Best of the best: Our 2023 Girls Soccer Player of the Year, Super Team and All-Stars

Five of the SouthCoast's nine girls soccer teams qualified for the state tournament, but nobody got past the first round.

Apponequet, which successfully defended its South Coast Conference Blue Division championship, capped a 16-2-3 season with a tough 4-3 loss to Archbishop Williams in the Div. 3 Round of 32.

Dartmouth (12-6-2) and Bishop Stang (9-7-3) bowed out in the Div. 2 Round of 32, while Old Rochester (10-9-2) and GNB Voc-Tech (8-9-2) saw their seasons come to an end in the Div. 3 preliminary round.

Here's a look at The Standard-Times' top girls soccer players for the 2023 season.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Morgan Hayward, Apponequet, Senior

Playing under control was a trademark for Morgan Hayward, who competed with a lot of confidence and poise as an experienced midfielder for the Lakers.

"She did a great job controlling the ball and she was a good passer," Apponequet first-year coach Walter Seaberg said. "She was strong on the ball and did a nice job setting our offense in motion. She played with a lot of speed, and she knew how to finish around the net with a strong shot."

The Lakers had high hopes heading into the season and they put together an impressive 16-1-3 regular-season record. They were unable to keep things going in the postseason though, where a 4-3 loss to Archbishop Williams ended things in the Div. 3 Round of 32.

"The only bad thing was losing too early in the state tournament," Hayward said. "We had a senior-dominated team and we all felt comfortable playing with each other. We had great team chemistry."

WHY SHE WAS SELECTED

Hayward shined as an offensive finisher in the midfield on a Lakers team that outscored opponents 87-21. She had a good nose for the net and used her ball skills and quickness to get past defenders and create scoring chances for herself and her teammates. She won a lot of 50-50 balls and helped the Lakers keep possession of the ball with her wins in the air. Hayward proved to be good in one-on-one situations and was always in a position to make a big play or set the Lakers' offense in motion with her distribution skills.

KEY STATS

Hayward scored 24 goals and notched nine assists to help the Lakers successfully defend their South Coast Conference Blue Division championship. She finished her career with 50 goals and 22 assists. Hayward was named an All-State Eastern Mass. First Team All-Star and also earned SCC All-Star honors.

MVP MOMENT

She scored two goals for the Lakers in a 4-3 loss to Archbishop Williams in the Div. 3 Round of 32. The loss wrapped up a 16-2-3 season for Apponequet.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Will head to Northeastern University in the fall to take advantage of the school's co-op program while majoring in nursing. She plans to run track (400 meters and 400 hurdles) for the Huskies.

NOTES

Lives in Lakeville and comes from a very athletic family. Her mom, Michelle, ran track at Taunton High School, and her father, James, was a wrestler at Peabody High. Older sister, Madison, ran track for the Lakers and is a sophomore at Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I. Younger sister Meredith is a junior at Apponequet who plays lacrosse and runs winter track. ...  When Morgan isn't playing soccer, she runs winter track (600 meters, 55 meters) and spring track (400 meters, 400 hurdles) for the Lakers. ... Is part of the Laker Leaders program at the high school and the Honor Bowl, a trivia competition between South Coast Conference schools.

SUPER TEAM

Izzie Bromage, Bishop Stang, Junior

Came through as a big-time scorer in a tough conference with 25 goals and 10 assists. Earned Catholic Central League All-Star honors and was named the Spartans' most valuable player. Used her speed to get behind defenses and finish in small spaces. "Izzie was very creative with the ball," Bishop Stang coach Bob Shields said. "She was a dominant attacker against double teams. Teams always wanted to know where she was on the field."

Delaney Chase, Old Rochester, Junior

Excelled as the team's quarterback with her technically savvy play in the midfield. Scored one goal and notched five assists on the way to earning Eastern Mass. Second Team and South Coast Conference All-Star honors. "Delaney was the heart of our team," Old Rochester coach Jeff Lombard said. "We ran everything through her in the middle. Her skill with the ball, her ball distribution, and her high soccer IQ were her biggest strengths."

