Kyne, Neef a high-scoring tandem for Delco Christian
In addition to Player of the Year Hannah Keating of Agnes Irwin, the rest of the All-Delco team includes:
Kristin Burnetta, Agnes Irwin: Despite being hampered by a persistent back injury, the two-time All-Delco still managed to pose a consistent scoring threat. The junior striker netted 16 goals and six assists, down from the 31 she put away as a sophomore, but still leading the Inter-Ac runners-up Owls, who were 8-1-1 when Burnetta scored. Burnetta’s only hat trick of the year came in a 4-3 win over archrival Episcopal Academy Oct. 14. Burnetta also had a hand in all three goals (two goals, on assist) as the Owls bowed out to Germantown Academy in penalty kicks in the Pennsylvania Independent Schools semifinal.
Claire Micheletti, Agnes Irwin: The defender from a loaded class of 2016 was the anchor to the Owls defense that was force to cope with a midseason injury to starting goalkeeper Kendall Shein. Micheletti also provided offense, scoring three goals. She provided a set-piece goal in a 3-2 win over Springside Chestnut Hill Oct. 7, then scored twice as the Owls handed Notre Dame a 5-1 loss two days later.
Phoebe McClernon, Notre Dame: The two-time All-Delco didn’t hit the highs of a sophomore year that featured 30 goals, but that was due largely to a role change forced by injuries and inexperience. Instead of running the forward line, the junior was forced into the heart of midfield, where she often turned provider, pairing 12 goals with 14 assists. The University of Virginia commit provided some big goals, like a hat trick in a 3-1 win over Bonner-Prendergast Sept. 13 and two goals in a 4-3 win over Baldwin Nov. 5.
Julia Kyne, Delco Christian: The senior two-time All-Delco was the county’s most prolific scorer, tallying 35 goals to go with 14 assists. Kyne had a hand in 70 percent of the Knights’ 71 goals. Even more impressive, Kyne did so while battling a nagging back injury. The Messiah commit scored in all but two games this season, registering 12 multi-goal games, including five hat tricks. She scored the only markers in a 1-0 win over Faith Christian and a 2-0 win over Calvary Christian in back-to-back outings.
Kailey Neef, Delco Christian: Where Kyne was the finisher, Neef was often the provider for the Knights. The junior scored 11 goals and 25 assists, Kyne the beneficiary of the majority of them, to go along with crunching defense as a two-way midfielder and deep-lying playmaker. The Liberty commit had a goal and four assists in the Sept. 10 win over Calvary Christian and two goals and three assists in a romp over MaST Charter. Neef, who finished with seven multi-assist games, contributed a goal to the Knights’ win in the District One Class A semifinals.
Taylor Cutcliff, Springfield: The senior carved out a reputation as one the Central League’s most physical and steady defenders, leading the Cougars in six clean sheets, including blankings of playoff teams Penncrest and Haverford. Cutcliff also scored twice, both game-winning goals. She deposited the only tally of a 1-0 win over Penncrest Sept. 11, then supplied the overtime game-winner against Bonner-Prendergast Sept. 27. The All-Central pick will continue her career at Seton Hall.
Lizzie King, Strath Haven: The speedy sophomore flourished as the Panthers’ main scoring threat. King finished with 24 goals, first among the Delco contingent in the Central League. She scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Conestoga. She added both goals in the 3-2 loss to Garnet Valley to cap the regular season and contributed a marker in the Panthers’ opening-round district win over Henderson. The All-Central pick twice scored four goals in a game, including a 5-0 drubbing of Methacton Oct. 1.
Katie Fisher, Strath Haven: The junior All-Central goalkeeper was a steady presence for a team that kept eight clean sheets despite myriad injuries to the defense and midfield. Fisher had a stretch from Sept. 13 to Oct. 1 during which she allowed just one goal over eight matches, with Haven going 7-0-1 in that stretch. She was at her best in the 1-0 win over Conestoga, making 12 saves. She stopped nine shots in the regular-season finale, a win over Central Bucks South.
Jackie Sever, Garnet Valley: The senior defender started the season at her preferred right back spot, but was forced to deputize in the center of defense when Jordan Ireland went down with an injury. Sever didn’t miss a beat, forming a fruitful partnership with Taylor Buckley that saw both named to the All-Central squad. Sever also provided three goals, scoring in a 5-0 win over Ridley, a 9-0 triumph over Upper Darby and the 2-2 draw with Owen J. Roberts.
Britney Dragoni, Garnet Valley: On a team of strong technical players, Dragoni was the creative force that animated the offense. She led the team with 11 goals, many at big moments. She recorded three braces, all against playoff teams (Haverford, Henderson and Strath Haven). She scored, then set up Macy Goldbach’s overtime game-winner in a come-from-behind win over Penncrest Sept. 9 that kick-started the Jags’ season after an 0-3 start. Dragoni saved her best for last, scoring two goals (including the game-winner) and setting up the other in a 3-2 win over Strath Haven Oct. 14.
Olivia Butera, Haverford: The senior was the most consistent offensive performer for the Fords, scoring 14 goals on a team on which no one else had more than four. Butera had five two-goal games, all in Haverford wins. She scored both goals in a 2-0 triumph over West Chester East Sept. 13 and tallied twice in a 3-1 victory over Lower Merion Sept. 9.
