PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mandy Bathras
Chesapeake
Gifted stick skills, smart positioning, a powerful drive and defensive instincts - the senior co-captain brought all those assets to the middle of the field for the Cougars. As a freshman, Bathras got called up to the varsity during the region playoffs, started and played well. She's been playing well ever since.
A second-team All-Metro selection as a junior, the center midfielder closed out her high school career with a season that was both sensational and consistent. "She was just phenomenal," said Chesapeake first-year coach Tracey Crane. "She was all over the field and always knew exactly where to be in relation to the ball. She understands the game so well."
Bathras was the Bruins' first option on penalty corners and finished with seven goals to go with five assists. She is considering playing field hockey at UMBC.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Melissa Quigley
Broadneck
The first-year coach found instant success by guiding the No. 15 Bruins to the Class 4A state title. Broadneck (12-4-1) avenged regular-season losses to county rivals Chesapeake and South River to come away with the East region, and, after defeating Frederick in the state semifinal, outplayed Westminster for a 1-0 win in the championship game.
Quigley, a 1994 Broadneck graduate, didn't have a roster full of standouts. Instead, the Bruins were a group that played as one. Quigley used only two defenders, relying on pressure from the forwards and midfielders to produce offense.
"Everybody worked together and that's what made us successful," said Quigley, who first recognized the potential for something special in the Bruins' 3-2 region semifinal win vs. Chesapeake.
FIRST TEAM
Amanda Dorsey
South River
Consistency was Dorsey's strength. The senior right back had denying and clearing with purpose down to a science. The two-year starter had a strong and accurate drive to spark the Seahawks in transition.
Tina Earley
South River
One of the most aggressive and skilled players in the county, the gifted senior dominated the middle of the field for the Seahawks. A three-year starter and two-year team captain, Earley balanced good field vision with strong instincts and a powerful drive. She finished the season with seven goals and seven assists.
Abbi Horn
Severna Park
The Falcons found another in a long line of gifted right wings in the sophomore first-year starter, who produced 13 goals and 11 assists. Horn relied on her speed, stick skills and good timing to send over crossing passes for assists or to finish off chances at her right post.
Erin Kelly
Archbishop Spalding
Nicknamed "Tonka" (as in the toy truck) for her go-straight-to-the-cage style, the junior center was a dominating presence in front, scoring 16 goals and adding eight assists. With smart positioning and good instincts, Kelly had an uncanny knack for finding the ball first and then the cage.
Jen King
Chesapeake
Fast to the ball and then poised with it, King was the Cougars' do-it-all defender at sweeper. The senior, a three-year starter, used her strong stick skills to find space and then connect a pass to a teammate ahead. As the flyer on opposing team's penalty corners, King did well to run through the ball to deny scoring chances.
Amy Konrad
Archbishop Spalding
Where ever the ball was at the defensive end, so was Konrad for the No. 10 Cavaliers. A three-year varsity starter, the 6-foot senior left back had the speed and reach to keep opposing offenses frustrated and the stick skills to often bring the ball all the way up to the circle.
Lauren Maranto
Severna Park
Getting past the junior defender was a tough assignment. Stopping one of her powerful shots was another. Combining fine all-around skills with determination and a fine understanding of the game, Maranto was the glue to the Falcons' defense and also a key component on offense with most of her six goals coming off penalty corners.
Melissa Puzak
Broadneck
The senior made a smooth adjustment from defense to the center midfield. She put all her gifted skills to full use and played a major role in the Bruins' Class 4A state championship season. Puzak, who finished with two goals and two assists, was the support system for both the Bruins' offense and defense.
Jenna Rogers
Severn
The junior's poised play in the defensive circle, strong stick skills and sense of the field enabled her to be the steadying influence of an Admirals' back line that allowed only 10 goals in its 12-2-3 season. The two-year starter was also a big factor at the other end, scoring five goals.
Schuyler Sutton
Severn
Equally aggressive and creative in the scoring circle, the senior center forward closed out a fine four-year varsity career with eight goals and eight assists for the No. 8 Admirals. Sutton had a knack for creating chances for herself or a teammate out of almost any situation.
Caitlin Swift
Archbishop Spalding
The junior brought speed and finesse to the left wing position, finishing her second full season of varsity with 16 goals and eight assists. With exceptional stick skills, Swift was equally as dangerous getting free down the wing or working the ball in traffic inside the circle.
Tami Webster
Meade
No player in the county was busier than Webster and she made the most of her time in the cage, leading the improved Mustangs to a 6-7 season. Aggressive, quick and agile, the four-year starting goalie turned away 204 shots, allowing just 18 goals. All six of her wins were shutouts.
Kellie West
Severna Park
After starting the first quarter of the season at center forward, the talented sophomore moved out to left wing and then everything clicked for the No. 11 Falcons' offense. Playing in her first varsity season, West scored most of her team-high 15 goals with redirections and quick one-touch finishes at her post.