By KITSAP NEWS GROUP
2007 was a tough one for the Bremerton girls soccer team.
While the team came in with high hopes, Bremerton fell behind Peninsula and missed the final playoff cut. But that didn’t mean standouts like Jacki Hill didn’t have noteworthy seasons.
As for King’s West, the Warriors ended up taking the SeaTac crown despite a losing record overall. But much like their Bremerton counterparts, the Warriors too had standouts that shone bright in 2007.
The All-Kitsap County teams are compiled by the sports writers for the Bainbridge Island Review, the Bremerton Patriot, the Central Kitsap Reporter, the North Kitsap Herald and the Port Orchard Independent. Candidates for the team are nominated by the writers for their respective areas. The nominees are then voted on by the writers, with the top vote-getters making the teams. Two honorable mentions are selected from each school for each sport. The teams include the best players from area schools that not only performed well individually, but played a role in the success of their team as well.
Below is the All-Kitsap County Girls Soccer Team. The AKC Volleyball Team will run in the Saturday, Nov. 24 edition of the Bremerton Patriot and the AKC Football Team will run on Saturday, Nov. 31.
2007 All-Kitsap County Girls Soccer Team
F — Brandi Hamre, Central Kitsap, senior — Few Kitsap players possess the powerful shot Hamre hammered her opponents with this season. Hamre, one of the West Sound’s top goal scorers since her sophomore season with CK (she started as a freshman), Hamre set career bests for herself this season with a mind-boggling 26 goals, accounting for more than half of the Cougars’ goal scoring this fall. But that wasn’t her only asset, as Hamre, heading to Seattle Pacific University next year, also dished out nine assists. Overall, Hamre scored 65 goals and assisted on 28 more in her four years that included an injury-shortened 2006.
F — Jacki Hill, Bremerton, senior — Hill, a very dangerous forward for the Knights, created a match-up problem for every team she faced. Her state-track-championship speed is a huge bonus on the soccer pitch. Despite routinely having two defenders marking her throughout matches, she still scored 16 goals and made five assists. She ended her high school career tied for the all-time school record in goals with 45.
F — Siara Byers, North Kitsap, sophomore — Byers was one of the speediest forwards in the Narrows League. She finished with a team-high 16 goals for the Vikings despite being double and tripled team by opponents throughout the season. In the Vikings final game of the season Central Kitsap surrounded Byers nearly every time she touched the ball. Byers returns next season as one of the premier players in not only the Narrows League, but the entire state.
MF — Liz Curry, Olympic, senior — As versatile as they come, Curry was the strongest Oly player on the field no matter where on the field she was. Curry led the Trojans with 15 goals and 12 assists, but more importantly, helped lead Oly to it’s first state playoff berth in seven years. In the state game, Curry displayed her on-field flexibility by dropping back to sweeper after an injury and ejection, helping stopping powerhouse Lakeside from additional scoring in the 1-0 loss. Curry, bound for the University of New Hampshire, is going to be tough for Olympic to replace not only with her game, but her knowledge, as coach Steve Haggerty joked she’d make a great coach, “if she wasn’t so smart.”
MF — Sierra Cook, Klahowya, senior — In her only year playing for Klahowya, Cook made her presence felt. The Eagle senior whose been a force on the club scene for some time, Cook notched 20 goals while assisting on eight more. Previously a state-placing cross country runner for the Eagles, Cook used that experience to not only blow by defenders with her breakaway speed, but also to run the field, utilizing her stamina to maintain those runs. Cook helped Klahowya advance to state for the first time since 2001 and nearly helped Klahowya advance farther, as the Eagles fell in a 1-0 (4-3 shootout) nailbiter.
MF — Hannah Anderson, Central Kitsap, sophomore — Anderson stepped up her game in her second season with the CK varsity squad, showing she’ll be one to help fill the void left by CK’s graduating seniors. Anderson provided CK a more-than-adequate second offensive option to Hamre, as Anderson poured in 13 goals and dished out 10 assists this season. Just a sophomore, Anderson should only continue to improve as her high school career unfolds.
