OF THE YEAR

Bill Goddard, Boyertown

In his 20th season in charge, Goddard guided the Bears to the best season in program history, a campaign that featured PIAA Class 4A and Pioneer Athletic Conference championships and a runner-up finish in District 1 while going 26-2.

It was a brisk Saturday afternoon in November in the latest place she’d never been and the crosshairs were on Camilla Kuever.

It was the biggest game thus far of the Boyertown girls soccer team’s remarkable season, a PIAA quarterfinal at Cumberland Valley against high-powered District 7 champion North Allegheny, and the Tigers had two goals: one was to win; the other was to use any means necessary to stop the Bears’ junior exchange student from Germany, who happens to be a member of the U-17 German women’s national team.

In a game officiated with an ‘anything goes’ baseline, the effects were there to be felt by Kuever, who had worked tirelessly in the midfield all game despite constant triple-teams.

The Bears survived a North Allegheny barrage to reach overtime, but the Tigers’ goals remained. Early in overtime with the Bears trying to rally, Kuever received a painful boot to the ankle from Tigers’ midfielder Hannah Kirkpatrick and crumpled to the ground. She let out a whimper, the tears ready to flow if only she’d allow them.

And really, what was Kuever fighting for? These weren’t her dreams.

A Pioneer Athletic Conference championship or a Pennsylvania state championship didn’t even exist in Kuever’s consciousness prior to coming to Boyertown on Aug. 9, four days before preseason training camp.

But as she was quickly embraced by the Boyertown girls’ soccer team and made fast friends, their dreams became hers.

“I heard them talking that it’s their dream to win PACs or get into the state final, so I just kind of picked it up,” Kuever said.

With that level of commitment to the collective, the knocks and bloody knees were no match.

“I wouldn’t let that stop me. That was not an option,” Kuever said. “I didn’t want any team to stop me from playing. The other girls on my team wouldn’t let anything stop them either. They would always keep going. I just felt like that’s what I have to do. No excuses.”

Boyertown’s Camilla Kuever (22) celebrates after scoring a goal in the PAC championship game in October. (Austin Hertzog – MediaNews Group)

That strong mentality won out in the 3-2 overtime win over North Allegheny, as Kuever collected herself, brushed off the bruises and minutes later passed to Samantha Goffice for the game-winner. It won out when Kuever headed in a corner kick in the final minutes for a 1-0 win over Hempfield in the PIAA semifinals.

And it certainly won out on Nov. 15 when Boyertown won its first PIAA championship, winning the 4A title game over Conestoga 1-0 in overtime, the climax of an irreplicable season in Boyertown, made possible by the best ‘new girl’ a school or team could ever hope for.

With game-changing ability on and off the ball, deft weight of pass and a 5-11 frame that made her the favorite to win every aerial ball, Kuever was the missing piece to turning the Bears’ fortunes from jilted in 2018 to charmed in 2019, a performance worthy of Mercury All-Area Player of the Year honors.

By meeting and surpassing every challenge thrown her way, Kuever helped deliver Boyertown PAC and PIAA championships (the first for the league since the Owen J. Roberts girls in 2003) in a 26-2 season that saw her score 22 goals with 12 assists.

“We knew she was a very talented young lady on the soccer field, and her resume speaks for itself, but she made the conscious decision to adapt and compete and adjust to our environment and culture,” Boyertown head coach Bill Goddard said. “It attests to her mentality and her character, and the type of warrior that she is.

“I think all of us that were fortunate enough to spend every day with this young lady realized that not only is she an extraordinary player, she’s an even better person. Her character, her attitude, and her work ethic, all those things spoke for themselves.”

* * *

Boyertown’s Camilla Kuever sends a pass forward against Upper Perkiomen. (Austin Hertzog – MediaNews Group)

Camilla Kuever’s soccer journey began early, in the outskirts of Frankfurt, where she still resides, with a slightly unlikely coach: her brother Finn, only three years older.

“He’s the one that made me play soccer. As soon as I could walk, he was my coach down in the basement,” Kuever said. “He would set up obstacles for me to kick the ball over, run around. He was a really tough coach, but he’s always supported me.”

The second of Frank and Eva Kuver’s three children (in German her surname is spelled Kuver, the U with an umlaut), her basement beginnings turned to playing with the older kids – ‘I would play soccer with his friends in the streets,’ she said – to club play in the years to follow.

The thing that put her on the watch list of players and coaches around Pennsylvania – Kuever’s inclusion in the German youth national system – was not a personal goal. In truth, it was entirely unexpected.

She was selected to a regional team in 2016 destined to play in a showcase tournament with national team scouts on hand.

“I was the youngest age group and it’s not normal that they want to have you (youngest age group players) on their team. I wasn’t that confident. I was really surprised,” Kuever said of being invited to enter the national team player pool. “I said, ‘OK, I’m going to go there once, and then they’ll kick me out, but whatever, it’s a fun experience.’ But they kept me there, and they liked the way I played. That’s when it all started that I got really motivated.”

A normal ‘day in the life’ back in Germany would be attending the Carl-von-Weinberg School, an athletics-incorporated educational institution (in the vein of IMG Academy in the U.S.) where training would be a part of the school day, traveling home, and later practicing for two hours with her club soccer team, 1. FFC Frankfurt, where she is a member of the second team (the senior team plays in the first division women’s Bundesliga).

* * *

Camilla Kuever, center, is surrounded by teammates after scoring the winning goal against Hempfield during a PIAA 4A semifinal at Harriton. (Austin Hertzog – MediaNews Group)

“I could have been placed anywhere in the country and I was placed here,” Kuever said.

Camilla was intrigued about doing a semester abroad and her brother’s enjoyable experience put it over the top.

“My brother also did a semester abroad and he really liked it,” she said. “Besides that, I always liked the USA and I wanted a new experience, meeting new people. And I wanted to know what soccer is like here.”

Kuever enlisted in the Academic Year in America (AYA) program and was placed with Jeff and Jena Shontz, of Gilbertsville. Hosting an exchange student is nothing new to the Shontz family – Camilla is their seventh exchange student in the past 10 years.

The AYA program runs even deeper for Jena Shontz. Her father, Hugh McMullen, has been a local coordinator for AYA for over 25 years, helping to place foreign exchange students in local high schools all over the country. AYA has high standards for qualification: students need to have 4-5 years of English and be honor students.

“When deciding which student to host, we do not typically have a ‘type,’” Jeff Shontz said. “We usually look for activities or hobbies that the student is interested in, based on what our family is involved in. We like that the students are active in the community.”

The Shontzs are the community coordinators of the Healthy Kids Running Series in Boyertown and liked that Kuever was interested in soccer, especially with their children, Kensley, 7, and Hudson, 4, entering the ages of playing youth sports.

“When reading Camilla’s profile, there was some information about her soccer experience, but it was not until after we selected her, then spoke with her, that we realized she was a part of the German national team,” Jeff Shontz said. “Even when we knew, we could not have imagined how the transition would go for her.”

* * *

Boyertown’s Camilla Kuever tries to get away from North Allegheny’s Sophia Spano in the PIAA quarterfinals. (Austin Hertzog – MediaNews Group)

Watching Kuever glide past a pair of defenders or swipe the ball from an opposing player, it could be easy to overlook that this was a shy 16-year-old girl nearly 4,000 miles from all her family and friends.

She felt welcomed by seniors Mattie Gallagher and Maddie Monka, both fellow All-Area first team picks, on a tour and lunch the day after she arrived, and equally welcomed by the entire team when she met them.

The love and acceptance made all the difference.

“It was a really big factor,” Kuever said. “Of course it took me some time to get used to everything … I was shy and I’m still shy, I really didn’t talk a lot, but they were just so nice to me. I just felt like I could be myself around them, I didn’t have anything to worry about with them. That played a huge part, the atmosphere around the team and the chemistry all throughout the season was a big part of our success.”

When preseason started, it didn’t take long for Kuever to impress.

“Our girls were in awe of her. The first day of preseason practice, we’re doing fitness tests and she’s just blowing people away,” coach Goddard said. “So right away, and I’m a big believer in actions speak louder than words, and this young lady just put it in another gear.

“And we knew right then and there, this kid is special.”

The Bears were not immediately worldbeaters as the team adjusted to many new circumstances: a forward (Emma Elwell) playing defense, a group of underclassmen seeing significant varsity minutes, and Kuever adjusting to the physical demands, both in game play and frequency of games, of high school soccer while moving to a new position as an attacking midfielder (most of her career has been spent as a defensive midfielder or center back).

By late September, things fell in place and the Bears were blowing teams away, scoring at least three goals in 14 straight games, including a run through the Pioneer Athletic Conference playoffs that featured a 4-0 win over Upper Perkiomen in the semifinals and 3-0 dismantling of Spring-Ford in the title game where Kuever scored two goals in two minutes on assists from junior All-Area first team forward Samantha Goffice, turning a tight game into a runaway.

As the margins got tighter through the postseason, the Bears’ unity tightened. That included their best player giving total commitment to a team she’d only briefly known.

“I always try to give my best for the team,” Kuever said. “I don’t give the best for myself or say, ‘Oh, this is my show.’ I’m just giving my best for whatever the team needs. Because that’s what everybody else does; everybody gives their best for the team so that’s what I try to do.”

Camilla Kuever smiles as she speaks to head coach Bill Goddard before receiving her PIAA championship medal. (Austin Hertzog – MediaNews Group)

Boyertown went 9-1 in the postseason (their only loss in the District 1 championship to Pennridge, 1-0), a remarkable run enjoyed simultaneously with the Boyertown boys reaching the PIAA semifinals in a special season for the Boyertown community.

The run to the PIAA championship was rife with special wins, including the come-from-behind 2-1 win over Nazareth where Goffice, nursing an ankle injury, came off the bench to score two goals in two minutes (both assisted by Kuever) and the season-defining 3-2 overtime win over North Allegheny in the state quarterfinals.

“I don’t think we’ll ever face a player as good as she is,” Mattie Gallagher said after the PIAA quarterfinal win. “We’re lucky that she’s on our team. And we’re lucky to call her a friend, too.

“I don’t think I’ll ever play with someone as talented and hard-working as her.”

Gallagher’s words held true in the 1-0 PIAA semifinal win over District 3 champion Hempfield, won on a Kuever header with 4:11 to play and again in the PIAA championship game with Conestoga, where the Bears gave everything defensively and were made champions on junior All-Area first team defender Mikayla Moyer’s free kick in double overtime, made possible when Kuever was fouled on the edge of the penalty area off a throw-in.

