One team stood out above the rest on the Lowcountry high school girls’ soccer landscape this season, but while Hilton Head High’s state championship run took center stage, plenty of talented players contributed to successful campaigns for other teams in the area.
After soliciting nominations from area coaches and studying the statistics – where available (more on that later) – we put together a list of the top 27 players – 11 first-team selections and 16 honorable mentions – to form the inaugural All-Lowco Girls Soccer Team.
The competition for the final spots was fierce, and a handful of players who just missed the cut for the first team or the honorable mention list certainly could make a case to be included, but keeping the list shorter makes the honor greater. These players were the best of the best on the local pitches.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Ernie Suozzi, HHIHS
The dean of area soccer coaches did it again in 2018, leading Hilton Head High to its fifth state title in eight years. Sure, Suozzi had a loaded roster, but he has a knack for getting the most out of his teams, even if he does so in a sometimes unorthodox manner. For example, he doesn’t keep any stats. None. You’ll note below that none of the Seahawks selected for the All-Lowco team have individual stats listed, and that’s because Suozzi thinks they’re detrimental to the team. That makes things tough on a sports writer, but it’s hard to argue with Suozzi’s results.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Carson Schoeppe, HHIHS
With Seahawks’ coach Ernie Suozzi’s aforementioned aversion to individual stats, it’s difficult to quantify Schoeppe’s impact, but know this — she was the most important player on what was the area’s best team by a wide margin. Schoeppe was a critical element in the midfield and an offensive threat, as evidenced by her six goals in the playoffs, including at least one in each postseason contest.
ALL-LOWCO FIRST TEAM
F: Sydney Camp, HHCA
Eagles’ top scorer netted two hat tricks
F: Charlotte Covington, HHP
Racked up 37 goals despite missing five games with ankle injury
MF: Sha’Nya Stephens, BLHS
Class 3A Player of the Year scored 15 goals
MF: Carson Schoeppe, HHIHS
Class 4A All-State selection
MF: Miya Poplin, HHIHS
Class 4A All-State selection
MF: Bailey Headlee, HHIHS
Class 4A All-State selection
MF: Alyssa Kushner, MRHS
Junior had 19 points while splitting time between striker and midfield
D: Christina Good, HHIHS
Class 4A All-State nominee
D: Kat Rathke, BLHS
Bobcats’ defensive stalwart had 206 takeaways
D: Maggie Crisologo, BHS
Center back was the anchor of Eagles’ defense
GK: Caitlin Heidel, HHP
Sophomore posted 12 shutouts in Dolphins’ 14 wins
Honorable Mention
Mary Clanton Bozard, HT
Kaleigh Brown, BLHS
Sydney DeSimone, HHCA
Margaret Donaldson, HHCA
Nikki Farizey, HHIHS
Katie Leigh Floyd, JPII
Jessica Jimenez, BLHS
Mills Langehans, HT
Sarah Orie, HHP
Val Palacio, HHIHS
Abigail Quinty, JPII
Ally Raschella, BA
Briana Riley, JPII
Josephine Rohrer, BHS
Rachel Schwerin, BHS
Kayle Stevenson, MRHS