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Following a season cut short by COVID-19, the team at KBEC Sports has diligently pieced together the first-ever KBEC Sports All-Ellis County girls’ soccer teams.
And the decisions on placement were not easy, as a large component to constructing the teams includes overall team success. With no playoff runs to be had and much fewer programs than other sports, this group proved to be the toughest to sort through.
For instance: There are four goalies worthy of landing on the first-team — easy. Need scoring? Ellis County has about a dozen forwards with the statistics and skills to be named the Offensive Player of the Year.
So, here’s how it went down.
The teams are broken down into four parts — first- and second-team, honorable mention and superlative honors, and are presented by KBEC 1390AM/99.1FM and Compton’s Carpet Cleaning and Restoration.
The superlative awards include Offensive, Defensive, Newcomer, Coach and Team of the Year, as well as the countywide Most Valuable Player and the Ms. Hustle Award.
The All-Ellis County first-team consists of 11 starters with four forwards, three midfielders, three defenders and one goalie. The second-team afforded a few additional opportunities to include deserving student-athletes.
Superlative honors were first announced live on-air during the KBEC Sports weekly sports-talk show, “The Press Box,” on Monday, May 11.
“The Press Box” can be heard weekly on terrestrial radio on 1390AM or 99.1FM or streamed live by clicking on the “LISTEN LIVE” microphone on the top of elliscosports.com or through the KBEC app. The app is available on Apple and Android devices.
All honorees were selected based on postseason accolades, team success, input from coaches across Ellis County and firsthand observations by the KBEC Sports team.
In total, more than 50 student-athletes were recognized.
Each student-athlete honored will be presented with a commemorative All-EllisCounty certificate, with first- and second-team honorees to receive framed certificates. The individual superlative winners will receive a commemorative bobblehead award.
The awards are sponsored by KBEC 1390AM/99.1FM and Compton’s Carpet Cleaning and Restoration.
Without further ado, congratulations to the 2020 KBEC Sports All-Ellis County girls’ soccer honorees!
MISS THE LIVE ON-AIR SUPERLATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS? CLICK HERE TO STREAM THE PODCAST!
SUPERLATIVES
Player of the Year
Kaleigh Naizer (Midlothian, senior)
Why she won: Kaleigh Naizer was the District 14-5A MVP for the 17-1-2 district champions, leading the Midlothian Lady Panthers with 15 goals and 10 assists. She was the top player on the top team in Ellis County this season.
Naizer scored seven game-winning goals and selflessly played in a very uncomfortable role in center-midfield — despite having played forward most of her life. Naizer is a tremendous finisher who also shows great vision and the ability to breakdown opponents with her pinpoint passing. She will continue her playing career at Dallas Baptist University.
Offensive Player of the Year
Angel Garfias (Waxahachie, junior)
Why she won: Angel Garfias netted 24 goals with 24 assists for the Waxahachie Lady Indians this season, including four match-winners. The junior forward is currently seventh all-time in program history in goals scored and third in assists. Against some of the top 6A programs in the state, Garfias recorded two hat tricks and three braces, while also tallying at least one goal and one assist in nine of the Lady Indians’ 17 matches.
Garfias also recorded either a goal or assist in 16 of the Lady Indians’ 17 matches his season. She was ultimately named to the All-District 7-6A first team.
According to head coach Jason Venable, Garfias could and should graduate in 2021 as a top-five player in multiple statistical categories in program history.
Defensive Player of the Year
Makenlee Mabra (Midlothian Heritage, senior)
Why she won: Makenlee Mabra is a three-year team captain, four-year starter and heartbeat of the top-ranked Midlothian Heritage girls’ soccer team. The defender helped lead the Jaguar defense to 17 shutouts and only nine goals allowed over 22 matches this season, resulting in her being named to the All-District 12-4A first team and recognized as the District 12-4A Defensive MVP. She also added three goals and three assists on the season.
Mabra was previously named to the All-District 12-4A first team in 2018 and 2019, selected as the Jaguars’ Defensive MVP in 2019 and named to the 2019 TASCO 4A All-State honorable mention team.
Newcomer of the Year
Georgia Santos (Red Oak, freshman)
Why she won: As a freshman, Georgia Santos led the Red Oak Lady Hawks with an impressive 21 goals and added six assists, while always providing a true spark to the team. She was also a 14-5A first-team forward.
Ms. Hustle
Kylar Kenter (Midlothian Heritage, junior)
Why she won: Kylar Kenter is a dual-sport athlete that proved vital to the Midlothian Heritage Jaguars’ success on the soccer pitch yet again this season. The junior midfielder netted nine goals and three assists, while also breaking three school records on the basketball court with the most three-pointers in a game (6), three-point percentage in a season (34.9%) and career three-point percentage (31.5%). She averaged 7.0 points, 1.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game — and did not miss a single start on either playing surface.
Kenter previously was named to the 2018 All-State-Tournament team following the Jaguars’ state title, which saw her net the decider in shootouts in the state semifinal and tying goal in the state final. Her commitment to success and leading by example on the soccer pitch, basketball court, locker room and classroom are indicative of the Ms. Hustle Award.
Team of the Year
Midlothian Lady Panthers
Why they won: The Lady Panthers were on a torrid pace toward history before their season was cut short due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It also came as little surprise for those who have followed the soccer scene in Ellis County over the past half-decade, as many of this season’s Lady Panther core advanced to the 5A regional tournament in 2018.
