Freedom’s Jayden Sharpless named Trib HSSN Girls Soccer Player of the Year

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, December 1, 2018 | 9:36 AM

Trib HSSN Girls Soccer Player of the Year

Jayden Sharpless

Freedom, freshman, midfielder

Freedom rang up goals at a WPIAL-best pace this season, and its freshman phenom provided much of the firepower.

The younger sister of Florida Atlantic commit Myla Sharpless, Jayden adapted to the high school level quickly. She scored a WPIAL-high 64 goals this season, leading the Bulldogs to the WPIAL Class A championship, their second title in three seasons, and a runner-up finish in the PIAA tournament.

Averaging nearly a hat trick per game, Sharpless also led Freedom with 23 assists as the Bulldogs put the ball in the back of the net 194 times this season.

All-stars

Ellie Coffield, Mars, So., M: Already committed to Pitt, Coffield shone in the midfield for the Planets, who finished as WPIAL Class AAA runner-up.

Megan Donnelly, Pine-Richland, So., F: Drawing Division I interest already, Donnelly led the Rams with 31 goals this season and was named an All-American.

Haleigh Finale, South Park, Jr., F: The all-state striker led the WPIAL Class AA champions in scoring, putting more than 40 in the back of the net.

Maddy Genicola, Norwin, Sr., D: Duquesne recruit anchored the back line for WPIAL semifinalist Knights, who shut out nine opponents this season.

Alaina Kalin, Pine-Richland, Sr., M: The Indiana recruit scored 22 goals and added 19 assists to help the Rams reach the WPIAL Class AAAA semifinals.

Regan LaVigna, Peters Township, Sr., F: Youngstown State recruit and all-state and all-region selection spearheaded Indians’ attack for much of the season before going down with an injury in the WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals.

Landy Mertz, Upper St. Clair, Sr., M: A Dayton recruit who missed much of her junior season to injury, Mertz was named an All-American after scoring 20 goals.

Krystyna Rytel, Shady Side Academy, Sr., M: All-state and all-region midfielder led the PIAA semifinalists with 29 goals, capping a career that saw the Pitt commit find the back of the net 130 times.

Hannah Stuck, Peters Township, Jr., M: An adept goal scorer and facilitator, Stuck helped Peters Township reach the WPIAL Class AAAA championship game and PIAA semifinals, shouldering the load with fellow star Regan LaVigna out.

Jocelyn Timlin, Bentworth, Jr., F: Timlin broke the school career goal record and now holds the mark by a wide margin; she found the back of the net 51 times this season for WPIAL Class A runner-up, giving her 110 for her career.

Michaela Watkins, Freedom, Sr., F: The Youngstown State recruit scored 35 goals for the WPIAL champion Bulldogs, including the game-winning overtime goal against Shady Side Academy in the PIAA Class A semifinals.

Doug Gulasy is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Doug at dgulasy@tribweb.com or via Twitter @dgulasy_Trib.

Tags: Bentworth, Freedom, Mars, Norwin, Peters Township, Pine-Richland, Shady Side Academy, South Park, Upper St. Clair