Kuever will return to Germany in January upon the completion of her five-month stay with a PIAA championship medal and a story you almost had to see to believe.

“It’s insane,” Kuever said. “The season was just so much fun, being with the team, with the girls, all the people that I got to know and all the friends I got to make, friendships that will even last when I’m back in Germany.”

All what’s left to settle is whether Kuever made the greater mark on Boyertown, or Boyertown on Kuever.

“I’m actually so sad that it’s over,” Kuever said. “I love it here. I couldn’t imagine it any better.”

The junior center back, a third-year starter, was considered the “rock in the center of our defense” by Conestoga girls’ soccer head coach Ben Wilson, who added that she was “a huge part” of the Pioneers’ defense that posted 13 shutouts this season – three of them in the PIAA 4A state tournament, including a 1-0 win against District 1 champion Pennridge in the state semifinals – and that allowed only 16 goals all season, most of which came at the end of games when the wins were already secured. Offensively, Henderson often launched attacks from the back to spur Conestoga’s potent offense (88 goals this season), and took many of the Pioneers’ corner kicks and long free kicks.

Q: What was your favorite game of the season – can you share your most vivid memory of it with us?

A: My favorite game of the season was the state semifinal against Pennridge. My most vivid memory from that game was when Caitlin Donovan scored the winning goal in the last 10 minutes of the game. I know I’ll never forget the overwhelming feeling of happiness and the tears streaming down my face.

Q: Briefly describe for us your pre-game preparation (physical, mental) on the day of a game.

A: My pregame preparation is a run-on joke throughout the whole team. I would eat a buffalo chicken wrap from Wawa and/or candy right before the game. I honestly don’t get many nerves before the game – mentally it’s me pinpointing my adrenaline on the game in front of me.

Q: Tell us a little about your start in soccer. Have you always been a center back? Who have been your most important soccer mentors?

A: At the age of 6 or 7, when I started soccer, I’ve played every position except center mid. I don’t have any particular soccer mentors, but I watch Premier League every Sunday and I watch the USWNT anytime they play – both of these have taught me that you have to take one game at a time.

Q: How did you view your defensive role? What do you consider the strongest part of your game, and what are you working on most currently?

A: I viewed my role on defense as anyone else on a team would, we play for each other. The strongest part of my game I would say is my focus and intensity. The part of my game I’m working on currently is positivity no matter the circumstance.

Q: Do you participate in any other extracurricular activities at Conestoga other than soccer?

A: I’m in a few clubs at Conestoga that I help in like Bringing Hope Home, Athletes Helping Actively, and African American Student Union.

Q: What is your favorite course at Conestoga? What do you think you might want to major in at college? Is there a career field that particularly interests you at the present time?

A: My favorite course at Conestoga is Forensics with Mr. Kane. I think I want to major in anything related to Sports Medicine or anything in that field. I’m around a lot of physical therapists, so physical therapy is something I’m interested in.

Fun facts – Reese Henderson

Favorite TV Show: Phineas and Ferb.

Favorite Movie: Spider-Man: Far From Home.

Favorite Athlete: Christen Press and Christian Pulisic.

Favorite Team: Liverpool or Chelsea.

Favorite place to visit: Outer Banks (N.C.), Maryland.

Favorite pre-game meal: Buffalo Chicken Wrap and Sour S’ghetti

Person I most admire: “My Uncle Johnny because he was mentally and physically strong.”

Family members: Cherl Henderson, Shane Henderson, Jordan Wallace.

(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)

To view a gallery of the Main Line Girls Athletes of the Week from 2013 to present click here

North Penn senior Carter Houlihan and Conestoga senior Caitlin Donovan were named Pa. Players of the Year by the United Soccer Coaches and Pa. Soccer Coaches Association.

Houlihan, the Reporter/Times Herald Player of the Year, had 30 goals and 15 assists while leading North Penn to the District 1 and PIAA championships in Class 4A.

Donovan, an attacking midfielder, led the Pioneers to a 21-4 season and to the PIAA championship game in Class 4A. Donovan had 28 goals and seven assists to cap her illustrious Conestoga career.

Unionville senior Michael Hewes was also chosen to the United Soccer Coaches Region II All-America Team. Spring-Ford senior Colin Trainor, Abington senior Nevin Baer, Lower Merion senior Phil Monos and Father Judge senior Brendan McCarthy joined Houlihan and Hewes on the USC All-Region II East team.

On the girls’ side,  Donovan was joined on the USC All-Region II East team by Pennridge senior Maddie Anderson, Boyertown junior Camilla Kuever, Strath Haven junior Maggie Forbes and Archbishop Ryan’s Gianna Monaco.

The Pa. Soccer Coaches Association released their All-State teams, including the above honorees, last week. Those teams can be found below the USC All-America selections.

2019 MALE STATE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2019 USC REGION II
MALE ALL AMERICA TEAM

2019 USC ALL REGION II (EAST) MALE TEAM

2019 FEMALE STATE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2019 USC REGION II FEMALE ALL AMERICA TEAM

2019 USC ALL REGION II (EAST) FEMALE TEAM

2019 Boys Pennsylvania All State Team

2019 Pennsylvania Female All-State Team

In addition to player of the year Maggie Forbes of Strath Haven, the rest of the All-Delco team includes:

Amelia Leyden, Agnes Irwin: The four-year starter authored a stellar senior campaign, pacing the Owls to 10 victories. Leyden helped Agnes Irwin post nine shutouts, including four in the high-octane Inter-Ac. In seven of the Owls’ 12 league games, Leyden helped them allow one goal or fewer. She made 13 saves in a shutout victory over Radnor, 13 in a blanking of Germantown Academy and, as the capstone on her career, 12 in a 1-0 win over Episcopal Academy to close the season. Leyden was the All-Inter-Ac first team goalie.

Strath Haven sophomore Dahlia Kuzemka returned from injury to anchor a strong defense for the Panthers all season. (Pete Bannan/MediaNews Group)

Brooke Snopkowski, Haverford: Though she missed a few games due to injury, the junior center back impressed opponents this fall. Stepping into the void left when both starters, including All-Delco Rebekah Cunningham, graduated from last year’s District 1 Class 4A quarterfinalist squad, Snopkowski made herself an irreplaceable piece. The Fords struggled to an eight-win season mainly because of a lack of offense (just 15 goals in 18 games). But with Snopkowski’s help they kept six clean sheets, and five of their eight wins were by 1-0 margins. That stinginess made Snopkowski a clear choice as the Fords’ MVP and an All-Central selection.

Alissa Kinney, Springfield: The senior defender helped the Cougars make the District 1 playoffs for the first time in 11 years and get an opening-round win over Interboro. Kinney teamed with goalie Shannon Cutcliff to help Springfield keep eight clean sheets and allow just 1.15 goals per game (23 goals in 20 games) in a 12-win season. Those results included a 0-0 draw with Strath Haven in the regular season and a 2-1 win over Cardinal O’Hara, two teams that made the state tournament. Kinney was one of the top vote-getters in All-Central balloting to land on the first team. She joins 2014 honoree Taylor Cutcliff as the only two Springfield girls soccer All-Delcos in the last 20 years.

Laila Payton, Episcopal Academy: Not much got past the senior defender, a four-year starter who lands on the All-Delco team for the second time. Payton covers so much ground in central defense, the Old Dominion commit helped pace Episcopal to an 11-win season. The Churchwomen gave up just 21 goals in 19 games and kept nine clean sheets, with Payton as the defensive leader. That included a string of six straight shutouts in October, starting with a 1-0 win over Agnes Irwin and including four victories in the Inter-Ac League. The All-Inter-Ac first teamer scored one goal, in a win over Notre Dame.

Haverford’s Brooke Snopkowski, left, here playing a game against Upper Dublin, helped the Fords attain six shutouts this season. (Pete Bannan/MediaNews Group)

Dahlia Kuzemka, Strath Haven: In her first varsity season after a knee injury, the sophomore not only stepped into a huge defensive role but proved to be one of the best dead-ball specialists around. Kuzemka accounted for five goals and 15 assists, most off set pieces. On the back end, she could play as an outside back or in the center of a three-man backline. The Panthers allowed 24 goals in 21 games; before two lopsided playoff results, that number had been 15 in 19, including a stretch of one total goal conceded in nine games to end the regular season and start districts. Haven kept 11 clean sheets. Kuzemka had a knack for clutch attack contributions, scoring twice in the District 1 Class 3A quarterfinals and setting up both of Forbes’ goals in the semis to get Haven into states for the first time in seven years. Kuzemka converted a penalty in the states loss to Archbishop Ryan.

Shayna Polsky, Penncrest: The junior was Penncrest’s most versatile piece on a young squad. When the Lions needed a goal, Polsky shifted up into central midfield. When they needed to protect a lead, Polsky fell into a backline that started two freshmen most of the year. She produced plenty of offense for a nine-win team that finished 19th in the District 1 Class 4A rankings, supplying 12 goals and 10 assists. She had a goal and two helpers in a win over Marple Newtown, scored twice against Interboro and had the game-tying goal in league draws with Radnor and Ridley.

Girls Soccer: The full listing of All-Delco teams

Julia Mullaney, Penncrest: If left to her own devices in midfield, the Penncrest senior would be content to patrol near the backline, break up passes and get stuck into tackles. But Mullaney proved she can do much more than just the defensive work, finishing third on the team with six goals to go with five assists in helping the Lions qualify for the District 1 Class 4A tournament. Three of her goals were game-winners, including in 1-0 nonleague victories over West Chester East and Lower Moreland. She opened the scoring in a league win over Garnet Valley and set up the winner against Haverford.

Sun Valley’s Chiara Robinson, center, led the Vanguards with her versatility and scored 13 goals along the way. (Pete Bannan/Digital First Media)

Lauren Cunningham, Episcopal Academy: The senior midfielder wrapped up an outstanding career before heading to Lafayette. Cunningham was the Churchwomen’s MVP in 2019, scoring 12 goals and 10 assists in leading EA to 11 wins. In a midfield deprived of 2018 All-Delco Raina Kuzemka due to a knee injury, Cunningham shouldered an even larger burden and flourished under the pressure. She was a constant, scoring four game-winning goals and helping freshman Maya Naimoli add 12 goals this season. The first-team All-Inter-Ac pick had two goals and three assists in two wins over Notre Dame and scored the winner in 1-0 decisions over Radnor and Agnes Irwin.