As a team, the Lady Panthers outscored their opposition 56-7 on the season on their way to a stellar 17-1-2 overall record and undefeated District 14-5A championship (11-0).
Midlothian’s lone loss came on Jan. 3 against reigning 5A state champion Highland Park (2-1). The two goals allowed were the most in any match this season for the Lady Panthers, who ultimately recorded 14 shutouts and only surrendered two goals during district play.
Coach of the Year
Austin Guest
Why he won: Austin Guest once again stepped into the dual-head-coaching role ahead of the 2019-20 season and led both the Midlothian Lady Panthers and Panthers to stellar regular-season campaigns and postseason berths. And though he did inherit quite the squad on the girls’ side, Guest kept the Lady Panthers focused on the task at hand night in and night out, leading to their 17-1-2 overall record and undefeated District 14-5A championship (11-0). Behind his leadership, Midlothian was certainly poised for a regional — and potentially state — tournament run.
MISS THE LIVE ON-AIR SUPERLATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS? CLICK HERE TO STREAM THE PODCAST!
FIRST-TEAM
⚽️ Forward: Rachel Allen (Midlothian Heritage, junior): 15 goals, 26 assists. District 12-4A MVP and team captain.
⚽️ Forward: Angel Garfias (Waxahachie, junior): 24 goals, 24 assists. Recorded a goal or assist in 16 of the Lady Indians 17 matches. All-District 7-6A first-team.
⚽️ Forward: Peyton Renfro (Waxahachie, sophomore): 24 goals, 10 assists and five game-winning goals. District 7-6A Utility Player of the Year, All-District 7-6A first-team and All-District 7-6A Academic team.
⚽️ Forward: Evelyn Rodriguez (Life Waxahachie, sophomore: 19 goals, 12 assists. District 12-4A Offensive Player of the Year and All-District 12-4A first-team.
⚽️ Midfield: Kaleigh Naizer (Midlothian, senior): 15 goals, 10 assists and seven game-winning goals. District 14-5A MVP. Signed with Dallas Baptist University.
⚽️ Midfield: Tori Sorrels (Midlothian, senior): Six goals, nine assists. All-District 14-5A first-team.
⚽️ Midfield: Aaliyah Bivins (Midlothian Heritage, senior): 18 goals, 11 assists. All-District 12-4A first team.
⚽️ Defender: Brooklyn Davis (Midlothian, senior): Led Lady Panther defense that allowed just seven goals in 19 matches. All-District 14-5A first-team.
⚽️ Defender: Makenlee Mabra (Midlothian Heritage, senior): Captain of defense that recorded 17 shutouts and only nine goals allowed over 22 matches. District 12-4A Defensive MVP and All-District 12-4A first-team. Three goals and three assists.
⚽️ Defender: Heather Fellows (Red Oak, senior): Team captain and anchor for Red Oak defense. All-District 14-5A first-team.
⚽️ Goalie: Zoe Boldt (Midlothian, senior): Allowed four goals over 20 matches with 12 shutouts. Only one goal allowed during district play. All-District 14-5A first-team. Signed with SAGU.
MISS THE LIVE ON-AIR SUPERLATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS? CLICK HERE TO STREAM THE PODCAST!
SECOND-TEAM
Forward: Maria Diaz (Ferris, junior)
Forward: Georgia Santos (Red Oak, sophomore)
Forward: Haylie Sanchez (Ferris, freshman)
Forward: Brynn Pollock (Midlothian Heritage, sophomore)
Forward: Bella Curiel (Waxahachie, junior)
Forward: Hannah Dorsey (Midlothian Heritage, junior)
Midfield: Madison Low (Ennis, senior)
Midfield: Kylar Kenter (Midlothian Heritage, junior)
Midfield: Sydnee Garner (Midlothian, senior)
Midfield: Angelica Gutierrez (Waxahachie, senior)
Midfield: Natacia Ruiz (Life Waxahachie, junior)
Midfield: Brenna Douthit (Red Oak, sophomore)
Midfield: Mariah Griffin (Midlothian, junior)
Defender: Elizabeth Simpson (Midlothian, senior)
Defender: Kennedy Suazo (Red Oak, senior)
Goalie: Megan McCarthy (Midlothian Heritage, senior)
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Sarah Bell (Ennis, senior)
Jackie Lopez (Ferris, sophomore)
Bailey Mann (Ferris, junior)
Janet Osegueda (Ferris, sophomore)
Evelyn Rodriguez (Life Waxahachie, sophomore)
Nicola Stinedurf (Life Waxahachie, senior)
Trinity Williams (Life Waxahachie, senior)
Heidi Stanelle (Life Waxahachie, senior)
Tehya Parker (Life Waxahachie, sophomore)
Abby Powers (Midlothian, junior)
Amanda Omehe (Midlothian, junior)
Taylor Thibodeau (Midlothian, freshman)
Eunique Wright (Midlothian, sophomore)
Emilee Page (Midlothian Heritage, junior)
Savana Conde (Midlothian Heritage, junior)
Jaedyn Barela (Midlothian Heritage, junior)
Sarah Zamora (Red Oak, sophomore)
Megan Fellows (Red Oak, sophomore)
Marlene Mendez (Red Oak, junior)
Charlie Hearron (Waxahachie, sophomore)
Liv Epps (Waxahachie, sophomore)
Rockie Acosta (Waxahachie, senior)
Katie Walker (Waxahachie, sophomore)
