Conference champ Parkland places three on first team
Pleasant Valley senior goalkeeper Samantha Merklin was selected as the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference girls soccer MVP, the conference announced on Tuesday morning.
Merklin, who helped the Bears capture the EPC’s North Division crown and berths in both the conference and District 11 Class 4A playoffs, registered 189 saves this season and recorded 10 shutouts. She is the program’s career leader in shutouts with 38.
Parkland, which won the EPC title, put three players on the first team — junior forward Olivia Kunz, senior midfielder Demi Olatilo and junior defender Cat Crampton.
Merklin, Easton junior forward Aminah Baruwa and Central Catholic senior defender Julia Roth earned all-state honors.
Here’s a complete list of the EPC girls soccer all-stars:
First team
Forwards: Jr. Aminah Baruwa, Easton;
Sr. Kayley Hynes, Nazareth; Jr. Olivia Kunz, Parkland; So. Kendahl Popp, Easton. Midfielders: Sr. Raine Korpics, Northampton; Jr. Madison Woodward, Emmaus; Sr. Demi Olatilo, Parkland.
Defenders: Sr. Skyler Jordan, Nazareth; Sr. Julia Roth, Central Catholic; Jr. Cat Crampton, Parkland.
Goalkeeper: Sr. Samantha Merklin, Pleasant Valley (MVP).
Second team
Forwards: So. Campbell Demarest, Pocono Mountain East; Sr. Kameron Watkins, Emmaus; Sr. Alexa Weaver, Pleasant Valley. Midfielders: Sr. Rachel Billet, Nazareth; Sr. Natalie Protyniak, Easton; So. Dani Marsteller, Parkland; So. Summer Hill, Bethlehem Catholic.
Defense: So. Mya Cooper, Emmaus; Sr. Quelyn Nepa, Easton; Jr. Bella Brans, Parkland. Goalkeeper: Jr. Sophia Albino, Liberty.
Third team
Forwards: Jr. Grace Joseph, Freedom; Fr. Meredith Eisenman, Central Catholic; So. Ava Wells, Whitehall; Jr. Meghan Edinger, Allen/ Dieruff.
Midfielders: Jr. Kylee James, Nazareth; Jr. Madi Szoke, Central Catholic; Sr. Teighan Boyle, Bethlehem Catholic; Jr. Ella Muir, Pleasant Valley.
Defenders: Sr. Josslin Muto, Central Catholic; Sr. Trinity Juszynski, East Stroudsburg South; Sr. Jackie Neyhart, Stroudsburg; So. Jenna Martucci, Nazareth.
Goalkeeper: Sr. Olivia Vajda, Northampton.