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Gaven Egan, Izabela Woloszuk and the Starting XI

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(L-R): Kendall Mesh, Gaven Egan, Courtney Felton, Aidan Lewandowski and Izabela Woloszuk. (Photos: CHRISTOPHER CECERE, MICHELLE MARTLEW DeHOND and DENNIS JOYCE)

By PAUL GOTHAM

Surveying some of the top players in Section V Soccer from the month of September.

DAVID ADELEKE-ADEDOYIN Sr. Center Back Pittsford Sutherland Knights (Monroe County III) — Calming force in Sutherland’s backline; equally adept at winning balls in the air and along the turf, Adeleke-Adedoyin possesses impressive field vision and the ability to create for teammates, readily distributes the ball to either side of the field and picks spots well to advance with the dribble, makes economic use of touches and consistently causes opponents to retreat.

GAVEN EGAN Sr. Midfield Churchville-Chili Saints (Monroe County II) — A repeat performer in the XI, Egan’s unparalleled work rate sets him apart from the rest; gifted with a deft touch and field vision, he uses those talents to benefit his teammates, but he understands when it is time to assert himself and possesses the ability to execute; strong first touch goes without saying combined with the understanding of pace to create opportunities for those around him.

COURTNEY FELTON Sr. Midfield/Forward Penfield Patriots (Monroe County I) — There are playmakers and those who allow plays to happen, Felton is the latter, she doesn’t need the ball to work hard and sees her role well in the Penfield offense, comfortable in combinations particularly in the outer third where she works with teammates functioning as a wall along sidelines, sees runs in middle third for self as well as teammates and is capable of executing in those situations, receives and advances without breaking stride, makes economic use of touches; checks back strong on defense and understands how to use angles to take away ball movement.

VIEW MORE DENNIS JOYCE PHOTOS HERE.

GARRETT KUCERA Sr. Midfield Fairport Red Raiders (Monroe County I) — Crafty midfielder who is comfortable in role as creator; gifted with a strong first touch, Kucera sees diagonal lanes well on the field, understands how to use pace on passes to create for teammates, has a high IQ for the game, he sees one play and one pass ahead allowing him to find teammates on runs when many players would choose to forfeit possession for fear of losing the ball;  a willing defender, he is frequently the first on the ball allowing teammates time to regain shape in defensive half.

AIDAN LEWANDOWSKI Sr. Midfield Greece Arcadia Titans (Monroe County III) — Gifted creator who is equally comfortable in crowded spaces in the middle third and in the open field, can mange to win a 50-50 balls among a group of opponents and release with control, skilled in one-on-one situations, at his best getting the ball to end line for services to the far post, stays in constant motion to bring pressure on opponents.

KENDALL MESH So. Outside Back Spencerport Rangers (Monroe County II) — Picks her spots in a lineup with a pair of Division I commits and another teammate who is among the top 10 in Section V scoring; strong to the ball with a deft touch, she is comfortable pushing the ball and beating one or two defenders off the dribble before making decisions, has one goal to her credit but several threats from long range that keep opposing defenses on heels; as sure of a defender as there is in Section V, strong to the ball and undaunted in 50-50 situations.

BRIGID MULHOLLAND Jr. Goalkeeper Fairport Red Raiders (Monroe County I) — Combines high-level technique with instincts; a comfortable decision-maker, Mulholland understands when to come off her line and when to stay inside her 6, a gifted athlete with a strong upper body, reacts well to both left and right side, she routinely redirects shots off-frame, fearless in crowded set pieces, commands the 18-yard box, she regularly gets to shots that many other keepers can’t.

SHEA NETTI Sr. Center Back Our Lady of Mercy Monarchs (Private-Parochial I) — Strong to the ball with quick reactions, Netti has made a smooth transition from outside back to the middle third, taken her ability to make overlapping along the outer third to the center of the pitch where she has an uncanny sense of knowing when to distribute and when to maintain possession, keeps the game at her speed and makes intuitive decisions with the ball.

VIEW MORE CHRISTOPHER CECERE PHOTOS HERE. 

EMILY SILVERSTEIN Jr. Midfield/Forward Aquinas Li’l Irish (Private-Parochial I) — A dynamic offensive threat, Silverstein possesses a strong and accurate foot as well as the ability to create for herself, she needs just the slightest of openings to attack both off the dribble and with her shot, she forces opposing defenses to over-commit in an attempt to contain her, moves well off the ball and needs limited touches before being in position to score.

DANIELLE STRAUF Sr. Midfield Pittsford Mendon Vikings (Monroe County III) — A three-year starter at point guard with the school’s basketball team that has won three straight sectional titles along with NYS and Federation championships, Strauf brings her court vision to the pitch, stepped into a starting role after a “couple” years off and is right in step with the Vikings, no surprise that she facilitates from the middle third, see angles and understands how to create for teammates, brings the “no-look” to the field and uses it well, skilled finisher including one occasion where she received inside the 18 like she was posting up on the block for a turnaround jumper; defensively see one pass ahead and understands how to cut down angles and progression of opponents.

IZABELA WOLOSZUK Jr. Center Back/Midfield Honeoye Falls-Lima Cougars (Monroe County IV) — Combines a deft touch with keen instincts, Woloszuk is a threat from from just over the mid-stripe to serve balls into the opposing 18-yard box that force defenses into a reactionary state, possesses a quick, smooth release on shot and pass; a willing defender, she routinely wins 50-50 balls, understands how to use angles to stop the progression of an opposing ballhandler.

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  1. Susan says

    Should be titled “in Monroe county”. Doesn’t look like you looked at all of Section V. Many top scorers in the LCAA. Check out leagues other thanks MC and PP. out local papers are not doing a good job, so sorry.. we are looking to you

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