Carlie Shiller, Garnet Valley: The junior was the Jaguars’ leading scorer, helping them qualify for the District 1 Class 4A playoffs. The midfielder/forward was an All-Central pick in her third year as a starter, tallying nine goals and four assists. Three of the markers were game-winners, including a 2-0 contest with Harriton in which she both goals, a 1-0 decision over Methacton that proved vital to the Jaguars’ postseason fate and two goals in a 3-2 victory over Radnor, the winner with 11 minutes to play. Shiller also scored twice against Upper Darby.

Natalie Pansini, Agnes Irwin: The Princeton lacrosse commit proved she’s not bad at her other sport, either. Pansini led the Owls with 14 goals to go with seven assists, earning first-team All-Inter-Ac honors. She recorded a hat trick against Notre Dame, two goals and two assists in a win over George School, and two goals each in wins over Hill School and Radnor. Also an All-Delco in lacrosse last spring, Pansini capped her soccer career with the only goal of a 1-0 win over Episcopal on rivalry day.

Chiara Robinson, Sun Valley: The senior forward was the driving force behind many of the youthful Vanguards’ eight wins. She tallied a team-high 13 goals to go with two assists, a versatile player who could play in midfield or on the forward line as needed. She scored a hat trick to go with an assist in a win over Interboro to open the season. She added a hat trick in a loss to Downingtown West and two goals vs. Marple Newtown. Robinson had a knack for the clutch, scoring game-winning goals in a 1-0 win over Cardinal O’Hara, in a win over West Chester East and again with two minutes left as the Vanguards stunned Strath Haven in the regular season.

NETHER PROVIDENCE — Maggie Forbes knows that track runs in her family. That’s hardly a secret.

The CliffsNotes version: Maddie Forbes was a track All-Delco. So was Grace Forbes, times three, plus a two-time Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year. In her only season of cross country, Grace was the Girls Runner of the Year. Both now run at Rice University.

But Maggie also knows that soccer is pretty popular around the Forbes household. Maddie, a speedy winger, was a starter for Strath Haven in her day. It was a difficult decision for Grace to drop soccer after three years and focus on cross country last fall.

Maggie has followed her older sisters in their soccer/track time-sharing. But the junior is the only one to prioritize soccer in that arrangement. While her older sisters certainly had an affinity for the sport, the demands of the track eventually won out.

Strath Haven’s Maggie Forbes, left in this shot from a game against Unionville, assumed a leadership role for the Panthers this season, helping to lead them back to the state tournament for the first time since 2012. (DFM File)

Maggie, however, is bucking that trend.

“I definitely like soccer,” she said. “It’s hard for me to rank them. I like them both for different reasons. I think I really like the team aspect of soccer and it’s not just the individual. Track can be a team sport, too, but it’s not the same. You play countless games with your teammates and you just get really close with soccer. I value that a lot.”

It doesn’t take long watching Forbes in the middle of the pitch to feel like it’s where she belongs. With her long, loping strides that focus into quick, adroit movements on the ball and her long red hair trailing her movements across the field, Forbes has a blend of size, speed and technical ability perfectly adapted for the demands of the midfield engine room. Whether she’s tracking down an opponent with the ball or turning to connect combination passes, it’s not hard to see why soccer has won out in the contention for her considerable athletic gifts.

The Strath Haven program is certainly better off for it.

With Forbes in the middle of everything, Strath Haven won 14 games this season, making its first PIAA tournament since 2012. For that level of achievement, Forbes is the 2019 Daily Times Player of the Year.

Joining Forbes on the girls soccer first team is teammate and principal provider Dahlia Kuzemka; the Episcopal Academy duo of Laila Payton and Lauren Cunningham; Agnes Irwin’s Amelia Leyden and Natalie Pansini; the Penncrest pair of Shayna Polsky and Julia Mullaney; defenders Alissa Kinney of Springfield and Brooke Snopkowski of Haverford; Garnet Valley midfielder Carlie Shiller and Sun Valley forward Chiara Robinson.

Forbes and Payton are two-time All-Delcos. Only seven of the 12 selections are seniors. Snopkowski, Polsky, Forbes and Shiller are juniors, while Kuzemka is on the team as a sophomore. The All-Delco team is selected in consultation with area coaches.

• • •

Forbes qualified as a veteran leader for the Panthers this season. On a team where only two seniors started regularly, the power was undoubtedly housed in the junior class. Forbes’ level of play even from a young age dictated that she would ascend to a leadership role sooner rather than later.

All-Delco Girls Soccer: Leyden made all the stops as Agnes Irwin soared in Inter-Ac

For someone naturally soft-spoken, Forbes’ developing talent and experience helped her assume that full leadership task.

“I’ve always wanted to be able to be a great teammate but also being able to tell others what to do or support them, and helping them make the right decision was also a good thing to be able to do,” she said. “Having a voice as an upperclassman, when you’re an underclassman, you feel a little less. You can’t sort of tell the upperclassmen what to do. But now it was nice to be able to say like, ‘hey come slide in this way’ or something like that.”

It helps that Forbes seemed to have chemistry that looked natural with most of her mates. She’s been at Nether Providence Soccer Club for years (now at 1776 United FC), but only senior goalie Claire Wolgast is a teammate there. The connections she’s formed in midfield were more organic but looked like those dating back years.

She and junior midfielder Ellie Malek form a daunting pair in central midfield, one so strong that it compelled coach Gino Miraglia to drag Malek back from a run at forward. That connection extended to classmate Gianna Zweier, whose absence in the postseason due to injury was evident.

Then there’s the money connection between Forbes and Kuzemka, which yielded many of Forbes’ 13 goals. It’s how Forbes deposited both of the tallies in the District 1 Class 3A semifinal against Nazareth, the win that sent Haven to its first state tournament since 2012.

Girls Soccer: The full listing of All-Delco teams

Kuzemka didn’t play varsity as a freshman due to a knee injury, but you wouldn’t know that this was the first season they’ve played together after seeing their ability to be on the same page on set pieces.

“Her corner kicks are just amazing,” Forbes said. “There’s no way to describe them besides amazing. They go exactly where you want them to. I knew if I made the right run and just if I watched the ball coming in, I should be able to hit it in with my head.”

Forbes position in central midfield means she had a hand in everything for the Panthers. Through 19 games into the District 1 final, Haven had allowed just 15 goals. It kept 11 clean sheets, and the ability of Forbes and Malek to meter the tempo of the game, keep the ball and release pressure is a big reason for that stinginess.

This year’s quest for states was informed by last fall’s disappointment: The Panthers entered the postseason as the top seed in District 1 Class 3A but were upset in the second round by No. 9 Villa Maria. The Hurricanes went to states; the Panthers’ states drought went to six seasons.

With greater power on the field, Forbes was determined not to let it reach seven. And in stopping the states hiatus at the forefront of that impressive junior class that will return next fall, the hopes are going to grow ever larger.

“It was just incredible,” she said. “Last year, we fell short a little bit in the second round and it was unexpected. But this year, I think that last year gave us motivation to give it all we’ve got and push through. And I think we gave everything to get to states, and it was really exciting. … I think that we’ll be fired up more than ever and know that since we saw what it’s like to play in states.”

First Team

Amelia Leyden, Sr. GK, Agnes Irwin
Brooke Snopkowski, Jr. D, Haverford
Alissa Kinney, Sr. D, Springfield
Laila Payton, Sr. D, Episcopal Academy
Dahlia Kuzemka, So. D, Strath Haven
Shayna Polsky, Jr. D/M, Penncrest
Maggie Forbes, Jr. M, Strath Haven
Julia Mullaney, Sr. M, Penncrest
Lauren Cunningham, Sr. M, Episcopal Academy
Carlie Shiller, Jr. M, Garnet Valley
Natalie Pansini, Sr. F, Agnes Irwin
Chiara Robinson, Sr. F, Sun Valley

All-Delco Player of the Year: Rather than following sisters’ path, Forbes blazing new soccer trail at Strath Haven

Second Team

Shannon Cutcliff, Sr. GK, Springfield
Emily Diautolo, So. D, Radnor
Devon Whitaker, Sr. D, Episcopal Academy
Caroline Amen, Sr. D, Garnet Valley
Bella Grube, Sr. D, Archbishop Carroll
Katie Mason, Jr. D, Ridley
Ellie Malek, Jr. M, Strath Haven
Kara Mullaney, Jr. M, Penncrest
Ali McHugh, Sr. F, Episcopal Academy
Alyssa Long, Sr. F, Springfield
Gabby Liberio, Sr. F, Upper Darby
Morgan Reed, Sr. F, Interboro

All-Delco Girls Soccer: Leyden made all the stops as Agnes Irwin soared in Inter-Ac

Honorable Mention

Academy of Notre Dame: Abby Butler, Audrey Cain, Izzy Casale, Allie Lynch, Morgan O’Brien
Agnes Irwin: Alyssa Hardin
Archbishop Carroll: Keri Barnett, Nicollette Cashin, Reagan Duzy, Kiley Mottice
Cardinal O’Hara: Makaila Ley, Marissa Lobb, Julia Mirarchi, Julia Stellabotte
Chichester: Ava Franz
Episcopal Academy: Alexandra Bush, Raina Kuzemka, Maya Naimoli
Garnet Valley: Kathryn Toohey, Alyssa Wert, Mia Zebley
Haverford: Alyssa Hayes, Devon Snell, Paige Snell, Abby Wideman
Interboro: Madison Brady, Gianna Frangelli, Peyton Giove
Marple Newtown: Anna Gries, Asenka Kristikumar, Eleni Zografakis
Penn Wood: Mailani Hobbs
Penncrest: Gina Facciolo, Kenna Kaut, Taryn Tagtmeir
Radnor: Olivia Kelley, Lu McKenzie
Ridley: Shannen Hinchey, Sydney Verlinghieri
Springfield: Aidan Gallagher, Erin Gormley
Strath Haven: Lily Ostiguy, Grace Samaha, Claire Wolgast, Gianna Zweier
Sun Valley: Lauren Albrecht, Sam Hoy, Jackie Oldham, Shannon Purfield
Upper Darby: Haley Campbell

EAST WHITELAND >> The snowglobe that is the Ches-Mont League is close to being shaken once again.

Great Valley will likely join the Pioneer Athletic Conference beginning in the 2022-2023 season, according to multiple sources. The move is pending approval from the Great Valley school board.

