All-Area girls soccer: Miranda Fyfe, small schools player of the year

Monday, March 28, 2011
by Matt Porter

American Heritage girls soccer coach Steve Burgess has coached plenty of talented players. His teams, after all, have been to the state finals in each of the past eight years and won the past two Class 2A state championships.

This season, the player he said the Stallions couldn't do without is senior defender Miranda Fyfe.

While goal scorers get the glory, Fyfe's game is subtle and steady.

"Miranda goes unnoticed primarily because of the position she plays," Burgess said. "But also because she's one of the calmest and composed players I've ever had."

Whether it's directing the game from the back end or settling down teammates when emotions run high, Fyfe's contributions have been integral to the Stallions' success.

"She does the things that go unnoticed really well. You don't often see players like that," Burgess said. "She's good technically, and she reads the game so well. She reads it a half-step quicker than most. She makes it look really simple.

"The interesting thing is, you see players alongside of her. Without her, some of those players look half as good as they do when they're playing alongside her."

A four-year captain, Fyfe works as hard off the pitch as she does on it.

"She maintains such a good, even-keel equilibrium in the squad," Burgess said. "Miranda's been the absolute model of consistency, and a very, very high consistency."

Fyfe, who signed with Jacksonville University, said defender isn't the most thrilling position. But she's not hungry for recognition.

"That's kind of who I am," she said. "I play to play."

COACH OF THE YEAR

Steve Burgess

American Heritage

He guided the Stallions (25-3-1) to their second straight Class 2A state title and their fourth since 2004.

FIRST TEAM

FORWARD

Tiffany Anderson

Lake Worth Christian, Sophomore

Scored team-high 32 goals and was main reason for the Defenders' school-record nine victories.

FORWARD

Sydney Parodie

American Heritage, Junior

Consistent offensive presence scored 21 goals and added 10 assists.

FORWARD

Allie Weinberg

St. Andrew's, Senior

Former Olympic Development Team member scored in bunches for the Scots.

FORWARD

Yulie Lopez

American Heritage, Sophomore

Returned from injury to score 33 goals. Fast, aggressive and nearly uncontainable at times.

FORWARD

Katie O'Hare

Benjamin, Eighth grade

Sensational young player who scored 20 goals and added eight assists for the Buccaneers.

MIDFIELDER

Danielle Hurme

King's Academy, Junior

Tallied team-high 22 goals and 15 assists and played solid defense.

MIDFIELDER

Jenn Collins

King's Academy, Senior

Directed offense, contributing 10 goals and nine assists. Signed with Western Carolina.

MIDFIELDER

Sarah Coy

American Heritage, Sophomore

Had 15 assists and 21 goals, including a hat trick in the Stallions' regional final victory.

MIDFIELDER

Lauren Silver

American Heritage, Senior

Florida-bound center midfielder has been in the U.S. Olympic Development Program since 2008.

DEFENDER

Tara McNab

American Heritage, Senior

One of the reasons the Stallions repeated as Class 2A state champions.

DEFENDER

Laura Geisler

Boca Raton Christian, Senior

Rock solid on the Blazers' back line and contributed six goals and three assists.

GOALKEEPER

Catalina Perez

St. Andrew's, Sophomore

Outstanding young keeper helped the Scots advance to the Class 3A regional quarterfinals.

SECOND TEAM

F: Diana Hernandez, Clewiston, Jr.

F: Brianna Lohmann, Glades Day, Jr.

F: Maureen Mikosz, Jupiter Christian, So.

F: Gabby Hurtado, Boca Raton Christian, Fr.

MF: Lindsay Brammer, Pope John Paul II, So.

MF: Tori Hamel, Cardinal Newman, Fr.

MF: Kali Chaplin, Benjamin, So.

MF: Sarah Collins, King's Academy, Fr.

D: Alex Taylor, American Heritage, Fr.

D: Katie Hanlon, King's Academy, Sr.

D: Alexa Pack, Pope John Paul II, Jr.

GK: Alana Dresner, Benjamin, Jr.

HONORABLE MENTION

American Heritage: Arielle Gonzalez, Jamie Marzano, Danielle Nguyen, Alex Price, Karina Rodriguez.

Benjamin: Jeanelle Ackerman, Jennifer Nestler, Jackie Reiter.

Boca Chr.: Caitlin Crawford, Keely Escalante.

Cardinal Newman: Jodi Bronstein, Lexy Gonzalez, Erica Megrath, Kristen Temple.

Clewiston: Cristina Autrey, Erica Hegley, Sarah Howell.

Jupiter Chr.: Alyssa Hearing, Erin O'Conner.

King's Academy: Monique Belanger, Phelan Johnson, Rachel Spell.

Lake Worth Chr.: Emily Falstad, Kristi Golden.

Pope John Paul II: Gabby Liguori, Stephanie Peret-Gentile.

St. Andrew's: Kayli Clemenza.

Trinity Christian: Tanin Gharanfoli.

BEST OF THE TREASURE COAST

Fort Pierce Westwood: Melissa Lopez; Jensen Beach: Rachelle Harvey, Mallory Gillespie, Cat Rizzuti, Taylor Townsend; John Carroll: Sara Charles; Lincoln Park Academy: Caroline Buren, Alisa Festagallo, Marissa Kiernan, Madison Washington; Martin County: Evelyn Bradfield; Pine School: Julianna Rubin, Sarah Sharfi; South Fork: Laurie Scott, Brianna Campbell, Kelly Scott, Chelsea Merritt. MVP: Laurie Scott, South Fork.