Go for goal: The 2023 Taunton Daily Gazette Girls Soccer All-Scholastics

TAUNTON— Another high school soccer season has come and gone in the Greater Taunton area.

Bridgewater-Raynham (12-3-3, 6-2-0 Southeast Conference) led the way locally, starting the season on a six-game winning streak and reaching the Division 1 Round of 32 where the Trojans fell to No. 9 Concord-Carlisle. Dighton-Rehoboth (9-8-2, 7-5-2 South Coast Conference), loaded with young talent, also reached the postseason, defeating No. 33 Hudson in the Preliminary Round before falling to No. 1 Medfield. Taunton (4-10-4, 2-10-4 Hockomock League) made progress with a mostly young squad while Bristol-Plymouth (1-15-2, 1-12-1 Mayflower Athletic Conference) earned a shutout win over Old Colony.

With the fall season now in the rearview, here's a final look back at the Greater Taunton area girls soccer players who stood out among the crowd to earn their spot as 2023 Taunton Daily Gazette Girls Soccer All-Scholastics.

Player of the Year

Cailee Leonard, Dighton-Rehoboth

The sophomore forward truly established herself as the area's preeminent scoring threat this fall, recording 22 goals and eight assists for the 10th-best scoring season in program history. Quick with great field vision and a strong eye for goal, Leonard wreaked havoc on opposing defenders, recording a season high four goals against Case as well as hat tricks against Greater New Bedford, Fairhaven and Seekonk.

An SCC All-Star, expect Leonard to only continue to improve and expand upon her goal scoring prowess as the offensive focal point for the Falcons over the next two years.

First Team All-Scholastics

Madison Crowley, Taunton

The freshman defender played every single minute for the Tigers this fall, the only player to do so, as she further solidified herself at the center back position. Described by coach Dan Borges as the backbone of the Taunton defense, he noted she excelled at keeping opposing attackers at bay in the highly-competitive Hockomock League. In particular, he praised her performance in wins over Foxboro and New Bedford, a game in which she also played as a goalkeeper, as well as a draw with Attleboro.

Already with two seasons of varsity experience under her belt, expect Crowley to continue to further grow and improve as an athlete over the next three years for the Tigers.

Juliana Matos, Taunton

The senior midfielder wrapped up a solid high school soccer career with four goals and four assists. Key in transition, she could also be counted on to come up with goals on the attack, such as scoring the winner against Foxboro as well as late goals to secure draws against Attleboro and Milford.

A Hockomock All-Star and Eastern Mass. Girls Soccer Coaches Association Eastern Mass. Second Team All-Scholastic, Matos' skills and experience will certainly be missed by the Tigers next year.

Willow Forbes-Smith, Bridgewater-Raynham

The sophomore midfielder was once again at the heart of the Trojan offense this fall, facilitating goals and scoring chances with her strong field vision, passing skills and mastery in one-on-one scenarios with opposing players. She notched 13 goals and six assists, being praised by coach Tim Kaliff for her ability to always find the best scoring chance for herself and her teammates. Some of her most notable outings include scoring a pair of goals against both Archbishop Williams and West Bridgewater as well as a pair of assists against New Bedford.

An SEC All-Star, EMGSCA All State First Team All-Scholastic and Enterprise/Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic, expect Forbes-Smith to continue to grow and improve as a key figure on the squad over the next two years.

Haylie Fortune, Bridgewater-Raynham

The junior forward showcased her strong eye for goal on numerous occasions for the Trojans this fall, including notching a pair of goals against both New Bedford and Dennis-Yarmouth. Praised by Kaliff for her unselfishness, ability to create chances and her determination to regain possession whenever lost, she played a key role in driving the offense forward.

An SEC All-Star, expect Fortune to continue to grow and improve as an athlete heading into her senior year.

Abby Hart, Bridgewater-Raynham

The senior defender and goalkeeper wrapped up a strong high school soccer career as the heart of the Trojan defense. Praised by Kaliff for her field vision, strong crosses and overall backline leadership, she also spent some time in net when needed, recording clean sheets against Brookline, Falmouth and New Bedford, the latter in conjunction with her two fellow keepers.

An Enterprise/Patriot Ledger Honorable Mention, Hart's talents and experience will surely be missed at B-R next year as she continues her academic and soccer career at Curry College.

Isabella Johnson, Bridgewater-Raynham

The junior defender once again was a difference maker at center back for the Trojans, often going head-to-head with the opposition's quickest attackers while being relentless in regaining possession. Praised by Kaliff for her relentlessness in one-on-one situations, ability to quickly regain possession and her overall command of the backline, she also excelled in connecting with teammates in open possessions to move the ball forward once regaining possession.

An SEC All-Star, EMGSCA Eastern Mass. First Team All-Scholastic and Enterprise/Patriot Ledger Second Team All-Scholastic, Johnson is also a member of the indoor track team and should be expected to continue to grow and improve as an athlete as she heads into her senior year.

Meghan Emond, Bristol-Plymouth

The senior captain and defender wrapped up a solid high school soccer career as the anchor of the Craftsmen defense. A center back, she helped hold down her squad's defensive efforts, most notably during a 2-0 shutout of Old Colony and a 1-1 draw with Case.

A Mayflower Athletic Conference All-Star, Emond is also a member of the track team. Her leadership and abilities will certainly be missed at B-P next year.

Haleigh Kelley, Dighton-Rehoboth

The junior captain and goalkeeper once again showed why she was one of the area's best this fall, recording eight clean sheets in net including one against eventual SCC champions Apponequet. Described by coach Mike Cooke as the vocal and emotional leader of the Falcons, he praised her for her efforts as a steady presence behind a young defensive line as well as her ability to play at her best during the biggest matches.

An SCC All-Star, Kelley was also named a 2023 Taunton Daily Gazette Softball All-Scholastic and is an important part of the basketball team as well. Expect her to continue to grow and improve in all three sports heading into her senior year.

Ainsley Zibrida, Dighton-Rehoboth

The sophomore defender anchored the Falcon defense from the center back position as the team’s only returning member of the back line. Possessing strong field vision and a powerful boot, she took all of D-R’s goal kicks and corner kicks.

An SCC Honorable Mention, Zibrida is also a member of the lacrosse team and should be expected to continue to grow and improve as an athlete over the next two years.

Second Team All-Scholastics

Ava Alves, Taunton

Ashlyn Hebert, Taunton

Ava Uhl, Taunton

Lily Giurleo, Bridgewater-Raynham

Zoey Onuegbu, Bristol-Plymouth

Ava Morgado, Dighton-Rehoboth

Kelsey Palmer, Dighton-Rehoboth

Taunton Daily Gazette sports reporter Cameron Merritt can be reached at cmerritt@tauntongazette.com. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @CamMerritt_News. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to the Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Presenting the 2023 Taunton Daily Gazette Girls Soccer All-Scholastics