Senior Madelyn Neuschwander and junior Moira Curtis were named the Huskies Most Valuable Players during the girls soccer team’s annual awards banquet Sept. 6.
Coach Ramiro Santana said that Curtis had 178 stops at goalkeeper this season and did an amazing job. Neuschwander also won the team’s Hustle Award and Best Defender Award.
All awards, except the Coach’s Award, were decided by a team vote.
Also winning awards were sophomore Esther Ramsey, who received Best Midfielder and Coach’s Award; senior Kate Hawken, named Best Forward and Coach’s Award; and freshman Madison Harris, Rookie of the Year.
The team finished its season beating Newport 1-0, its first victory of the year. With a tie against Cascade, the team finished with a 1-10-1 record.
Most of Sweet Home’s new league, the Oregon West Conference, has teams that play club ball and practice year round, Santana noted, but his players improved dramatically during the season. Without a local club options and with so many three-sport players, it’s difficult for Sweet Home to be competitive.
“We went from here to here,” he said, holding his hand low then high. “We learned this year, a lot, as much for me as for the kids.”
To add to it, half the team was hurt this year, with several players on the sideline while others played hurt, Santana said. “They’re tough kids. They played hurt most of the season. I don’t know how they do it.”
JV Coach Kelsey Harris presented team awards to JV players. Team members voted for the awards.
MVP was freshman Jenna Wolthuis.
“You could put her anywhere, and she’d give it 110 percent – no ifs, ands or buts,” Harris said.
JV Best Defender was sophomore Olivia Martineau. Best Midfielder was Karolina Hernandez; Best Forward was freshman Madison Harris. Junior Hannah Powell was Rookie of the Year, and freshman Chloe Fairchild won the Hustle Award.
Winning their first-year letters were Martineau, sophomore Kailey James, sophomore Maren Weld, Harris, Powell, junior Katen Edwards and Fairchild.
Second-year letter winners were sophomore Sicily Neuschwander, Katie Robeck, Natalie Rodgers, Ramsey and Emily Farthing; juniors Ashtyn Walker and Curtis; and Hawken.
Earning their third letters were junior Torree Hawken and senior Kendal Soland.
Four-year letter winners were Neuschwander, Sydney Mauer and Ashley Farthing.