PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Julie Gardner, Severna Park
At the center of everything for a Falcons team that road a 40-game win streak to its second straight Class 4A-3A state championship, Gardner took on a more defensive role this season and never skipped a beat. She usually marked the opposition's top midfielder and she still ranked among the Falcons' top scorers, with 52 goals and 23 assists.
A key to the transition game, Gardner also came up big on draw controls and with ground balls. Her great work ethic helped her improve an already strong game and earn Player of the Year honors for a second straight time.
COACH OF THE YEAR: Moira Leavitt, Archbishop Spalding
In her first season with the Cavaliers, Leavitt took a 5-13 team last season and turned it into a 13-6 team that was a contender in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference. In the two previous years, the No. 9 Cavaliers had gone 0-24 against A Conference foes.
Leavitt, a former Navy club coach, gambled with a lot of changes, and the Cavaliers went 7-5 in the conference regular season. Leavitt taught the Cavaliers various defenses, including a zone that proved effective. She also shook up the attack to take advantage of their depth of talent.
The team
Name School CL P
Caroline Cochran St. Mary's Sr. A
Alex Priddy Severn Sr. A
Allison Behringer Severna Park Sr. M
Jen Fox St. Mary's Sr. M
Julie Gardner Severna Park Sr. M
Brooke Griffin South River So. M
Karri Ellen Johnson Broadneck Sr. M
Katie Kirk Arch. Spalding Sr. M
Josie Owen Severn Sr. M
Hayley Rausch Severna Park Sr. M
Lelan Bailey Severna Park Jr. D
Kelsey Hughes Severn Sr. D
Morgan O'Brien Broadneck Sr. D
Cosette Larash Arch. Spalding Jr. G
Note: Team selected by Katherine Dunn after consultation with The Sun staff and area coaches.
At the center of everything for a Falcons team that road a 40-game win streak to its second straight Class 4A-3A state championship, Gardner took on a more defensive role this season and never skipped a beat. She usually marked the opposition's top midfielder and she still ranked among the Falcons' top scorers, with 52 goals and 23 assists.
A key to the transition game, Gardner also came up big on draw controls and with ground balls. Her great work ethic helped her improve an already strong game and earn Player of the Year honors for a second straight time.
COACH OF THE YEAR: Moira Leavitt, Archbishop Spalding
In her first season with the Cavaliers, Leavitt took a 5-13 team last season and turned it into a 13-6 team that was a contender in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference. In the two previous years, the No. 9 Cavaliers had gone 0-24 against A Conference foes.
Leavitt, a former Navy club coach, gambled with a lot of changes, and the Cavaliers went 7-5 in the conference regular season. Leavitt taught the Cavaliers various defenses, including a zone that proved effective. She also shook up the attack to take advantage of their depth of talent.
The team
Name School CL P
Caroline Cochran St. Mary's Sr. A
Alex Priddy Severn Sr. A
Allison Behringer Severna Park Sr. M
Jen Fox St. Mary's Sr. M
Julie Gardner Severna Park Sr. M
Brooke Griffin South River So. M
Karri Ellen Johnson Broadneck Sr. M
Katie Kirk Arch. Spalding Sr. M
Josie Owen Severn Sr. M
Hayley Rausch Severna Park Sr. M
Lelan Bailey Severna Park Jr. D
Kelsey Hughes Severn Sr. D
Morgan O'Brien Broadneck Sr. D
Cosette Larash Arch. Spalding Jr. G
Note: Team selected by Katherine Dunn after consultation with The Sun staff and area coaches.