Great Valley submitted its application to the Pioneer Athletic Conference, and that application was approved by the principals of PAC schools in a vote on Dec. 10, according to sources.

Pioneer Athletic Conference President Pat Nugent, the Spring-Ford High School principal, confirmed the vote Thursday morning: “On Tuesday, December 10, the Pioneer Athletic Conference voted to approve the Great Valley School District as a member of our conference starting with the 2022-2023 school year, pending approval of the Great Valley school board of directors,” Nugent released in a statement.

Efforts to reach Great Valley officials were not successful at the time of posting.

The school, which was an original member of the Ches-Mont League, has been a Pioneer Athletic Conference member in the past. The Patriots played in what was then the 10-school Pioneer Athletic Conference from 1988 until it returned to the Ches-Mont in 2002.

Great Valley is the northern-most school in the Ches-Mont, and would become the southern-most school in the PAC. The Pioneer Athletic Conference expanded to 12 schools in 2016 with the addition of Upper Merion and Norristown, schools both in close proximity to Great Valley. Neighbor and longtime rival Phoenixville is also a PAC school.

In addition to those three schools, the PAC includes schools along the Route 422 corridor: Methacton, Spring-Ford, Perkiomen Valley, Owen J. Roberts, Pottsgrove, Pottstown, Upper Perkiomen, Boyertown and Pope John Paul II.

The addition of Great Valley would elevate the PAC to 13 schools. The conference is aligned in two divisions, the large-school Liberty Division and smaller-school Frontier Division. As a 5A football school, Great Valley would align in size with Frontier Division schools. 

The Ches-Mont recently reshuffled divisions slightly, at least for football, with the largest schools making up the National Division and the others in the American, including Great Valley.

Octorara was the last school to leave the Ches-Mont, heading to District 3 and the Lancaster-Lebanon League two seasons ago.

These honors are chosen by the Ches-Mont League coaches in each sport.

BOYS’ SOCCER

NATIONAL DIVISION

1st Team:

Kevin Kiefer, WC Henderson, Sr

Tyler Reid, WC Henderson, Sr.

Tino Kneis, WC Henderson, So.,

Rye Jarran, Downingtown West, Sr.

Tobiaz Diaz-Fragas, Downingtown West, Sr.

Eric McFarland, Coatesville, Sr.

Luke Albergo, WC East, Sr.

Chris Comber, Downingtown East, Sr.

Alex Floyd, Downingtown East, Sr.

Gavin Domsohn, B. Shahanan, Sr.

Connor Bailey, B. Shanahan, Sr.

2nd Team:

Ethan Jarden, WC Henderson, So.

Iraj Saha, WC Henderson, Sr.

Ethan Ernst, Downingtown West, Jr.

Kyle McWilliams, Downingtown West, Jr.

Jeff Devol, Avon Grove, Sr.

Niklas Nowak, WC East, So.

Jacob Blevins, Downingtown East, Sr.

Luc Rising, Downingtown East, So.

Brett McCartney, Downingtown East, Sr.

Zane Domsohn, B. Shanahan, So.

Michael Krause, B. Shanahan, Sr.

Honorable Mention:

Alex Gershman, WC Henderson, Sr.

Tommy DeAngelis, WC Henderson, Sr.

Connor Paige, Downingtown West, Sr.

Dylan Englehart, Downingtown West, Jr.

Matthew Cordell, Avon Grove, Sr.

Eric Bechtel, WC East, Jr.

Drew Murta, Downingtown East, Jr.

Chris Winndecker, Downingtown East, Jr.

Jonah Grim, Coatesville, Sr.

Colin Deal, B. Shanahan, So.

Evan Cunningham, B. Shanahan, So.

AMERICAN DIVISION

1st Team

Andrew DiStefano, Bayard Rustin, Sr.

Alex Dolce, Unionville, Sr.

Tyler Emig, Bayard Rustin, Jr.

Zoller Gray, Oxford, Jr.

Edwin Guerrero, Kennett, Sr.

Michael Hewes, Unionville, Sr.

Kyle Ketterer, Unionville, Jr.

Daniel Kunzig, Kennett, Sr.

Nate McKay, Great Valley, Sr.

Alex O’Leary, Unionville, Jr.

Garrett Pinkston, Unionville, Sr.

Matty Scoffone, Bayard Rustin, Sr.

2nd Team

Ian Baughman, Oxford, Sr.

Tyler Brooks, Oxford, Sr.

Bobbo Chambers, Sun Valley, Fr.

Evan Dougherty, Unionville, Sr.

Evan Hartman, Kennett, Jr.

Mohamed Hendawy, Bayard Rustin, So.

Chase Segool, Sun Valley, Jr.

David Siguenza, Great Valley, Sr.

Ryan Vaughan, Sun Valley, Sr.

Quintin Wrabley, Great Valley, Jr.

Christian Zavala, Kennett, Sr.

Honorable Mention

Jared Crawford, Oxford, Sr.

Grady Farrell, Unionville, Sr.

Tyler Koenig, Sun Valley, So.

Dimitri Makris, WC Rustin, So.

Zach Mannices, Kennett, Fr.

Thomas Poncet, Kennett, Sr.

Joey Schipiro, Sun Valley, Sr.

Gavin Seele, Kennett, So.

Matthew Wellener, Great Valley, Jr.

Ethan Williams, Great Valley, Jr.

Jackson Wisneski, Oxford, Sr.

GIRLS SOCCER

NATIONAL DIVISON

1ST TEAM

Kate Gordon, WC Henderson, Sr.

Riley Cantando, WC Henderson, Sr.

Alaina McLaughlin, Bishop Shanahan, Sr.

Loryn Walker, Bishop Shanahan, Sr.

Emily Buckner, Downingtown East, Sr.

Caroline McDonald, Downingtown East, So.

Maren Dougherty, Downingtown East, Sr.

Lauren Reimold, Downingtown East, Fr.

Maddie Greco, Downingtown West, So.

Jamie Perkins, Avon Grove, Sr.

Ashley Buchheit, Downingtown East, Sr.

2ND TEAM

Mary King, WC Henderson, Jr.

Julia Bixler, WC Henderson, Jr.

Emily Longenderfer, Bishop Shanahan, So.

Ellie Udo, Bishop Shanahan, So.

Ella Marrollo, Downingtown East, Fr.

Meg Buckner, Downingtown East, Sr.

Rebecca March, Downingtown East, Sr.

Bridget Riley, Downingtown East, Jr.

Ava Rightmire, Downingtown West, Fr.

Maddie MacDonald, Avon Grove, So.

Meggan Kristman, Avon Grove, Sr.

HONORABLE MENTION

Taylor Turek, WC Henderson, Sr.

Allison Ringsdorf, Coatesville, So.

Julia Repetto, Bishop Shanahan, Sr.

Julia Marrone, Downingtown West, Sr.

Katie Hudachek, Downingtown East, Sr.

Delaney Pickerd, WC East, Sr.

Cosi Latshaw, Avon Grove, Jr.

AMERICAN DIVISION

1ST TEAM

Emma Gray, Great Valley, Sr.

Veronica Younce, Great Valley, Sr.

Elizabeth Cogan, Great Valley, Jr.

Mary Deitch, Great Valley, Jr.

Sara Darlington, Unionville, Jr.

Alex Wilson, Unionville, Jr.

Hayden Wilson, Unionville, Jr.

Gabbi Hoffmann, WC Rustin, Sr.

Riley Boyd, WC Rustin, Sr.

Jessie Rosser, Kennett, Sr.

Amelia Winters, Oxford, Sr.

2ND TEAM

Lauren Birchler, Great Valley, Sr.

Gillian Younce, Great Valley, So.

Rose Bleahan, Great Valley, So.

Jackie Hug, Unionville, Sr.

Hanna Firment, Unionville, Sr.

Julia Capparella, Unionville, Sr.

Grace Plona, WC Rustin, Sr.

Jama Keefer, WC Rustin, Jr.

Chiara Robinson, Sun Valley, Jr.

Jordan Barish, Kennett, Sr.

Dulce Villagomez, Oxford, Jr.

HONORABLE MENTION

Julia Dill, Great Valley, So.

Katie Borlie, Unionville, Sr.

Hope Donnelly, WC Rustin, Fr.

Katie Lacosta, Kennett, Sr.

Olivia Voss, Oxford, Fr.

Jackie Oldham, Sun Valley, Sr.

FIELD HOCKEY

NATIONAL DIVISION

1ST Team

Paige Wolfe, Downingtown East, Sr.

Carlee Fulton, WC East, Sr.

Lila McCulley, Avon Grove, Jr.

Ciana Riccardo, Downingtown West, Sr.

Lauren Bradley, Bishop Shanahan, Sr.

Gianna Cugino, WC Henderson, Jr.

Drew Taylor, Coatesville, Sr.

Tatum Johnson, Downingtown West, Sr.

Kari Schmidt, Downingtown West, Jr.

Sophia Mangasarian, WC East, Sr.

Emma Leppert, Bishop Shanahan, Jr.

2nd Team

Kira Balcavage, Avon Grove, Sr.

Rachel Swink, Downingtown East, Sr.

Sydney Scully, WC East, Sr.

Gianna Jaszczak, Downingtown West, So.

Bella D’Alessandra, Bishop Shanahan, Jr.

Olivia Ingram, WC Henderson, Jr.

Lainey McGaughey, Coatesville, So.

Madison Parke, Bishop Shanahan, Sr.

Ciara Margetich, Downingtown West, Fr.

Ava Irwin, Downingtown East, Sr.

Angelina Luongo, Bishop Shanahan, Jr.

Honorable Mention

Ashley Pizak, Downingtown West, Fr.

Katie Keating, Bishop Shanahan, Jr.

Kya Effinger, Downingtown East, Sr.

Lily Willard, Coatesville, So.

Lauren Franco, WC Henderson, Jr.

Alexis Barnhardt, Avon Grove, Sr.

Kathryn Palmer, WC East, So.

AMERICAN DIVISION

1st Team

Steph Oleykowski, Kennett, Sr.

Claire Murphy, Unionville, Sr.

Morgan Becker, WC Rustin, Jr.

Ellie Almeida, Unionville, Fr.

Emma Schwarz, Kennett, Jr.

Tessa Liberatoscoli, Great Valley, Sr.

Dani Panati, Unionville, Jr.

Mia Gruce, Kennett, Jr.

