VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: SAYRE'S HUGHEY RECEIVES 'PLAYER OF YEAR' HONORS; ATHENS' ELLIS, SAYRE'S CAMPBELL, HUGHEY EARN OTHER TOP HONORS (2021-07-26)
Valley Sports ReportTHE VALLEY -
Junior Mason Hughey led the region in scoring, and helped Sayre back to the District 4 playoffs to earn the 2020-21
Valley Sports Report Boys Soccer "Player of the Year."
Athens senior Asher Ellis was the "Defensive Player of the Year," while
Sayre freshman Alex Campbell was the "Newcomer of the Year," and
Sayre's Greg Hughey was the "Coach of the Year."
Mason Hughey, who was also the "Offensive Player of the Year," utilized his speed, strong leg, and soccer IQ to score 29 goals and dish out four assists.
Long and extremely athletic, Ellis was in net for seven shutouts, and allowed just 10 goals in the 14 games.
Campbell was a key for the Redskins, with his ability to push the ball up field, yet still get back on defense. He will be a mainstay for Sayre for the next few years.
On the heels of a 1-11 record in his first season, Greg Hughey directed Sayre to a 5-9 record and a trip to the District 4 playoffs. The improvement from one win to five wins is impressive in its own right, but the fact the Redskins played more than half the season without four-year starter Cody VanBenthuysen, who will play at Elmira College in the fall, makes it even more impressive.
Due to the fact that Tioga does not field a boys soccer team, the All-Valley team has been pared down by a player at each position.
The 2020-21 All-Valley Boys Soccer team:FORWARDNate Quinn, Athens:
Cody VanBenthuysen, senior, Sayre
Brennan Traub, junior, Waverly.
Fourth forward: Daniel Horton, junior, Athens.
MIDFIELDMason Hughey, junior, Sayre
Travis Reynard, senior, Athens
Nate Ryck, senior, Waverly
Fourth Midfielder: Brayden Post, sophomore, Sayre.
DEFENSELandon Lantz, senior, Athens
Jason Gao, junior, Athens
Nick VanHouten, senior, Waverly
Fourth Defender: Jia Yang Huang, Sayre
GOALKEEPERAsher Ellis, senior, Athens:
Honorable Mention: Cameron McIsaac, junior, Waverly.
