• The News Tribune 2009 All-Area Girls Soccer Team
Holland Crook isn’t hanging her head. The Todd Beamer senior midfielder gave her all in the Class 4A girls soccer state quarterfinals against Skyline on Nov. 14, but Spartans advanced with a 1-0 victory on their way to defending their state championship.

While Crook leaves the Beamer soccer program without a state title, the Arizona State-bound star was named The News Tribune’ All-Area girls soccer player of the year for the second time.

Crook finished the season with 14 goals and six assists and ends her high-school career with 60 goals. But she might most remember a shot against Skyline that ricocheted off the inside of the post.

“It’s always hard to lose,” Crook said. “It’s not that we didn’t work hard. It wasn’t a bitter feeling. We ended on a good note. I felt like we all laid it out on the line and sometimes it doesn’t go your way.”

Crook, whose father, Bill, was a defender for the Seattle Sounders and Tacoma Stars, entered this season with the lofty goal of a state title. She had come close before, helping the Titans reach the state finals as a sophomore. And with 10 seniors stacking the roster this season, it seemed like Crook and the Titans were primed to make another run at the championship.

“With 10 seniors, it gave us confidence,” Crook said. “We’ve all been to the final from previous years. We lost in the quarters, but it happens.”

Her second All-Area player of the year honor is one of many the senior has accumulated in high school.

She was named The News Tribune’s player of the year in 2007 and is a three-time MVP of the SPSL South Division. She’s also earned her share of all-state honors.

Her Titans soccer days behind her, Crook and a couple of club teammates who are also going to ASU have already begin to train for college.

“I’m so excited,” said Crook, who plans to move to Tempe, Ariz., in July. “It’s all we talk about.”

The allure of college life and the Pacific-10 Conference athletic stage is thrilling, but Crook will remember her days playing for Beamer fondly.

“We’ve had a blast,” she said. “The bonds we’ve made within our class have been awesome. ... These last four years are going to stay with me for a long time. I’m going to miss it.”

blog.thenewstribune.com/preps

Player of the Year: Holland Crook, Todd Beamer
Coach of the Year: Julie Cain, South Kitsap

GK Gina Cardenas, Auburn Riverside, Senior
First-team all-SPSL North pick will play at the University of Texas-El Paso

D Rachel Bindl, Kentwood, Senior
Rock-solid defender helped Conks hold opponents to two goals all season

D Tarah Duty, Tahoma, Senior
Two-time all-SPSL North defender helped the Bears to division title

MF Savannah Moorehouse, Bonney Lake, Junior
SPSL 3A MVP scored 19 goals, had 7 assists for league champions

MF Kiana Kraft, Kentwood, Junior
Creative player can attack on offense and stifle opponents on defense

MF Christina Bodie, South Kitsap, Senior
Game-changer helped carry Wolves to Narrows League playoff title

MF Haley Shaw, Fife, Senior
Nisqually League 2A MVP will play at Oregon State University

MF Kaitlyn Pavlovich, Bellarmine Prep, Senior
Defenses must mark her or she’ll make them pay in a variety of ways

F Josie Graybeal , Gig Harbor, Senior
Two-time all-Narrows choice has a full scholarship to Arizona State

F Audrey Sullivan, Emerald Ridge, Junior
Offensive force totaled 21 goals and 15 assists for SPSL South champs

F Kaylee Holloway, Sumner, Senior
Four-time first-team all-SPSL 3A selection tallied 21 goals, 9 assists

F Acacia Johnson, Orting, Junior
Nisqually League 1A MVP is lethal near the goal, tallying 41 goals, 8 assists

SECOND TEAM

GK Devon Walker, Yelm Senior
D Riley Dopps, South Kitsap, Junior
D Jessica Niewoehner, Todd Beamer, Senior
D Alisha Reed, Mount Tahoma, Junior
D Ashley Villm, Tumwater, Senior
MF Molly Picha, Tahoma, Junior
MF Dani Rae, Edwards, Orting, Senior
MF Morgan Swanson, Stadium, Senior
F Hilary Colbert, Bonney Lake, Junior
F Kayla Stueckle, Emerald Ridge, Senior
F Becca Schoales, South Kitsap, Freshman
F Lexy Fancher, Black Hills, Senior
F Laura Rayfield, Kentlake , Sophomore