All Delco Girls Soccer Teams

The following players from the Central League were named to the All Central Teams.

FIRST TEAM

Carly Dunford, Penncrest: Just a sophomore, Dunford spearheaded a defense composed of two sophomores and two freshmen. Despite the youth and a rotating cast of goalkeepers, the defensive talent was obvious: Penncrest allowed 14 goals all season on the way to the District 1 Class 3A final and the first round of the PIAA tournament, posting 13 clean sheets. In the first 18 games of the season, the Dunford-led defense allowed seven markers. Dunford, a two-year varsity starter, recovered from an ACL tear that curtailed her freshman campaign. She scored her lone goal in a 2-0 win over Kennett Sept. 16.

Brianna Blair, Haverford: The senior defender was the standout on the Fords’ backline, using her physical game to hold down the right back position. With Blair, the Fords posted 14 shutouts, surrendered eight goals in 20 games and advanced to the second round of the District 1 Class 4A tournament. Blair also chipped in offensively, scoring six goals, all in league play, five in Haverford wins. Blair’s long throw-ins also proved difficult to defend, setting up numerous scoring chances, four of which resulted in assists. Blair will continue her career at Cabrini.

Amelia Durfee, Haverford: The senior was the Fords’ midfield general, orchestrating play from her deep-lying position and doing the box-to-box work that informed the Fords’ success on both ends of the field. Durfee was the team’s leading scorer with nine goals, including two each against Harriton and Interboro. She added six assists. Durfee also contributed to the Fords’ sterling defensive record, helping Haverford win 15 games and get by West Chester Rustin in overtime in the first round of the District 1 Class 4A tournament.

Gia Dragoni, Garnet Valley: The sophomore midfielder/forward stepped up to fill the void left by injuries to, among others, her older sister and two-time All-Delco Britney. Dragoni led the Jaguars back to the District 1 playoffs, scoring a team-high nine goals to go with four assists. The first-team All-Central pick scored the Jags’ only goal in the District 1 Class 4A ouster at the hands of West Chester Henderson, 2-1. Dragoni scored in a 2-1 win over Episcopal Academy and registered both tallies, including the overtime game-winner, in a Sept. 29 victory over Lower Merion.

Gia Martyn, Penncrest: The senior midfield engine powered the Lions to the District 1 Class 3A final and state tournament. Martyn scored five goals and 14 assists and seemed at her best in the biggest moments. She provided a goal and an assist in the regular-season tilt with Conestoga. She supplied assists in six straight games to end the regular-season and start the playoffs. Martyn, an All-Central pick, registered a superb free-kick goal plus an assist on Tara Higgins’ overtime game-winner to get Penncrest to states, 2-1 win over Gwynedd Mercy. Martyn will continue her career at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Maura Holst, Radnor: The Raiders struggled to a sub-.500 season, but that didn’t dent the midfielder’s brilliance. The Fordham commit and two-time All-Delco scored 11 goals, the only Raider with more than three. She accounted for 55 percent of the 20 goals Radnor scored. The All-Central pick recorded a hat trick against Upper Darby Oct. 7. She tallied both goals in a 2-1 win over Ridley, and earned Radnor a point with a penalty kick in a 1-1 draw with Springfield. Goals by Holst netted Radnor a 1-0 win over Marple Newtown and a 1-1 draw with Garnet Valley to squeeze them into the District 1 3A tournament

SECOND TEAM
Ashley Bufano, Sr. GK, Garnet Valley
Molly Santoro, Sr. D, Haverford
Alex Zecca, Sr. D, Garnet Valley
Claire van Duyne, Sr. M, Strath Haven
Corryn Gamber, Jr. M, Penncrest
Bridget Whitaker, Jr. F, Springfield
Tara Higgins, Jr. F, Penncrest

HONORABLE MENTION
Garnet Valley: Nicole Barnes, Jenna Buttermore, Beth Hofmann, Regan Nealon
Haverford: Alison Durfee, Clair Janzer, Annalena O’Reilly
Marple Newtown: Chloe Canonica, Rebecca Ritchi
Penncrest: Sarah Hughes, Kenna Kaut, Olivia Mancarella, Logan Morris, Julia Mullaney, Kat Mullaney
Radnor: Annika DeRoos, Allison Lanzone, Nicole Massimino
Ridley: Rylie Butler, Emily Cooper, Andrea Pezick
Springfield: Erin Cutcliff, Isabelle Mastropietro
Strath Haven: Morgan Crain, Liz DeCarlo, Maddie Forbes, Kacy Hafertepe, Carly Perlman
Upper Darby: Jaclyn Castell, Jessica Liberio