THE SPORTS REPORTS: OWEGO'S McDONALD ALL-REGION GIRLS SOCCER 'PLAYER OF YEAR;' OWEGO'S DALTON, NEIRA ALSO EARN TOP HONORS (2023-12-21)

The Sports Reports
Owego’s Erin McDonald capped her record-breaking high school career with more records and she is 'The Sports Reports’ 2023 All Region Girls’ Soccer “Player of the Year.”

McDonald scored 34 goals this year, including seven games where she recorded a hat trick. She finished with 93 career goals. Both are school records.

She led the River Hawks to Section IV titles in 2021 and 2023 and was selected to the Class A All-State third-team, making her a three-time all-state selection.

Horseheads goalie Ava Fairbrother had 91 saves on the season, many of them in spectacular fashion, helping the Blue Raiders win their first division title in 13 years. She is this year’s “Defensive Player of the Year.” Fairbrother was STAC all-conference for the second straight year.

Towanda’s Anna Dunn scored an NTL-high 45 goals this year to help the Black Knights get back to the playoffs. She is this year’s “Offensive Player of the Year.”

McDonald’s teammate Ashlyn Dalton is this year’s “Newcomer of the Year.” The freshman forward had 21 goals and 11 assists, playing a key role in this year’s sectional title.

Owego coach Laurel Neira is the “Coach of the Year,” after guiding the River Hawks to a 15-2 overall record with eight shutouts. They won the Section IV, Class A title and the STAC Central Championship, going unbeaten in division play. Owego’s only two losses on the year came against Class AA Horseheads in the STAC semifinals and Class A state champion Rye in the state playoffs.

ALL-REGION GIRLS SOCCER
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Erin McDonald, Owego
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Anna Dunn, Towanda
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ava Fairbrother, Horseheads
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Ashlyn Dalton, Owego
COACH OF THE YEAR: Laurel Neira, Owego

FIRST TEAM
Erin McDonald, Owego
Anna Dunn, Towanda
Ava Fairbrother, Horseheads
Alexis McRoberts, Troy
Olivia Haley, Wyalusing
Mel Shumway, NEB
Mia Capilli, Elmira
Katie Miley, Horseheads
Ashley Woodring, Williamson
Taylor Dalton, Owego
Cassie Doane, Owego
Paige Robinson, Waverly
Sophia Haney, Tioga
Makenna Keough, Notre Dame
Grace Robertson, Corning

SECOND TEAM
Zeraya Wilson, Williamson
Emma Kamas, Horseheads
Lilia Mack, Corning
Ashaya Wallace, Elmira
MK Young, Notre Dame
Sophia ReSue, Corning
Megan Wolf, Horseheads
Maddie Ribble, Horseheads
Maddy Millard, Williamson
Saydi Renzo, Troy
Addi Parker, Troy
Mya Thompson, Athens
Cadia Fain, Owego
Alex Aubel, Owego
Allie Lyon, SVEC
Mackenzie Olmstead, Waverly

THIRD TEAM
Maggie Calkins, Corning
Emily Klotz, Elmira
Issa Enright, Horseheads
Jhamairah Maxwell, Notre Dame
Addison Taft, Elmira
Amanda Stephens, Corning
Brooke Wilcox, NP-Mansfield
Cassidy Mitchell, Wellsboro
Leah Beebe, NEB
Kathryn Dunn, Towanda
Addy Wheeler, Athens
Ashlyn Dalton, Owego
Adrianna Finta, Newark Valley
Erica Bradley, Tioga
Claire Clinch, Waverly
Olivia Dodge, Owego

ROOKIE TEAM
Ashlyn Dalton, Owego
DaLanie Patton, Athens
Maddie Ribble, Horseheads
Giana Renzi, Troy
Zeraya Wilson, Williamson
Grace Howey, Tioga
Maeve Ficks, Williamson
Maddie Bailey, Wlliamson
Lia Mazalli, Corning
McKenna Kempton, Corning
Caitlyn Wagner, Elmira
Ryleigh Ogden Elmira
Kylie Stckler, Elmira
Ruby Squier, Corning
Allie Lyon, SVEC
Brinley Nichols, Athens

FRIDAY: BOYS SOCCER