10 standouts from Delaware girls Division 2 final
Wilmington, Del.-based St. Mark’s captured its sixth girls soccer state championship in Delaware on Friday night at Delaware State University with a 2-1 win over Caravel Academy. It was the first championship for the Spartans since Delaware split into two…
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Continue ReadingWilmington, Del.-based St. Mark’s captured its sixth girls soccer state championship in Delaware on Friday night at Delaware State University with a 2-1 win over Caravel Academy. It was the first championship for the Spartans since Delaware split into two divisions and the first since 2008. Caravel had previously won six of the seven Division 2 titles.
Here’s a look at 10 players who stood out in the final.
Maddie Schepers, Senior, Midfielder, St. Mark’s
The state player of the year was every bit as good as advertised on the day. The lone senior on the team, Schepers – a Maryland native heading to the University of Delaware – set the tone early with a shot on goal in the first minute of play and was a menace throughout the game. She scored the winner on a left-footed shot that took a deflection but still had enough on it to beat the Caravel keeper.
Alaina Alston, Junior, Forward, Caravel Academy
Alston was the spark plug for Caravel in the first half, creating chances off the ball and had the best chance to open the scoring in the first half when she danced her way near the end line and fired a shot that missed wide of the mark. She was involved in Caravel’s equalizer, beating the Saint Mark’s keeper to a 50-50 ball near the end line and chipping a ball into the six for Reese Mushinski to finish on an empty net.
Lily Phillips, Freshman, Forward, St. Mark’s
Phillips scored the first goal on the day when she pounced on a deflected ball from a Caravel defender and hammered it home with a strong finish. Her pace and mobility both stood out throughout the match as she ran at the Caravel back line.
Reese Mushinski, Freshman, Midfielder, Caravel Academy
Mushinski was one of several underclassmen playing a key role in the Division 2 final. Her heads-up play to position herself in front of an empty net and poke home a chip from Alston for the second-half equalizer.
Emma Manley, Freshman, Forward, St. Mark’s
Manley set up the game-winning goal with a cross in the box to Schepers, showing creativity and vision to make the right play at the right time when it felt like the next goal would decide the champion.
Nicole Rankin, Senior, Defender, Caravel Academy
Rankin showed a ton of senior leadership both on the defensive end and in the attack when they were pushing for a goal. She was involved in the equalizer with the hockey assist and started the play with a won header and give and go.
Katherine Lennon, Junior, Midfielder, St. Mark’s
Lennon did a wonderful job on the day passing the ball, changing fields and slowing down the pace when Caravel was pushing and connecting play through the middle of the field. Her pass just after halftime hit off a defender and fell to Phillips for the finish.
Maci Hood, Freshman, Midfielder, Caravel Academy
Hood was active on the right and left side of the midfield and also in defense on the day, making tackles and playing the ball down field. Her throw-in eventually led to the equalizer.
Marissa Cirillo, Sophomore, Goalkeeper, St. Mark’s
Cirillo was involved in the biggest play of the second half after the Schepers goal when she got two hands to a free kick to bat the ball up but right into a Caravel player who chipped the ball off the crossbar. Cirillo then was able to catch the ensuing shot attempt cleanAva Frohnafpfel, Freshman, Midfielder, Saint Mark’s
Ava was a strong presence in the midfield for the Spartans in the middle of the park, winning the ball and connecting the defense to the offense.
Ava Frohnafpfel, Freshman, Midfielder, St. Mark’s
Ava was a strong presence in the midfield for the Spartans in the middle of the park, winning the ball and connecting the defense to the offense.