PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sarah Tracey Hereford
Whenever she had the ball, the Bulls center midfielder drew a crowd, but that rarely stopped the senior from maintaining possession. A second-team All-Metro player last season, Tracey dominated the midfield for the Baltimore County champions, setting the pace and sparking their transition.
"Sarah can get out of any sticky situation," said Hereford coach Tammy Mundie. "She can have one girl on her or five girls on her and she can get out of it."
A Futures veteran and Team Maryland player, Tracey also played a key role on corners. She scored several of her six goals on corner plays and also had 12 assists.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Annie Smallwood
St. Paul's
After guiding the No. 2 Gators to a share of the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference crown a year ago, Smallwood faced a rebuilding season. Despite returning 13 seniors, she had to reconstruct the entire defense without an assistant coach.
The Gators (13-4-3), who did not beat a ranked team until mid-October, finished strong, allowing only two goals in the tournament and tying Roland Park for the title.
FIRST TEAM
Katie Atkins
Roland Park
Most of the No. 6 Reds' game revolved around their junior center midfielder as they emerged from a midseason slump to tie St. Paul's, 0-0 in overtime, for a share of the IAAM A Conference crown. Atkins set the pace with her speed, stick skills and her ability to distribute the ball.
Shannon Burke
Roland Park
The sophomore goalie turned in the key performance in the IAAM A Conference final, making 23 saves to hold off a potent St. Paul's attack and preserve a share of the title for the Reds (9-4-5). An aggressive keeper who can control the circle, Burke made 124 saves and posted a .925 save percentage.
Kristin Connelly
St. Paul's
The leading scorer for the IAAM A Conference co-champion, Connelly was best known for her aggressive play in the circle. The senior forward tallied 16 goals and eight assists, including all four of the goals in the 4-2 tournament quarterfinal win over No. 14 Park.
Claire Edelen
St. Paul's
A repeat first-team pick, Edelen set the pace for the fastest forward line in the area. Her speed combined with intricate stickwork and great field vision made her the focal point of the two-time IAAM A Conference co-champion's game. A senior, Edelen scored 12 goals and had eight assists.
Molly Frew
Roland Park
A steadying force on defense, Frew used her speed, stick skills and solid drive to stall the opposition's attack. Her cool head under pressure and ability to distribute usually set the Reds moving in transition. Tough to beat one-on-one and quick to recover, the senior center back proved critical in 11 shutouts.
Kirsten Halle
Park
A second-team All-Metro back a year ago, Halle continued to handle the opposition with her smooth, steady game. The senior wasn't flashy, blending into the team defense until the Bruins (8-3-5) needed her to make a big play. Halle had four stick saves and led a unit that posted eight shutouts.
Kirby Houck
Garrison Forest
The junior wing excelled at moving the ball quickly down field, sometimes dodging several opponents to gain a lot of yardage. She often sparked the No. 7 Grizzlies' attack with a cross from the wing, but she could also go to the goal with her speed and stick skills. Houck finished with 10 goals and three assists.
Hayley Mershon
Towson
A one-girl roadblock in the Generals' defense, Mershon frequently stalled opponents' offenses and jump-started the attack with her free hits. An All-Metro second-team pick last season, the senior was a key factor in the No. 1 Generals' 13 shutouts. She also scored six goals and contributed five assists.
Yanni Newton
Park
Newton has led the Bruins in scoring three straight years with 10 goals and three assists. Quick, skilled and physically strong, the junior was at her clever best in the circle, with a knack for being in the right place at the right time. She also showed intricate stick maneuvers.
Jocelyn Paul
Towson
The leading scorer for the Class 2A state runner-up, Paul had 11 goals and six assists. With her speed, stick skills and long reach, the senior forward moved the ball easily down field. She could go to goal, but just as often set up the No. 1 Generals' attack from the corner with strong drives to the circle.
Kristin Schwab
Friends
The sophomore turned heads as the standout center link for the rebuilding Quakers (3-8-2). Friends stayed competitive in nearly every game, thanks to Schwab's ability to dominate opponents in the midfield. An excellent distributor with strong stick skills, Schwab also contributed two goals and three assists.
Samantha Sebastian
Hereford
The Bulls' top defender led a unit that posted 12 shutouts en route to the Baltimore County title. The junior showed off her versatility by playing on the line and in the midfield at times. Skilled with a keen understanding of the game, Sebastian made several goal-line stick saves.
Lauren Sheets
Garrison Forest
A Futures veteran and Junior Olympian, Sheets emerged as the critical player in the back for the Grizzlies (11-2-2), who went 13 games without a loss. The junior showed remarkable poise on the field, using her skills and game sense to organize her defense and stay a step ahead of the opposition.
Margaret Yellott
Bryn Mawr
On a rebuilding Mawrtians squad, Yellott stepped right into the pivotal position without missing a beat. As the pacesetter in the midfield for the No. 9 Mawrtians (10-5-2), the senior was the offensive catalyst, while playing a key role on defense as well. She scored six goals and added four assists.