MF — Stephanie Skelly, North Kitsap, senior — Skelly was the straw that stirred the drink for the Vikings this season. Skelly scored 12 goals and added a team-high seven assists in her memorable senior campaign. Skelly had the ability to score whenever she touched the ball and had even a better ability at setting up her teammates for easy shots on goal. Skelly would draw the defense in on a number of occasions before passing off to a teammate who would crush the ball towards the goalie. Skelly was the fastest player on the team.
D — Jordan King, Central Kitsap, senior — Considered one of, if not the toughest defender in the county, King battled back from an injury that sidelined her in 2006 to help lead CK back within a game of the state tournament. King was not only a strong marker, assigned to opposing team’s toughest weapons, but also had one of the strongest kicking legs on the team, sending deep clearance balls almost anywhere she wanted upfield. She also scored three goals while assisting two more. King’s defense set a fine example for a young defensive Cougar core that should continue to pay dividends down the road.
D — Kayliegh Westerman, South Kitsap — Led the Wolves defense that allowed just 10 goals during the regular season — the third fewest among 11 teams in the Narrows League.
“Kaileigh is really outgoing and hard working,” coach Scott Sodorff said. “There’s no one who’s going to give more effort than her.”
D — Ashley Polen, South Kitsap — Polen finished with five goals and two assists despite missing some time with injury. Along with Westermann and Alyssa Nystrom, she helped the Wolves slow down the league’s top-scoring offense in a 3-1 win Sept. 27 against Olympia.
“Her knowledge is what sets her apart,” Sodorff said. “She does such a good job of knowing her responsibilities and making sure everyone does what they’re supposed to.”
GK — Pepper Fanua, Olympic, senior — No Kitsap keeper exuded more confidence between the posts than Fanua. The Olympic goalie had an outstanding 2007 season, as Olympic allowed just eight total goals this season. Fanua was responsible for 10 shutouts this season, including blanking tough teams from North Kitsap, Peninsula (twice) and Klahowya. While the Trojans will certainly miss Curry’s on-field presence, the team’s hardest player to replace will undoubtedly be the fearless Fanua, who made a habit of punching out corners and charging anyone who dared attempt to take her one-on-one.
Coach of the Year — Steve Haggerty, Olympic — Haggerty has long been regarded as one of the top coaches in the area. But 2007 was a special season for Olympic as the Trojans advanced back to the state tournament for the first time since 2000. Haggerty’s Trojans allowed just eight goals this year while scoring 61 of their own. Oly finished 14-2-0 overall, winning the Olympic League title for the second-consecutive season while also going undefeated in league for the second year. But the toughest test for Haggerty is yet to come, as the Trojans graduate seven players, each of whom were key for Oly.
Honorable mentions
D — Kathryn Deveraux, Bainbridge, senior — Deveraux was consistently solid for the Spartans this season, taking on the best the Metro League had to offer and keeping them from dominating the game. She scored one goal during the season.
D — Karina Hoogstede, North Kitsap, senior — Hoogstede anchored a defense that only allowed 1.44 goals per game. She marked the opposing teams best player and usually shut her opponent down. While her name didn’t show up in the scorebook all too often, her play on the field was an instrumental part of the 2007 season for the Vikings.
MF — Meghan Antoni, Kingston, junior — Meghan Antoni was “Miss Do-it-all” for the Kingston Buccaneers this season. Antoni led the team from center midfield position, scoring seven goals while tallying six assists.
GK — Ellen Boyd, Central Kitsap, senior — A leader on and off the field for CK, Boyd helped CK advance deep to districts as the Cougars allowed 20 goals in 16 games. Boyd wasn’t responsible for all those however, herself averaging less than a goal per game. Along with Hamre and King, the upcoming graduation of Boyd will leave CK without all three of it’s co-captains next year.