Kennedy Graham, Great Valley, So.

Christine Ditizio, WC Rustin, So.

Ryan Curley, Great Valley, Sr.

2nd Team

Amanda Holz, Oxford, Jr.

Carly Stello, Great Valley, Sr.

Shalane Buck, Sun Valley, Sr.

Maya Trader, Sun Valley, Jr.

Katie Stubits, WC Rustin, Sr.

Vivian Chiomento, Kennett, So.

Taylor Krafchick, WC Rustin, So.

Ally Hoffmann, Unionville, Sr.

Maggie Lawrence, Unionville, Sr.

Devon Johnson, Kennett, Jr.

Kirsten Brennan, Oxford, Jr.

Honorable Mention

Lexi Haws, WC Rustin, Sr.

Ashton McCormick, Unionville, Jr.

Caleigh Dinsmore, Great Valley, So.

Sarah Burns, Kennett, Fr.

Brooke Rush, Oxford, Sr.

Eden VanDyke, Sun Valley, Sr.

VOLLEYBALL

AMERICAN DIVISION

First Team

Sophie Brenner, Unionville, Jr.

Kat Tuerff, Unionville, Sr.

Emily Supplee, WC Rustin, Sr.

Ashlyn Wiswall, Unionville, Jr.

Hannah Vickers, Sun Valley, Sr.

Kristine Guenther, Sun Valley, Jr.

Morgan Bitzberger, WC Rustin, Sr.

Second Team

Alex Seel, Kennett, Jr.

Maddy Lowe, Unionville, Fr.

Genna Weeber, Unionville, So.

Lidsay Gal, Great Valley, Sr.

Olivia Nickerson, Sun Valley, Sr.

Meg Dion, WC Rustin, Sr.

Rachel DiCarlo, Sun Valley, Sr.

Honorable Mention

Nicole Karwoski, Great Valley, Sr.

Savannah Applegate, Kennett, Sr.

Emily Washkalavitch, Oxford, So.

Jordan Thompson, Sun Valley, Jr.

Emily Harper, Unionville, So.

Emma Klanica, WC Rustin, Jr.

NATIONAL DIVISION

First Team

Amanda Ball, WC Henderson, Sr.

Jess Angeline, Downingtown East, Sr.

Cara Shultz, Shanahan, Sr.

Mia Caporelli, Shanahan, Sr.

Audrey Jones, Downingtown West, Sr.

Jill Curran, Downingtown East, Sr.

Grace Casagrande, Shanahan, Sr.

Second Team

Brooke Lauletta, Downingtown East, Sr.

Jordan Musantry, Downingtown East, Sr.

Coco Shultz, Shanahan, So.

Brooke Burns, Shanahan, Jr.

Lizzie Carr, West Chester East, So.

Maddie Weller, Downingtown West, Jr.

Kayleigh Sheridan, Coatesville, Sr.

Honorable Mention

Lacie Brown, Avon Grove, So.

Bridget Kelly, Shanahan, Jr.

Rachel Wertz, Downingtown East, Jr.

Jenna Schuda, Downingtown West, So.

Reilly Ragni, West Chester East, Sr.

Hope Ousey, WC Henderson, Sr.

BOYS GOLF

1st Team

Evan Drummond, Downingtown East, Sr.

Jack Cooley, Unionville, Sr.

Roy Anderson, Unionville, Jr.

Jon Passarello, Unionville, Sr.

Ross Charlton, Unionville, Sr.

Aaron Stypulkowski, WC East, So.

Dylan Kochis, WC Henderson, So.

Justin Cinnamond, WC Henderson, Sr.

Eric Miller, WC Rustin, So.

Ryan Dariano, WC Rustin, So.

Matt Feeney, WC Rustin, Sr.

2nd Team

Ben Saggers, Shanahan, Fr.

Jake Leon, Downingtown East, So.

Andrew McCook, Downingtown East, Jr.

Luke Mullen, Kennett, So.

Joseph Madden, Oxford, Jr.

Rocco Giannangeli, Oxford, Jr.

Stephen Starnes, Unionville, So.

Will Hage, Unionville, Sr.

Connor Martin, WC Rustin, Jr.

Honorable Mention

Patrick McManamon, Coatsvillle, Sr.

Jeremy Negron, Coatesville, Sr.

Matt Walsh, Downingtown East, Sr.

Thomas Harper, Downingtown West, Sr.

Logan Diehl, Great Valley, Jr.

Justin Minch, Sun Valley, Jr.

Connor Gallagher, WC East, So.

Casey Caufield, WC Henderson, Sr.

GIRLS GOLF

1st Team

Ava O’Sullivan, Downingtown East, So.

Anisha Sonti, Downingtown East, Sr.

Ava Lichok, Downingtown East, So.

Nimah Narinesingh-Smith, Kennett, Jr.

Mary Dunigan, Unionville, Fr.

Charlotte Scully, Unionville, Jr.

Victoria Kim, WC East, So.

Mary Emma Guldi, WC Rustin, Jr.

2nd TEAM

Isabella D’Ambrosio, Downingtown East, Jr.

Katelyn Samples, Downingtown East, Sr.

Maria Crowe, Downingtown East, So.

Rebecca Fields, Oxford, Sr.

Kaitlyn Ferrer, Unionville, Fr.

Morgan Santaguida, Unionville, Jr.

Molly Evanko, Unionville, Jr.

Honorable Mention

Cecily Eason, Avon Grove, So.

Rachel Schneberger, Downingtown West, Jr.

Celia Breslin, Downingtown West, Jr.

Hannah Critchley, Downingtown West, So.

Jordan Owen, Great Valley, So.

Mira Patel, Unionville, Fr.

Meghan Reilly, Unionville, Sr.

Claire Liu, Unionville, So.

