Oviedo’s Thelen repeats as player of year
Oviedo’s Kyleigh Thelen has proven to be an asset on the pitch no matter what position she plays.
The senior defender repeats as the Sentinel Varsity girls soccer player of the year for 2020-21 after helping the Lions reach the regional final round in back-toback years.
“Nobody stood out the way Kyleigh did,” an opposing coach said of Thelen.
Oviedo went unbeaten through its first 14 matches before finishing with a 15-2-1 record.
Thelen is one of four Oviedo players on the all-area first team, which includes goalkeeper Amanda Waggoner and forwards Raisa Lugo and Valentina Amaral.
Bishop Moore has three players and Winter Park has two players represented on the first team. In all, 23 players from 14 schools made the list.
All-area selections were made in consultation with area coaches from Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and southwest Volusia counties.
Player of the Year Kyleigh Thelen, Oviedo, D, Sr. Buzz:
Seminole Athletic Conference player of the year finished with 12 goals and five assists while primarily playing on back line for Class 7A regional finalists. “She dominates games from the back or at forward,” Oviedo coach Scott Waisanen said. Thelen helped the Lions outscore opposing teams 74-11 and finish ranked No. 2 in the area Super Six rankings.
All-Area First Team
Valentina Amaral, Oviedo, F, Soph.
Buzz:
A backup goalkeeper, Amaral led Lions in goals scored (19) and assists (13) in 12 games played.
Francesca Azzollini, Winter Park, F, Sr.
Buzz: Azzollini finished with 18 goals and six assists for Wildcats during district championship season.
Kate Busbee, Bishop Moore, D, Sr.
Buzz: Player of the year finalist had 14 assists for Hornets, who held opponents to 18 goals in 22 games.
Kaitlyn Clark, Bishop Moore, MF, Soph.
Buzz:
Led Class 4A state semifinalist in goals with 23 in 16 games while adding 11 assists.
Julia Ferenac, Edgewater, D, Sr.
Buzz: Center back anchored defensive line for district championship team that gave up 24 goals in 21 games.
Reagan Fitzgerald, Hagerty, MF, Soph.
Buzz: Scored 15 goals and added five assists as versatile midfielder for Huskies, who placed second in conference.
Accounted for 12 goals,
Raisa Lugo, Oviedo, F, Sr. Buzz:
including one late in regional final game, and assisted on five goals.
Cydnie Jackson, Clermont East Ridge, F, Sr.
Buzz: Lake County offensive player of year amassed 42 goals and 18 assists for 22-2-2 team.
Ryland McGratty, Bishop Moore, MF, Sr.
Buzz: Player-of-year finalist opened season with hat trick and tallied 13 goals and six assists.
Kendyl Stalker, Winter Park, D, Sr.
Buzz: Center back was heart and soul of Wildcats’ defense that yielded 17 goals in 21 matches.
Amanda Waggoner, Oviedo, GK, Jr.
Buzz: Registered 10 shutouts and went 14-2-1 for regional-final Lions with 11 goals against.
All-Area Honorable Mention
Ortencia Abreu, Gateway, D, Sr. Allie Avallone, Trinity Prep, MF, Sr.
Anna Foreman, The Geneva School, MF, Sr.
Lillie Herron, Boone, D, Sr. Helena Koroshetz, Boone, D, Sr. Romie Llewellyn, Trinity Prep, F, Sr.
Jayna Maston, Windermere High, GK, Sr.
Leah Perkins, Lake Minneola, D, Sr.
Ava Russell, Timber Creek, MF, Fr.
Angie Sieloff, Seminole, MF, Sr. Mireya Zepeda, Clermont East Ridge, MF, Jr.