Milan's Sylvia Koch leads All-Region Girls Soccer Team
MILAN – Playing center midfield for a soccer team is a tricky assignment.
It’s a delicate mix.
“You have to help out with offense and defense,” said Milan senior Sylvia Koch.
But Koch didn’t let the defensive duties detract from her offensive mindset.
“It’s always more fun playing an attacking role than defense,” she said.
Koch did it well, scoring 20 goals and adding 5 assists to lead her team to a 14-4-4 record and the Huron League championship.
She has been selected Monroe County Region Girls Soccer Player of the Year in voting by The Monroe News sports staff.
“Sylvia is a phenomenal center mid,” said Milan coach Phil Hayes. “With her speed and her soccer IQ, she reads the game well and distributes the right balls to players around her.”
Koch also plays volleyball for Milan and achieved All-State recognition in both sports.
“I am definitely proud of it,” she said when asked about being named to the Division 3 All-State team selected by the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association recently. “I also got it in volleyball in the fall. I like to set high expectations for myself.”
Koch also won the Diane Szabo Memorial Award, which honors Milan athletes who excels in multiple sports while maintaining high academic honors and displaying good sportsmanship and character.
She struggled when asked about the commonalities between volleyball and soccer until it was noted that she has offensive and defensive responsibilities in both sports and plays with an offensive mindset.
“I never looked at it that way,” she said. “I guess it’s true.”
Perhaps the biggest connections between the sports are the bonds she formed.
“I had a lot of friends in both sports and we had a lot of fun,” she said.
Koch started playing soccer at the age of 6 when she signed up for Milan’s youth leagues.
“I tried a few sports, but soccer is the one I really enjoyed doing the most,” she said. “I enjoyed it so much that I just kept playing.”
She met Allie Millina in her first or second year of soccer.
“Allie and I were 6 or 7 when we met and became best friends,” she said. “I met most of my friends playing soccer.”
Koch and Millina were both captains for Milan this spring and played alongside each other at center midfield.
“Me and Allie don’t take the responsibility (of playing midfield) lightly,” Koch said.
There was a bit of apprehension among the Milan players this spring with Phil Hayes taking over for successful coach Victor Plasse.
“We had a really good season,” Koch said. “It was a little different having a new coach. He did some different things than the other coach, but young players helped us a lot.
“The Huron League championship was really fun. It was a really fun, super successful season overall. It didn’t end the way we wanted, but that happens in sports.”
It was a smooth transition, even though Koch had to take on more duties.
“I’ve been playing with a few of the girls for a while,” she said. “Obviously, I was a captain this year. With all the young girls, I had to take more of a leadership role.”
Milan won a District championship last year and a league title this year.
“We’ve improved a lot,” Koch said. “I remember hearing about Milan’s girls getting mercied a lot. Obviously, the last few years that hasn’t happened. The program has grown a lot.”
The daughter of Jeff and Lisa Koch of Milan will enroll at Central Michigan University in the fall to study biology. She plans to pursue a career in medicine.
She will not play on any of CMU’s official teams, but she plans to stay active.
“I might play club, probably in both sports,” she said.
CORI BEHLMER, Ida, senior
A defensive standout at center fullback who made first-team All-LCAA. "She was always in the right spot, had a great attitude, and was a great leader for us on the field," Ida coach Tim Allen said.
EMMA BUDD, Milan, sophomore
Netted 17 goals and 13 assists. "Emma is a strong striker with a great touch to settle the ball and even better finisher when put into tough situations," Milan coach Phil Hayes said.
EMERSON BERGMOOSER, SMCC, senior
Finished with 11 goals and 9 assists. "Emerson is a humble leader on and off the field. She is one our most technically sound players and one of the most coachable players," SMCC coach Laura Perry said.
KYLEIGH CARTER, Monroe, senior
Used her quickness to lead the Trojan defense. "She frustrated many classy attackers and was instrumental in keeping our defensive unit working together," Monroe coach Ryan Charnock said.
RYLIE CASSETTE, Huron, sophomore
Led Huron's offensive attack with 13 goals and 8 assists. "She is a great point scorer," Huron coach Matt Lividini said. "Probably the fastest girl in the league."
CLAIRE CHARNOCK, Monroe, sophomore
Combined great defense with 14 goals and 4 assists. "All-around great player," said Monroe coach Ryan Charnock. "She also would track back to chase down the play to make defensive plays."
NORA KINSEY, SMCC, freshman
Made an immediate impact with 13 goals and 7 assists. "Nora represents the present and future of the Kestrels program," SMCC coach Laura Perry said. "She was our most athletic player,"
BREEYA KRYK, Flat Rock, senior
The Rams' lone senior had 4 goals and 3 assists. "She is a very hardworking individual who was the glue that holds our team together," said Flat Rock coach Sam Murphy.
SARA MAREK, Dundee, senior
Scored 13 goals to become Dundee's all-time leading scorer with 22 goals. "She is a hard-working player, very mature, and very dedicated to improving her game," Dundee coach Mark Dotson said.
LEAH MAZEI, Milan sophomore
Racked up 17 goals and 6 assists. "Leah is a fantastic outside mid that read the game very well and countered with her fast speed getting her a lot of goals," Milan coach Phil Hayes said.
CECELIA ORTEGA, Airport, junior
Excelled as a playmaker and scorer with 14 goals and 16 assists. "Cece has one more year to go and plans on breaking the Airport career assist record," coach Harold Mendez said.
RACHAEL POLI, Carlson, senior
A four-year varsity player who netted 17 goals and 9 assists. "She has led our program for two years running in goals scored and came up big in pivotal matches," Carlson coach Steve Briggs said.
LEXI RIPPLE, Bedford, junior
"Lexi is the backbone of our defense," Bedford coach Kellie Grosteffon said. "Not only is she able to stop the opposition’s attack but she’s also great in the air and dangerous on corner kicks."
ISABELLA SGRO, Carlson, sophomore
"Izzy is like having a second goalkeeper out there," Carlson coach Steve Briggs said. "There are times that I feel she can almost read plays before they happen."
ALY YOUNGLOVE, Monroe, sophomore
Made 233 saves. "Opponent coaches commented many times that her skill, athleism, and ability to handle the ball and make saves was excellent," Monroe coach Ryan Charnock said.
SPECIAL MENTION
Clare Allen, Ida; Hayley Beiser, Bedford; Evie Brandys, Dundee; Kam Clifton, Bedford; Madilynn Daniels, Airport; Leah DeSarbo, SMCC; Hannah Dietrich, Airport; Gabby Emelian, New Boston Huron; Hannah Fowler, Dundee; Olivia Henry, Milan; Kylie Iwasko, Carlson; Courtney Krasewski, Flat Rock; Allie Millina, Milan; Braelyn Pearch, Jefferson; Caroline Roecker, SMCC; Ella Simpson, Jefferson; Rowan Stamper, Monroe; Isabella Thomas, Flat Rock; Corynn Tominello, Bedford; Maggie Warden, New Boston Huron; Megan Woelkers, Flat Rock.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Milan's Sylvia Koch leads All-Region Girls Soccer Team
