All-Delco Girls Soccer: Penncrest, Episcopal, Strath Haven land multiple players on squad

In addition to Player of the Year Corryn Gamber, the rest of the All-Delco team includes:

Bryn McLaughlin, Penncrest: After splitting time in net as a sophomore, McLaughlin owned the goalie’s gloves as a junior and performed with aplomb. McLaughlin gave up just seven goals in 20 starts, posting 13 shutouts and never allowing multiple goals in a game, pacing the Lions back to the PIAA Class 3A tournament. It wasn’t until Game 11 of the season that she conceded her first goal. One of her best games came in a 1-0 loss to Conestoga, with which the Lions halved the Central League title, where McLaughlin made 10 saves. She posted shutouts in the District 1 tournament against Sun Valley and Pope John Paul II. And despite being on the wrong end of 1-0 losses in the district final and states opener (the latter in double-overtime), the All-Central goalie made several impressive saves in each.

Liz DeCarlo, Strath Haven: The senior outside back was one of the main cogs for the Panthers, offensively and defensively, in their return to the District 1 Class 4A playoffs. DeCarlo scored three times and delivered eight assists, her dead-ball aptitude vital for a young Panthers team that didn’t score with the frequency of past iterations. She scored the game-winner in a 2-1 victory over Rustin Sept. 16. DeCarlo was also the veteran anchor on a young backline blighted by injuries early in the season, helping unite a defensive unit that featured three underclassmen.

Devon Linn, Sun Valley: The imposing senior center back created an odd pairing with the shorter Deanna Baker, but they were an effective duo. Linn helped the Vanguards to the second round of the District 1 Class 3A tournament, burying a penalty kick in the shootout to advance over Nazareth Academy. Linn also helped clamp down on Player of the Year Gamber in the teams’ District 1 quarterfinal collision, a scoreless encounter for the first 62 minutes. Linn cashed in her aerial presence to the tune of six goals — including markers in one-goal victories over Bishop Shanahan and Avon Grove. Linn was an All-Ches-Mont American first-team pick.

Sarah Hughes, Penncrest: The junior defender’s outstanding season came with a dose of adversity, having to assume a larger role thanks to a season-ending knee injury to All-Delco Carly Dunford in the loss to Conestoga. Nonetheless, Hughes formed a prosperous partnership with freshman Shayna Polsky that led to just seven goals surrendered in 21 matches. Hughes was the leading force in that stinginess, her combination of speed and composure on the ball ensuring that she always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. With the All-Central pick as a near every-minute performer, the Lions shut out 13 opponents in 18 wins; their only three losses were by 1-0 margins.

Anna Salvucci, Episcopal Academy: The diminutive midfielder showed the speed and skill to influence the EA attack. Salvucci led the team with 10 assists to go with seven goals. She had a streak of six consecutive games with a goal or an assist, four of them league games. She starred in a pivotal contest with Baldwin early in the season, providing two goals and an assist in a 4-3 win. She dished two assists against Notre Dame and set up both goals in the 2-0 win over Germantown Academy to complete the season sweep. She also hit the score sheet in each meeting with rival Agnes Irwin: A goal at the Owls in the regular season and in the PAISAA semifinal, then two assists in the 2-0 win on rivalry day.

Raina Kuzemka, Episcopal Academy: Just a sophomore, Kuzemka provided both a calming presence in central midfield and a vital scoring spurt to the Churchwomen on their way to an Inter-Ac title. Kuzemka scored 11 goals to go with eight assists. Her capstone performance was a four-goal rampage against Notre Dame, adding an assist. She scored twice against Notre Dame in the return meeting and twice against Hill School; she also added two assists in the Inter-Ac opener against Germantown Academy to set the tone for the title run. Kuzemka’s passing ability from deep in midfield also stabilized a contingent hit by injuries.

READ: Full list of All-Delco honorees

Maura Hendrixson, Cardinal O’Hara: The senior midfielder was the heart of the Lions’ push into fifth place in the Catholic League. Hendrixson was tied for third on the team with four goals, and her physicality and athleticism helped control play in both directions. She scored in three straight games late in the season – in a loss to PCL runner-up Lansdale Catholic and in wins over Chichester and Bonner & Prendergast. Hendrixson also found the back of the net in a win over Little Flower. Hendrixson, an All-Catholic League pick, has committed to play basketball at Drexel University.

Maggie Forbes, Strath Haven: Just a freshman, Forbes controlled the midfield for the Panthers, drawing league-wide attention and an All-Central nod. She was tied for the team lead with five goals and added three assists along with stellar two-way play in midfield. She recorded a hat trick in a win over Ridley and converted the game-winning penalty kick in the 77th minute against Marple Newtown. She also set up sister Grace’s goal against Villa Maria.

Olivia Dirks, Episcopal Academy: The junior forward was the beneficiary of the Churchwomen’s midfield dynamism, and she duly cashed in with great efficiency. Dirks scored a team-high 15 goals, adding five assists. Four of her outings were multi-goal games, include a hat trick and two assists against Notre Dame. She scored twice against Agnes Irwin in the first meeting, then added single goals in their two subsequent encounters. Dirks, a Penn State lacrosse commit, authored a four-game scoring streak early in the season at a pivotal moment – recording braces in title-deciding wins over Germantown Academy and Penn Charter, plus the game-winner against Lawrenceville and a tally in a win over Baldwin.

Annalena O’Reilly, Haverford: The speedy junior forward led the Fords back to the District 1 Class 4A playoffs, helping them to a second postseason win in as many years via a 2-1 victory over William Tennent in the first round. O’Reilly led the Fords with 15 goals. She hit a hat trick against West Chester East, scored twice in a draw with Henderson and volleyed a long-range goal against Radnor in a win, all while filling whatever positional need the Fords had on a given day. She was selected to the first team All-Central.

Lindsay Haseltine, Christian Academy: The senior forward was again among the most prolific forwards in the region. The only repeat selection on the All-Delco team finished with 26 goals and 11 assists, leading TCA to its second straight Bicentennial League Constitution Division title. While a natural midfielder, Haseltine took roles as a do-everything attacker while also dropping back into defense to shore up the backline for spells. She scored three goals and two assists in a win over Phil-Mont Christian and hit four goals against Faith Christian. She also netted four goals combined over two games with rival Delco Christian. Haseltine, who has committed to play at Messiah College, finishes her storied career with 84 goals and 44 assists.