Under the watchful eyes of a defender and a mural, Edina’s Izzy Engle controlled the ball during the state quarterfinal.
Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune
Under the watchful eyes of a defender and a mural, Edina’s Izzy Engle controlled the ball during the state quarterfinal.

2023 GIRLS SOCCER ALL-METRO FIRST TEAM

FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS

Vesna Dennison, St. Louis Park, senior: Prolific scorer netted 26 goals for the Orioles. Named to Class 3A all-state first team.

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Izzy Engle, Edina, senior: Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year and Class 3A Ms. Soccer award recipient. Contributed 37 goals and 14 assists to the top-ranked Hornets (20-0).

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Grace Estby, Wayzata, senior: Leads Trojans, who will play in the Class 3A state tournament semifinals Tuesday, with 17 goals. A fast left-footed forward.

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Audrey Garton, Holy Angels, senior: Outstanding playmaker responsible for 22 goals and 32 assists heading into Tuesday's state tournament semifinals. Class 2A Ms. Soccer award recipient.

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Berit Parten, Minnehaha Academy, senior: Capped a stellar high school career with 37 goals and 22 assists this season and was rewarded with the Class 1A Ms. Soccer honor.

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Ashley Thurk, Edina, senior: Hornets coach Katie Aafedt considers the holding center midfielder "the unsung hero of the team." Fast and fit, Thurk is committed to play for the Gophers.

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Addison Van Zee, Centennial, senior: Class 3A Ms. Soccer award finalist tallied 14 goals and six assists. She was also an all-state first-team selection.

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DEFENDERS

Allison Flies, Eastview, senior: Played center back among her other duties and was one of 12 Minnesota players nominated for the All-America game. Named to Class 3A all-state first team by the coaches association.

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Izabel Halunen, Woodbury, senior: Royals coach Pat Malicki raved that "Izzy is the heart and soul and leader of our back line. She is a tremendous one-v-one defender and ball winner."

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Savanna Stockness, Mahtomedi, senior: The metro area's only defender nominated as a Ms. Soccer award finalist (Class 2A). Led the charge as the Zephyrs finished with 11 shutouts.

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GOALKEEPER

Ava Williams, Woodbury, senior: "She has tremendous technical skills and is very athletic," Royals coach Malicki said. "Throughout the season, Ava has made huge saves to keep us in games."

SECOND TEAM

Forwards/midfielders: Sawyer Bollinger Danielson, St. Paul Academy, junior; Kiya Gilliand, Benilde-St. Margaret's, senior; Maddyn Greenway, Providence Academy, sophomore; Jenna Maloy, White Bear Lake, junior; Isabel McEwan, Minneapolis Washburn, senior; Brooke Nelson, Stillwater, senior; Grace Pohlidal, Edina, senior; Becca Smith, White Bear Lake, junior.

Defenders: Julie Bergan, Lakeville South, senior; Ava Reckinger, Park of Cottage Grove, senior; Sydney Sutherland, Blaine, senior.

Goalkeepers: Ayden Gagner, Farmington, senior; Lily Mattison, Eden Prairie, senior.

How they were selected

The Star Tribune's All-Metro teams and Metro Players of the Year were chosen based on nominations from metro-area coaches, conversations with coaches and staff observations.