GIRLS SOCCER: Troy’s Irene Young wins Miss Soccer award

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

Twitter: @LocalSportsFans

 

TROY — Irene Young had a secret that she had to hold onto  for a few days.

The recent Troy High graduate found out the day of Troy’s state semifinal on June 13 that she was to receive the highest honor of any high school soccer player in Michigan.

The problem was she could not publically announce the award until this week.

The Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association officially released the All-State teams on Wednesday, and Young didn’t have to hold a secret any longer. She was named 2012 Miss Soccer and the 29^th recipient of such a prestigious honor.

“I told a couple of family members, but I was told not to really say anything,” said Young, who is preparing for her Michigan Futbol Club’s visit to the Midwest regional tournament next week on the club soccer circuit. “Now I can a tell anybody.”

It is the second time that a Troy High player has won the award and the second straight season that the winner hails from Troy. Carrie Povolaitis won the award for Troy in 1993, while Olivia Brannon of Troy Athens won the honor last June.

It also marks the 13^th time that a player from Oakland County earned the ward, which dates back to 1984, and the sixth time a Troy-based player was named Miss Soccer.

It was no secret that Young was one of the favorites heading into the season. She led Troy to the Division 1 state runner-up trophy last season and earned a spot on the 11-member All-State Dream Team. This year Troy again finished as the D-1 state runner-up, and played in its sixth state title game in less than two decades.

During young’s phenomenal career, the Colts won 22 postseason games.

“It’s an incredible honor,” said Young, who plays center midfielder or forward. “I never dreamed that I would get this. It’s an amazing way to finish up my high school career.”

Troy coach Brian Zawislak knew that he had one of the state’s best in his lineup all along. A big, strong, physical-type player who has great field vision and a knack for the goal, Young built a reputation across the state.

“Everybody knew who she was and she scored so many clutch goals in her career,” said Zawislak. “I am glad that they honored Irene based on her body of work. She had an amazing four-year career at Troy High. We got to the Final Four three times in four years and finished as the state runner-up twice. We also played a really tough schedule.”

Young finished her senior season with 14 goals and 10 assists. She had 28 goals as a junior but Troy stacked its schedule even further this season and Young was a marked player on the pitch, often drawing multiple defenders in her vicinity.

She finished her fine four-year career with 62 goals and 28 assists and ranks among the top 10 for her career at Troy in multiple offensive categories.

“We played a much tougher schedule this season, part of it was because we played everybody in the OAA (red Division) twice and every team marked her,” offered Zawislak. “When we got to the state tournament, she had such a great reputation that every team we played marked her. We’ll miss her next season.”

Young, who will play next fall at Louisville, is excited about her honors and ready to take the next step in her career. Her club team is going after a national title this summer.

“I will miss high school and club soccer. I have a lot of great memories,” offered Young. “I am looking forward to playing college soccer. It will be a challenge.

“But this is something that I will always remember,” Young concluded.

 

OTHER WINNERS

2012:  Irene Young           Troy

2011:  Olivia Brannon        Troy Athens

2010   Anne Steinlage        Spring Lake

2009   Paige Webster         Portage Central

2008:  Laura Hayboer         Hudsonville Unity Christian

2007:  Emily Esbrook         Novi

2006:  Laura Hayboer         Hudssonville Unity Christian

2005:  Kristi Timar          Novi

2004:  Meghan Garrity        Birmingham Marian

2003:  Megan Pipkens         Holt

2002:  Lindsay Tarpley       Portage Central

2001:  Tiffany Laskowski     Troy Athens

       Anne Morrell          Plymouth Canton

2000:  Anne Morrell          Plymouth Canton

1999: Andrea Sied            Livonia Stevenson

1998: Allison Campbell       Livonia Stevenson

1997: Sara Kloosterman       Farmington Harrison

1996: Amber Berendowski      Brighton

1995: Heather Brown          Birmingham Seaholm

1994: Stephanie Lusiner      Troy Athens

1993: Carrie Povolaitis      Troy

1992: Kara Nance             Rochester Adams

1991: Regen Coyen            Livonia Stevenson

1990: Carrie Maier           Farmington

1989: Jenny Russell          Plymouth Canton

1988: Kelly Davis            Livonia Churchill

1987: Jill Estey             Plymouth Salem

1986: Cindy Wass             Troy Athens

1985: Annette Ruggiero       Farmington Hills Mercy

1984: Katie Andrea           Birmingham Seaholm

 

2011 MISS SOCCER: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/06/21/athens%E2%80%99-brannon-is-28th-recipient-of-miss-soccer-award/

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Tags: 2012 Miss Soccer, featured, girls soccer, high school girls soccer, Irene Young, prep girls soccer, soccer, Troy High Girls Soccer

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