All-Kitsap Team

Emily Zygmontowicz, Central Kitsap — The heart and soul of CK’s best soccer team in school history, Zygmontowicz recorded nine shutouts and, being more like a linebacker than a goalie, she will go through anyone to get to the ball.

Lauren Kruzner, South Kitsap — She may not be the biggest, fastest or strongest of the Wolves’ defenders but she was the most tenacious.

Christina Aga, Olympic — Aga played hard for Olympic all season and helped anchor a defense that would have allowed many more goals in her absence.

Stephanie Milne, South Kitsap — Milne was not only a co-captain, she sacrificed her own wants for the team and became the heart and soul of a defense that had 11 shutouts in league play.

Kim Skelly, North Kitsap — Nursing a knee injury, Skelly played defense for the first half of the year and still managed to be third in points on the team this year (19) when she moved into the forward slot. Skelly’s speed combined with patience and ball control made her one of the Narrows’ League’s premier scoring threats.

“She’s a total player,” said North coach Teri Ishihara. “Her speed and quickness is her most attractive asset, but she also has a great understanding of the game.”

Kaitlin Poppe, Central Kitsap — She may not get the stats, but she’ll dance defenders around with her incredible footwork, find the open player with crisp passing and will power through anyone.

Alissa Russell, Central Kitsap — The flashy Russell teamed up with Poppe for one of the league’s most potent middles, adding 18 goals and eight assists.

Megan Hyte, North Kitsap — Hyte became a nightmare for goalies and defenders alike from the season’s start with her ball-handling and scoring ability. She finished with 16 goals and 39 points, both team-highs.

“She’s probably scored some of the prettiest goals I’ve ever seen at the high school level,” Ishihara said.

Bethany Daniel, Central Kitsap — Daniel exceeded expectations with her incredible play as a junior, netting 11 goals while chipping in with six assists.

Randee Robinson, South Kitsap — The team’s other captain, her presence on the field was undeniable. Whether it was her physical play or vocal leadership, Robinson was always in on the action, tallying 13 goals and seven assists in league games.

Nicole Bussman, South Kitsap — Blink and she’s gone. She led the Wolves in scoring for the second straight season, netting 23 goals and seven assists in league play.

Coach of the year: Teri Ishihara, North Kitsap — Ishihara, whose North Kitsap team in 1998 went to the final four in Washington, knew she had a well-balanced squad this year. But it was how she went about organizing her team that put them on the cusp of advancing past the Narrows’ tournament.

“I build a team around the strengths of the players,” she said, “Not around a system but what our strengths are.”

Ishihara said she coaches teams to play “good possession ball” to get the “ … maximum out of my players in high school and play at their highest level so that they can be successful in their club teams or at college.”

Honorable mentions

Alicia Cleaver, South Kitsap — Her numbers can’t be argued with — 11 shutouts in 16 league games.

Liz Curry, Olympic — Curry was the best scoring option for Oly all year. She was able to play the sidelines well to find gaps in the defensive coverage.

Kate Robinson, Central Kitsap — The CK defender played outstanding down the stretch for the Cougs.

Kaylee Ross, King’s West — Ross led King’s West to a second place finish in the SeaTac League and a berth at districts.

Lindsey O’Neil-Dewing, North Kitsap — After spending a year abroad in Australia, O’Neil-Dewing came back to become one of the most formidable mid-fielders in the league. Her “consistency of play” made her a valuable asset for the Vikings, said coach Ishihara. She shared the honor as the team’s leading player in assists with Hyte (7).

Jacklyn Hill, Bremerton — A bright spot in a gloomy season for the Knights, Hill was consistently effective for Bremerton.

Santerra Holler, South Kitsap — A junior defender that came on strong as the season progressed.

Caitlin Verhofstadt, Central Kitsap — Verhofstadt was one of CK’s most aggressive offensive weapons, using her incredible speed to blow by defenders down the sides.

Shannon White, Olympic — Combined with Curry to form Oly’s potent scoring duo.

Kelli Gillespie, North Kitsap — Gillespie was never one to be passive on defense — something coach Ishihara believes will make the senior a college prospect. “She has good (field) vision and not only does she defend well, she has ability to attack from the back,” Ishihara said.

Kristine Siler, South Kitsap — A major part of the defense, Siler had a knack for stopping things before they developed.

Morgan O’Friel, Central Kitsap — One of the smallest Cougars on the field, she doesn’t appear to be very intimidating on first glance. But on the field, she is one of the most physical girls in the league.

Jessica White, Olympic — The senior midfielder may not have put up huge numbers, but she did her part in creating chances for the Trojans.

Stephanie Skelly, North Kitsap — Described as the “total player” like her sister Kim by coach Ishihara, Skelly was second in team points (23) and scoring (9) and played every single position on the field, except for goalkeeper. She has already set Viking fitness records as only a ninth grader. Her versatile skills will make her a formidable player in her next three years for North.

Kelsey Penn, South Kitsap — Young and innocent looking, the sophomore was as tough as they come once the game started. A fearless midfielder, Penn played with a desire and determination that will serve the team well in the future.

Brandi Hamre, Central Kitsap — The CK freshman was second on the team in scoring with 38 points.

Jessica Squires, Klahowya — Led the Eagles to districts with a 7-7-2 with a scoring punch throughout the season.