GIRLS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
* Beth Blasi, Fallston, junior, forward -- She was an imposing offensive threat for the second straight season, as her team-leading 18 goals and 13 assists gave her two-year totals of 37 goals and 20 assists. She scored at least one goal in 13 of her team's 17 games. Despite being the focal point of opposing defenses, she not only scored, but used her passing skills to set up teammates. For the season, the Cougars had 19 players score at least one goal, 14 of them with three or more. In the state semifinals, she assisted on the first goal, scored the second and set up the third in a 3-2 win over Liberty. In the championship, she had the first goal in a 3-1 win over Oakland Mills.
GIRLS COACH OF THE YEAR
* Nancy Ferguson, Fallston -- In past seasons, this 10-year coach had taken teams in three girls sports -- soccer, basketball, and lacrosse -- to state tournaments, but this fall's 17-0 team produced not only her first championship, but the first girls soccer title for a county team. Losing only one senior from last year's Class 1A-2A state semifinalist, the Cougars played as though on a mission. This was especially true in the playoffs, where Ferguson emphasized the importance of getting ahead early. Fallston went on to outscore its five foes a combined 26-3, with three shutouts. This gave the team a season goal margin of 102-8, with 12 shutouts by goalkeeper Emily Weibel, a junior pressed into starting duty when regular keeper Suzy Harrison was sidelined by a preseason back injury. Ferguson had equal success in shifting several players between midfield and back as dictated by a particular situation. However, with success will come the burden of defending, as her starting lineup included five juniors and four sophomores.
GIRLS FIRST TEAM AT A GLANCE
* Courtney Benner, Fallston, junior, forward -- She was the perfect complement to Blasi with 17 goals (including four against Aberdeen) and eight assists. She was at her best in the two state tournament games, scoring the game's first goal against Liberty in the semifinals, and assisting Blasi on the first goal and scoring the second in the final win.
* Jen Cook, Fallston, sophomore, defender -- The sweeper for a team that allowed eight goals in 17 games, she was an important part of an experienced back line that included top marker Kelly Wolf. She was especially good at working with different players, as midfielders and backs were shifted around by Ferguson. As things developed, too, much of Fallston's high-powered offense was generated from in back. In rare advances, Cook scored three goals.
* Becky Gerhart, C. Milton Wright, junior, midfielder -- A repeat first-team selection, she had at least a goal and/or an assist in nine of 12 regular-season games, and added three goals in the playoffs.
* Amy Goetzinger, John Carroll, junior, forward -- One of three returning veterans on offense, she had speed and ball-control skills to go with her scoring (five goals, six assists). She provided leadership for a basically young team.
* Miranda James, C. Milton Wright, junior, defender -- A first-team forward last year, she started the early games there this season (four goals, five assists), then was moved back to sweeper. She went on to collect four more goals, and her speed and defensive tenacity helped goalkeeper Updegrove have a smoother path in the last half of the season.
* Danielle Konschak, North Harford, sophomore, midfielder -- A repeat first-team choice, she finished as the county's second-leading goal-scorer with 19, plus eight assists. The top county midfielder, she has a knack for making teammates better.
* Erin Lesh, C. Milton Wright, sophomore, forward -- She was one of six Mustangs with between eight and 10 goals. She had eight, including the game-winners against Patapsco and Bel Air in the regionals.
* Beth Rappold, Fallston, junior, defender -- A repeat first-team selection, she played either midfield or back. She had four goals and two assists working out of the middle, including the goal in the 1-0 regional final win over North Harford. As a back, she went behind her goalkeeper to make a save on a Liberty shot in an -- at the time -- scoreless state semifinal matchup, and in the championship game, started in the middle, then dropped back as an added defender after the Cougars scored their first goal.
* Tara Schlerf, North Harford, sophomore, defender -- She was part of an otherwise senior backfield that helped limit foes to a one-goal average and shut out seven of them in a 10-5 season.
* Erin Updegrove, C. Milton Wright, junior, goalkeeper -- A repeat first-team selection, she gave up eight goals (four by eventual state champion Centennial) in first six games, then allowed only four in remaining 10 games, including a 2-1 county championship loss to Fallston. In the regionals, she allowed one goal in four games as the Mustangs (12-4) went to the final before losing to Perry Hall in a shootout.
* Lynn Wilkinson, Bel Air, junior, forward -- A two-year starter, she led the county in goals scored with 21 and added seven assists.
BOYS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
* Matt Youngerman, C.M. Wright, senior, defender -- He came back from not playing last year to be physically and mentally stronger. He was the heart of a defense-minded team and his height (6 feet 3) enabled him to see the field well, and gave him an edge in heading balls out of trouble. He played had two goals and three assists.
BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR
* Paul Snyder, C.M. Wright -- He achieved his greatest success in a 14-year coaching career, taking the Mustangs (13-2-4) to the Class 3A championship game before losing to No. 1-ranked Centennial on two goals in the final 27 minutes. His defense allowed more than one goal only once between the opener, a loss to Calvert Hall, and the Centennial final. There were only four seniors (all starters) on the 19-man roster.
BOYS FIRST TEAM AT A GLANCE
* Joe Davis, C.M. Wright, senior, forward -- He led the team in scoring with 17 goals and four assists. "Not only did he score for us, but I believe our defense started with his work in the offensive end," Snyder said.
* Mike Giuffrida, Fallston, senior, forward -- His 18 goals and seven assists enabled him to lead the county in scoring for a second successive year.
* Ryan Nelson, C.M. Wright, sophomore, defender -- An outstanding marker, his efforts included shutting out the scoring leaders from Calvert Hall, Centennial, Fallston and Kenwood.
* Todd Paradise, Fallston, senior, midfielder -- In his fourth varsity season, the two-time first-team selection was a physical force, and his quickness made him equally effective setting up an offensive thrust or breaking up opposing runs.
* Dave Peterson, Fallston, senior, defender -- He was an important member of a defensive unit that was the county's stingiest -- allowing three goals in 12 regular-season games. The Cougars lost to Loch Raven in a shootout after the two tied, 1-1, in the regional playoffs.
* Mike Piccolo, North Harford, senior, forward -- He was the top scorer (17 goals and five assists) for a team that went 14-0-1 before losing to Oakland Mills in the state final, 1-0.
* Ryan Renfrow, North Harford, junior, defender -- Renfrow moved from forward to back early in the season and went on to be the chief marker of the opposition's best forward.
* Jud Ryan, Fallston, senior, defender -- Another key to the team's defense, he marked well and was tough to beat, especially in tense situations.
* Keith Smith, North Harford, senior, midfielder -- A four-year starter, he was outstanding in transition, and his eight goals and 11 assists raised his career total to 60 points.
* Peter Troilo, C.M. Wright, junior, midfielder -- His ability to create things in the middle made him a top playmaker. He could drop back to help on defense. He is a two-time first-team choice.
* David Zorn, North Harford, senior, goalkeeper -- Over a 16-game season, he had 12 shutouts and allowed only five goals. In five playoff games, the Hawks outscored their foes, 19-3, including a 1-0 decision over Franklin in a regional final.
PICKING THE TEAMS
The Baltimore Sun 1994 All-Harford County football and boys and girls soccer teams were selected by John. W. Stewart after consultation with area coaches.