Player of the Year
Stephanie Hylton
Lake Braddock, Junior, defender
Despite missing the first half of the season with a knee injury, Hylton put her superb ball skills, quality defending and unmatched field vision on display in the biggest games, capped by anchoring the defense in shutout wins in the Group AAA state semifinals and final. She scored an overtime winner against West Springfield in a rare appearance during the regular season, and she finished with two tallies and four assists for the year. Verbally committed to Virginia Tech.
Coach of the Year
Liz Pike, Lake Braddock
Pike earns her third Examiner Coach of the Year nod in four years by never relenting in her belief the Bruins would return to the Group AAA state final for the second straight season. After losing three of their first four games of the year, the Bruins had every right to lose hope, but Pike righted the ship, and Lake Braddock erased its 2005 disappointment by winning 13 of its final 14 games and capturing the program’s second state championship in four years.
First team
Marika Gray, Hayfield
junior, forward
Statistics don’t lie. Gray, a repeat All-Examiner selection, set a Hayfield record with an area-high 34 goals. The speedy left-footer also had six assists, and with her up top, the unheralded Hawks had a chance in any contest.
Emily Jukich, Centerville
senior, forward
The three-time All-Examiner pick is a relentless finisher in the box and a goalkeeper’s worst nightmare on breakaways. The Concorde District and Northern Region player of the year, Jukich scored 24 goals to lead the Wildcats to a region title and the Group AAA state semifinals. Will play for Virginia Tech.
Blaine Hitt, Yorktown
senior, midfielder
The repeat All-Examiner pick was once again the most dangerous player in the National District, where she scored 19 goals and added four assists. After winning their fourth straight district title, the Patriots will sorely miss the Georgia-bound attacker.
Patti Benner, Centreville
senior, midfielder
Capable of dominating the air and crushing opposing attackers, Benner anchored the middle for the Concorde District and Northern Region champions. She scored 11 goals, including two free kick tallies in the region final. Will play for George Mason.
Colleen Thamm, Battlefield
senior, midfielder
The Northwest Region player of the year — who sat out her junior year after transferring from Highland — kept the Bobcats in The Examiner Top 5 nearly all season. Able to play in defense or up top, Thamm tallied 12 goals and 10 assists. Will play for Longwood.
Kristin Bowers, Lake Braddock
senior, defender
Supremely skilled and confident on the ball, the repeat All-Examiner pick’s season was cut short after a serious leg injury during a Memorial Day club tournament. Bowers carried the lion’s share on defense for most of the season, scoring one goal and dishing out five assists. Will play for Virginia.
Jackie Cozza
Gar-Field, senior, defender
The reliable anchor of a defense that posted nine shutouts and advanced to the Group AAA state tournament, the Radford-bound Cozza was also named the Cardinal District player of the year.
Kaitlin O’Connor
Chantilly, junior, defender
O’Connor emerged as the field general and defensive leader for the surprising Chargers. She was also instrumental going forward, taking every free kick and notching five goals and four assists.
Lauren Hallauer
Robinson, junior, defender
A tall and imposing center back, Hallauer gave opposing forwards fits and kept the Rams — who were without injured goalkeeper Eliza Hattan all year — competitive in their first season in the Concorde District. Also had two assists.
Gina Winters
Fairfax, junior, goalkeeper
On a team that struggled all season, Winters made every game competitive, able to keep the Rebels close with breathtaking sequences of saves. Finished the season with an .893 save percentage.
Caity Comstock
Langley, senior, midfielder
The area’s best wing midfielder, Comstock kept defenses constantly worried about her penetration from the right flank. The All-Northern region selection scored nine goals and had seven assists.
Second team
FORWARDS
Victoria Damren, Forest Park, Sr.
Kelly Mitchell, Hayfield, Sr.
Meghan Lencyzk, Langley, Jr.
Kat Weiler, Lake Braddock, Jr.
MIDFIELDERS
Mary Casey, Chantilly, Sr.
Kendall Irby, Gar-Field, Sr.
Katie Dye, Lake Braddock, Jr.
Samantha Moskal, Chantilly, Sr.
Lisa Clark, T.C. Williams, Sr.
Stephanie Balzano, Battlefield, Sr.
Jaimie Kuykendall, Madison, Sr.
DEFENDERS
Nicole Gerow, West Potomac, Sr.
Kim Jones, West Springfield, Sr.
Jordan Grant, Centreville, So.
Elia Lake, Forest Park, Sr.
Caitlin Gorham, Langley, Jr.
GOALKEEPERS
Stephanie Poucher, West Springfield, Sr.
Marcia Biddle, Gar-Field, Sr.