GIRLS TENNIS

American Division Singles

Leah Walter, Unionville

Saanvi Garg, Unionville

Cassie Hung, WC Rustin

Brooke Oberly, Great Valley

American Division Doubles

Emma Schmidt-Lili Lusvardi, Kennett

Faith Ilgner-Jaclyn Santaguida, Unionville

Sophie Walter-Josie Liu, Unionville

National Division Singles

Ella Tunnell, WC Henderson

Lauren Knopp, WC Henderson

Tanya Pant, Downingtown West

Amber Nguyen, WC East

National Division Doubles

Ella Tunnell-Lauren Knop, WC Henderson

Tanya Pant-Sophia Koons, Downingtown West

Alyssa Dehart-Lily Shi, Downingtown West

Olivia Zoretic-Nancy McSwain, WC Henderson

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

1ST TEAM

Cole Walker, Unionville

Ethan McIntyre, Unionville

Gavin Maxwell, Kennett

Bruce Trimmer, Oxford

Sam Elsen, Unionville

Sean McDonald, Downingtown East

Aiden Barnhill, Downingtown West

Declan Rymer, Downingtown West

Holden Betz, Downingtown West

Ben Datte, Downingtown West

2ND TEAM

Benny Clark, Avon Grove

Luke Campbell, Oxford

Joshua Lewin, WC East

Brendan Flynn, Downingtown East

Gavin Brophy, WC Henderson

Riley Casey, Great Valley

Caelan Sims, Downingtown West

Mike Search, Great Valley

Caiden Leen, Downingtown East

Ryan Straub, Downingtown West

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

1ST TEAM

Jenna Mulhern, WC Henderson

Allyson Clarke, WC East

Sonia Piombino, WC East

Michaela Schiele, WC East

Reagan Flannery, Downingtown West

Taj Lanier, Oxford

Sofia Piccone, WC Rustin

Marcella Krautzel, Unionville

Carolyn Tarpley, Downingtown West

Meghan Smith, Unionville

2ND TEAM

Caroline Miller, WC Henderson

Annika Plaff, Avon Grove

Ashley Cichon, Downingtown West

Jackie Druecker, Downingtown East

Amanda Kelly, WC Henderson

Liesl Scherrer, WC Henderson

Lauren Flannery, Downingtown West

Jess Wogram, Downingtown West

Emma Teneza, WC Henderson

Lauren O’Neil, Avon Grove

FOOTBALL

American Division

1st Team Offense

Sam Forte, Kennett, QB

Kyle Cichanowsky, WC East, RB

Garrett Cox, Kennett, RB

Justin Neskie, Oxford, WR

John Wileczek, WC East, WR

Joe Carozza, WC East, OL

Austin Weeber, Unionville, OL

John Colomarino, Kennett, OL

John Shallo, WC Rustin, OL

Ryan Whitman, WC Rustin, OL

Matt Montgomery, WC Rustin, TE

Nick Madonna, WC Rustin, ATH

Joe Shur, WC Henderson, K

1st Team Defense

Vincent Cresci, Kennett, DL

Matt Montgomery, WC Rustin, DL

Gabe Walsh, WC Rustin, DL

Zach Good, Kennett, DL

Garrett Cox, Kennett, LB

Declan Boyle, Unionville, LB

Tim Clifford, WC East, LB

Anthony Meadows, WC Rustin, LB

Conor Schilling, Unionville, DB

Kunal Maheshwari, WC East, DB

Sam Forte, Kennett, DB

John Wileczek, WC East, DB

Declan Boyle, Unionville, P

Honorable Mention

Michael Corregin, Great Valley, RB/DB

Ian Rodriguez, Great Valley, OL/DL

Connor Jung, Kennett, LB

Shawn Carroll, Kennett, OL

Tom Repetz, Oxford, QB

Jaxson Chew, Oxford, WR

Antonio Rivera, Sun Valley, WR

Sean Stone, Sun Valley, DB

2ND Team Offense

Blake Charlton, Unionville, QB

Connor Schilling, Unionville, RB

Drew Gallen, WC Rustin, RB

Stefan Twombly, Unionville, WR

Ryan Banavitch, Great Valley, WR

Alex Bilotti, WC Henderson, OL

Sam Davidson, Kennett, OL

Sawyer Jenkins, Sun Valley, OL

Graham Muscella, Great Valley, OL

Max Bowman, WC East, OL

Declan Boyle, Unionville, TE

Tyler Brooks, Oxford, K

2ND Team Defense

Jay Morton, Oxford, DL

Yadyn Cooper, WC East, DL

Jacob Steinmetz, Sun Valley, DL

Alex Bilotti, WC Henderson, DL

Mitch Zingani, WC East, LB

Graham Muscella, Great Valley, LB

Ty McGlaughlin, Sun Valley, LB

Kelvin Figueroa, Oxford, LB

Stefan Twombly, Unionville, LB

Jon Hamm, WC Henderson, DB

Blake Charleton, Unionville, DB

Ryan Banavitch, Great Valley, DB

Danny McKnight, WC Rustin, DB

Jaxson Chew, Oxford, P

Honorable Mention

Syncere Cooper, WC East, OL

Scott Cummings, WC East, TE

Cole Cooper, WC Henderson, WR

Jordan Laudato, WC Henderson, TE

Kevin Freas, WC Rustin, DB

Mike Fannon, WC Rustin, LB

Daniel Son, Unionville, OL

Nate Holt, Unionvile, LB

National Division

1st Team Offense

Ricky Ortega, Coatesville, QB

Tyriq Lewis, Downingtown West, RB

Spencer Uggla, Downingtown East, RB

Dapree Bryant, Coatesville, WR

Abdul Stewart, Coatesville, WR

Caelan Krasely, Downingtown East, OL

Richard Santiago, Coatesville, OL

Keanu Yazdjerd, Downingtown East, OL

Beau Bryan, Downingtown West, OL

Dylan Jorgenson, Avon Grove, OL

Sean Pelkisson, Downingtown West, TE

Julian Williams, Downingtown West, ATH

Spencer Machulski, Downingtown West, K

1st Team Defense

Sean Pelkisson, Downingtown West, DL

Maximus Hale, Downingtown West, DL

Jordan Engler, Coatesville, DL

Tony Cipriano, Bishop Shanahan, DL

John Ruttman, Coatesville, DL

Garrett Gripton, Downingtown East, LB

Connor Noble, Downingtown East, LB

Derek Seasgreaves, Coatesville, LB

Dapree Bryant, Coatesville, DB

James Basilii, Downingtown East, DB

Abdul Stewart, Coatesville, DB

Tyriq Lewis, Downingtown West, DB

Owen Mahoney, Avon Grove, P

2ND Team Offense

Will Howard, Downingtown West, QB

Colby Riddell, Avon Grove, RB

Stanley Brayant, Downingtown East, RB

Connor Noble, Downingtown East, WR

Alex Rosano, Downingtown West, WR

Tony Cipriano, Bishop Shanahan, OL

Matt Atwell, Coatesville, OL

Drew Shelton, Downingtown West, OL

Donnie Mitchell, Downingtown East, OL

Lenny Kresefski, Bishop Shanahan, OL

Rowen Hershey, Avon Grove, TE

Bobby Smith, Avon Grove, K

2ND Team Defense

PJ Grubb, Downingtown East, DL

Beau Bryan, Downingtown West, DL

Briggs Godfrey, Avon Grove, DL

Lamar Brown, Coatesville, DL

Spencer Uggla, Downingtown East, LB

Will Mahmud, Downingtown West, LB

Wyatt Kirby, Avon Grove, LB

Frank Johnson, Coatesville, LB

Stanley Bryant, Downingtown East, LB

Julian Williams, Downingtown West, DB

Sean Glatts, Avon Grove, DB

Garrett Glenndenning, Bishop Shanahan, DB

Justin Townsend, Downingtown East, DB

Spencer Machulski, Downingtown West, P

Honorable Mention

Rhys Whitehouse, Avon Grove, OL

Max Paschall, Avon Grove, OL

Brandon Choi, Shanahan, RB

Cooper Jordan, Shanahan, QB

Shamar Hall, Coatesville, DB

Connor Barthmeir, Coatesville, LB

James Voss, Downingtown East, OL

Nick Lovenguth, Downingtown East, TE

Marcus Gainer, Downingtown West, DB

Ryan Waters, Downingtown West, LB

Three Pope John Paul II athletes recently announced their college commitments. Here they are listed with their sport and school of choice and pictured with their families.

Dylan Walker, Football, Colorado State University

Pope John Paul II football player Dylan Walker has committed to continue his academic and athletic careers at Colorado State University. He is pictured with his parents Renee and Preston Walker.

Michael Knapp, Lacrosse, Eastern University

Pope John Paul II lacrosse player Michael Knapp has committed to continue his academic and athletic careers at Eastern University. He is pictured with his mother Jacqueline Knapp.

Natalia Santangelo, Soccer, University of Connecticut

Pope John Paul II soccer player Natalia Santangelo has committed to continue her academic and athletic careers at the University of Connecticut. She is pictured with her parents Elizabeth and Stephen Santangelo.

Caitlin Donovan

The senior attacking center midfielder, who led Chester County with 33 goals this fall, supplied the game-winning tally in double-digit matches for the Pioneers, who won their third straight Central League girls soccer title and advanced to the PIAA Class 4A title game. It was the fourth straight year Donovan was the Pioneers’ leading scorer, and she finished with 82 career goals. The United Soccer Coaches Association named her the state’s top player and put her on its All-American team. Donovan was named the Central League co-MVP, and was a repeat selection for All-State, All-Region and All-American honors. Next fall, she will be playing soccer for LaSalle University, where she has been invited to participate in the Business Scholars Co-Op Program. Two years ago, her brother Chris finished his legendary soccer career at Conestoga by scoring all four of the Pioneers’ goals in their 4-0 win against Hempfield in the PIAA 4A state championship final, and scored 56 goals during his senior season, more than doubling the school’s single-season record.

Q: Growing up with your older brother Chris, you competed against him quite a bit, even playing mini-soccer with him in the living room. What were the most important things Chris taught you about soccer?

A: Growing up with an older brother made me the player I am. He taught me to be competitive and to play with passion. He also taught me that I can compete against players that are bigger and stronger if I give more effort than them. One thing that I learned from constantly competing with my brother is that I hate losing.

Q: Tell us a little about your start in soccer.

A: I began playing soccer at age 5 with TEYSA, where my love for the game started. Some of the best friends I have today are ones that I met during my first few years playing soccer.

Q: What do you consider the strongest part of your game?

A: I think the strongest part of my game is creating scoring opportunities for me and my teammates. Another strong part of my game is my creativity – I am grateful towards my coaches (Ben Wilson with Conestoga and Sam Griggs with my club team 1776 United) for allowing me to be creative and try different things while I play.

Q: What are you working on most currently?

A: One part of my game that I am working on currently is my movement off the ball. I am also working to become stronger. Coach Ben Wilson has helped me with this by holding optional weight lifting sessions every week during the offseason.

Q: What was your favorite game of your Conestoga soccer career – can you share your most vivid memory of it with us?

A: My favorite game at Conestoga was the state semi-final against Pennridge this past year. Our team battled the whole game and we scored in the last 10 minutes to win 1-0. It was a great experience to make it to the state final with this team.

Q: Do you participate in any other extracurricular activities at Conestoga other than soccer?

A: Some of the activities I participate in at Conestoga are Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Latino Culture Club.

Fun facts – Caitlin Donovan

Favorite athlete: Son Heung-Min, winger for Tottenham Hotspur.

Favorite team: Tottenham Hotspur.

Favorite place to visit: The beach at Avalon, N.J.

Favorite pre game meal: “Peanut butter banana sandwich before the game but I love when our team has pasta parties the night before.”

Person I most admire: “Mr. [Kevin] Pechin, who was my elementary school gym teacher and is now the athletic director at Conestoga. He was so supportive of me throughout my childhood and I was so excited to reconnect with him at Conestoga.”

Family members: parents David and Karen, brother Chris. “Also my grandmother, who drove me to many of my practices when I was younger.”

(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)

To view a gallery of the Main Line Girls Athletes of the Week from 2013 to present click here

The end of the 2010s is upon us. (Yes, we see your decade pedantry, and we don’t need it today.)

A lot of Delco sports have happened since the calendar flipped from 2009 to 2010. You could catch an NBA game featuring Delco natives Derrick Jones and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, both All-Delcos this decade. The 2020 Olympics are nearing, where Delco natives like Shane Ryan and Darrell Hill are poised to make return appearances on the world’s biggest athletic stage after competing in Rio four years ago. Who knows which stars of the 2010s could end up joining them? The number of NCAA championships won by Delco players in the last decade is, frankly, incalculable, so take our word when we say it’s a lot.

One of the projects that marked our 2019 was the All-Delco Database, an accounting of some 80 years of accomplishments by players we’ve deemed All-Delcos in 20-plus sports. (The original database has been updated with the fall 2019 All-Delcos, bringing the number of honorees over the 8,000 mark.) That collection of data from the last 10 (and a half) academic years offers a window into what a decade it’s been.

For instance, Shane Ryan is one of six athletes in the last decade to be named an Athlete of the Year on three occasions. Three of those six are swimmers, with Ryan and Baturka joined by Haverford School’s Alex Boratto.

Haverford School also produced a three-time wrestler of the year in L.J. Barlow – and the decade ends with Sun Valley’s Hunter Catka, who has been named Wrestler of the Year twice, vying for a third nod as a senior. The other two are track stars: Grace Forbes of Strath Haven, a two-time track AOTY and once the cross country runner of the year, and Olivia Arizin, twice winning in cross country and once in track.

READ: Introducing the All-Delco Database

The race for the schools with the most All-Delcos since the start of the 2009-10 academic year was decided by a scant one spot: Garnet Valley had 211 athletes named All-Delco in the decade, one more than Episcopal Academy, in its first full decade within county limits.

Take a look through the other schools’ All-Delco outputs this decade at the view below:

Interestingly, neither of those most prolific providers of All-Delcos created the largest number of players of the year this decade. EA was third, with Garnet Valley tied for fifth. Instead, the honor went to Haverford School, with 27 POYs.

The driving force for the Fords was their swimming team, garnering six athlete of the year nods, followed by five from its vaunted lacrosse program. It’s not a bad haul considering that Haverford’s girls sports have, well, lagged significantly behind.

Below, you can scroll through the All-Delco database, sorted to show all the honorees in the last decade. As a special visualization, take a look at how the proportion of All-Delcos have morphed by school by year with the pie chart animation (use the arrows at bottom right to toggle between years). The map of All-Delco honorees is also updated for the last decade.  

TREDYFFRIN >> It may sound familiar: a Daily Local News’ Player of the Year in soccer who hails from Conestoga High School and has the last name of Donovan.

In 2017, it was a two-time All-American who led the Pioneers to the state championship game and was headed to play Division I soccer in college. And two years later, the name and resume remain exactly the same.

Siblings Chris and Caitlin Donovan have been competing and pushing each other for a long time. So it should come as no surprise that a couple years after Chris was honored as the area’s best boys player, his younger sister is now repeating the feat.

