Courier & Press reveals All-Metro girls soccer team headlined by Castle star

Editor's note: The Courier & Press All-Metro boys soccer team will be revealed Friday online.

NEWBURGH, Ind. — One game is all Michael Fauerbach needed to know what many already did.

He understood the talent level on the roster was high for his first season as the Castle High School girls soccer coach. He also knew by word of mouth who his best player likely was. But Fauerbach was upfront. Nothing would be guaranteed.

One game. He understood.

Aleyna Quinn wrapped a career this fall that is arguably seen as the best in Castle girls soccer history. It concluded with a senior season rivaled by few throughout the state. And because of that, the senior is the Courier & Press All-Metro Player of the Year, as chosen by the sports staff.

“You could see this glint in her eye,” said Fauerbach. “I never doubted what she could be but still surprised at how much talent she has and how she can take over a game.”

The Knights won 16 games this fall including the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference and sectional championships. Reason No. 1 was unequivocally Quinn.

The senior mixed between midfield and forward but was still her dominant self on the pitch. Quinn was second in the SIAC with 28 goals, in four fewer games, but also third in assists with a career-high 12.

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She played differently than in years past as one looking to facilitate rather than simply overpower defenders for goals. One of her top qualities was still the ability to flip a switch and take over. She had nine multi-goal games this season

“I’m proud of how our soccer season ended,” said Quinn. “We played as a team the entire time. The past four years, I’m so thankful for the support I’ve gotten. I’ve had so much success, but it’s all to many teammates who helped get me to that point.”

This season was only a snippet of her impact on the program. Quinn finished with 106 career goals, by far the most in a Castle uniform. The previous record from a boy or girl was 75.

The number can tell a story. It’s how she did it that's impressive. Quinn always received the opposition’s best defender, possibly two or three. Fauerbach would watch without fail his star player almost stop with the ball and size up the opponent before doing something special.

“It drove me nuts as well as amazed me,” said the Castle coach. “Always talking with skill. She’d do this turn and make them look like a fifth grader. You shouldn’t be able to do these things.”

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Possibly the most impressive part of her career and this season? The sheer effort and grind it took.

Quinn plays four sports at Castle including two simultaneously in the fall. Not only was she the SIAC Player of the Year and First Team All-State selection in soccer but also the starting kicker on Friday nights. Quinn went 22 of 23 on extra points and made a 42-yard field goal against Bosse.

Of course, she never did anything halfway. Her effort and determination is among her best qualities. It was also a determinant on occasion. Quinn dealt with a nagging foot injury this season and also missed multiple games after getting hit from behind in football.

The fact she voluntarily took any time off – Fauerbach always ceded to her judgment – showed a sign of growth and leadership. That never happened in the past.

“Too many,” she says. “I’d like to stay healthy but being an athlete with this competitiveness and wanting to win, you’re going to pick up injuries here and there. I try to lead when I’m on the field or on the bench. The girls continued to play with their hearts.”

Fauerbach didn’t have preconceived notions entering the season. He left it up to the players in terms of who would lead this team. On many occasions, it was Quinn. One moment that stands out was a preseason event at Carmel. A teammate went down with a knee injury. Quinn was the first by her side.

It’s easy to win games with talent. It’s better when your best player is also the leader.

“There’s a reason she was named captain,” said Fauerbach. “In practices, at times the energy was low and suddenly she pulled out a slide tackle into the post to save a goal. Girls see that and it sets the tone. You could tell the amount she cared was beyond just about herself or stats.”

The time will come when Quinn can finally focus on soccer. She signed her national letter of intent this week with Ball State. But there was on Tuesday night helping the Knights’ girls basketball team defeat Gibson Southern with 16 points.

Talented. Driven. Fearless. Quinn brought everything to the Castle soccer program.

“It will be nice to only play one sport,” she said. “I know everyone says it’s a grind when you get to college, but four sports here have taught me time management. I’ll be ready.”

Courier & Press All-Metro girls soccer team

Name, School, Year, Position

Matea Bradfield, Reitz, Jr., Forward

Myla Browning, Memorial, Jr., Forward

Ashlyn Francis, Castle, So., Forward

Peyton Geer, ECS, So., Forward

Izzy Happe, North, So., Forward

Jilly Higgins, Castle, Jr., Forward

Jahzara McAlister, Central, Sr., Forward

Morgan Wannemuehler, Mater Dei, So., Forward

Ava Baumann, North, Jr., Midfield

Sara Beckwith, Memorial, Sr., Midfield

Emma Fields, Reitz, Sr., Midfield

Tina Geer, ECS, Sr., Midfield

Olivia Niemeier, Mater Dei, Jr., Midfield

Aleyna Quinn, Castle, Sr., Midfield

Kendal Waugerman, Mater Dei, Sr., Midfield

Anna Duncan, Reitz, Sr., Defender

Kate Jackson, Memorial, Sr., Defender

Amani Kincaid, North, Sr., Defender

Morgan Ott, Castle, Jr., Defender

Sophie Sulawske, Central, Goalkeeper

Emma Teague, Memorial, Goalkeeper

Player of the Year: Aleyna Quinn, Castle

Coach of the Year: Michael Fauerbach, Castle

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Castle's Aleyna Quinn leads C&P All-Metro Girls Soccer Team for 2023