Player of the Year

Holly Noga, Severna Park: Noga went from being an offensive threat in years past to a premier scorer this fall, putting in 16 goals and four assists to help lead the Falcons to the Class 4A final game. The junior took on defenders, using her explosive speed and ball skills to get by them, and then finish. "She really stepped it up mentally," said Severna Park coach Chuck Seivert. "We worked a lot on one-on-ones and also looking up and deciding where you're going to put the ball." Noga was at her goal-scoring best in the second half against Chesapeake midway through the regular season, when she scored three times to turn a 1-0 halftime deficit into a 3-1 win. In the Falcons' 2-1 loss to Wootton in the state final, she scored in the game's second minute. Her work ethic in practice set an example for teammates and played big in turning opportunities into goals during games. "After practicing those things so much, you get in games and know where you want to put the ball," Noga said during the season.

Coach of the Year

Charles Parks, Northeast: Ten minutes were all Parks needed to realize he had something special in the works at Northeast this season. The span came at the start of the second half in the Eagles' opener against two-time defending state champ South River. His Eagles led 2-0. Would they fold under the Seahawks' pressure or weather the storm? They won, 3-1. The Eagles won six of their first seven games -- matching last year's six wins by Oct. 1 -- and finished the season at 11-6, their best in Parks' four seasons. "It's been a building process. We've gotten better each year," said Parks, whose Eagles went 6-7 in 1997, 10 of those games decided by one goal. "It's nice to see them turn the corner." With a strong nucleus returning to go along with new talent coming up from the Eagles' 7-4 JV, bigger things seem to be ahead. Unfortunately, it will have to be without Parks, who stepped down from his coaching post after recently being promoted to deputy chief administrator with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department.

First team at a glance

Eryn Belt, South River, senior, defense: A second-team All-County selection as a junior, Belt's sturdy play in the middle of the Seahawks' defense resulted in a jump to the first team. Able to play either sweeper or stopper, Belt was tough to get by and had the skills to work the ball out of the back.

Kelly Bertwell, St. Mary's, senior, defense: Seeing time at both stopper and in the midfield, Bertwell was productive both places. A tenacious defender who also had the offensive skills to put in eight goals and assist on two, she was a leader on a young St. Mary's team that reached the Catholic League championship game this fall.

Amy Campion, Archbishop Spalding, senior, midfield: nior, midfield: Able to see the whole field and make the right decision with the ball, Campion, a tireless worker at center midfield, had eight goals and nine assists. Her value was much more than numbers. The Cavaliers' captain made an immediate impression first-year coach Bob Greeno with her work and leadership.

Erin Dubina, Severna Park, freshman, forward: ward: With endless energy and skills to match, Dubina burst onto the varsity scene and made an immediate impact for the Class 4A state runner-up Falcons. She scored 17 goals and added six assists with an upperclassman's poise. Her speed and field savvy made her a difficult mark.

Lauren Gontkof, Chesapeake, senior, midfield: field: The Cougars' play-maker was a steadying influence, winning balls at midfield and finding the open wing to start the attack. Coach Lin Sullivan called his four-year varsity player "a consistent, solid force." The team captain led the Cougars to the Class 4A East region final, scoring four goals and four assists.

Kelly Jordan, Arundel, senior, forward: The standout striker made an immediate impression as a sophomore when she scored 21 goals to lead the Wildcats to the Class 3A-4A inals. It also turned out to be a lasting one. Jordan closed out a brilliant varsity career with 13 goals and nine assists this fall. Coach Tom Degner said it was no coincidence that the Arundel program came into prominence upon her arrival.

Ginny Jorde, Chesapeake, senior, defense: Jorde brought an offensive flavor to her fullback position, making overlapping runs and often opting for give-and-gos instead of the long clear. A versatile player with good speed, skills and hustle, she was also used at the stopper position and midfield. A four-year varsity player, she finished the season scoring four goals and two assists.

Meredith McAlister, Severna Park, senior, defense: McAlister brought power and finesse to the sweeper position. She kept the back organized for the state runner-up Falcons. At 5-10, McAlister used her size to drive through the ball and didn't let much get over her head. She had the skill and poise to work the ball forward.

Meg Miller, Severna Park, junior, midfield: First-year coach Chuck Seivert called Miller his "traffic cop" for the way she directed things in the middle of the field. With relentless pursuit, she often won midfield balls and made smart decisions to get the offense started. To go with six assists, Miller had two of the biggest Falcons' goals this fall -- a 25-yard blast for the game-winner in a 2-0 win over South River in the county championship and the only goal against Chesapeake to win the East region.

Lindsey Nauman, Severna Park, junior, defense: The repeat first-team All-County selection had solid instincts to go with great speed and quickness to mark out the opponent's top scoring threat. She welcomed every challenge. Nauman also had a smooth first touch to help the Falcons maintain possession of the ball after it was won.

Abria Queen, Arundel, junior, forward: Queen's speed and athleticism caused problems for defenses. With those attributes came a hard shot and accurate crosses as she had eight goals and nine assists. Coach Tom Degner also made the most of her versatility, using her as a marking back when needed.

Maria Smear, St. Mary's, senior, midfield: A consistent, versatile and unselfish player throughout her standout career, Smear was asked to do even more this season with a young team around her. Heavy marking didn't stop her from controlling the midfield, where her creativity and ability to see the field resulted in scoring chances for the Saints' attack. Smear (four goals, six assists) and the Saints were at their best in the Catholic League playoffs with upset wins over John Carroll and Mercy to reach the final.

Kerry York, Severna Park, sophomore, goalkeeper: York brought agility, aggressiveness and intelligence to the goal for the Falcons, coming up with big saves. In recording 11 shutouts for lTC the Class 4A state runner-up Falcons, she allowed only 11 goals with 72 saves.

Nichoal Zamarripa, South River, senior, midfield: The county's Player of the Year as a junior, Zamarripa enjoyed another fine season to close out a career that saw her lead the Seahawks to two state titles. Although their bid for a third fell short with a 1-0 loss to eventual champ Centennial in the state semifinals, Zamarripa displayed the same kind of solid two-way play at midfield to finish the season with 13 goals and six assists.

Team selection

The Baltimore Sun 1998 All-Anne Arundel County boys and girls soccer teams were selected by Glenn P. Graham after consultation with The Sun staff and area coaches.

Pub Date: 11/26/98