NTL GIRLS SOCCER: ATHENS LANDS FOUR ON LARGE SCHOOL DIVISION FIRST TEAM; ONE EARNS SECOND-TEAM NOD (2024-11-29)

Valley Sports Report
ATHENS — Athens had five players earn NTL large School Division all-star honors, including four who were named to the first team, in voting by the league's coaches.

Seniors Addy Wheeler and Savannah Persun, and sophomores Delanie Patton and McKenna Jarvis were named to the first team, and junior Elizabeth Denlinger was a second-team selection.

FIRST TEAM
Delanie Patton, sophomore, Athens: "Patton is the magician in the center of the park," said Athens coach Rich Pitts. "She is often being marked by other teams due to how dangerous she is with the ball at her feet.

"An accurate shooter and deadly passer, Patton creates match-up issues that the 'Cats haven’t had in the center-mid spot since Emma Roe," he added.

Patton led the Wildcats with 10 goals and seven assists.

Addy Wheeler, senior, Athens: "Addy (Wheeler) is a quiet general who has stamped her legacy patrolling the midfield," said Pitts. "She possesses good pace, an accurate shot, and crafty passing."

Wheeler scored eight goals and dished out six assists.

Savannah Persun, senior, Athens: "A senior captain and a three-year starter at outside back, Persun led the defense to one of its best performances in recent years," said Pitts.

"Savannah is a great 1-v-1 defender, who also is able to get forward with the ball and possesses a long throw-in that creates chances in the offensive end," he added.

McKenna Jarvis, sophomore, Athens: "Jarvis nailed down the outside back spot late last season and became a force there in her second year," said Pitts.

"A mixture of speed, aggressiveness and power, Jarvis is a menace defending and even more of one when she is dribbling down the flank offensively," added Pitts.

SECOND TEAM
Elizabeth Denlinger, junior, Athens: "Taking over the defensive center-mid spot, E.J. (Denlinger) worked all summer to ensure she was ready for the task," said Pitts. "E.J. was electric defending in the midfield being a huge ball-winner and protecting the backs from long balls.

"She is also great 1-v-1 defending due to her long legs, which allows her win balls in 50-50 situations," he added.

Denlinger had one assist on the season.

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