Pickin' Splinters

Rochester's Independent Sports Source

2021 Splinters Starting XI: Junior Girls

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Top (l-r): Leah Shaffer, Emma Robinson and Maria Karipidis. Bottom (l-r): Nadia Nealon, Maggie Cregan and Ava Taylor. (Photo contributions: CHRISTOPHER CECERE and MICHELLE DeHOND)

With the 2021 High School Soccer season in the past, here’s a look at the top performers in Section V. Presenting the 2021 Pickin’ Splinters Junior Girls’ Starting XI:

ELENA BARR
Midfield, Pittsford-Mendon Vikings (Monroe County III)
All-County performer: Nicknamed “Bean” for her slight stature, the 5-foot-1 inch Barr uses her lack of height as an advantage, elusive in one-on-one situations, she has made a seamless transition from playing outer third to center of the pitch, uses keen instincts to make herself part of the play, highly effective in one-touch situations where she frees teammates, strong first touch on goal-scoring situations inside the 18-yard area.

MAGGIE CREGAN
Forward, Brighton Bruins (Monroe County II)
All-County performer and Class A Second Team All-State: Elite-level scorer, Cregan needs little space and time to unload from either of her feet, has a penchant for consistently putting threatening balls on frame from a variety of spots on the pitch, fearless when going to the ball, she is as equally effective on set pieces as she is in the open field and then again on the finishing end of buildup, comfortable serving as a wall for teammates to use when building out of the back, stays in constant motion.

VIEW MORE PHOTOS CHRISTOPHER CECERE PHOTOS HERE.

CHLOE HUBBARD
Midfield/Forward Warsaw Tigers (LCAA II)
LCAA II Player of the Year and Class C Second Team All-State selection: Versatile midfielder who allows the game to come her; skilled and athletic, Hubbard lets her abilities flourish within the structure of a system, she is comfortable using one-to-two touches to maintain movement and pace, at the same time she recognizes open field in front of her and is capable of advancing the ball with the dribble, shows high game IQ and uses an economy of touches; patient defender who routinely stops opposing movement and then forces a retreat.

MARIA KARIPIDIS
Midfield, Honeoye Falls-Lima (Monroe County Division IV)
All-County Performer and member of the U17 Greek National Team: Dynamic midfielder with a knack for creating scoring opportunities for teammates; Karipidis possesses the ability to change speeds with the ball at her feet while making quick decisions, demonstrates unique ability to accelerate while under control to create space and opportunity, strong with either foot she has the ability to distort defenses which have to accommodate for her as an offensive threat, she made a smooth transition to a more defensive role this year and showed the ability to build from the back.

NADIA NEALON
Midfield, Brockport Blue Devils (Monroe County Division III)
All-County Performer: Imposing presence in the middle third, Nealon combines skill with power and speed, reacts to the flight of the ball and consistently wins possession from opponents, comfortable in crowded spaces, has the vision to see openings for teammates and the skill to distribute the ball to either side of the field; a relentless defender who stays in constant motion, consistently wins ball in the air with her height and uses strength to do the same on the turf.

Clockwise: Elena Barr (4), Emily Silverstein (1), Delaney Tellex and Izabela Wolozsuk. (Photos: CHRISTOPHER CECERE and DENNIS JOYCE)

EMMA ROBINSON
Forward Palmyra-Macedon Red Raiders (Finger Lakes East)
Finger Lakes East All-Star: Powerful frontline player who combines strength with finesse; Robinson is a legitimate threat to score from 35 yards out and not just in set pieces, equipped with a quick release (needs one step to generate enough power on her shot), she puts pressure on opposing defenses which must extend to an uncomfortable distance in order to contain her, a willing distributor she takes advantage of the subsequent over-play and fans the ball to either side of the field; a willing defender, she routinely checks back into defensive 18 but is ready in counterattack situations.

LEAH SHAFFER
Goalkeeper Pittsford Mendon Vikings (Monroe County III)
All-Country performer Impressive instincts combined with sound technique, Shaffer is a wall in goal, keeps her feet moving in the box and is ready to change directions on a whim, she stays ready to react, strong hands and the ability to cut down angles, she understands when to come off her line and has the athleticism to execute in a variety of situations.

EMILY SILVERSTEIN
Midfield, Aquinas Li’l Irish (Private-Parochial I)
Private-Parochial I All-Star: 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.

VIEW MORE DENNIS JOYCE PHOTOS HERE. 

AVA TAYLOR
Defense, Greece Arcadia (Monroe County III)
All-County performer: Stalwart along the backline, steps well to the ball and wins majority of 50-50 situations, plays with enough composure to start offense from the defensive third, moves well on the flight of the ball and anticipates plays, disciplined defender who understands the value of containment to allow team to create shape.

DELANEY TELLEX
Midfield, Penfield Patriots (Monroe County I)
All-County performer and Class AA Third Team All-State selection: A skilled attacker with a deft touch; Tellex possesses high-level speed and the ability to stay under control while putting opposing defenders in reactionary mode, a strong first touch, she makes sounds decisions when to distribute, when to attack and when to shoot, effortlessly gets to full speed while drawing double-teams to contain her, she has the ability to play off to teammates; an opportunistic defender she sees one pass/play ahead and steps into opposing passing lanes.

IZABELA WOLOSZUK
Center Back/Midfield Honeoye Falls-Lima Cougars (Monroe County IV)
Combines a deft touch with keen instincts, Woloszuk is a threat 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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