She was 25 goals from the 100-goal threshold. For most players, that takes a great season to reach that number in one year.

For Moore though, it all but seems easy.

The Mountie junior not only reached both milestones, but cruised en route to them. Moore ended her junior season with 42 goals and 19 assists and was a constant threat to score anytime she stepped on the field.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Ella Moore (13) competes in a PIAA District 4 Class A semifinal game at Bloomsburg on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.

Her record-breaking year — becoming the only player in South history to reach 100 career goals and 50 career assists — earned her Sun-Gazette Girls Soccer Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Runners-up for the honor included Warrior Run’s Raygan Lust, Milton’s Sammy Roarty and Muncy’s Ava Eyer.

Moore becomes the first-ever repeat winner of the honor in girls soccer, and one of only two players to earn the award twice in their career (Loyalsock’s Rhiallie Jessell, 2015 and 2017).

Moore is a typical superstar on the field. Pick a random game from South’s schedule this year, and there’s a very solid chance she either scored a goal or dished out an assist. Or perhaps both. That’s how talented Moore is. But she’ll always be the first to tell you that she didn’t do it herself. Moore is as selfless as they come and always dishes out credit to others as often as she dishes out an assist.

“I’m very grateful. I work really hard and I couldn’t thank my teammates enough to push me during practices, games, even outside of that,” Moore said. “We’re a really tight family. My coaches, my actual family, they’re always here supporting whether it’s my aunts or cousins. My sister travels two hours away just to come see me every game. I’m really just grateful for everyone surrounding me to help me get to where I am.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Ella Moore (13) celebrates a goal during a PIAA District 4 Class A semifinal game at Bloomsburg on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.

Every defender that lined up against South Williamsport knew she was a player to slow down. But like many great players, you can’t stop them, only hope to possibly contain them.

Moore averaged an impressive 2.1 goals per game — the highest average in the area — and an assist per game. But while Moore could score at will, her ability to open the offense was just as valuable of an asset.

There were three teams this year that didn’t allow Moore to score against them: Warrior Run, Muncy in the District 4 championship game and Lancaster Mennonite in the first round of the PIAA Class A tournament.

But, while Moore didn’t score, she helped her teammates get open in those games and into scoring positions. South’s Olivia Loudenslager (16 goals, nine assists), Kloey Persun (seven goals, six assists), Ana Oeler (seven goals, eight assists), Abby Akers (five goals, 19 assists), Coco Kline (five goals, five assists), Kendall Smith (four goals, two assists) and Addy Morrison (four goals, 10 assists) all were able to flourish thanks in large part to Moore’s ability to read the field and allow her teammates to get into position.

“When that happens, I usually just get out of the way and let the rest of the offense try to work their magic because I don’t want to just drag the defenders,” Moore said. “So I try to get out of the way and get the ball open into them.”

NICK FIORINI/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Ella Moore shoots against Montoursville earlier this season in a game.

An example of that was in the District 4 Class A championship game against Muncy. Moore was marked the entire game, often with two Muncy defenders on her back all game, but was able to get the offense opened for Kline, who scored the game’s only goal in a 1-0 thriller.

But Moore’s scoring prowess wasn’t lost on her. She was glad to be able to put up the remarkable numbers she did this year. But, as always, she credits her teammates for allowing it to happen.

“I’m definitely honored to be able to (score 42 goals). Again, I couldn’t do it without the other girls on this field. They make everything possible and not just me. They do all the work, I just happen to be there,” Moore said with a laugh.

UNDERCLASSMAN OF THE YEAR — Khaya Bennett, Montoursville, freshman

The younger of the Bennett sisters, Khaya became a starter this year as a freshman on the varsity team and instantly made a huge impact for Vic Gorini’s Warriors. The freshman was the second-leading scorer in goals with seven, behind only her older sister Kenna, and dished out three assists.

Coach Gorini noted earlier in the season how well Khaya adapted to the varsity game after a solid junior high campaign, and no doubt she’ll only get better next year and the following seasons.

COACHES OF THE YEAR — Hannah Lounsbury, Montgomery and Jason Gresh, Muncy

Lounsbury took over at Montgomery and in one year, had a remarkable turnaround for the program. Lounsbury inherited a three-win team and a program that hadn’t seen a winning season since 2006. After earning just 10 wins in the last four years, Lounsbury coached the Red Raiders to a nine-win campaign and secured just the fifth playoff berth in program history.

