Five from champion Norwalk on SBC first team

After sweeping through the Sandusky Bay Conference without a loss with a roster that had no seniors, the Norwalk girls soccer team was rewarded in league voting. The Truckers placed five players on the All-SBC first team, the league announced on Oct. 27. This was the first season of the one-division SBC soccer setup since the five former Northern Ohio League teams joined the league in 2017. There were 10 in the girls competition, resulting in 16-member first- and second-teams. At the top of that list was freshman Claire Spettle, who dominated the competition with a 103-point season in just 17 matches for the Truckers (13-4, 9-0). Spettle finished runners-up in voting to Vermilion senior Livia Penton, who finished with 38 goals and 11 assists this season, and 107 goals for her career. Unofficially, Spettle's 48 goals are the eighth-most scored in Ohio this season, according to MaxPreps — and also the 10th-highest total in the U.S., according to the longtime high school sports website. Her 103 points — two for each goal, one for each assist — are 10th in Ohio and a tie for 22nd in the U.S. Including this season, fewer than 30 high-school players have scored more than 48 goals as reported to the OHSAA. Joining Spettle as a unanimous selection on the first team was junior defender Bella Koelsch. Also on the first team for defense was junior goalkeeper Lilly Farmer and her 119 saves. Norwalk posted seven shutouts and allowed just one goal in four others in 11 of its 17 matches this season. Also landing on the first team was junior midfielder Abby Koenig (five goals, 15 assists) and sophomore midfielder Audrey Sanders (11 goals, two assists). Earning second team for Norwalk was sophomore Taryn Temple, while sophomore midfielder Xavi Immel was honorable mention. Also from the area, Edison (8-9-2) placed four players on the second team. The quartet of attackers Amelia Chartrant and Abigail Hearing; midfielder Alaina Keegan; and defender Haley Chaput helped the Chargers to a sectional title in Division III this season. All-SBC GIRLS SOCCER TEAMS Most Outstanding Performer: Livia Penton, Vermilion. FIRST TEAM Keeper: Lilly Farmer, Norwalk. Defenders: Bella Koelsch, Norwalk*; Leanna Marianek, Perkins*; Sage Perry, Woodmore; Amelia Honeycutt, Port Clinton; Cam Lowder, Vermilion. Midfielders: Livia Penton, Vermilion*; Abby Koenig, Norwalk; Caydie Buchanan, Woodmore; Jordyn Brunner, Perkins; Audrey Sanders, Norwalk. Attackers: Claire Spettle, Norwalk*; Maggie McVeigh, Perkins*; Amelia Finn, Port Clinton; Kelsey Kaylor, Woodmore; Summer Shirley, Vermilion. * — denotes unanimous selection SECOND TEAM Keeper: Lauren Wainwright, Huron. Defenders: Haley Chaput, Edison; Natalie Peugeot, Sandusky; Jayci Schmidt, Huron; Kalle Heins, Woodmore; Georgia Yandura, Columbian. Midfielders: Gladys Wiechman, Port Clinton; Alaina Keegan, Edison; Jade Mitchell, Port Clinton; Liz Heidl, Huron; Maggie Rannigan, Columbian. Attackers: Amelia Chartrant, Edison; Taryn Temple, Norwalk; Sophia Ralofsky, Perkins; Abigail Hearing, Edison; Morgan Woods, Port Clinton. HONORABLE MENTION Keeper: Layla McGinnis, Woodmore. Defenders: Ada Vandergoot, Huron; Lily Lucero, Port Clinton; Samantha Green, Perkins; Maddi Shell, Clyde. Midfielders: Izzy Helmke, Woodmore; Loreli Phillips, Clyde; Xavi Immel, Norwalk; Camille Strong, Woodmore. Attackers: Eliana Cozzie, Huron; Alex Henning, Columbian; Maddie Knehr, Clyde; Elizabeth Bubb, Port Clinton.