Girls soccer
Lindsay Zullo, Sr., Hudson
Why we picked her: The team-best 29 goals Zullo scored as a senior fail to convey the full dimension of her game. Just as adept as a playmaking midfielder, she ranked second on the team with 12 assists and brought a defensive element to the Cobras (22-3-1), who won the first playoff game in program history.
Most impressive accomplishment: Zullo points to her winning goal in the second overtime of the Class 4A, District 8 final, an intense 2-1 win over nemesis Zephyrhills. We point to her overall play down the stretch. Zullo, who also scored on a penalty kick in the district title match, collected two more goals six nights later in a 4-3 playoff win over Orlando Bishop Moore.
Future plans: Zullo, sister of former Hudson football standout Brian Zullo, said she's being courted by Division II Flagler College in St. Augustine.
Did you know? As the Cobras continued winning, Zullo brought a whole new meaning to the term "playing dirty." According to Zullo, she and a couple of teammates wouldn't wash their jerseys if they won a match, swearing off laundry detergent for up to two weeks at a time. "It's superstitious, I can't break it," she said. "It might be gross but oh well."
First team
GK Jessica Olin, Sr., River Ridge: Will play at Division I Robert Morris
GK Laura Seletos, Sr., Mitchell: 1.12 goals against average, six shutouts; scored three
F Brandi Mira, Sr., Zephyrhills: Dazzling speed helped produce 38 goals
F Mikaela Morolla, Jr., River Ridge: Last of her 17 goals beat Bloomingdale in playoffs
F Marisa Russo, Jr., Mitchell: Led Mustangs in goals (17), co-leader in assists (12)
F Ashley Walker, So., Springstead: Led 17-win team in goals (13), assists (11)
F Rhea Forbes, Jr., Gulf: Versatile Buc had nine goals, five assists
MF Laurren McLeod, Sr., Zephyrhills: Before knee injury, had 21 assists in 11 matches
MF Alicia Schuering, Jr., Hudson: 24 goals, 13 assists for district champs
MF Jenny Karl, So., River Ridge: Tallied at least a goal or assist in 14 matches
MF Shelby Wright, Jr., Mitchell: Two of her 10 goals came against River Ridge
D Dani Schulman, So., Gulf: Arguably Bucs' top all-around player
D Stacy Swezey, Jr., Hudson: Starred for Cobras on two surgically repaired knees
D Megan Coleman, Sr., Mitchell: Made things happen from back (four assists)
D Carly Patton, Fr., Zephyrhills: Bulldogs were different team without her
D Irene Townsend, Sr., River Ridge: Fortified unit that posted 13 shutouts
Coach of the Year
Chris Rizzieri, Hudson
In her third season, Rizzieri's improbable transformation of the Cobras' program continued with a 23-3-1 record, district championship and the program's first playoff victory.
Second team
GK Jessie Imbimbo, Jr., Hudson
GK Brittany Martin, Jr., Ridgewood
F Kayla FitzSimons, Fr., Wiregrass Ranch
F Kayla Robinson, So., Land O'Lakes
F Danielle Doucet, Jr., Nature Coast
F Michelle Lang, Sr., Hudson
F Corrie Bexley, Fr., Bishop McLaughlin
MF Shelby Holley, Sr., River Ridge
MF Bridgett Eugenides, Sr., Pasco
MF Lisa Truncale, Sr., Springstead
MF Tori Watson, So., River Ridge
D Alex Phillips, So., River Ridge
D Brittany Nieves, So., Land O'Lakes
D Natalie Fontanes, So., Land O'Lakes
D Megan Jacobson, Sr., Nature Coast
D Alyson Brady, So., Springstead
Honorable mention
Bishop McLaughlin: Taylor Maramara, Spencer Valdispino; Central: Ashley Custodio; Gulf: Alicia Schulman; Hudson: Erica Wills; Land O'Lakes: Arianna Azzopardi, Kierra Potts; Mitchell: Jessica Jagielski, Shannon Larkin; Pasco: Leeann Eble; Ridgewood: Karissa Bertling; River Ridge: Corinna Dyl; Springstead: Kaitlyn Duke, Paige Kuhn, Cristina Passafaro; Sunlake: Holly Gerkin; Wesley Chapel: Kyndra Hurst; Wiregrass Ranch: Caitlyn Morehouse; Zephyrhills: Amber Morgenstern, Chelsea Smith
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