East Ridge senior earns top honor
Talented senior goal-scorer Cayla Jackson of Clermont East Ridge is the 2023-24 Orlando Sentinel Varsity girls soccer player of the year.
Jackson tops a list of all-area first-team selections from Florida High School Athletic Association state champions Bishop Moore and Montverde Academy and other standouts from Lake Mary, Hagerty, Oviedo, Lake Highland Prep and Windermere Prep.
All-area teams consist of participants from FHSAA state series schools in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and southwest Volusia counties. Selections were made by the Sentinel staff in consultation with area coaches.
Player of the Year
Cayla Jackson, Clermont East Ridge, Sr.
Buzz: University of Georgia signee led East Ridge (14-1-2) to an undefeated regular season and a spot in Class 7A regional playoffs while scoring 36 goals and finishing with 22 assists. Jackson netted 3 goals or more in a game eight times and closed out the season tied for sixth in the state with 94 points. “She is a handful and might be the best goal-scorer in Central Florida,” said an area coach.
All-Area First Team
Estefania Gonzalez, Montverde Academy, Sr.
Buzz: Forward led Eagles to back-to-back 3A state titles while finishing with 27 goals and 12 assists in 20 games.
Lael Hill, Lake Highland Prep, So.
Buzz: Midfielder moved to striker in playoffs and finished with 12 goals and 6 assists for 3A region semifinalists.
Amelia Miller, Bishop Moore, Sr.
Buzz: Led 3-time defending 4A state champs in goals scored (14) and added 4 assists in 17 games.
Raelin Miller, Bishop Moore, Sr.
Buzz: Led 3-time defending 4A state champs in assists (9) and scored 9 goals in 19 games.
Megan O’Donnell, Hagerty, Sr.
Buzz: Seminole Athletic Conference player of year finished with 17 goals, 14 assists from midfield position.
Alyssa Parsons, Windermere Prep, So.
Buzz: Praised by opposing coaches, striker led Lakers to 3A tournament while scoring 41 goals.
Payton Pitman, Oviedo, So.
Buzz: Forward/midfielder led 6A regional finalists in goals scored (19) and finished with 4 assists.
Lola Ressler, Montverde Academy, Sr.
Buzz: Midfielder tallied 10 goals and 11 assists in 22 matches for back-to-back 3A state champs.
Lindsay Sheets, Lake Mary, Jr.
Buzz: Described as a dominant force in midfield, Sheets finished with 12 goals and 13 assists.
Brooke Susi, Lake Mary, Sr.
Buzz: Talented central midfielder led Rams to 7A regional semifinals with 14 goals and 11 assists.
Second Team
Skye Barnes, Hagerty, D, Sr.
Katsi Bengoa, Bishop Moore, D, Sr.
Rory Brown, Lake Highland Prep, D, Jr. Morgan Guillemette, East Ridge, MF, Sr. Antonella Mazziotto, Montverde Academy, F, Sr. Jada Narcisse, Oviedo, F/MF, Jr. Rhyanne Pascoe, Montverde Academy, D, Sr. Sienna Rivera, Bishop Moore, MF, Jr.
Ary Rosenblum, Hagerty, GK, Sr. Makenna Smith, Oviedo, D, Sr.
Laura Walker, Lake Mary, GK, Jr.