Soccer banquet held

The Navarre High School girls’ soccer team held its postseason banquet Feb. 25 at The Club at Hidden Creek’s Tuscan Grille.

The Raiders’ record for the 2012-2013 season was 11-8-4. They outscored their opponents 43-28 and had six shutouts. Coach Rob Simon addressed players’ parents and friends of the program.

“We had a good year, but it was not great,” Simon said. “We lost several really close games and the season ended much sooner than we wanted.”

The team is losing two seniors this year through graduation. With so many players returning and a bumper crop of junior varsity talent, the Raiders should be one of the favorites in the district and region next year.

Simon said he was especially proud that, for the fourth year in a row, the team had achieved National Soccer Coaches Association of America Team Academic All-American status.

“Our players are true student athletes,” he said.

The top academic player in each class received a medal to honor her commitment to the classroom. Freshman class winners Lexi Stikeleather and Sydney Whiteside each earned a 4.0 grade-point average. The sophomore winner, with a 4.0 GPA, was Jessica Cook. Gabby Armstrong led the junior class with a 3.91 GPA and, for the fourth straight year, the senior award was presented to Hayley Naker, who has a 3.89 GPA.

The JV players were presented with their participation certificates by junior varsity coach Victor Clunk.

“Our JV team went undefeated with three ties,” Clunk said. “The defense was outstanding, allowing only six goals for the season.”

After the participation certificates were distributed, Clunk presented the four junior varsity special awards. The most improved player was Taylor Basiger. Defensive player of the year honors went to Carly Lanter. Kelsey Haden was named the offensive player of the year. The Coaches Award for the team’s most valuable player was presented to Catherine Baccarini.

Simon presented Navarre letters to first-year varsity players and bars to those who had already earned their varsity letters. Hunter Moorer won the Golden Boot Award for the most goals. She also was named the Offensive Player of the Year. The “Tough as Nails” award went to Jade Whitley, who was recognized for her hard play at midfield. Morgan Littlewood was named Defensive Player of the Year and MVP. The MVP award was decided by a player vote.

Simon and the booster club thanked graduating seniors Naker and Littlewood for their four years of varsity play and leadership. Both Raiders will continue their soccer careers at Alabama colleges, Littlewood at the University of Mobile and Naker at Huntingdon College in Montgomery.