The ballots are in, the list of transcendent high school girls soccer players has been whittled down, and today one South Sound standout earns the title of The News Tribune’s 2008 All-Area player of the year.
The standard bearer is Fife High’s Amanda Roselli.
Before you start probing “Elite Club FC” Web sites, or calling friends to get a scouting report on Roselli, be aware: Chances are they won’t know much about her either.
For starters, Roselli plays in a Class 2A program, not at the level of a Bellarmine Prep, Stadium or Beamer High School in 4A.
A senior, she’s not on any college’s early-signing period list, because … well, she hasn’t picked a school yet.
A product of the Olympic development program? No. In fact, she admits she plays with a U-18 Premier II team at Norpoint Soccer Club FC in Tacoma to stay in shape for high school soccer.
“I know,” she said, “it’s usually said the other way around.”
None of this shrouds the fact that Roselli is, indeed, an elite talent – she has scored 75 goals in 57 career matches over three seasons – and has had no problems holding her own against any foe who comes up against her.
Doubts? Just ask Ciarra Pederson, the starting goalkeeper at Bellarmine Prep and one of the state’s best in 4A.
Before the Lions’ 4A quarterfinal match at Skyline on Saturday, Pederson had given up one goal all season. It was to Roselli in a non-league game, one that finished in a 1-1 tie.
Unfamiliarity didn’t play a hand in it, either. Roselli is Pederson’s teammate at Norpoint FC.
“We always joke about this in club, that she’ll go for two weeks without a practice, and come back and be just as good. Even when we were little, she’s had that advantage,” Pederson said. “I think she’d do fine (at 4A). She has the quick footwork, and … thinks quickly and anticipates what you’re going to do against her.”
Last season, Roselli tallied a school-record 29 goals, leading the Trojans to the Class 2A state championship.
After that season, she lost her running mate at forward, Krista Haley, who graduated.
Even after the 2008 fall tryouts, Roselli wasn’t certain who would be Haley’s replacement. Coach Teri Shimoda finally tabbed Bailey Nirider as the other striker.
“I had to learn how she played and help her learn how to make runs off of me,” Roselli said.
Of course, foes targeted Roselli, the reigning 2A state player of the year and Nisqually Olympic League MVP. Defenses knew who they had to mark. They experimented with ways to take her out of the match.
“They put more pressure on her to do something with her magic feet,” Shimoda said. “She’s had to be a little more creative and make herself stronger in anticipating the ball.”
Little changed this season. Fife is unbeaten at 18-0-1, Roselli again led the league in scoring (27 goals) and the Trojans are playing in the 2A semifinals Friday against Archbishop Murphy.
“With Amanda, she’s constantly pushing, and has the will and (desire) to want more,” said Brittney Tanabe, who plays in the Fife defense. “I have no doubts whatsoever she could play (this way) at 4A – even if she wasn’t at that level of play right away, once she got with those better players, she would keep going and soon be better than those girls on those teams.”
Todd Milles: 253-597-8442
2008 NEWS TRIBUNE ALL-AREA GIRLS SOCCER TEAM
Forward: Holland Crook, junior, Beamer
Last season’s All-Area MVP is still area’s most skilled player. Scored 18 goals despite injuries. Bound for ASU.
Forward: Amber Fenton, senior, Sumner
SPSL 3A player of the year tied for area lead with 27 goals for league champions. Going to Portland State.
Forward: Megan Miller, senior, Beamer
Cool-headed and productive (13 goals) for Titans, she is signed with Oregon State.
Forward: Audrey Sullivan, junior, Emerald Ridge
Scrappy striker had breakthrough season. Led SPSL 4A in scoring (22 goals), with six coming against playoff teams.
Midfielder: Tianna Brockway, senior, Stadium
Despite missing five games, the Florida State-bound performer had six goals and 13 assists to earn Narrows MVP.
Midfielder: Jolene Crook-Meyers, senior, Kentwood
Anchor for two-time SPSL champions (four goals, six assists), she led Conks to 4A tournament all four of her seasons.
Midfielder: Morgan Swanson, junior, Stadium
So explosive, with work rate so high, boys fear guarding her. Season (25 goals, 13 assists) derailed by late knee injury.
Midfielder: Claire Yearian, senior, Bellarmine Prep
She’s smooth (six goals, nine assists), and few strike the ball cleaner than this four-year starter signed with Loyola-Marymount.
Defender: Sarah Katterhagen, junior, Bellarmine Prep
Combination of athleticism and anticipation makes her a two-way weapon. Being recruited by Arizona State, Oregon State.
Defender: Gena Gaylord, senior, Fife
Sweeper for the defending 2A state champions’ stingy defense that has given up one goal all season.
Defender: Ashley Villm, junior, Tumwater
The Ev-Co League’s defensive MVP did her part in champion Thunderbirds’ 15 shutouts. She also scored nine goals.
Goalkeeper: Kaitlyn Savage, senior, Gig Harbor
Her remarkable recovery ability and knack for reading shots helped offset Tides’ injury woes. Headed to Florida International.
Player of the year: Amanda Roselli, senior, Fife
Coach of the year: Robi Turley, Sumner
SECOND TEAM
Forward: Stephanie Horibe, junior, Auburn Riverside
Forward: Midori Moorehead, junior, Puyallup
Forward: Savannah Moorehouse, Sophomore, Bonney Lake
Forward: Chelsi Pennington, senior, Kentwood
Midfielder: Mariana Austin, senior, Olympia
Midfielder: Christina Bodie, junior, South Kitsap
Midfielder: Lexy Fancher, junior, Black Hills
Midfielder: Caley Wiseman, senior, Curtis
Defender: Rachel Bindl, junior, Kentwood
Defender: Alex Davidson, senior, Steilacoom
Defender: Kaitlyn Pavlovich, junior, Bellarmine Prep
Goalkeeper: Jennsyn Chaney, senior, Auburn
Todd Milles, The News Tribune
