2023 Girls All-Area Soccer Team: Red Devils distribute the wealth: Quinn, Perry earn All-Area honors

Dec. 16—CANNONSBURG — Russell didn't have to look to just one player for its success this season.

Coach John Perry had a plethora of skill on the pitch, and it showed on the 2023 girls soccer All-Area team.

The Red Devils placed five players on the team. It came as no surprise from its sideline leader.

"Not to sound boastful, but I kind of expected it," Perry said. "They are very talented players, and they deserve it. I really expected them to be there."

"I think it boiled down to great leadership this year," he added. "We had a great group of seniors leading the way, helping the younger players. It makes a huge difference."

Senior Ava Quinn believed team chemistry played a pivotal role as well. Russell finished with a 19-2 record and advanced to the state tournament quarterfinals. The Red Devils were No. 3 in the state in goals scored and No. 2 in scoring margin.

"I think it's the way we came together as a team, especially this year," Quinn said. "You had seniors that are super close. There were never any arguments or anything. Playing as a team was our biggest focus this year. We had underclassmen that stepped up and our seniors this year played a huge role in showing how they needed to play."

Quinn's leadership on the pitch and her dual performance as scorer and distributor earned her The Daily Independent's All-Area Player of the Year. Perry was selected Coach of the Year.

She tallied 23 goals and 35 assists this season. Quinn became Russell's all-time assist leader this year and finished her career with 74 dimes. She was selected to the state All-Tournament team.

The midfielder had four teammates join her on the All-Area club: Eva Blanke, Emma Stamper, Macy Vonderheide and Gabby Williams.

Blanke led the team with 47 goals, the ninth-best in the state. Stamper followed with 32. Both players recorded double-figure assists. Blanke had 17. Stamper added 13.

Vonderheide controlled and solidified a solid back line. Williams had nine shutouts between the pipes as a keeper.

"It really just says a lot about our team," said Quinn, who recently signed with Longwood to play at the next level. "They put in a lot of hard work and effort, and it starts to show. People are starting to see that and getting recognized for it. It's really cool.

"For me, it was being more vocal. It's something that doesn't come naturally to me, being loud and talking. But it's part of leading and leading by example. Communication was a big part of my game this year."

Russell won the 63rd District and 16th Region Tournaments and was one of the final eight teams left standing after hosting two state tournament matches.

"It was huge," Perry said. "We talked about it before we played. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play two state matches on their home turf. We took them seriously and prepared as well as we could. I felt like we were inches away from playing in the Final Four in Lexington."

East Carter placed four members of its roster on the All-Area team. After winning consecutive region titles, the Raiders tallied 13 wins during the latest slate against a tougher schedule. They won a 62nd District title but fell to Ashland in the region semifinals in double overtime.

Ellie Thomas had 27 goals this year. Sisters Emersyn and Ashlynn Elliott each had 14 goals and 12 assists. Addison Tiller led a defense that contributed to nine shutouts.

The 16th Region runner-up had three players on the All-Area roster. Kenleigh Woods (48) and Milei Baker (46) combined for 94 Ashland goals. The duo gave defenses fits this season with their speed and goal-scoring ability.

Abby Baldwin starred on the LadyCats defense but still impacted the offense with five goals and seven assists.

Boyd County ended its campaign with nine wins and three players earning All-Area honors. Faith Burnside led the Lions in scoring with 18 goals. Aubree Moore and Lexi Boyd made contributions in multiple areas on the pitch. Moore contributed seven goals and five assists. Boyd put three balls in the back of the net.

Fleming County's Hadlee Hazelrigg, Lawrence County's Maggie Johnson and West Carter's Keyera Reynolds rounded out the All-Area team.

Hazelrigg had seven shutouts in 2023 and opponents only produced 2.9 goals a game. Johnson was a consistent player for the Bulldogs. She finished with 15 goals and 15 assists. Reynolds had 25 goals to lead the Comets.

The team was comprised of coaches' votes. The Coach and Player of the Yere were chosen by The Daily Independent sports staff.