With so much talent in the county, many were excited to see who would separate themselves and make a case that they were the best.
It took Hannah DeVincent one game.
Starting the season off with a hat trick against reigning IAAM C Conference champion Gerstell Academy, the junior rode that momentum and led the Lions to a regional title.
For her efforts, Liberty’s Hannah DeVincent has been named Carroll County Times girls soccer Player of the Year.
“She’s the definition of an all-around player,” Liberty coach Dani Prietz said. “She did so many things for us that are beyond just scoring goals.”
After that game against Gerstell, Hannah went back to her true roots, distributing the ball to teammates and setting them up to score goals. Her stellar season was highlighted by 17 goals, but perhaps what was even more impressive was the junior’s 19 assists.
“My team provided me with great opportunities for scoring and then I turned around and provided them with some good opportunities as well,” DeVincent said. “It really just shows how much chemistry we had as a team and how it fueled to do so well this year.”
As the season forged on, DeVincent was at her best, scoring two goals and adding two assists in a win against Winters Mill, following that up with scoring both of Liberty’s goals in a 2-1 victory over South Carroll in the regional semifinals.
“We were able to go on a nice run,” she said. “Everyone was clicking, and we were just playing some really good soccer.”
That run included the Lions winning the class 1A West region II championship. Prietz noted how such a goal was accomplished in large part because of the myriad of things DeVincent brought to her team this year.
“She’s a silent leader, but she does so much,” Prietz said. “She has such a high IQ that it helps her be elite as a scorer, passer and even as a defender, she did it all for us this year.
Coach of the Year
Chris Little, Century
After entering the season with a huge target on his program’s back following a Class 2A state championship, Little and his collection of key returners from that team ran from absolutely no one.
After a No.12 ranking on the initial Baltimore Sun poll, Little and his girls faced top private and public school competition, highlighted by a hard fought scoreless draw against Notre Dame Prep.
The Knights held off top county title contenders and defeated Winters Mill and Walkersville en route to another 2A West Region I crown.
For the second straight season, Little has been named Carroll County Times girls soccer Coach of the Year.
All County first team
Addyson Davis, South Carroll, senior, forward
Davis finished with nine goals and four assists for the Cavaliers.
Harli Hamlett, Century, senior, forward
A player of the year finalist, Hamlet scored 11 goals for the Knights, adding five assists.
Emmerson Hill, Westminster, sophomore, forward
Hill was a key member of the Owls this season, impressing with her passing and athleticism against top county competition.
Joelle Staub, Francis Scott Key, senior, forward
Staub finished with five goals and 11 assists on the season for the Eagles.
Gracee Weinreich, Winters Mill, senior, forward
Weinreich finished the season with eight goals and four assists for the Falcons.
Bella Coccio, Century, junior, midfield
Coccio finished the year with six goals and six assists as one of Little’s top players and captains.
Rose Larner, Liberty, senior, midfield
Scored seven goals for the Lions this season, also added two assists.
Abby Rieger, Francis Scott Key, junior, midfield
Rieger finished with eight goals for the Eagles.
Bryce Sarver, Liberty, sophomore, midfield
Sarver finished with 12 goals and four assists for the regional champion Lions.
Caitlyn Shank, Manchester Valley, junior, midfield
Shank led the way for the Mavericks this season, scoring seven goals and adding two assists
Jenny Vasquez, Westminster, junior, midfield
Vasquez did a solid job manning the middle of the Owls attack, establishing herself as a threat to score every time she touched the ball.
Callie Chesney, South Carroll, senior, defense
Chesney was the top defender for coach Andrew Isacco, finishing the season as one of the county’s top defensive players.
Libby Green, Westminster, sophomore, defense
Green was a top defender for the Owls, often matching up and handling her own amongst the county’s elite.
Lexi McGinnis, Century, junior, defense
The Knights posted seven shutouts and McGinnis was a big reason why with her play all season.
Karleigh Pack, Francis Scott Key, senior, defense
A key defender for the Eagles, Pack earns a first-team nod after a solid defensive season.
Mia Savage, Century, sophomore, defense
Stepping up defensively for the county champions, Savage makes the first team after an impressive showing against the county’s most dangerous offensive threats.
Brooke Turner, South Carroll, senior, goalie
Turner saved 70 shots on goal this season, finishing with an impressive 80 percent of shot attempts
All County second team
Sophia Taylor, Century, senior, forward
Aver Asom, Liberty, junior, midfield
Ella Boyce, South Carroll, junior, midfield
Lenah Hamm, Century, freshman, midfield
Hannah Neske, Winters Mill, freshman, midfield
Lana O’Donnell, Francis Scott Key, senior, midfield
Ashley Schwartz, Liberty, senior, midfield
Maddison Spradlin, Century, junior, midfield
Mia Talley, South Carroll, freshman, midfield
Emily Erb, Westminster, senior, defense
Lee Hoke, Manchester Valley, junior, defense
Natalie Mattox, Century, senior, defense
Adyson Meyers, Winters Mill, junior, defense
Maddie Prietz, Century, senior, defense
Megan Rusk, Century, senior, defense
Annika Wray, Liberty, senior, defense
Emma Jewell, Winters Mill, junior, goalie