Somerset — For an unprecedented fourth consecutive year, Southwestern's Devin Fothergill has been named as the Commonwealth Journal Girls Soccer Player of the Year.
Devin Fothergill shared the honor of the top female soccer player in 2005 during her freshman year along with Somerset’s Julie Mize. Then in 2006, Fothergill shared the honor with Lady Warrior teammate Casey Smith. Last season, Fothergill was awarded the top player as a solo entity.
Fothergill ranks among the top ten all-time soccer scorers in Kentucky High School Athletic Association history with 130 career goals. She scored 34 goals this year and was named to the All-Region and All-District teams.
“It is an absolute crime and a joke that Devin did not make the All-State team this year with what she did on the field,” Lady Warrior head coach Matt Cook stated. “I think it not only shows how flawed the system for choosing the team is, but how often she has been overlooked in her career, and a lack of regard for our district as a whole. Nobody outworks her and she has had an outstanding career here at Southwestern.”
Despite being overlooked for all-state honors, Fothergill was a marked player every game she played for most of her varsity career, which makes her mark of 130 goals even more amazing.
With only 14 games played this season, Somerset keeper McKenzie Chadwell could not be denied her spot on the all-county soccer team. In those 14 games, Chadwell had 3 shutouts and allowed 2.6 goals per game. Chadwell was named to the All-Region team her junior and senior seasons. Chadwell was a two-time CJ All-County selection.
“Though her season was shortened due to injury, most would agree that McKenzie has been the back bone of our defense the past two years,” Lady Jumper coach Steve Watkins said. “Her athletic ability and agility helped her to become one of the most consistent keepers in the region.”
Southwestern senior sweeper Taylor Harris is a two-time All-County selection, as she made the team her sophomore year. Harris was named to the All-District and All-Region teams this season.
“Taylor has been the heart and soul of our defense for four years,” Cook said. “She did an excellent job of running the defense for us, and had a great year. She has a lot of speed back there, and is as solid as they come at sweeper.”
Pulaski senior Natalie Pitman was a big part of the Lady Maroon offense with her scoring ability.
“Natalie was a deep shot threat for us this year by scoring four goals from outside the 18-yard mark,” Lady Maroon coach Brian Elliott said. “Natalie scored four penalty kicks, all in pressure situations.”
Pitman was named to the District All-Tournament team.
Danay Fothergill, an outstanding scorer in her own right, has had to play second fiddle to her older sister, Devin. However, Danay was able to score 24 goals on the season.
“Danay is just a tremendous athlete, Cook said. “She is capable of scoring in bunches and did that on several occasions this year. Her skill has continued to improve, and she really scored some huge goals for us down the stretch.”
Danay Fothergill made the District All-Tournament team and she is a two-year CJ All-County selection.
Southwestern defender Allison Briones has been named to the CJ All-County team for her third straight year.
“Allison began the year as a forward, but came back to defense because of necessity,” Cook said. “She is an incredible player, and has incredible skills on the ball. She made such a great defender because she is very knowledgeable of the game and is aware of the things going on around her.
Briones was named to the All-District team.
Somerset’s Whitney Wallace is only a sophomore, but she has already made sacrifices for her Lady Jumper team that is fitting of an upperclassmen leader. As a natural offensive scorer, Wallace moved back to the sweeper position to help better strengthen the Lady Jumpers’ young defense.
Wallace did score 15 goals and dished out four assists.
“Whitney was a multi-purpose player this year, moving from striker to sweeper depending on the game’s demands,” Watkins said. “Whitney is very skilled on the ball and has a great understanding of the tactical side of soccer. With continued work she could be one of the most successful players to come out of the Somerset program.”
Wallace was named to the Regional All-Tournament team.
Somerset junior Kelsey Meece scored five goals and accounted for 8 assists this season. Meece was named to the District All-Tournament team.
“Kelsey has found her mainstay in the middle of the field,” Watkins said. “She helps dictate the direction of play from the central midfield position and is know for her relentless play in the air.”
Pulaski senior Jordan Richardson turned the Lady Maroons from a defensive team, from a year ago, into an attacking offensive scoring team. Richardson lead the team in scoring with 10 goals.
“As a senior leader, Jordan was essential in midfield control and finished on the offensive end,” Elliott commented.
Richardson was named to the District All-Tournament team.
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Related Photos
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Devin Fothergill — Player of the Year Steve Cornelius Photo
Commonwealth Journal Girls Soccer All-County Team
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