South’s Ella Moore had outstanding season to earn Co-Player of the Year honors
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When the game was on the line, more often than not it seemed that South Williamsport's Ella Moore was there to make something happen.
The game-winning double-overtime goal against Line Mountain in the first round of districts.
Her assist on Abby Akers' goal to win against Benton in the District 4 semifinals.
She assisted on the game-tying goal in the district final against Meadowbrook, and she had South's only goal in a heartbreaking PK loss to Moravian in states, 1-1 (5-4).
In other words, Moore was clutch in big pressure situations and it's a huge reason she was named Sun-Gazette Girls Soccer Co-Player of the Year with Muncy's Emilie Nagel.
Other players who were runners-up for the honor were Williamsport's Nylah Ford, Montoursville's Anna Baylor and Milton's Mackenzie Lopez.
Moore is South's second consecutive player to earn Player of the Year honors after Aleigha Rieppel did so last year.
"It's an honor. I can really thank my family, my friends, coaches, this whole entire team. I couldn't do it without any of them," Moore said of receiving the honor. "Our community, everyone's so supportive of everyone here. Its just an honor."
Moore was a first-team Mid-Penn all-star selection this year and was also voted all-state, the second straight year a Mountie was named all-state.
South Williamsport reached the PIAA Class A quarterfinals for a third consecutive season, and while other players helped get the Mounties there, there's no denying that Moore was a key player.
When she entered this season, Moore knew she would have a target on her back the entire year. She was coming off a remarkable year in which she set the South Williamsport record for goals by a freshman with 34. But Moore wanted to exceed last year's goal total and despite constantly being man-marked and double teamed, Moore did just that as she scored 36 this year to put her at 70 after just two seasons.
"I do (enjoy the challenge). That definitely boosts my confidence a little bit going into games and knowing that they prepared," Moore said. "It just boosts my confidence, and it always leaves someone else open too. So it kind of works out."
Moore averaged 1.6 goals per game this year and also dished out 15 assists. And even if Moore wasn't scoring goals, her presence on the field allowed others to get in position to score. Just being on the field drew defenders away from teammates such as Olivia Loudenslager, Abby Akers, Maddy Breen, Addi Morrison and Naomi Pfirman.
"I just love to help in any way I can. It doesn't matter if your scoring, assisting, saving a goal, clearing it out. It doesn't matter," Moore said.
That attitude by Moore helped her accumulate 87 points and either score or assist on 51 of South Williamsport's 93 goals.
In addition to her individual accolades this year, Moore helped South win the program's first ever repeat District 4 championship, doing so as the seventh seed in Class A, and reach the state quarterfinals for yet another season.
"I didn't think this season was going to go like this at all," Moore said. "It's very unexpected, but I'm very, very grateful."
Moore's just a sophomore, and in 2024 every defense will know they have to account for her. But, sometimes defending a player is a lot easier on paper than in reality. And no doubt Moore will look to make next fall just as memorable as 2023 was.
The Mountie still has more to accomplish.
Perhaps South Williamsport coach Marc Lovecchio summed up Moore perfectly after the team's district semifinal win over Benton.
"What more can you say about her?" Lovecchio said.
Everything already has been said about Moore already: she was outstanding.
COACHES OF THE YEAR: BECKHAM SIBISKI, WILLIAMSPORT AND MARC LOVECCHIO, SOUTH
Two years ago, Beckham Sibiski took over for the Millionaires girls soccer program and knew right away he had enormous shoes to fill by replacing all-time winningest coach in Scott McNeill (110 wins).
The team may not have had the most amount of wins this year in his second season, but Sibiski was able to get to the District 2-4 Class AAAA championship. The Millionaires beat Hazleton and Wyoming Valley West via shutouts before going back and forth against Delaware Valley, losing a heartbreaker in overtime.
Lovecchio and South started the year 0-5 and some may have thought it was a lost season and would be a rebuild. But, South kept improving as the year progressed and Lovecchio coached South to something no other Mounties team had ever done: win repeat District 4 championships.
This is Lovecchio’s third consecutive Coach of the Year honor.
PAST SUN-GAZETTE GIRLS PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
2022--Aleigha Rieppel, South Williamsport, midfield
2021--Lily Saul, Montoursville, forward
2020--Bethany Beinlich, Sullivan County, forward
2019--Katie Penman, Williamsport, forward
2018--Chloe Michaels, Lewisburg, defender
2017--Rhiallie Jessell, Loyalsock, forward
2016--Gabby Heiss, Warrior Run, defender
2015--Rhiallie Jessell, Loyalsock, forward
2014--Kirsten O'Malley, Montoursville, forward
2013--None selected
2012--Lana Spitler, Montoursville, forward
2011--Cassaundra Soars, Loyalsock, forward
2010--None selected