HS: A-A Girls Game Best XI, Video Replay

by Sheldon Shealer

December 6, 2017

Even in a game of all-stars there were those who stood out above the rest. Based on observation and coaches input, here is the Best XI for the High School Girls All-American Game for fall players, which was played Saturday, Dec. 2, at Celebration High School in Florida.

Girls All-America Game Best XI

F Molly Feighan, Arlington (N.Y.), Virginia Tech

Feighan was the East team’s most dangerous player, and she was rewarded by scoring the team’s only goal. Through the entire first half, her speed and quickness proved to be a real challenge for the West defense.

F Cassidy Lindley, Guerin Catholic (Noblesville, Ind.), Florida

The star of the day was Lindley, who also proved to be a crowd-pleaser. She demonstrated a lot of positive energy and leadership that helped get the West team unified. An early shot by her led to the first goal of the match, and Lindley ended with two goals and three assists to earn MVP honors. She played more of a winger position instead of a true forward. After everything was finished, Lindley jumped into the team huddle and told the players to make sure they followed her on Instagram because she loves to have friends.

F Kristina Lynch, Penn (Mishawaka, Ind.), Florida State

Lynch was dangerous from the first touch, and finally was rewarded in the second half with a goal and one assist in what proved to be a strong showing by the Indiana players. One coach said she was “magic on the ball” and she forced the East keepers into a number of saves.

M Kayla Duran, Buckingham Browne & Nichols (Cambridge, Mass.), Boston College

Like a few others at the All-American Game, Duran is a member of the US Youth National Team player pool. Her skills were on full display in the first half and she and Molly Feighan combined for a number of plays that led to scoring chances. As one coach put it, “Duran was fun to watch.”

M Meredith Haakenson, Maple Grove (Minn.), Michigan

Haakenson was always in the right spot to make plays. She moved well without the ball. Although she did not factor in the scoring, every coach interviewed felt she was one of the best players on the field.

M Katherine Soderstrom, Carmel (Ind.), Butler

Soderstrom scored the first goal to jump start the West’s victory. One coach said he felt Soderstrom gets overlooked in Indiana given this year’s high-end recruiting class. “She’s tough, challenges anybody and is always in the right spot.” That was certainly the case on the first goal, as she finished a rebound.

D Lexa Bauer, Toledo Notre Dame (Toledo, Ohio), Toledo

Bauer is a good athlete who proved very important in the early part of the match as she turned away a few East scoring chances. Coaches liked her athleticism and her ability to play both inside and outside back.

D Sydney Collins, Portland Jesuit (Portland, Ore.), California

As one coach put it, “Loved that kid [Collins]. She stood out for her ability to handle the game from the back line and she made no mistakes in the middle.” Coaches agreed she was the top defensive performer in the match.

D Janiece Joyner, Medina (Ohio), Michigan

A member of the U.S. Youth National Team player pool, Joyner was perhaps the most versatile player at the All-American Game. She was capable of playing any position and having her on defense in a game full of offensive stars for the West made perfect sense. She was tenacious and physical, yet was helpful in the attack.

D Mackenzie Pluck, Germantown Academy (Fort Washington, Pa.), Duke

Really an attacking player, Pluck was asked to play outside back to provide some organization for the East. A very dynamic player who instantly adapted to the new role and remained important in the attack.

GK Holland Stam, Pingree School (South Hamilton, Mass.), Duke

When one keeper withdrew to injury and another was called into US Youth National Team training, it left the All-American Game a bit shorthanded. The remaining keepers rotated through, spending time with each team, and Stam was named East MVP. According to one coach, had it not been for Stam’s play, the final score might have been closer to 10-1 in favor of the West.

Others Who Stood Out

M Sophia Braun, Portland Jesuit (Portland, Ore.), Gonzaga

M Makayla Christensen, Centennial (Boise, Idaho), Utah

M Giovanna DeMarco, Penn Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.), Wake Forest

D Emily DeNunzio, Darien (Conn.), Colgate

F Vanessa DiNardo, Strongsville (Ohio), Cincinnati

D Erin Keefe, Ridge (Basking Ridge nj-w] (N.J.), Lehigh

GK Mimi Stines, Summit Country Day (Cincinnati, Ohio), Dayton