Girls soccer: Spartans announce award winners

Brookfield East had plenty of award winners following a 7-10-4 overall record and a 2-4-1 Greater Metro Conference mark.

Senior captain Taylor Swittel earned East's MVP Award.

"Her performance against Brookfield Central, for example, shows how important she was for us," said East coach Matt Schroeder, recalling two second-half scores by Swittel tied the game at 2-2 and ended up that way after two overtimes.

"In her first game back from a two-week hiatus due to a concussion she suffered against Tosa East, she played 93 minutes and scored two goals. She put us back in that game."

The Spartans had two second-team all-conference selections in juniors Lauren Knudsen and Andi Moyer.

"Both of them were so deserving of this," Schroeder said. "These were two of the top defenders in our league this season. Lauren is tough, vocal and wins so many balls. Andi covers a lot of ground with her speed, attacks out of the back and pressures opponent's forwards really well."

Honorable mention selections went to Swittel, senior Aly Loepfe and freshman Kellie Goodman.

"Kellie as a frosh led our team in overall points," Schroeder said. "She is a strong, versatile, technically sound player with a nose for the goal.

"Captains Taylor Swittel and Aly Loepfe, if they are healthy for an entire conference season, are first teamers for sure. Taylor is blazing fast, a great ball striker and finished the season second in points. Aly was third on our team in overall points and she only played in nine games. That was a significant loss for us, to say the least."

The Spartans went 3-1 in the postseason, winning a regional championship and then beating Brookfield Central, 4-2, in a shootout, before losing to Divine Savior Holy Angels, 2-0, in the sectional championship game.

"I'm proud of the way the team responded late in the season," Schroeder said. "It was great to finish the season in the sectional final game. After dealing with a number of injuries to key players all season long, I am proud of the girls.

"In addition to Jackie Wandt returning, several players had to continue to step up. Shannon Cashin, Kirstey Lein, Christie Caliendo, Haley Taylor, Sarah Hepperla, Alyssa Carter and perhaps most importantly frosh goal keeper Rachel Novak were all big for us down the stretch. Getting Gabby Radtke back late in the season was also key.

"Everyone contributed throughout the season - Jill Oliver, Christie Johnson, Lauren Kennedy, Morgan Precour, Kait Riley and Brynna Conway."

Schroeder will lose senior Loepfe, Swittel, Hepperla, Caliendo, and Radtke to graduation.

"They were a strong class of hardworking players, all good leaders and great kids. They were big for us and will be missed."