Hats off to Bresette, Wiggins and a terrific sister duo

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November 24, 2012

Hats off to Bresette, Wiggins and a terrific sister duo

Girls Soccer Christopher Smith The Eagle Tribune Sun Nov 25, 2012, 12:05 AM EST

Central Catholic’s perfect season came to a halt during a shootout in the Division 1 North final. Haverhill rebounded to make the tourney after a four-win season in 2011.

Andover resident Sarah Bresette led Brooks to a title in her final game at her dream school, which wait-listed her before her freshman year. Central’s Alli Wiggins battled back from an ACL tear to lead her team in scoring.

Overall, it was another action-packed girls high school soccer team. Time for some awards:

BEST MASS. TEAM:

Brooks

Brooks capped off a tremendous season with a 1-0 double overtime victory in the NEPSAC Class A title game when Sarah Bresette of Andover scored the game-winner with 30 seconds left in the second OT.

Brooks went 18-2-1 and won the Class A championship for the first time since 2002, when current coach Jaime Gilbert was an All-American performer for the Green and White.

BEST N.H. TEAM: Londonderry

The Lancers had another strong year, going 15-3, but they lost a 4-3 heartbreaker in the Division 1 semifinals to Bedford. The Lancers got a huge boost when two former Londonderry greats transferred back: Lydia Simmons from Brewster and Maeve Holland from Central Catholic.

TEAM PLAYER OF YEAR: Lauren Flynn

A midfielder for her club soccer team, the Central Catholic senior agreed to play goalie this high school season because it was best for her team.

Flynn posted 11 shutouts and led the Raiders to an appearance in the Division 1 North final.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:

Marlayna Buco

The Haverhill sophomore goalie recorded 10 or more saves in eight regular season games. She made an impressive 16 saves in a 3-2 loss to Central Catholic.

COMEBACK PLAYER

OF THE YEAR:@headNotebook:

Alli Wiggins

The Central sophomore from Methuen scored just one goal last year before tearing her ACL. She returned strong, leading her team in points with 13 goals and 12 assists.

She also wins Underclassman of the Year.

MOST IMPROVED:

Amelia Hulshult

The four-year starter from Salem had her best season by far, recording 11 shutouts and allowing just 10 goals (0.47 goals against average). Because of teammate injuries last year, she played in the field for Brooks. But she was back in net this year and had an impressive year.

NAME OF THE YEAR:

Jamie Block

Block has a perfect name for a goalkeeper and the Georgetown senior blocked plenty of shots, including seven in a 1-0 win over Manchester Essex in the regular season finale. The pressure was on Block and her teammates in the finale, as they needed a win or tie to qualify for the state tourney.

MOST IMPROVED TEAM: Haverhill

It was a successful season for the Hillies who went 8-5-5, improving a great deal from their 2011 record of 4-10-3. Haverhill, coached by Fred Tarbox, will add a very experienced assistant to its coaching staff next year. Tarbox’s father, Bill Tarbox, who just retired after coaching North Andover for 22 years and previous to that 18 years at Greater Lawrence, will be coming aboard.

BEST STORY:

Sarah Bresette

Bresette of Andover became interested in Brooks after her sister, Jenn Hyslip, a squash player who graduated in 2008, attended the school.

But Bresette was wait listed when she applied in eighth grade. So she attended Lawrence Academy as a freshman before reapplying to Brooks.

The second time was a charm. She got into the school and was the team’s top offensive player for three straight years.

The Bucknell-bound senior netted 23 goals and 14 assists this past season.

OUT OF NOWHERE AWARD: Whittier

Usually, this award goes to a player. But this year it is being awarded Whittier, which in just its second season made the state tourney and finished 8-8-3.

TOP DEFENDER:

Maggie Carey

The Central Catholic senior from Windham was named MVC Division 1 Player of the Year. She and the Central defense allowed only 10 goals in 20 games and posted 11 shutouts.

UNSUNG HERO AWARD:

Hannah Pesci and Emily Barrett

Pesci, a Windham freshman forward, didn’t get much ink this year but she scored 11 goals.

Barrett, a Timberlane junior goalie, posted seven shutouts, including a nine-save performance in a 2-0 victory over Manchester Central.

BEST REGULAR

SEASON GAME:@headNotebook:

Alana Houlihan’s four goals

The North Andover senior midfielder posted an impressive four-goal game in a 6-1 victory over Methuen on Oct. 2.

POSTSEASON PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR:

Sarah Bresette

Bresette scored two goals and added one assist in three playoff games. Her biggest goal came with 30 seconds left in double overtime of the NEPSAC Class A title, giving Brooks a 1-0 win and its first title since 2002.

BEST SISTER COMBO:

Coufos sisters

Pam scored nine goals, Eleni had several important assists and both North Andover midfielders were named All-MVC.