The nine wins also qualified for the postseason via record for the first time since Montgomery went 9-10-1 in 2007. Lounsbury got her players to commit to her vision and buy in to what she wanted, and it resulted in a one-season turnaround and a playoff appearance.

Gresh coached Muncy to its best season in program history. The Indians reached the District 4 Class A championship game for the first time in its program’s history and also made it to the state tournament for the first time ever.

Entering 2024, Muncy had only ever won a playoff game once. Muncy surpassed that mark this year by winning its first two district playoff games and reached 15 wins this year, the most ever in a single-season for the Indians.

Gresh has helped propel Muncy to new heights and the team has continued to get better year after year.

FIRST TEAM

KENNA Bennett, MONTOURSVILLE, FORWARD

Bennett had an outstanding year with Montoursville and helped the Warriors’ offense excel. The junior led Montoursville’s offense with an impressive 16 goals — the only player in double figures — and dished out six assists, tied with Paige Boyle for the most on the team. Bennett was a first-team HAC-II all-star this year.

RAYGAN LUST, WARRIOR RUN, FORWARD

Lust put together an excellent senior season. The Defender scored a team-high 30 goals and reached 81 for her career, second all-time in Warrior Run history. She averaged 1.6 goals per game and dished out a team-high 15 assists, averaging 0.8 per game. Lust was named a HAC-II first-team all-star at forward as well this year.

AVA EYER, MUNCY, FORWARD

Muncy made a ton of history this year. The Indians reached the District 4 championship game for the first time, won two playoff games for the first time, and reached the state tournament for the first time ever. And the catalyst to a lot of that success was Eyer up top. A first-team Mid-Penn all-star, Eyer led Muncy with 21 goals and 10 assists, averaging a goal per game.

LAUREN O’MALLEY, LOYALSOCK, FORWARD

O’Malley was an outstanding player this year and was a huge reason Loyalsock played well from an offensive perspective. The Lancer was named HAC-II first-team this year at forward and was Loyalsock’s only first-team all-star selection. The senior scored a team-high 20 goals, averaging 1.3 per game, and had a team-high eight assists as well.

ABBY AKERS, SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, MIDFIELD

Whether Akers played up top at forward or in the midfield, she made an impact and helped control the midfield. Akers could score if needed, or faciliate play against opposing forwards. Akers ended the season with five goals and a team-high 19 assists, reaching the 50-assist milestone for her career.

SAMMY ROARTY, MILTOn, MIDFIELD

Roarty became Milton’s latest 50-goal scorer, joining former teammate Mackenzie Lopez last year, and Roarty earned all-state honors this year as a midfielder. Roarty had a huge season this year as she led Milton with 25 goals and averaged 1.5 per game. She also dished out 10 assists, constantly finding teammates who were open. Roarty earned all-state honors and was a first-team HAC-I all-star selection.

JAELYNN HELMRICH, WILLIAMSPORT, MIDFIELD

Williamsport had an offense with numerous weapons who could seemingly score at any time, and Helmrich was among those. The junior had a team-high 13 assists and was a huge reason Williamsport’s offense exceled as she had no problem finding teammates who were open. Helmrich also scored nine goals this year and helped spread the offense alongside Deborah Shultz and Nylah Ford. Helmrich was a first-team HAC-I all-star alongside teammate Ford.

OLIVIA LOUDENSLAGER, SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, MIDFIELD

Loudenslager was a first-team Mid-Penn all-star selection this year, and for good reason. The Mountie earned honors at forward and was second on the team this year in goals scored with 16. She also dished out nine assists. If Loudenslager wasn’t scoring, she was facilitating and controlling the midfield from a defensive perspective.

OLIVIA REGAN, SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, DEFENDER

Regan was part of the heart and soul of South Williamsport’s defense and made life extremely tough for opposing forwards and midfielders. The senior Mountie was a large reason South Williamsport ended with 14 shutouts and only allowed 14 goals all year. She was a first-team Mid-Penn all-star selection this year at defender.

