West Valley Preps

For the third straight year, West Valley Preps watched enough soccer to put together a credible all Northwest Valley team. Here it is:

First team

F – Allison Veloz, junior, Willow Canyon

F – Maya Lorenzana, junior, Liberty

F – Rajanah Reed, freshman, Deer Valley

MF – Payton Younger, senior, Liberty

MF – Katrina Wetherell, senior, Kellis

MF – Jordan Lafferty, senior, Shadow Ridge

D – Julia Stangler, senior, Willow Canyon

D – Brooke Schuster, junior, Liberty

D – Berkley Baldonado, junior, Deer Valley

D – Logan Maszton, junior, Northwest Christian

GK – Hayden Wallace, senior, Deer Valley

Sunrise Mountain's Anna Ramirez (#14) dribbles the ball up the field against Thunderbird on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018 at Thunderbird High School in Phoenix. [Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps][/caption]

Second team

F – Jayden Anderson, senior, Centennial

F – Makenna Barton, senior, Northwest Christian

F – Mari Labansat, senior, Shadow Ridge

MF – Brooke Chavez, senior, Deer Valley

MF – Anna Ramirez, sophomore, Sunrise Mountain

MF – Ashley Armenta, junior, Mountain Ridge

MF - Isabel Quintero, junior, Peoria

D – Sydney Jaeger, junior, Sunrise Mountain

D – Olivia Landis, senior, Centennial

D – Karen Posada Chavez, junior, Dysart

GK – Sierra Colby, sophomore, Sunrise Mountain

Player of the year

Hayden Wallace, senior, Deer Valley – It’s tough for a goalkeeper to stand out among the big scorers in the Northwest Valley — Veloz and Reed were in Arizona’s top 10 for goals. But Wallace did time and again, stopping an early Verrado onslaught in the game that determined the Desert West Region. Then she kept the Skyhawks in their playoff game at Campo Verde. Watch one game and it’s easy to see why the daughter of Deer Valley’s volleyball coach is bound for Grand Canyon next year.

Willow Canyon's Allison Veloz (#1) scores a goal in the first half against Buena on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018 at Willow Canyon High School in Surprise. [Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps][/caption]

Runner up

Allison Veloz, junior, Willow Canyon – Without elite midfielder Danielle Egharevba, the Wildcats offense became largely reliant on long balls to its sprinter. But she was more than just a runner. Veloz scored 39 goals, tied for third most in the state, with skill and smarts to spare.

Coach of the year

Kyle Pooler, Liberty – While Liberty has fielded three coaches in three years, the program keeps improving. The end destination was the same - the 5A quarterfunals - and the record showed only one additional win. But the Lions swept through their region after placing third last year. Then, Pooler’s team brimming with young talent pushed eventual state champion Scottsdale Chaparral to overtime before falling. The Lions will enter 6A next year brimming with confidence.

Runner up

John Brooker, Deer Valley – The Skyhawks fell off the girls soccer map after a great season nine years ago. In his second year as head coach, Brooker brought the program back into the conversation. Deer Valley improved from several years of losing records to win a region title and finishing 14-4 after a tough playoff loss to Campo Verde. Brooker put more effort into preparation than in previous years and talented club players that had stayed away came in thanks to his approach.