“They followed a pretty similar trajectory through their four years of high school,” said Ben Wilson, the head coach of the girls’ program at ’Stoga.

“It’s always a competition with me and my brother,” Caitlin acknowledged. “Chris set the standards pretty high, so I’ve always wanted to strive to achieve what he has.”

The only children of Karen and Dave Donovan have been challenging each other in everything from school grades to video games to athletics. And soccer seemed to be a focal point.

“We were so close growing up and we spent a lot of time together,” Caitlin explained. “We would play soccer in the living room with a mini soccer ball, and actually used the hearth of the fireplace as the goal.

“We’d do that every chance we could for years, and it was a lot of fun,” she laughed. “But plenty of stuff got broken and our parents weren’t too happy about that.”

Chris is now a sophomore and the leader scorer at Drexel. Caitlin is headed to crosstown rival La Salle, coming off a fantastic senior season at ’Stoga .

“Chris has had a huge impact on me,” she said. “He’s always been a great role model for me. I would always watch his high school and club soccer games to try and learn as much as I could.”

An attacking center midfielder, Caitlin led Chester County with 33 goals and chipped in nine assists this fall. It was the fourth straight year she was the Pioneers’ leading scorer. In all, she amassed 82 career goals.

“She’s been our leader on attack since she was a freshman,” Wilson said.

“I am a hungry player who is always looking to score goals and put my teammates in positions to where they can score,” she added.

Donovan was the key cog for a team that captured its third straight Central League title and advanced all the way to the state title game. The United Soccer Coaches Association subsequently named her the state’s top player and put her on its All-American team.

“Caitlin was not only scoring a lot of goals, she was helped building a lot of scoring chances for Calista (Courtney) and McKenzie (Coleman, who combined to score 35),” Wilson said. “She kind of terrorized teams with how dynamic she is on the ball. She definitely was a big part of our success.”

In addition, Donovan was named the Central League co-MVP, and was a repeat selection for All-State, All-Region and All-American honors. She supplied the game-winning goal in double digit matches this season, including a win over Pennridge in the state semifinal.

“She actually scored all of those goals while only playing about half of those games because we didn’t want to run up scores,” Wilson pointed out. “She probably would have scored 100 goals the last two years if we just would have let her do here thing.”

Donovan first started playing organized soccer at age five, but she started playing the game in the backyard with her brother at age three.

Conestoga’s Caitlin Donovan (PETE BANNAN – MNG)

“It goes back to before I can even remember,” she said.

When Wilson first saw Donovan as a freshman, two things stood out: that she was able to control the ball better than anyone, and that she was a natural goal scorer.

“The ball is kind of glued to her foot,” he said. “And lot of players have to have a perfect setup to score a goal, but Caitlin can score any way she wants to, with header, long-range shots, curl the ball with both feet.

“She is pretty ambidextrous. Her feet move so quick sometimes it’s like her feet are too fast for her body. But she is still able to keep the ball under control.”

Donovan made big strides between her sophomore and junior seasons thanks to work in the weight room. By then she had already verbally committed to La Salle. And even though national powers eventually showed interest, she is sticking with the Explorers.

“She could play anywhere in the country,” Wilson said.

“When I went on my visit, I just knew it was the right place for me,” Donovan added. “I love the coaches and the whole program. I think it will be a good fit for me.”

And a new rivalry with her older brother is already starting to take shape.

“We just recently watched the La Salle men’s basketball team beat Drexel, so there were a few comments back and forth during that,” she said.

“But the rivalry is definitely a good thing. It just made me a lot more competitive growing up – trying to keep up with my older brother.”

First Team Forwards

EMMA GRAY, Great Valley

A two-time All-Stater, Gray led the Patriots to the C-M American title and was the division’s player of the year. The senior amassed 11 goals and four assists, including four game-winners. “Emma was our most explosive forward again this year,” said acting head coach Tom Doyle. “Every game she was matched against the opposing team’s best defender.”

McKENZIE COLEMAN, Conestoga

A transfer student from New Mexico, Coleman had an excellent debut for the Pioneers, scoring 20 goals and dishing out 11 assists in 2019. She was selected to the All-Central League first team as a forward. “(Coleman) combined tremendous strength and speed, with great touch on the ball as well as a hammer of a shot,” said ’Stoga coach Ben Wilson.

ALAINA McLAUGHLIN, Bishop Shanahan

The senior wrapped up her career with 13 goals and 10 assists, giving McLaughlin 43 career varsity goals. She was the Eagles’ leading scorer for three seasons and is a two-time All-League pick. “Alaina was a standout in every game even though most teams man-marked her,” said Shanahan head coach Ken Schmidt. “She used a combination of speed and physicality to impact all facets of the game.”

CAROLINE McDONALD, Downingtown East

Just a sophomore, McDonald has already garnered two All-Ches-Mont first team honors. In 2019, she was the league’s leading scorer with 22 goals and 18 assists, and was the runner-up in the voting for C-M National MVP. “Caroline was one of the highest scorers in the entire state,” said her coach Craig Reed.

SARA DARLINGTON, Unionville

A junior forward, Darlington was one of the most dangerous weapons in the Ches-Mont. She scored 12 goals, added 10 assists and was a first team All-Ches-Mont American pick for the second straight year. “Sara is a dynamic and athletic player who has a motor that never stops,” said her coach Joe Ratasiewicz.

ALEX WILSON, Unionville

A go-to player for the Indians, Alex Wilson led Unionville in scoring with 14 goals and nine assists. The junior scored six game-winning goals and was a first team all-league selection for a second straight year, as well as the American Division MVP runner-up. “Alex is a technically sound player whose energy and drive makes her a standout,” said her coach Joe Ratasiewicz.

First Team Midfielders

HAYDEN WILSON, Unionville

A dynamic junior midfielder, Hayden Wilson registered nine goals and 11 assists and is a two-time All-Ches-Mont pick. She notched two game-winning goals in district action, which propelled the Indians into the state playoffs. ”Her tactical awareness is superior and coupled with her technical abilities makes her a threat any place on the pitch “

MADDIE BYRNE, Villa Maria

A senior co-captain, Bryne was a first-team All-AACA pick in 2019. She totaled seven goals and seven assists, and will be playing at the University of Scranton next fall. “Maddie is an exceptional center midfielder with excellent field vision, tremendous technical ball skills to go along with a high motor,” said her coach Gary Christopher. “She is a relentless defender and team leader.”

LAUREN REIMOLD, Downingtown East

The lone freshman to earn All-Ches-Mont honors, Reimold was an effective box-to-box midfielder. She scored 10 goals and delivered 16 assists. She was one of the driving forces for the Cougars, who won the overall Ches-Mont league crown.

First Team Defenders

CALISTA COURTNEY, Conestoga

The backbone of a defense that allowed just one goal in the entire PIAA Tournament, which ended in the State 4A Championship Game. A first-team All-Central League honoree, Courtney chipped in with 15 goals and 10 assists this fall, and is being recruited by several Division I programs. A four-year starter, Courtney is described by her coach Ben Wilson as the team’s most versatile player.

EMILY BUCKNER, Downingtown East

The two-time Ches-Mont National MVP, Buckner was the 2018 Daily Local News Player of the Year. Buckner was an excellent defender who was also heavily involved in the Cougars’ attack. She was a first team All-State selection. “Emily was the best player in the Ches-Mont and one of the top players in the state,” said her coach Craig Reed.

ALLIE LEWIS, Westtown

A dominant defender who also has offensive skills, Lewis scored eight goals and added five assists. The junior has already committed to play collegiately at Division I Virginia Tech. Lewis was widely considered the top player in the Friends School League. With her help, Westtown allowed just two goals against all league foes. “Allie is probably the most dominating center back in FSL history, and everyone knows it,” said her coach “She is a superstar.”

First Team Goalkeeper

ASHLEY BUCHHEIT, Downingtown East

The Cougars captured the Ches-Mont crown in ’19 thanks to an excellent defense, and Buchheit was the last line of resistance. In conference play, Buchheit conceded just five goals in all. “Ashley was voted the top goalkeeper by the Ches-Mont coaches,” said Craig Reed, her coach.

SECOND TEAM FORWARDS

VERONICA YONCE, Great Valley

ELIZABETH COGAN, Great Valley

JAMIE PERKINS, Avon Grove

KATE GORDON, West Chester Henderson

GABBIE HOFFMAN, West Chester Rustin

SECOND TEAM MIDFIELDERS

JESSIE ROSSER, Kennett

MADDIE GRECO, Downingtown West

AMELIA WINTERS, Oxford

RILEY BOYD, West Chester Rustin

SECOND TEAM DEFENDERS

MAREN DOUGHERTY, Downingtown East

RILEY CANTANDO, West Chester Henderson

LORYN WALKER, Bishop Shanahan

MARY DEITCH, Great Valley

HONORABLE MENTION

Conestoga: Sophie Koziol, Reese Henderson.

West Chester Henderson: Mary King, Julia Bixler.

Bishop Shanahan: Emily Longenderfer, Ellie Udo.

Downingtown East: Ella Marrollo, Meg Buckner, Rebecca March, Bridget Riley.

Downingtown West: Ava Rightmire.

Avon Grove: Maddie MacDonald, Meggan Kristman.

Coatesville: Allison Ringsdorf.

Villa Maria: Hannah Young, Grace McLees, Peyton Coron.

Great Valley: Lauren Birchler, Gillian Younce, Rose Bleahan.

Unionville: Jackie Hug, Hanna Firment, Julia Capparella.

West Chester Rustin: Grace Plona, Jama Keefer.

Kennett: Jordan Barish, Katie Lacosta.

Oxford: Dulce Villagomez, Olivia Voss.

Westtown: Emily Coe, Bridget Fitzpatrick.

West Chester East: Delaney Pickerd.

Conestoga: Annabel Schwartz, Kristi Dirico, Caroline Klaiber.

