Rome News-Tribune All-Area prep soccer teams
Coach of the Year
Stephanie Masters, Unity Christian
First team
Player of the Year
Alli Gaither, Rome Gabby Ariza, Unity Christian Ariza was voted Defensive Player of the Year amongst her teammates and with good reason. She was the anchor of a defensive line that helped in eight shutouts for the season, and allowed only three goals during the State Playoffs.
Chanceley Book, Unity Christian
Book had one of the most important moments in Unity’s state championship run, stopping four penalty kicks in a semifinal win against Lanier Christian Academy. She would finish the season with a 94 percent save percentage and 55 saves.
Anna Katherine Cates, Darlington
Cates was the offensive leader on the Region 7-AA champion Darlington squad, scoring a teamleading 14 goals and leading the team in assists. She consistently did her part to make her teammates better and create chances to score.
Lilly Curry, Model
The four-year starter lead the Lady Blue Devils’ defensive line this year. She cleared most threats that came her way and was a part of an unit that recorded six shutouts this season.
Hannah Eddins, Unity Christian
Eddins was one of the offensive keys to the Lady Lions’ GICAA State Championship run, including scoring a goal in the title game.
Espinoza, Model
The sophomore seemed to be around the goal all season, scoring 35 goals, including a five-goal performance against Pepperell and a fourgoal outing against Armuchee.
Keara Evans, Darlington
Evans had a dominant senior season in goal, recording more than 100 saves and allowing only nine goals in region play.
Hammond was the vital scoring threat on Armuchee’s squad, consistently using her speed and balance to score a team-leading seven goals. She was voted the team’s best offensive player.
Rebeckah Hufstetler, Rome
The junior recorded a solid 18 goals and 19 assists while getting All-Region for the Lady Wolves. The Georgia State commit controlled the center of the field for Rome, and won the majority of 50/50 balls that came her way.
Hannah Johnson, Armuchee
Another four-year starter, Johnson took on the job of leading a back line surrounded by new players. While Armuchee’s defense may have not always been on point, Johnson made plenty of plays that kept her team in contention.
Kyla Reynolds, Model
The sensational freshman made a name for herself against whoever she played, showcasing speed and incredible dribbling skills. She scored 34 goals to go along with 10 assists.
Zoe Smith, Darlington
Smith served as one of the team’s captains and worked at keeping Darlington’s defense a cohesive force. The Lady Tigers allowed a goal or less in 10 of 15 games.
Second team
Claire Bettler, Armuchee Mattie Chapman, Armuchee Ramsey Cook, Rome Bre Culpepper, Pepperell Tori Eddins, Unity Christian Beth Ferguson, Rome Alex Gardner, Darlington Kari Johnson, Rome Rosalee Kelly, Darlington Amanda Okubo, Unity Christian
Honorable mention
CEDARTOWN: Nancy Cruz. DARLINGTON: Pressley Smith. MODEL: Kenney Boswell, Makayla Keasler, Nora Grace Snow, Jacqueline Vicente. PEPPERELL: Jasmine MartinezSoto, Lakeeya Wiggins. ROME: Abby Young.
Brian Crick, Pepperell
First team
Player of the Year
Tanner Berry, Darlington Honorary Member Dakota Garrett, Coosa Sain Alanis, Pepperell
The Dragons were full of young players in 2016, but Alanis provided some senior leadership for everyone on the pitch. He recorded 159 clears and 63 interceptions while scoring six goals and six assists when playing midfield.
Fernando Barrientos, Cedartown
Barrientos was an essential part of a Bulldogs team that went 10-0 in their region and recorded seven shutouts. The freshman keeper would allow only 12 goals in his 14 games played.
Caleb Farmer, Armuchee
Farmer led the Indians in goals with 19 and set the new Armuchee record for goals in a career with 57. His consistent play in front of the net helped lead the Armuchee boys a third place finish in Region 7-AA.
Erick Luna, Rome
Luna was a leader as he played both midfielder and defender throughout the Wolves’ season. He took on a captain role despite only being a sophomore and was able to score three goals and five assists. Rodrigo Mandujano, Pepperell Mandujano displayed true skill at keeper all year for the Dragons, recording 166 saves and a 1.66 goals allowed per game average. A threeyear starter, he only allowed more than two goals five times this season.
Angel Morrente, Rome
Morrente’s passionate and intense play led to 13 goals and nine assists for a Wolves team that played in a tough region. In his second season as a starter, he often used his speed to break away from back lines and get to the ball.
Jack Pearson, Darlington
Pearson was a goal machine, leading the Tigers with both 24 goals and 10 assists. In the Tigers’ 2-1 first round victory against Lovett, Pearson was able to tie the game with a penalty kick and later provided the gamewinning assist.
Jose Reyes, Coosa
Reyes played a vital role in the Eagles reaching the playoffs as he recorded 12 goals and six assists. He worked hard for every ball in a constant quest to control the possession.
The Model defense improved this season, going from almost 60 goals allowed last season to only 30 this year. Richardson was a big part of that, breaking up many balls that came near the net.
Matthew Syverson, Model
Only a freshman, Syverson used his tall stature and agile foot to make a mark with the varsity team. While starting nearly every game, he recorded 11 goals and seven assists on the season.
Noah Woford, Darlington
Woford may have not displayed the biggest stats with six goals and three assists, but he was part of a Darlington midfield that dictated nearly every game it played. Woford was often part of the process that led to scoring. S
Second team
Billy Biscoe, Darlington Logan Burdette, Model Eric Chavez, Coosa Bret Cordle, Armuchee Bo Crick, Rome Kamen Harris, Armuchee Lane Koch, Pepperell Jimmy Rivera, Pepperell John Spranza, Pepperell Luis Torres, Cedartown
Honorable mention
ARMUCHEE: Blake Abney, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Alex Lyle. COOSA: Marvin Domingo, Fabian Lopez. MODEL: Leonel Bello, Tee Jarrard, Alex Nelson, Kirk McStotts, Jason Ortega, Kyle Patterson. PEPPERELL: Ramiro Alanis, Slamon Ghani, Alex Perez-Lopez, Ivan Sandoval, Austin Smith. ROME: Carlos Aceituno, Conor Kelly, Daniel Quintana, Daniel Reyes, Jonny Reyes, Eduardo Zavala.