PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Wijy Jones
Old Mill
Patriots coach Jeff Martin said it all: "Wijy is the guy that makes us go. When he's on, we're on." That was often this season. Old Mill (14-3-2) won the county title and the Class 4A East region and Jones -- with white-collar skills and a blue-collar approach -- was in the middle of it all. Most of the Patriots' offense ran through him at center midfield. The four-year starter finished with eight goals and seven assists. And he delivered when it counted most. In the county final against South River, Jones scored the game-winner with 10 minutes left. In the region final against the Seahawks, he got the only goal.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Jeff Martin
Old Mill
The third-year coach knew what he had to work with in his veteran group and got the most from every player. The Patriots captured county and 4A East region crowns, closing out a 14-3-2 season. "We worked hard to become the best team in the county. We had a strong drive to get better each game," said Martin, an Old Mill grad who played on the Patriots' only other region-winning team in 1985. From a tactical standpoint, his biggest adjustment came in the fifth game when he moved Jason Stern to center midfield from sweeper, sending Andrew Appelbaum back to the defensive position. Both positions were upgraded.
FIRST TEAM
Nick Bonacci
St. Mary's
Nonstop at both ends, the four-year starter made a successful transition from striker to midfield. The move gave Bonacci more touches and he made the most of them, solidifying the midfield and finishing with 14 goals and seven assists.
Daniel Bulls
Old Mill
The junior striker was so smooth that his work with the ball at times looked casual. A quality first touch combined with quick steps gave Bulls the space to create in an 11-goal season. Five of those goals proved to be game-winners for the repeat first-team selection in his third varsity season.
Tim Carrier
Old Mill
In his first season starting in goal, Carrier quickly became a strength. The junior was quick with his decision-making and was able to hang on to most every shot, turning aside 166 in all while allowing 18 goals. He posted seven shutouts.
Scott Forney
South River
No one in the county provided more mileage than Forney, who played everywhere on the field. Most of his time was spent at sweeper, where he played with composure to solidify the Seahawks' back line. The senior also added five goals and five assists moving forward.
Andrew Hall
South River
A constant presence, the senior midfielder did a lot of the little things that often go unnoticed. Hall won more than his share of 50-50 balls and also was able to distribute effectively, finishing with eight assists.
Matt McGehrin
Spalding
There was no panic in McGehrin's steady play at sweeper. Named the Cavaliers' Most Valuable Player, the senior captain was a tenacious defender who read the field well and was exceptional in the air. Always under control, McGehrin knew when to clear a ball or connect with a teammate upfield.
Scott McGuire
Severna Park
The senior keeper made giant strides in the Falcons' Class 3A state championship run last season and added to it this year. McGuire, who posted six shutouts in the team's 10-4 season with nine goals allowed, was sure-handed on routine shots and also had a knack for making the game-changing diving save.
Ryan McFarland
Glen Burnie
The four-year starter at midfield always set a good pace to control the flow of a game. Sturdy on the ball and technically sound, the two-year co-captain scored seven times and added three assists. Three of the goals were game-winners.
T.J. Nairn
Spalding
Crafty inside the penalty area, the senior striker needed the slightest of openings and the slimmest amount of time to create his own shot. Nairn also shared the ball when attention came his way, leading the Cavaliers with 11 goals and eight assists. He also was effective dropping back to the midfield.
George Norris
Glen Burnie
In a diversified four-year varsity career, Norris played marking back, sweeper and stopper before making one final stop at striker. He made the most of his limited time -- just five games -- up front, scoring most of his nine goals and four assists in that time. Norris relied on his quickness and smart decisions.
Mike Phipps
Severn
A lacrosse standout who will play at Maryland next year, the senior striker also showed he could score on the soccer pitch as well, leading the Admirals to a share of the B Conference championship with 23 goals and 13 assists. Strong and quick, Phipps was able to beat a defender one-on-one before finishing off his scoring opportunities.
Addison Pumphrey
Chesapeake
The senior sweeper was the catalyst of the Cougars' defense and so much more. Pumphrey's quickness, skills with the ball and ability to read the game frustrated opposing offenses. His ability to work the ball out of the back with poise created scoring chances for himself (three goals) and teammates.
Matt Riggin
Broadneck
A smart and aggressive player who covered up mistakes well, the senior effectively anchored the Bruins' defense at sweeper after spending previous seasons at midfield. The poised three-year starter and team captain also providing some offense with two goals and an assist.
Craig Schneider
Severna Park
Every team could use a midfielder like Schneider: hard-working at both ends, sound with the ball and able to fit in well with what was around him. The consistent senior and three-year starter finished with three goals and two assists.