Coach of the Year

Ben Wilson, Conestoga

The Conestoga girls came tantalizingly close to authoring a storybook finish to the 2019 soccer season. After several years of postseason disappointment, ’Stoga advanced all the way to the PIAA 4A State Championship Game before falling to Boyertown, 1-0, in double overtime.
It’s a far cry from where the program was when Ben Wilson became the head coach after a 2015 season, when the Pioneers won just five matches. In all, Conestoga went 20-4 this fall and won the tough Central League crown for the third year in a row.
“I was disappointed not winning the final, but the big thing was getting the team past the first round of states and show we could make a deeper run,” said Wilson, the 2019 Daily Local News Coach of the Year.
“This year just kind of came together. We had the experience and the team to just take care of business.”
With Wilson leading the way, ’Stoga has evolved to fit the strengths of the roster, going from defensive-minded to attack-oriented over the past few seasons. In 2018, the Pioneers won the District 1 title but faded quickly in states. This year, Conestoga was third in the districts but rebounded to make a run at the state crown.
“We had the best all-around attack we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Wilson explained. “In the past we were more of a defense-first team. This season we were more attack-minded and even played three back on defense most of the time.”
— By Neil Geoghegan

Aliceia Whitfield poured in 24 points and freshman Rory Tiedeman hit four key free throws late as Sun Valley defeated Kennett, 46-38 in overtime to claim its first Ches-Mont League victory in three years.

Tiedeman went 4-for-6 from the line in the extra period while Whitfield hit a pair to close things out for the Vanguards, who shot 17-for-25 from the charity stripe. Freshman Jaina Preuhs drilled two three-pointers in the win.

In the Del Val League:

Penn Wood 69, Interboro 41 >> Jada Hutt had 11 points and 13 rebounds while Xenia Gillis had 13 points and 17 rebounds in a dominant win for the Patriots, who led by 25 points heading into the final quarter. Ashley Cyrus scored 16 points and La’Shonda Smith chipped in 12 points for Penn Wood.

Madison Diehl had six points for the Bucs.

Academy Park 75, Chester 25 >> Sierra Thomas (21 points) was one of three players to score in double figures for the Knights along with Lashay Jackson (15) and Jereiah Martin (10). Thomas also nailed six three-pointers and Semaji Young hit a pair from deep.

Samantha Farrington had seven points and Natonya Taylor added six points for the Clippers.

In the Philadelphia Catholic League:

Bonner-Prendergast 57, Archbishop Ryan 27 >> Alexis Eagan hit three three-pointers on her way to 15 points and Bridie McCann had two triples while finishing 13 points for the Pandas (8-10, 2-8). Emma Beaty had 12 points for Bonner-Prendergast, which built a 20-point advantage at the break.

In the Inter-Ac:

Germantown Academy 35, Academy of Notre Dame 30 >> Allie Lynch had 12 points and shot 3-for-4 from the free-throw line while Maeve McErlane scored 10 for the Irish, who only trailed by two heading into the fourth.

Episcopal Academy 38, Agnes Irwin 16 >> Cara Hearty led the way with 13 points including three makes from behind the arc and Caroline McCreary added eight points for the Churchwomen (10-8, 5-3). Raeleen Keffer-Scharpf had six points for Episcopal Academy.

Katie Anderson knocked down two three-pointers and finish with 11 points for the Owls.

Zac Weaver, Baseball, Lehigh Carbon Community College

Owen J. Roberts baseball player Zacary Weaver has committed to continue his academic and athletic careers at Lehigh Carbon Community College, where he will major in construction technology. Seated from left are Jaime Weaver, Zacary Weaver, Mark Weaver. Standing behind from left are OJR head coach Greg Gilbert, Dylan Weaver, and assistant coach Jon Yoder.

Gianna Stalletti, Lacrosse, Benedictine College

Owen J. Roberts’ lacrosse player Gianna Stalletti, center, has committed to continue her academic and athletic careers at Benedictine College, where she will major in criminal justice. She is pictured with her mother Dawn Stalletti, and father Sergio Stalletti.

Michael Kilgallon III, Lacrosse, Misericordia Univ.

Owen J. Roberts lacrosse player Michael Kilgallon III, center, has committed to continue his academic and athletic careers at Misercordia University, where he will major in statistics. Pictured from left are father Michael Kilgallon Jr., grandmother Peggie “Mookie” Kilgallon, Michael Kilgallon III, sister Maggie Kilgallon and mother Katrina Kilgallon.

Sierra Everett, Tennis, California Univ. of Pa.

Owen J. Roberts tennis player Sierra Everett, center, has committed to continue her academic and athletic careers at California University of Pa., where she will major in criminal justice. Seated from left are mother Shanelle Lawrence, Sierra Everett, father Larry Lawrence. Standing from left are assistant coach Mike Fritz and head coach Jerry Styer.

Melissa Orr, Soccer, John Jay College

Owen J. Roberts soccer player Melissa Orr has committed to continue her academic and athletic careers at John Jay College, where she will major in forensic science. Pictured from left are mother Elisabeth Orr, Melissa Orr, sister Jackie Orr and father Robert Orr.

Logan Reese, Volleyball, Baldwin Wallace Univ.

Owen J. Roberts volleyball player Logan Reese, center, has committed to continue his academic and athletic careers at Baldwin Wallace University, where he will major in business. Logan Reese (BLAX) verbally commits to Baldwin Wallace UIniversity (notes/pic attached).
Pictured from left are mother Jill Reese, sister Maddie Reese, Logan Reese and father Will Reese.

In what felt like a flash, the basketball world came to a screeching halt.

At the high school level, the PIAA tournaments remain in a state of limbo in the quarterfinal round. For the women’s college level, the Division III tournament was cancelled ahead of the Sweet 16, Division II teams were sent home on the eve of their first round games and Division I squads didn’t even get a bracket with most about to begin conference play.

It’s left a major void and in hopes of trying to somewhat patch it and spark some discussion, the Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media sports staff is constructing a field of the top 16 girls’ basketball teams from the 2010 decade.

The bracket will be released in the Monday, April 6 print editions of the Reporter and Times Herald and online at PaPrepLive.com.

 Souderton captains (11) Alana Cardona, (3) Tori Dowd, (24) Sami Falencki and (32) Kate Connolly hold the PIAA District 1-6A championship trophy at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. (Pete Bannan/MediaNews Group)

While the staff has tried its best to marshal the best candidates together, area coaches and fans are welcome to plead their team’s case via email to rolsports@21st-centurymedia.com.

There are a few guidelines to abide by when it comes to whittling down a very, very deep field of contenders.

Only teams from the 2009-10 through 2018-19 seasons are eligible. The current season would be considered the start of a new decade and it allows for teams still alive in this year’s state tournament to finish it if the PIAA is able to do that.

Specific schools are allowed multiple entrants into the field. Archbishop Wood for example, has five PIAA titles (09-20, 10-11, 11-12, 15-16, 16-17) and eight state title game appearances in the last decade alone while Germantown Academy is an annual contender for the Inter-Ac and PAISAA crowns and Abington owns a pair of District 1 titles in the past 10 years just to name a few.

Germantown Academy’s Elle Stauffer drives to the hoop during game with North Penn December 28, 2018. (Gene Walsh/MediaNews Group)

Accomplishments certainly go a long way in resume building. Everything is considered from win total, conference regular season and tournament titles, district playoff runs and of course any postseason hardware like district or state titles.

The past decade also brought a major shakeup at the PIAA level when the state expanded from four classifications to six prior to the 2016-17 season. It’s no coincidence that season was one of the most successful across the board for area teams with Wood capturing the inaugural 5A state title, programs like Plymouth Whitemarsh, Abington and North Penn enjoying success in the largest classification and the smaller classes expanding.

The Jenkintown girls basketball team celebrates with fans after winning the 2017-18 PIAA Class A title at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Class size won’t be held against teams either. As an example, Jenkintown, which has been one of the state’s best at the A level and owns a state title in 2017-18, has just as much a chance as any team from Souderton or North Penn.

Finally, the talent on the floor plays a role. If possible, all-conference and all-state selections will be considered as well as players who went on to the college level but again, will not disqualify teams that may not have sent an entire starting lineup to the next level.

Plymouth Whitemarsh’s Taylor O’Brien goes to the basket during game against McCaskey in first round of PIAA tournament at Cheltenham High School March 10, 2017. (Gene Walsh/MediaNews Group)

In many cases, a team from one season may have several holdovers from either the prior season or into the next. Selecting a specific year can be a way to acknowledge a core group of players that put together two or three strong campaigns in a row.

The window is still open for nominations and reader input will continue to play a pivotal part in moving the brackets along once the field is announced on Monday.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania schools will remain shuttered for the rest of the academic year because of the coronavirus pandemic that has sickened thousands and caused hundreds of deaths statewide, under an order signed Thursday by the state’s education secretary.

The extended shutdown order affects more than 1.7 million students in public and private K-12 schools. It means children will spend the rest of the year learning remotely.

In order to keep as many Pennsylvanians as possible safe, schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year.

Special thank you to everyone who is doing their part to ensure our kids continue to learn and grow, even during these tough times. pic.twitter.com/2nv1MbXDA0

— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) April 9, 2020

The order applies through the last day of the current academic year, a date that varies among districts because calendars are set by school boards.

Gov. Tom Wolf made the decision after consulting with Education Secretary Pedro Rivera and Dr. Rachel Levine, the state health secretary, Wolf’s spokeswoman said Thursday.

Annette Stevenson with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association welcomed the decision.

“I think it’ll bring great relief to the schools and the school leaders, because what it’ll do is allow them to formulate the long-term plan instead of having this interim plan in place,” Stevenson said.

PIAA Statement

Rivera told The Associated Press that decisions about how to handle graduations, which are made by local school districts, will depend on the extent of social distancing and stay-at-home direction in place as the graduation season nears.

Some districts are making plans for virtual commencement exercises, Rivera said.

Schools might be able to provide summer programming that starts on the day after their academic years end, although re-opening buildings will depend on further action by the governor, Rivera said.

“Reopening will depend on the decision by the governor, based on the data and the research and the expectations set by the secretary of health,” Rivera said.

His order also waived several other provisions of law and regulations, including one related to teacher evaluations.

Wolf first closed schools on March 13, initially for two weeks, as the virus continued its march across Pennsylvania. The Democratic governor tacked on another week before closing schools indefinitely, part of a series of progressively tougher measures meant to contain the outbreak and prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.

A state law passed last month mandates that schools provide an education during the pandemic, either by teaching new material or reviewing material that was already taught.

Rivera said about half of the school districts have sent his department plans that describe how they are continuing to educate children during the shutdown.

Wolf also has closed nonessential businesses and ordered all Pennsylvania residents to stay home.

Pennsylvania has seen more than 16,000 confirmed COVID-19 infections and 310 deaths.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in a couple of weeks. Older adults and people with existing health problems are at higher risk of more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.