Skills to boot: 2015 All-Brooklyn girls’ soccer honors

Brooklyn’s familiar faces didn’t disappoint his season.

Grand Street remained the queens of Kings County by winning another division title and reaching the Public School Athletic League Class A quarterfinals for the first time.

Leon Goldstein, which handed Grand Street its only league loss, didn’t miss a beat under first-year head coach Stephen Ryan.

Grand Street stayed on top, and St. Edmund returned there after a one-year hiatus. The Eagles took home it third Brooklyn-Queens Division II crown in the last four years.

And Poly Prep returned to Ivy League elite status, and Brooklyn Friends made its first state tournament appearance.

Here are the players that made it another special year on the pitch in Brooklyn:

Player of the Year

Jocelyn Aguilar, Grand Street

Grand Street has become one of the city’s top programs in recent years, and much of that rise is thanks to Aguilar. This season, she took the Wolves to new heights. The explosive goal-scorer and quiet leader was second in the league in goals with 35 and also handed out 40 assists to help Grand Street reach the quarterfinals.

Coach of the Year

Cathy Blundell, St. Edmund Prep

Blundell has helped mold the Eagles into the most consistent program in Brooklyn-Queens Division II the last five years with help from assistant Dan Mangano. St. Edmund beat rival St. Saviour and defending champion Monsignor McClancy on its way to a third diocesan title in the last four years.

First Team

Forward Lauren Barone, St. Edmund

The senior has been nothing but a winner during her career. Barone scored six goals during the regular season, but she moved to defense in the title game because of her speed. She helped shut out McClancy in the 1–0 win.

Midfielder Daniella Moran, James Madison

The Knights squad continues its rise up the standings thanks to the senior midfielder’s efforts. She improved her production by tallying 14 goals and 14 assists to help her team to a second-place finish.

Forward Halima Matthews, Brooklyn Friends

The junior remained one of the city’s elite scorers. Matthews helped lead Brooklyn Friends to an unbeaten regular season and a league title by scoring 30 goals. Brooklyn Friends also earned the school’s first berth in the private-school state tournament.

Forward Viviana Gonzalez, Franklin Roosevelt

Gonzalez had her best year in the A division since the team joined a season ago. The senior was a dependable striker. She found the back of the net 19 times and handed out four assists.

Forward Anna Levine Brooklyn Tech

The three-year varsity player picked up production in her final season with the Engineers. Levine, a senior, found the back of the net a career-high 15 times to help her team to a division title.

Goalkeeper Marian Moran, James Madison

The junior was one of the toughest to beat in the net, helping the Knights to a second-place finish. Moran allowed 24 goals in 14 games, but she made 111 saves in the process. Madison will be in good hands next year.

Midfielder Rorie St. Lawrence,

Leon

Goldstein

Few have been able to stop St. Lawrence since she came on the scene four years ago. The senior continued to torment division opponents with 25 goals and 10 assists. Two of the scores came in a win over division rival Grand Street.

Forward Devon Olive, Poly Prep

The freshman forward played well beyond her years. Olive was a big-time goal-scorer for the Blue Devils, but she knew when to get her teammates involved at key moments. She’ll be helping out Poly for years to come.

Forward Elizabeth Zahuantitla, Grand Street.

The sophomore didn’t disappoint in her second season on the varsity squad and formed a one-two punch with Aguilar. Zahuantitla tallied 22 goals and 12 assists. She has a bright future ahead with the Wolves.

Midfield Emilie Sauvayre, Poly Prep

The senior was at her best no matter where she played. Sauvayre split time at midfield and defense, making the Blue Devil back-four a formidable unit. She was one of team’s best vocal leaders, as well.