ALLI ANSTADT, HUGHESVILLE, DEFENDER

The Spartans had an outstanding year this season, getting to the program’s first-ever District 4 championship game and qualified for states for the first time since 2002. The defense played a big reason why, and that included Anstadt. The first-team HAC-II defender helped a defense excel which gave up only 21 goals all year long. Teams had a tough time scoring against Hughesville, and Anstadt was a key reason why.

PAIGE BOYLE, MONTOURSVILLE, DEFENDER

Montoursville finished the year 10-7-2 and started clicking at the right time late in the year to get to districts. Boyle was a huge reason that defense played great. Montoursville allowed just 28 goals all year. From Sept. 24 through the end of the year, Montoursville gave up just nine goals, four of those in a 4-1 loss to Warrior Run. Boyle was named a HAC-II second-team defender.

NATALIE HALL, WARRIOR RUN, DEFENDER

The Defenders had an outstanding offense this year, scoring 73 goals, but its defense was just as solid. Warrior Run gave up just 24 goals all season and on the back line, Hall helped anchor the defense. The first-team HAC-II all-star helped the Defenders record nine shutouts.

BAILEY GAVITT, HUGHESVILLE, GOALIE

Hughesville averaged less than a goal per game this year, and the defense was huge in limiting those opposing forwards. But, when a shot did get fired, Gavitt more often than not came up with a key save when needed to keep the Spartans in games. Gavitt, a first-team HAC-II goalie this year, recorded 81 saves, averaging 3.9 per game, and recorded nine shutouts. She was among the area’s leaders in shutouts this year.

SECOND TEAM

F–Nylah Ford, Williamsport

F–Kylie Temple, Hughesville

F–Lilly McCarty, Sullivan County

F–Elizabeth Wolfe, Hughesville

M–Deborah Shultz, Williamsport

M–Ella Nagel, Muncy

M–Lexi Kurzawa, Hughesville

M–Katie Zaktansky, Warrior Run

D–Emma McCormick, Muncy

D–Addy Morrison, South Williamsport

D–Callie Ulmer, Warrior Run

D–Olivia Miller, South Williamsport

GK–Althea Street South Williamsport and Addi Gresh, Muncy

HONORABLE MENTION

(in alphabetical order)

Faridah Aboueid, Lewisburg; Jazzy Anderson, Central Mountain, F; Marleigh Bainbridge, Montoursville, M; Katherine Batkowski, Lewisburg, F; Adelyn Bastian, Loyalsock; Lily Batman, Milton, D; Kat Bennage, Milton, F; Khaya Bennett, Montoursville, F/M; Mylee Bennett, Williamsport; Caroline Blakeslee, Lewisburg, F; Laurel Boyer, Lewisburg, D; Andreanna Bohart, Warrior Run, D; Sidney Boyle, Montoursville; Kendall Cohick, Loyalsock, D; McKenna Daniels, Loyalsock, GK; Josie Defibaugh, Jersey Shore, M; Claire Driver, Lewisburg; Addison Eyer, Muncy, M; Raigan Fredericks, Montoursville, GK; Zoe Furman, Montgomery, F; Amelia Gainier, Milton, M; Aleaha Grimm, Montgomery; Mariah Hallabuk, Sullivan County, GK; Elliana Herr, Jersey Shore; Cayman Hill, Central Mountain, D; Leah Lehman, Hughesville; Camry McCann, Central Mountain; Caradyn McGinley, Hughesville, M; Alexis McKeta, Muncy, F/M; Jessalyn Milbrand, Jersey Shore, F; Cassidy Mitchell, Wellsboro, M; Eva Nagel, Muncy, D; Addy Ohnmeiss, Warrior Run, GK; Chloe Pennings, Williamsport, GK; Maddison Perry, Loyalsock, M; Emma Poole, Williamsport; Claire Souder, Milton; Alexa Swartchick, Warrior Run, M; Aly Taggart, Hughesville; Madisyn VanBuskirk, Lewisburg, M; Kendall Veltri, Central Mountain, M; Archie Walker, Central Mountain; Piper Wagner, Jersey Shore; Addison Wenzel, Milton, F; Brooke Wilcox, N.P.-Mansfield, M; Maura Woland, Warrior Run; Anna Zalonis, Muncy; Adisyn Zangara, Williamsport, D; Madisyn Zeiber, Milton, D; Addison Zettlemoyer, Milton.