York, PA -
The Daily Record/Sunday News presents the 2012 YAIAA Division I girls' soccer all-stars:
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
   Erin Laird, South Western, Sr., F: Laird and her twin sister, Shannon, graduate with their names all over the record book at South Western.

Erin, though, leaves as owner of the school's records for scoring in a season and career, plus the Mustangs' single-season assists record (goalie Laken Bull owns the career assists mark).

"These are two kids that don't understand what the word slack-off means," South Western coach Mark Bentzel said. "The season's over, and they're already working for college. They're running, like, five, six, seven miles a day."

Laird's 17 goals and nine assists as a senior helped South Western (11-6-1, 8-3-1) finish second to Dallastown in the YAIAA Division I standings.
 
ALL-STARS
   Brooke Amandola, Red Lion, Sr.: Amandola also was an all-league cross-country runner in the fall. That conditioning helped Amandola become a player opposing defenses had to account for on the pitch.
   Becca Austin, Dallastown, Jr., GK: Austin recorded 15 shutouts, helping set the tone to a 19-win season and outright Division I title. Coach Barry Barbush called her one of the most vocal players on the field. "She's like the quarterback back there," he said, "taking charge."
   Kathryn Fogleman, William Penn, Sr., MF: A returning all-star from last season, Fogleman was a bright spot for the Bearcats (0-13, 0-11). The multisport athlete also played tennis at the school.
   Shannon Laird, South Western, Sr., D: The other half of South Western's potent twin tandem, Shannon Laird also was a four-year starter and leaves with school records in games played and started. She typically drew the assignment of league-leading scorers such as Dallastown's Cassy Landis, who scored 24 goals this season. She was versatile, too. Last year as a junior, when South Western needed to shuffle its lineup during a game at Central York, Laird moved to a midfield attacking position and scored two goals. "When we need to score goals and attack teams, I'd put her at forward and she could really attack," coach Mark Bentzel said.

   Allie Mack, New Oxford, Jr., D: A starter since she was a freshman, Mack was the main cog of the Colonials' defense. Coach Jebb Nelson called her the team's "rock and has been our rock since she was a freshman." He said, "The shot tally would pretty much double if she was not in there."

   Meagan Newmister, Dallastown, So., F: When coach Barry Barbush wanted to experiment with his lineup, Newmister sometimes served the role of guinea pig. He would move her to outside midfielder for a change of pace, but she mostly played as a forward. Her speed is "incredible," Barbush said. "I just noticed parts of games where I say to somebody, 'Did you just see how she beat her?' " Newmister finished with 19 goals and 10 assists.

   Gabby Reichart, New Oxford, Sr., GK: Reichart started all 17 games in net and was one of three YAIAA players to earn all-state honors. She was the league's lone Division I player to earn that distinction, along with West York's Shyanne Kimbrough and York Suburban's Mikala Kin of Division II. Reichart faced 365 shots this season and saved 303 for an average of about 18 per match. "And they were solid shots," said her coach, Jebb Nelson.

   Amy Spigelmyer, South Western, Jr., MF: The Mustangs' center midfielder came in as a freshman two years ago still adjusting to the sport, coach Mark Bentzel said. "I honestly think if she wants to be, she can be a Division I (college) player," he said. "She's an amazing athlete." Spigelmyer finished second on the Mustangs with eight goals. She also had three assists.
   Brittany Temple, Dallastown, Jr., D: As is the case with many starters on the Wildcats, Temple is a three-year player as a junior. She also typically draws the top offensive player on the opposition, but her high school career began playing partly as a midfielder. It was not until coach Barry Barbush discovered Temple played defender on her club team that he decided to make the permanent switch. Now, she's committed to Coastal Carolina along with teammate Becca Austin.

   Kim Vogan, South Western, Sr., MF: Not only was Vogan one of the more versatile players in the league, but being left-footed made her an unorthodox assignment for opposing teams. "In terms of explaining a position, she understands the entire team," coach Mark Bentzel said. "She's got all the tools in her pocket and her foot skills are amazing." She used them to total seven goals and five assists.
 
COACH OF THE YEAR
   Jebb Nelson, New Oxford: Nelson and the Colonials had to play on after junior Casey Sheridan and sophomore Chelsea McFalls were killed in a car crash about two miles from the school last year.

The Colonials (2-15, 2-10) faced challenges different than most teams, but Nelson said the support they received was unlike any other, too.

"Kids are pretty resilient," he said. "There's definitely those moments where you could tell it affected the girls."

Many road games were accompanied by moments of silence beforehand, and Nelson -- who also coaches the boys' program at Biglerville -- served as a guide for a collection of teenagers mourning their fallen classmates.

-- Matt Goul
  
HONORABLE MENTION
   Central York: Katie Hackos, Brooklyn Smith, Steph Starr, Brooke Heilman, Kelly Williamson; Dallastown: Alaina Curry, Steph Le, Cassy Landis; Red Lion: Emma Georgantis, Kylie Strong; Spring Grove: Courtney Kauffman, Ashley Wilt, Shelby Brassard, Marissa Carlisle, Alexis Seaman; William Penn: Fabiola Ngalle-Ehabil.