Caitlyn Cordeiro, New Bedford, Senior

Played well in net while handling a lot of shots behind a young defense. Earned Eastern Mass. Second Team and Southeast Conference All-Star honors. Took a young team under her wing and was named the Whalers' most valuable player the last two seasons. Started in net the last three seasons and made it tough for opponents to score with her good hands, quick feet, and solid technique. Did a great job clearing the ball away from the net.

CeCe Levrault, Apponequet, Sophomore

Had a breakout season on offense, finishing with 20 goals and nine assists for the Lakers (16-2-3), who successfully defended their South Coast Conference Blue Division championship. Earned Eastern Mass. Second Team and SCC All-Star honors. "CeCe has good speed and a nose for the net," Apponequet coach Walter Seaberg said, "She saw the field well and was good at creating scoring chances for herself and her teammates."

Hailey Martins, Dartmouth, Senior

Stood out as a rock-solid stopper for a defensive-minded Dartmouth team, which allowed only 1.2 goals a game. Earned Eastern Mass. First Team and Southeast Conference All-Star honors. "Hailey was a three-year varsity player and a team leader on and off the field," Dartmouth coach Scot Boudria said. "She played with a lot of experience, and she never lost focus. She was a consistently good one-one-one defender who always made good decisions."

Meg Pimental, Bishop Stang, Junior

Followed up a solid sophomore year with an even better season in net on the way to being named a Catholic Central League All-Star. Finished with a 1.89 goals-against average and three shutouts. "Meg has had a command presence since coming in as a freshman starter and she's become a very confident player," Bishop Stang coach Bob Shields said. "She kept us in a lot of games, and we wouldn't have been the team we were without her."

Kendra Santiago, GNB Voc-Tech, Junior

Put together a breakout season at forward for the Bears (8-8-2), who posted their first winning season, state vocational final, and state-tournament appearance in four years. Finished with 24 goals and eight assists to earn All-State Eastern Mass. First Team and South Coast Conference All-Star honors. "Kendra did a great job controlling the ball," GNB Voc-Tech coach Jen Racine said. "She had a nose for the net, and she powered our offense to a new level."

Gianna Sarkisian, Apponequet, Senior

Proved to be one of the most versatile center fullbacks/sweepers in the area on the way to earning Eastern Mass. Second Team and South Coast Conference All-Star honors. "Gianna was a team leader who worked hard and made good decisions with the ball," Apponequet coach Walter Seaberg said. "She was solid as a rock on the back line, and she rarely came off the field. She played with a lot of energy, and she was one of our most consistent players."

Emma Seaberg, Apponequet, Junior

A scorer and a playmaker for the Lakers as a versatile center midfielder, Seaberg earned Eastern Mass. First Team and South Coast Conference All-Star honors with 10 goals and 11 assists for the Lakers, who successfully defended their SCC Blue Division championship. "Emma was our quarterback on offense," Apponequet coach Walter Seaberg said. "She set things in motion in the middle with her passing to the wings and up the field."

Isabelle Seguin, Dartmouth, Senior

Helped Dartmouth hold opponents to 1.2 goals a game with her solid play at fullback. Earned Eastern Mass Second Team and Southeast Conference All-Star honors. "Isabelle was one of our most reliable players," Dartmouth coach Scot Boudria said. "She helped us on both sides of the ball and she's a tough kid who never came off the field. She loves to play the game and she even likes to practice. She came to play every time we took the field."

Audrey Thomas, Old Rochester, Junior

Had a breakout season on offense with 21 goals and 10 assists. Earned Eastern Mass. First Team and South Coast Conference All-Star honors. "Audrey has good individual ball skills, a good understanding of how to attack defenders, and she used her speed to get behind defenses," Old Rochester coach Jeff Lombard said. "She's been with us since her freshman year, and she just keeps on improving. I'm excited to see what she can bring to the team next season."

ALL-STAR TEAM

Avianna Andrade, Dartmouth, Sophomore

Scored Dartmouth's first goal of the season and went on to finish as the team's leading scorer with nine goals and four assists. Andrade is small, but quick and used her speed to move the ball past defenders and attack the net. Had a good nose for the net, was able to kick the ball with both feet, and was tough as nails.

