Girls Development Academy Awards (2018-19)

• by Mike Woitalla  @MikeWoitalla, Jul 22, 2019

The U.S. Soccer Girls Development Academy has announced its conference Best-XIs, and players and coaches of the year for the recently completed 2018-19 season.

GIRLS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
East: Lia Godfrey (United Soccer Alliance)
Central: Alexis Missimo (Solar Soccer Club)
West: Neeku Purcell (Reign Academy)

• New in 2018-19: Unlike last year, the Girls DA's inaugural season, when Best IX teams were given for separate age groups, the 2018-19 conference Best XIs cover U-15, U-16/17 and U-18/19. Also, Player of the Year honors are no longer specific to an age group.

GIRLS BEST XIs
East
Goalkeeper: Mia Justus (IMG Academy).
Defenders: Megan Bornekamp (Nationals), Victoria Haugen (FC Virginia), Ayo Oke (Tophat), Paige Tolentino (NC Courage).
Midfielders: Lia Godfrey (United Soccer Alliance), Amber Nguyen (Tophat), Jillian Shimkin (FC Fury NY).
Forwards: Catherine Barry (NEFC), Elle Kershner (Penn Fusion Soccer Academy), Olivia Migli (FC Virginia).

Central
Goalkeeper: Nadia Cooper (Shattuck-St. Mary's).
Defenders: Abby Allen (Lonestar SC Academy), Emily Matthews (Nationals), Bri Schrotenboer (Midwest United FC).
Midfielders: Devin Lynch (Sockers FC), Samantha Meza (Solar Soccer Club), Alexis Missimo (Solar Soccer Club), Jaedyn Shaw (FC Dallas).
Forwards: Trinity Byars (Solar Soccer Club), Sydney Richards (FC Dallas), Hannah Richardson (Sockers FC).

West
Goalkeeper: Neeku Purcell (Reign Academy)
Defenders: Courtney Boone (Legends FC), Smith Hunter (Reign Academy), Sally Menti (Crossfire Premier), Maddie Mooney (Reign Academy).
Midfielders: Emily Colton (LA Galaxy San Diego), Mia Fishel (San Diego Surf), Tatiana Fung (Legends FC).
Forwards: Jennifer Estes (Crossfire Premier), Alyssa Thompson (Real So Cal), Kali Trevithick (Legends FC).

GIRLS COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR
East: Penn Fusion Soccer Academy
Central: Midwest United FC
West: San Jose Earthquakes

GIRLS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
East: Ryan Allen (IMG Academy)
Central: Rebecca Postlewait (Midwest United FC)
West: Rose Covert (Real So Cal)

COMMUNITY AWARD
Girls: LA Galaxy San Diego

• GIRLS PLAYOFF/CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS

GOLDEN BALL (best player)
U-15: Yuna McCormack (San Jose Earthquakes)
U-16/17: Trinity Byars (Solar Soccer Club)
U-18/19: Bria Schrotenboer (Midwest United FC)

GOLDEN BOOT (top scorer)
U-15: Taylor Zdrojewski (FC Dallas)
U-16/17: Alexis Missimo (Solar Soccer Club)
U-18/19: Catherine Barry (NEFC)

GOLDEN GLOVE (best goalkeeper)
U-15: Nona Reason (San Diego Surf)
U-16/17: Jordyn Gunnarson (FC Dallas)
U-18/19: Isabella Grust (San Diego Surf)

FAIR PLAY AWARD
U-15: San Diego Surf
U-16/17: Beach FC
U-18/19: United Soccer Alliance

2018-19 GIRLS ACADEMY CHAMPIONS
U-15: San Jose Earthquakes
U-16/17: Solar Soccer Club
U-18/19: Midwest United FC