IAC GIRLS SOCCER: WAVERLY'S ORTIZ NAMED DIVISIONAL MVP; SEVEN TEAMMATES ALSO HONORED (2019-11-16)
Valley Sports ReportWAVERLY "” Waverly senior Melina Ortiz was voted the the IAC South Large School Division Most Valuable Player, and five of her teammates were named to the first-team all-star squad in recent voting by the division's coaches.
The Lady Wolverines also had a pair of players named to the second team.
Ortiz, a five-year starter on varsity, scored 12 goals and doled out seven assists to finish her career with 60 goals and 45 assists.
"Melina is known to run down any ball," said Waverly coach Tara Hogan. "She has incredible speed, incredible versatility, and an incredible soccer IQ."
Ortiz will play at Division I Siena next fall.
FIRST TEAM
Melina Ortiz, senior, midfield: See above.
Gabby Picco, junior, midfield: Picco, a four-year varsity starter, scored 14 goals and dished out a team-high 18 assists to give her 54 career goals and 38 assists.
"Gabby is an incredibly versatile player with a great soccer IQ," said Hogan. " She is consistently part of our attack, and our defense."
Cora Smith, senior, defense: Smith, a four-year varsity starter, finished her career with seven goals and 15 assists, including three this year.
"Seven goals is impressive, considering she's always been a defender," said Hogan.
"Cora is an incredibly reliable defender who has gotten even better with communicating and helping others with positioning," noted Hogan. "She never shied away from a tackle."
Smith will attend Division I James Madison University to run track.
Sadie VanAllen, senior, forward: Sadie VanAllen, who played for years of varsity, scored nine goals and doled out 11 assists on the season, giving her 26 career goals and 30 assists.
"Sadie has amazing speed down the sideline and became more and more confident and encouraged to use her left," said Hogan.
Lea VanAllen, 8th-grader, forward: Lea VanAllen scored a team-high 20 goals, and had two assists in her first year of varsity play.
"Lea has incredible speed, and doesn't back down from contact," said Hogan. "She is a smart player with good positioning."
Kaitlyn Clark, junior, goalkeeper: Clark recorded 119 saves, and allowed just 14 goals. She posted five shutouts in helping the Lady Wolverines to a 14-3 record.
"Kait gained confidence throughout the season," said Hogan. "Her best game was the IAC championship game against Dryden."
SECOND TEAM
Kennedy Westbrook, freshman, forward: Westbrook scored 14 goals and dished out 10 assists in her first year of varsity play.
"Kennedy has incredible energy and speed," said Hogan. "Her drive to want the ball, or be involved in the play is unmatched.
"She is a versatile player who has played on all lines of the formation," added Hogan.
Tessa Petlock, junior, defense: Petlock scored one goal and had two assists this season.
"Tessa is a very reliable defender," said Hogan. "Ideally, she would be back in the midfield, but we needed her on defense.
"She stepped up to play a new position, and worked well alongside Cora," added Hogan. "She is a confident player who took advantage of moving forward."
"”"”"”"”"”"”
IN PHOTO: Waverly's Melina Ortiz.