Breanna Arruda, Old Colony, Senior

Proved to be a vocal leader who made 88 saves in net on the way to earning Mayflower Athletic Conference All-Star honors. Used her agility from post to post as a four-year starter for the Cougars. Denied attackers with good one-on-one skills and didn't get beat to the ball. Played smart and made good decisions.

Lindsey Bacchiochhi, Old Colony, Senior

Made a big impact for the Cougars at forward and midfield in her first season playing soccer. Finished with 11 goals and two assists and earned Mayflower Athletic Conference All-Star honors. Won a lot of 50-50 balls with her hustle and quickness. Is a three-sport star who also plays basketball and softball.

Lauren Bernardo, Fairhaven, Senior

Held the Blue Devils together as a tough, athletic midfielder. Scored five goals and notched seven assists on the way to being named a South Coast Conference All-Star. Dominated in the middle of the field and rarely came off the field. Played smart and shouldered a lot of responsibilities on both sides of the ball.

Kat Cheesebro, Dartmouth, Junior

Played a key role at sweeper on a defensive-minded team that allowed only 1.2 goals a game. Proved her versatility by also playing in net and at fullback when needed. Always played under control and made good decisions in front of the net. Is the reigning Standard-Times Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

Ollie Costa, New Bedford, Senior

Played with a lot of energy and drive in the midfield. Scored two goals and notched one assist. Earned Southeast Conference All-Star honors. Always put the team first and was the most soccer-minded player on the team. Helped the Whalers with her smart play on offense and defense in the middle of the field.

Lindsey Kline, Dartmouth, Senior

Earned Southeast Conference All-Star honors for her solid play in net. Allowed under two goals a game and helped clear the ball out of Dartmouth's zone with her 40-yard boot. Proved to be a very mobile keeper who communicated well with her defense. Played with good hands, quick feet, and great technique.

Kaelyn Medeiros, GNB Voc-Tech, Junior

Used her skills as a goalie to help lead the Bears to their first winning season (8-8-2), state vocational final, and state-tournament berth in four years. Finished with six shutouts and earned South Coast Conference Honorable Mention honors. Proved to be an athletic keeper with good anticipation skills.

Alexis Petterson, Wareham, Senior

Helped the Vikings on offense, where she scored three of the team's eight goals, and defense as a tough center fullback. Earned Mayflower Athletic Conference All-Star honors and proved to be an overall team leader for the Vikings. Always worked hard and played with a lot of energy all over the field.

Kendyll Riedl, Bishop Stang, Senior

Excelled as a midfielder/forward for the Spartans. Scored six goals and notched 12 assists on the way to earning Catholic Central League All-Star honors. Did all the little things that help teams win games as a four-year starter. Worked hard to keep possession of the ball and won a lot of 50-50 balls in the middle.

Diana Sousa, GNB Voc-Tech, Senior

Helped power the Bears' offense with three goals and 15 assists as a pass-first midfielder. Did a great job distributing the ball and earned South Coast Conference Honorable Mention honors. Proved to be a smart player who helped the team with her game-management skills. Made big plays on both sides of the ball.

HONORABLE MENTION

Jaida Beaulieu, Apponequet, Senior; Reagan Flynn, Apponequet, Senior; Ellie Jones, Bishop Stang, Junior; Lily Ramos, Bishop Stang, Freshman; Ava Fernandes, Dartmouth, Sophomore; Lauren Kaiser, Dartmouth, Senior; Sarah Kelly, Dartmouth, Senior; Jade Winters, Dartmouth, Junior; Eva Beltran, Fairhaven, Sophomore; Abby Hooley, Fairhaven, Junior; Abigail Medeiros, GNB Voc-Tech, Freshman; Savannah Sousa, GNB Voc-Tech, Senior; Caitlin Almeida, New Bedford, Senior; Jaliyah Perry, New Bedford, Junior; Izzy Hougasian, Old Colony, Senior; Rylee Vilacha, Old Colony, Junior; Lilah White, Old Colony, Sophomore; Jeannine Duchaine, Old Rochester, Junior; Liz Feeney, Old Rochester, Junior; Elise Modracek, Old Rochester, Freshman; McKenna Duggan, Wareham, Sophomore; Sophia Nascimento, Wareham, Freshman

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: 2023 Girls Soccer Player of the Year, Super Team and All-Stars