PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Zoey Bouchelle
Notre Dame Prep
The spark in the No. 6 Blazers' attack, the junior scored 20 goals and had eight assists as an offensive center midfielder. Skill, speed and quickness made the two-time All-Metro player a threat to score every time she touched the ball. If she didn't go to goal, her superb passing set up her teammates. Her goal tied the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference title game at 1-1 before No. 1 St. Mary's prevailed in double overtime, 2-1. "Zoey's been a player who's always been a standout, but never really wanted to be the focus of the team," said coach Chris Lopez. "This year, she really grew, and she was much more comfortable just taking things and leading the team to victory."
COACH OF THE YEAR
Chris Lopez
Notre Dame Prep
In his first season as head coach, Lopez guided the Blazers to the A Conference final. Lopez, who credits former coach Mark Deaton with much of his success, never thought about coaching until Deaton recruited him to be an assistant five years ago. This season, Lopez made few changes, although he did attack more out of the back. "We had wonderful senior leadership and the team was really focussed on making something of this season," he said. "In some ways the stars were aligned, too. We got some games that went our way."
FIRST TEAM
Christine Bacinski
Mount de Sales
The sophomore goalie made 216 saves, including 17 in the overtime semifinal vs. No. 1 St. Mary's. The eventual champs needed double overtime to slip two goals past Bacinski, whose quickness, reflexes and durability helped a rebuilding defense post four shutouts.
Kayce Blandford
Notre Dame Prep
Lori Carpenter
The defensive midfield counterpart to Zoey Bouchelle, the junior controlled all the action in the middle. Her ability to make a stop, win 50-50 balls and change the momentum sparked the Blazers in transition. A terrific decision-maker who could also finish, she scored five goals and had five assists.
Lori Carpenter
Perry Hall
The senior striker provided the offense that made the No. 4 Gators (14-2) nearly unbeatable. In midseason, she moved up from halfback to score clutch goals, finishing with 16 goals and five assists. She scored six goals in five postseason games, including two in the county title victory over Loch Raven.
Ashley Carroll
Perry Hall
The junior sweeper combined tremendous game sense with a powerful foot to become the stalwart in the county's stingiest defense. With Carroll anchoring the back, the Gators posted 11 shutouts and allowed just seven goals. She also contributed nine assists -- most off set pieces.
Meagan Holmes
Dulaney
An Under-16 national pool player, the highly skilled sophomore did a little bit of everything. The center midfielder, who had 14 goals and six assists, excelled as an offensive catalyst, distributing the ball -- short or long -- with great accuracy.
Jess Kempa
Institute of Notre Dame
The sweeper in the Indians' diamond formation, Kempa used great speed and domination in the air to help the Indians (6-7-4) post four shutouts. The senior displayed great hustle to possess the ball and help the Indians build their attack out of the back.
Beth Koloup
Notre Dame Prep
The sophomore striker's speed gave her an edge and once she got the ball past a defender, it was off to the races for the Blazers. Koloup also could create her own scoring chances and was a sure finisher, contributing 18 goals and five assists.
Brittany McKew
Perry Hall
The quarterback for the two-time Class 4A state runners-up at center midfield, the repeat first-teamer proved indispensable on both offense and defense. A set-up artist who can score, the junior had four goals and nine assists, but often dropped back to protect a lead.
Kelly O'Connell
Seton Keough
As the Gators' top scoring threat, O'Connell faced defenses specifically aimed at stopping her. Even then, the junior striker often broke through, scoring 14 goals. The repeat first-teamer also used her exceptional athletic ability to set up teammates with seven assists.
Megan Riedy
McDonogh
An All-Metro defender a year ago, Riedy excelled at marking the opposition's top player. Speedy, strong in the air and exceptionally durable, the senior emerged as a team leader for the No. 14 Eagles (8-7-4). She signed early to play lacrosse at Richmond.
Christie Sikorski
Mount de Sales
A repeat first-teamer, the Sailors' senior sweeper led a young defense. She organized the group and built the attack out of the back. Sikorski also took most of the restarts, with most of her three goals and four assists off set pieces.
Brittany Tegeler
McDonogh
An exceptionally skilled striker and an under-16 national pool player, Tegeler led the Eagles with 17 goals and eight assists. Adept at finding the net or setting up teammates, the sophomore combined her skills with a fearless competitive drive and terrific game sense.
Britney Thomas
Eastern Tech
The Mavericks' playmaker also turned into a key finisher, tallying 13 goals to go with 10 assists. Able to take many opponents one-on-one, the sophomore center midfielder proved lethal with either foot for the No. 11 Mavericks (14-2-1), who lost in a shootout in the state semifinals.
Kim Vaughan
Parkville
The skilled senior moved from defense to center midfield where she could provide leadership in both directions for the No. 13 Knights (12-4). The quintessential team player, Vaughan had 10 goals and four assists while still solidifying a young defense.