They are the best of the best!
Being named WPIAL All-Section is when a high school coach nominates players from their team who they think played exceptionally during the season and other coaches from teams in their section (a section normally consists of six or seven teams) vote for whom they consider to be the standout players from that roster of names.
The voting takes place once the regular season ends and all the teams have had the chance to play each other.
To be named All-Section, a player must demonstrate: sportsmanship, skill, and leadership as well as standing out among the other players in the team’s section.
Four girls from the Beaver Area girls soccer team were names All-Section: seniors Caroline Samchuck and Myah Gutierrez, and juniors Abby Noah and Hailey Tooch.
Samchuck also was named All-WPIAL—it is the same process as being named All-Section, except she was recognized and voted for by coaches throughout the entire WPIAL. She will be playing in the All-WPIAL game November 20 at Mars Stadium, time TBD (probably in the evening). Come out and support Samchuck one last time!
Unfortunately, despite their dedication and hard work, none of the boys team made the final all-section cut; however, Casen Pontoli pickup up an honorable mention nod.
Congratulations to our All-Section and All-WPIAL Bobcats!
#17: Caroline Samchuck, senior midfielder
Samchuck is the Energizer bunny of Beaver Area girls soccer. If you’ve ever seen a girls soccer game and saw a player running from goal to goal all game without tiring, that’s Samchuck. Her energy, work ethic, and communication are noticeable from anywhere in the stadium.
In her soccer career as a Bobcat, Samchuck earned four varsity letters, was a three-year varsity starter, and was the 2020 Players Choice Award recipient. Samchuck also led her team this year as captain and helped lead the Bobcats to their best season record in five years.
Her favorite high school soccer memory is the bathroom trip with her teammate junior Ana Avdellas at Quaker Valley . . . if you know, you know.
After high school, Samchuck plans to attend a Penn States campus and is considering majoring in Elementary Education.
“Being named All-WPIAL and All-Section this year was such an honor especially coming from a team with such amazing teammates. My teammates are the best because they work together to make the team better and are so selfless in that way,” shared Samchuck. I am excited to play in one last game and thank my teammates for pushing me to be the best that I could be and allowing me to have this opportunity.”
#6: Myah Gutierrez, senior defender
Gutierrez is new to the Bobcats squad this year, but it didn’t take long for her to fit in. She moved from Florida to Beaver over the summer and immediately started attending their practices go get aquatinted with the team. Gutierrez is a shut-down outside back for the girls, but she makes runs up the field to generate offensive play as well. Her strength, communication, and skill were immediately noticed by her teammates and coaches on her first day as a Bobcat and throughout the season.
Her favorite memory from her short Bobcat soccer career is when the stadium lights went out halfway through the team’s game again Winchester Thurston High School.
After high school Gutierrez hopes to attend Daytona State University and major in business.
“I’m so thankful and excited to receive this recognition of All-Section. I believe there were others on my team who deserved it more, but it was a team effort and I appreciate each and every one of them,” shared Gutierrez.
#15: Abby Noah, junior midfielder
Noah is a force in the midfield. She is center midfielder for the lady Bobcats—her role is to generate offensive play through the center of the field, but also track back to help the defense. Her skill level, communication, and both offensive and defensive skills make her noticeable during a game. She also works well with her teammates and is there to offer advice and encouragement during games. Noah is a three-year high school letter winner and has been playing soccer for 12 years.
“I am so honored to be named All-Section and am excited to get the cool patch [for your letterman jacket] they give you,” shared Noah.
#20: Hailey Tooch, junior defender
Tooch is a center back for the Bobcats—arguably the most critical position on the field because she can see the whole field and needs to communicate with the team during games. Tooch is a brick wall on the Bobcats’ defensive line. Her work ethic, communication, and skill make her noticeable from any position on the field. She has been playing soccer since she was three years old and is a three-year high school varsity letter winner.
“I was completely shocked being named All-Section, it is such an honor. With the help of my teammates, I was able to play some of my best soccer this year,” said Tooch.