All-Delco Girls Soccer: Shanahan, O’Brien, Hondros showed way to title for EA

In addition to Player of the Year Lizzie King, the rest of the All-Delco team consists of:

Katie Fisher, Strath Haven: The senior goalkeeper finds herself on the first team for a second consecutive year, wrapping up a stellar career. She was the last line for a Haven team that allowed just 14 goals in 19 games en route to the Central League title and the second round of the District One Class AAA Tournament. Fisher posted 10 clean sheets on the season and allowed just eight goals in the team’s final 16 games. She had a streak of four straight shutouts in September, then six straight through the toughest part of the season in October, including 1-0 wins over Garnet Valley, Penncrest and Haverford that separated the Panthers in a crowded Central League. Her best performance may have been in making seven saves against Haverford in a 3-2 overtime win the first round of districts, while she fought off six shots from Downingtown West in the second-round districts ouster, 1-0.

Julia Hondros, Episcopal Academy: The senior central defender was the anchor of a defense that posted five shutouts and propelled the Churchwomen to a 10-1-1 run through a talented Inter-Ac to claim a first league title since 2012. Two of those shutouts came in the league, where EA always seemed to have enough defensive mettle to keep opponents at bay. Hondros and central defense partner Lily Shaner marshaled the defense, working with the platooning goalkeeping duo of Hannah Moriarty and Morgan Messner. Hondros also scored two goals, both in league wins over Notre Dame and Baldwin, and was named a first-team All-Inter-Ac pick. Hondros will play lacrosse at Brown.

Abby Lord, Radnor: The senior defender has been a contributor since her freshman year, and she blossomed as a senior with her physical and speedy play in central defense. Radnor allowed a mere 13 goals this season in 20 games. The Raiders blanked 11 opponents, including seven of their 11 Central League rivals. That included a 1-0 win at Strath Haven when Lord blanketed King largely out of the game in an excellent job of one-on-on defending. Three scoreless draws, including games against Garnet Valley and Conestoga, helped the Raiders into the District One Class AAA Tournament. In the first round, Radnor kept Penncrest scoreless for 100 minutes, a fifth consecutive shutout, before advancing in penalty kicks. Lord is committed to play lacrosse at the University of Richmond.

Claire Micheletti, Agnes Irwin: The senior defender was a rock at the back for the Owls, helping hold the team together despite injuries to the team’s veteran spine. Micheletti scored two goals, but more importantly, she formed a prosperous partnership with converted midfielder Kate White, who is a second-teamer. Micheletti’s aerial prowess helped the Owls navigate the wide-open play of the InterAc, surrendering 24 goals in 15 games. Micheletti, a two-time All-Delco and an All-Inter-Ac pick this fall, will continue her soccer career at Colgate.

Hannah Dodds, Haverford: The senior defender helped anchor a Fords defense that recorded nine shutouts this season despite platooning goalkeepers. In 19 games, the Fords surrendered just 16 goals, remaining in the thick of the Central League title race until the season’s final weeks and earning a spot in the District One Class AAA Tournament. Six of those shutouts came in the Central League, and the two most impressive were back-to-back 1-0 blankings of Penncrest and Conestoga Sept. 29 and Oct. 1. Dodds earned All-Central League honors.

Phoebe McClernon, Notre Dame: McClernon’s role changed this season on a young Irish team, but the senior still found her way onto a third consecutive All-Delco team. She didn’t quite hit the 30-goal heights of her breakout sophomore campaign, but she matched last year’s total with 12. Playing primarily out of the midfield as opposed to as a striker, she also tallied a county-leading 15 assists. She collected a hat trick and an assist against Cardinal O’Hara and had a hand in all four scores (two goals, two assists) in a 4-2 win over Springside Chestnut Hill. McClernon also had a goal and an assist in the first half Oct. 29, as the Irish pushed Inter-Ac champs Episcopal Academy to overtime. The All-Inter-Ac pick will continue her career at the University of Virginia.

Maura Holst, Radnor: The stinginess of Radnor’s defense magnified the contributions of the junior midfielder. Holst scored 14 goals, more than the 13 that the Raiders conceded. She hit Upper Darby for a hat trick and blistered Octorara for four goals. But tight games brought out the best in the Fordham commit. She scored the game-winner in overtime against Penncrest in the regular season and added a superb volley of a goal to beat Strath Haven on the road. Holst was an All-Central pick, and All-State selection by the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association and the runner-up in Central League MVP voting by coaches.

Britney Dragoni, Garnet Valley: The junior midfielder was a steadying presence as the Jaguars’ young attack found its feet this season. She finished with seven goals, but provided the veteran savvy to let the array of talent around her — including freshmen Gia Dragoni and Julia Burnell — to flourish. Dragoni scored a hat trick against Lower Merion and two goals in a crucial late-season game with Conestoga (each assisted by Burnell) in which Burnell grabbed the game-winner. That win snuck them into the District One playoffs as the 28th and final seed, where Dragoni helped them upset No. 5 Boyertown in PKs in the opening rounds. The All-Central selection is committed to Stony Brook University.

Jess Shanahan, Episcopal Academy: With Molly O’Brien, Shanahan formed the dynamic duo that propelled the Churchwomen to the Inter-Ac title. Shanahan scored 12 goals to go with seven assists, the vast majority of them on O’Brien’s goals. The diminutive playmaker was undoubtedly the string-puller in midfield, contributing to far more of EA goals than the scoresheet may indicate. She tallied twice in 3-2 wins over Baldwin and Germantown Academy, the latter an early statement of intent in EA’s challenge for the Inter-Ac title. The all-league pick also scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over rival Agnes Irwin Oct. 20 on a superb solo effort in the dying minutes of the game. Shanahan will continue her soccer career at La Salle.

Molly O’Brien, Episcopal Academy: The leading scorer in Delco did most of her damage while nursing ligament pain in her right ankle. O’Brien scored 22 goals, powering the Churchwomen to the Inter-Ac title and to the final of the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association Tournament. O’Brien fired home 17 goals in 12 league games en route to all-league honors. She scored five times in two games against Penn Charter and hit Springside Chestnut Hill for a hat trick, then added a goal and two assists in a 4-3 overtime win over Notre Dame. O’Brien also scored the only goal in a win over Friends’ Central to send EA to the PAISAA final. Her most impressive performance, though, was a hat trick in a 3-2 win over Germantown Academy Nov. 10 that clinched the league title. The junior is committed to Loyola Maryland for soccer.

Megan Lynch, Marple Newtown: The senior forward tallied 19 goals to lead the Central League in goals. She fired home two goals apiece against Villa Maria, Springfield, Interboro and Upper Darby. Her most impressive game, though, came against Conestoga when she recorded a hat trick (and sister and second-team midfielder Julia Lynch dished four assists) as the Tigers upended the Pioneers, 4-3. The All-Central pick brought Marple to within a hair of the District One playoffs, the Tigers finishing 30th for the 28-team field.