Montesano’s Mikayla Stanfield named 1A Evergreen League MVP

East County rivals Monte, Elma dominate league awards

By Ryan Sparks • November 9, 2021 5:00 am
DAILY WORLD FILE PHOTO Montesano forward Mikayla Stanfield, left, is marked by Elma Defender Diana Guzman during a game earlier this season. Stanfield led the 1A Evergreen League in goals this season and was named League MVP last week. Guzman was named a First Team All-League defender.
DAILY WORLD FILE PHOTO Montesano forward Mikayla Stanfield, left, is marked by Elma Defender Diana Guzman during a game earlier this season. Stanfield led the 1A Evergreen League in goals this season and was named League MVP last week. Guzman was named a First Team All-League defender.

It goes without saying that scoring goals is pretty important in the game of soccer, and nobody in the 1A Evergreen League scored more than standout Montesano forward Mikayla Stanfield.

For her efforts, Stanfield was named the 1A Evergreen League Player of the Year the league announced last week.

Stanfield scored 30 goals in total through the regular season and district-playoffs and is the tip of the spear of a Bulldogs offense that scored 71 goals this season, an average of 4.2 goals-per-game heading into the state tournament this week.

Montesano (15-2 overall) won the league crown with a perfect 8-0 regular season and was awarded with the most First Team honors and the bulk of the top league hardware.

In addition to Stanfield, Montesano’s Paige Lisherness won the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season. Monte’s 6-foot senior midfielder is arguably the steadiest and most versatile player in the league, often positioned as a defensive or “holding” midfielder that stops opponent possessions cold then transitioning into offense, feeding tantalizing scoring opportunities to Stanfield and the Bulldogs’ other prolific goal-scorer in forward Jaiden Morrison, who was named to the First Team.

DAILY WORLD FILE PHOTO Montesano midfielder Paige Lisherness was named the 1A Evergreen League’s Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

DAILY WORLD FILE PHOTO Montesano midfielder Paige Lisherness was named the 1A Evergreen League’s Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

In total, Montesano garnered seven First Team and top league honors, with midfielder Jaiden King, defenders Sophie Kupka and Emma Salazar being named First Team and Monte head coach Fidel Sanchez and his staff honored as the league’s Coaching Staff of the Year.

The Elma Eagles, which placed second in the league this season with its only league losses coming against Montesano, also earned multiple First Team honors.

The Eagles (11-7-1, 6-2 league) turned heads this season as a young up-and-coming with a ton of speed up front and talent throughout its lineup, earning four First Team All-League awards.

Senior keeper Grace Koonrad was named the league’s First Team keeper while freshman forward Beta Valentine, midfielder Eliza Sibbett and defender Diana Guzman were all named to the league’s top team.

The full team is as follows:

DAILY WORLD FILE PHOTO Elma forward Beta Valentine was named to the 1A Evergreen League’s First Team after placing second in the league in goals scored.

DAILY WORLD FILE PHOTO Elma forward Beta Valentine was named to the 1A Evergreen League’s First Team after placing second in the league in goals scored.

2021 1A Evergreen All-League Girls Soccer Team

Player of the Year — Mikalya Stanfield, Montesano

Offensive Player of the Year — Megan Letts, Tenino

Defensive Player of the Year — Paige Lisherness, Montesano

Coaching Staff of the Year — Montesano

First Team

Goalkeeper — Grace Koonrad, Elma

Forwards — Jaiden Morrison, Montesano; Beta Valentine, Elma

Midfielders — Jaiden King, Montesano; Alivia Hunter, Tenino; Eliza Sibbett, Elma; Hailey Rath, Eatonville

Defenders — Sophie Kupka, Montesano; Emma Salazar, Montesano; Andee Schaffran, Tenino; Diana Guzman, Elma

DAILY WORLD FILE PHOTO Hoquiam midfielder Emma Johnson (19) was one of two Grizzlies named to the 1A Evergreen League’s Second team along with teammate Briana Herrera (defender).

DAILY WORLD FILE PHOTO Hoquiam midfielder Emma Johnson (19) was one of two Grizzlies named to the 1A Evergreen League’s Second team along with teammate Briana Herrera (defender).

Second Team

Goalkeeper — Riley Timmons, Montesano

Forwards — Abby Severse, Tenino; Emma Johnson, Hoquiam

Midfielders — Grace Vestal, Tenino; Grace Spencer, Elma; Janessa Sample, Elma; Michelle Kahler, Eatonville

Defenders — Madi Campbell, Montesano; Briana Herrera, Hoquiam; Amaya Lewis, Elma; Dakota Smith, Eatonville

Honorable Mention

Montesano — Vanna Prom, Sierra Birdsall

Elma — Miley Seaberg, Chloe Clark

Hoquiam — Ellie Winkelman, Katie Burnett

Tenino — Trinity Tafoya, Kayla Feltus, Morgan Miner

Eatonville — Ryan Stammen, Hailey Courson

DAILY WORLD FILE PHOTO Montesano defender Sophie Kupka (2) was named to the 1A Evergreen League as a First Team defender while teammate Jaiden King, right, was named a First Team midfielder as the league announced its all-league team last week.

DAILY WORLD FILE PHOTO Montesano defender Sophie Kupka (2) was named to the 1A Evergreen League as a First Team defender while teammate Jaiden King, right, was named a First Team midfielder as the league announced its all-league team last week.

DAILY WORLD FILE PHOTO Elma goal keeper Grace Koonrad was named the 1A Evergreen League’s First Team goal keeper as the league announced its all-league awards last week.

DAILY WORLD FILE PHOTO Elma goal keeper Grace Koonrad was named the 1A Evergreen League’s First Team goal keeper as the league announced its all-league awards last week.