High school girls soccer: The Olympian’s spring 2021 All-Area team

First- and second-team selections for The Olympian’s spring 2021 All-Area girls soccer team.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Eva Wirth, Olympia, sr. — The Bears keeper recorded seven shutouts, including a scoreless tie with defending 4A state champion Puyallup. “She gets the game,” Olympia coach Tamara Liska said. “She’s an incredible athlete and very composed. She can control the situation on the field.” A first-team 3A SSC pick, Wirth is headed for Pacific Lutheran University.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Brett Bartlett, Tumwater — Bartlett guided the T-Birds to an 11-1 record, the only loss coming in the 2A Southwest District final to perennial power Hockinson. In Tumwater’s previous 11 games, the program outscored opponents, 39-1.

FIRST TEAM

FORWARDS

Brieanna Dell, Tenino, sr. — Four-time Olympian All-Area pick scored 19 goals during the season to break through a milestone, totaling 106 for her high school career. Bound for Edmonds Community College, the 1A Evergreen MVP “has the ability to find space to score, as well as speed and strength to beat defenders,” coach Kevin Schultz said.

Riana Geathers, Tumwater, sr. — 2A EvCo first-teamer scored six goals — including the game-winner in the 2A Southwest District semifinal — and had four assists while playing in just 10 of the T-Birds’ games. “Riana is fast and persistent, she’s a dangerous wing player who likes to run at defenders,” Bartlett said.

Kayden Perigo, Capital, fr. — Converted 13 of her 37 shots on goal to make an immediate impact for the Cougars as both an attacking midfielder and a forward. “Kayden is a born leader and athlete,” Cougars coach Adriana Montes said. “Her knowledge of the game is beyond her years.”

Jordan Rabalais, Yelm, jr. — Rabalais piled up an impressive 13 goals on her way to 3A SSC first-team honors. “She has an ability to hold defenders off and score goals,” Tornados coach Jay Dorhauer said.

MIDFIELDERS

Megan Letts, Tenino, jr. — First-team 1A Evergreen pick was second among the Beavers in goals with eight and assists with six, and “has the ability to create scoring chances for herself and others. She has a high work rate, covering a lot of ground both defensively and offensively,” Schultz said.

Kaari Little, Tumwater, soph. — 2A EvCo co-player of the year scored four goals and had nine assists. “She’s a powerful and deceptive player on the ball,” Bartlett said. “Our attack ran through her.”

Lindsay McGaughy, Capital, jr. — 3A SSC first-teamer scored seven goals and picked up an assist. “She’s only played soccer for about four years, but she’s a fast learner, very coachable,” Montes said.

Cameron Sheets, W.F. West, soph. — Tallied eight goals and had two assists on her way to 2A EvCo first-team honors.

DEFENDERS

Callie Barnett, Olympia, sr. — First-team 3A SSC selection will play at Northwest University in the fall.

Landry McCann, Olympia, sr. — 3A SSC first-teamer was The Olympian’s 2018 All-Area girls soccer player of the year and a first-team selection in 2019. Headed to Seattle Pacific next season.

Destinee Robertson, Timberline, jr. — Robertson is a top Division I recruiting target and coach Mark Smith says “In 25 years of coaching soccer, I have never witnessed the speed or control Destinee has. She is the nucleus of our defense and makes all around her better.” First-team 3A SSC pick.

Ainsley Wall, Tumwater, jr. — 2A EvCo first-teamer was a team captain and scored three goals. “She was the heart of our defense,” Bartlett said. “She’s an intelligent player who reads the game, wins the ball and distributes with range and accuracy.”

Grace Wilhelm, Olympia, sr. — First-team 3A SSC selection will play at Westmont College in Santa Barbara next season.

GOALKEEPER

Lily Babka, Centralia, soph. — Babka moved into the starting spot as the Tigers’ keeper after only a few weeks of practice and became a first-team 2A EvCo selection.

SECOND TEAM

Forwards — Kambree Degon, Timberline, jr.; Makayla McGilvrey, Tumwater, jr.; Aly Schultz, Tumwater, jr.; Taylor Woodworth, River Ridge, sr.

Midfielders — Cirena Adams, North Thurston, sr.; Meridee Hill, Yelm, soph.; Cassidy McWhorter, Black Hills, sr.; Ashley Nguyen, Timberline, soph.; Mia Oniskey, Black Hills, soph.; Caroline Penner, Capital, jr.; Sarah Robbins, Centralia, soph.; Sydni Stipic, Capital, jr.; Grace Vestal, Tenino, jr.

Defenders — Jessica Alonzo, Black Hills, sr.; Mia Cuoio, Tumwater, soph.; Alvia Hunter, Tenino, jr.; Samantha Prigg, Capital, sr.; Kelly Robertson, W.F. West, sr.; Andee Shaffran, Tenino, jr.; Megan Thomas, Yelm, sr.

Goalkeeper — Trinity Tafoya, Tenino, soph.

This story was originally published May 13, 2021 at 5:00 AM.