Josie Patton named Goalkeeper of the Year

Senior Josie Patton was a First-Team All-League pick and earned top recognition as Goalkeeper of the Year in the All-League voting. Patton has been a four-year starting goalie for the Outlaws, and last year was also named Goalie of the Year in 4A.

Coach Brian Holden noted that Patton is a tall player with strong hands and a broad wingspan. She is a dedicated athlete, a positive team leader, and vocal from the back. Patton recorded 11 shutouts, and only had three goals scored against her in league play.

This year the league voting changed a bit. In the past coaches always voted on attack and defensive players, this year it changed to first, second, and honorable mention field players, and then goalies were in a separate category.

Marley Holden, Izzy Schiller, and Tatem Cramer were all First-Team field picks.

Holden, a junior, is a three-year varsity starter for the Outlaws. She played in a defensive position last year, but this year moved to a more offensive role at midfield, where she scored 21 goals, and tallied seven assists. Only one other player in the league scored more goals than Holden.

Coach Holden noted that Marley Holden has a high soccer IQ. She’s a physical player and a great outside shooter. She passes with purpose and confidence, and is a great ball handler, and a creative playmaker. Marley was also runner-up for Field Player of the Year.

Schiller, a junior, is a two-year varsity starter and scored eight goals and recorded four assists. Izzy also has a high soccer IQ and is fundamentally perfect. Holden described Schiller as a tenacious defender who can also attack from the back. She’s a physical player with explosive speed. She controls the pace of the game, and is a positive team leader who exhibits great sportsmanship.

Cramer (senior) scored eight goals and tallied two assists as a forward. She’s a physical presence with her height and strength, and Holden noted she did a great job of playing with her back to the goal. Holden also stated that Cramer has a big throw-in, is fast in the open field, and fed her midfielders with calm passing.

Second-Team field recognition went to Juhree Kizziar, and sisters Sage and Shae Wyland.

Kizziar, a junior, is a holding midfielder and scored six goals and recorded four assists. Holden noted that Kizziar is fit and determined, and works well in the middle with her teammates. She’s a good outside shooter, and is speedy and can play well-placed balls through the gaps.

Sage Wyland is a four-year starting center back. Holden described Sage as relentless, tenacious, and extremely competitive. As a defender she helped the Outlaws to 11 shutouts and only three goals scored against. Holden added that Wyland defines what a hard-working and dedicated player is, and she could easily have been a First-Team selection for the past three years.

Shae Wyland is a two-year varsity starter and plays at centerback and wingback. She scored one goal and had two assists during league play. She’s a physical defender, who is athletic and fast. Holden noted that Shae has an amazing left-footed shot, and is competitive and relentless like her sister Sage. Shae does a great job attacking from the back, and is a ball-runner. Holden said that Shae is another player who easily could have been a first-team selection.

Becca Clausen rounds out the field all-league picks. Clausen is an exchange student from Hamburg, Germany and played as a winger for the Outlaws this year. Holden noted that she is fundamentally perfect, strong and fit, minimizes turnovers, and plays a very controlled game in passing the ball on the ground. Becca brought stability to the Outlaws’ midfield, and Holden said she knows her role on the field and is 100 percent team.

Holden said, “Sisters is new to the conference this year and our athletes aren’t well known to the other coaches yet. I do believe several of our girls deserved higher recognition. It’s been a very exciting and fun year.”