MF — Allie Brown, Olympic, junior — Brown was a spark plug for the Trojans, coming up with big goals when Oly seemingly needed them most. Finishing with 10 goals and 10 assists, Brown will go a long way in helping the Trojans fill the void left by Curry and fellow seniors Kayliegh Badger, Rachel Haas and Kelsey Anchors.
D — Anna Stewart, Klahowya, senior — Stewart was easily the anchor of Klahowya’s stellar defense. The Eagles, long known for being a tough, physical defensive team, allowed just 14 goals in 16 games this season in front of first-year keeper Kazandra Holliday. That meant relying on defenders like co-captain Stewart more than ever before. A virtual ball magnet, Stewart could clear anything from anywhere on the field at any time.
GK — Lakiesha Nilles, King’s West, senior — A four-year starter, Nilles was honored with a first team All-SeaTac League selection this season. Nilles turned aside 98 enemy shots during the year.
“She’s without a doubt the best goalie in our league,” coach Rick Nohmy said.
D — Jenn Smalley, Bremerton, senior — Smalley was one of the Knights’ catalysts all season long from the backfield. But her contributions weren’t on defense alone. Smalley also scored twice while assisting on five Knights scores. But arguably her best attribute was leadership, as Smalley was one of the Knights’ co-captains.
UTIL — Katie Anderson, South Kitsap, senior — The Wolves used Anderson, who finished with two goals and two assists, just about everywhere. She played in the midfield and at forward before moving to defender when Polen was injured.
MF/F – Lucy Donohue, Bainbridge, senior — Donohue, a senior co-captain, tied for the team lead in goals with six and also contributed three assists.
MF — Eyla Le, North Kitsap, freshman — Le was one of the Vikings smallest players but she clearly packed one of the biggest punches. The diminutive in stature Le finished her freshman year with five assists and two goals. Le controlled the transition game, setting up Skelly and Byers for countless breakaways through the middle of the field.
F — Kayla Campbell, Kingston, freshman — In just her first year of high school soccer Kayla Campbell was the Buccaneers leading goal scorer compiling eight goals and five assists on the season.
MF — Kate Berni, Central Kitsap, senior — Berni was a more-than-servicable athlete for CK the past three seasons. A scrappy mid that could also play defense, Berni contributed a goal and four assists to the CK offense this season. While not the most vocal of players, Berni gave CK’s youngsters a solid example on the field every game.
D — Brielle and Amanda Kadramas, Olympic, juniors — The sisters not only share an honorable mention on the All-Kitsap County team, but also share spots as vital cogs of Olympic’s defense. Both Kadramas sisters mix physical play with defensive prowess to help shut down opposing offenses. Both will continue to be a big part of Oly’s success next season.
D/MF — Jenna Whetsel, Klahowya, junior — Another big reason behind Klahowya’s defensive onslaught, Whetsel spent a lot of the year at stopper, making use of the position’s name by stopping many taller, stronger girls seemingly with ease. With Stewart graduating, Whetsel will have to step up as a leader of Klahowya’s defensive unit next season.
D — Maddie Johnson, King’s West, senior — Also a four-year starter, Johnson was a field leader for the Warriors. Although she doesn’t work into the offense, she’s twice earned All-SeaTac League first team awards thanks to the way she runs the mid-field and the runs the team.
D — Kelsey Johnson, Brem-erton, junior — A very solid defender that possesses size and speed, Johnson has a nice feel for the game and specializes in one-on-one match-ups, winning most of them. Also, in two very brief moments, she moved to the forward line, hitting the game-winning goal in overtime against Sequim.
MF — Kylie Balstad, South Kitsap, senior — The Wolves lacked the experience up front they had defensively, but Balstad helped compensate for that with five goals and a team-high eight assists.
MF — Kelsey Anchors, Olympic, senior — The Olympic senior is another that played a big role for the Trojans. Headed to Oklahoma State University for softball, Anchors proved she could hang on the pitch as well, scoring six goals with five assists for the Trojans.
D — Alyssa Nystrom, South Kitsap, junior — Another member of the Wolves’ standout defense, Nystrom also contributed offensively with a goal and three assists.
