Maybe it's because more of the fairer sex seem to be flocking to the game right now in Southern Indiana. There is, after all, not as many sports to choose from as there is for boys, paving the way for greater participation.
As well as Southern Indiana United, they've also got the added choice of a growing all girls' club in the shape of Net-Surfers. And then there’s Louisville. And with more choice comes more competition and better coaching.
Or maybe it's just a coincidence. Whatever the reason, it is encouraging that eight of the 11 players picked for our girls' team will be returning next year. And the number is representative of what's going on in all the area's high schools.
Most boys' coaches were rebuilding having lost a number of seniors last year and hopefully the standard will improve as the current players mature. However, why there was no one there ready to step into their shoes possibly needs addressing.
Can teams get better and compete in regionals, semi-state and even beyond? We now have the introduction of academies which, it is hoped, can move the game onto another level if done properly with the right coaches. We have the Deanery Leagues, a good way of introducing children to a game they may never have played.
We need, however, to push for schools - all schools - to play the game at elementary and middle-school level. We need people who have the will to make this happen.
People often point to Indianapolis and surrounding areas being dominant. We can't compete with their numbers, their clubs, their facilities. This isn’t a soccer area.
I point to southern Indiana's Evansville Memorial (a Catholic school with an enrollment of 864), winners of its first ever boys' state tournament Saturday (1-0) and ranked number one in the United States. And I point to finalist Chesterton, a northern Indiana public comprehensive, in its first ever state championship match.
Now tell me it can’t be done.
BOYS (3-4-3)
Seth Quinn, Jeffersonville
"The Red Devils' goalkeeper put in some fine performances, instrumental in a sectional semi-final victory over Providence, which included a penalty save in overtime He also conceded just twice against Kentucky's finest, St Xavier, in a regular season game when peppered with 22 shots, a performance coach Ryan Bixler described as "an unbelievable effort."
Brad Starck, Providence
A strong presence in Pioneer's central defense this season. The senior was an integral part of last year's regional winning team and performed well in his final game against Jeffersonville.
Daniel Carillo, Jeffersonville
The Red Devils senior played in a number of positions and impressed this onlooker when used in defense.
Alex Jaber, Charlestown
Jaber, a senior, was described this season by his coach, Richard Stephens, as a top notch defender and the Mockingbird player impressed in several games against mostly superior opposition.
Ben Hughes, Providence
The junior central midfielder was important to the Pioneers' cause this campaign and scored in the crunch sectional tie against Jeffersonville. It’s unfortunate that the year ended for him with two penalty misses - one in overtime - as his displays didn’t serve it. However, he will at least get the chance to bounce back and lead Providence as a senior.
Austin Waterfield-Copeland, Jeffersonville
The senior, also a wrestler, added some muscle to the Jeffersonville midfield and helped them reach the regional semi-final, where they went down by the dreaded penalty shootout to Madison.
Jordan Adams, Floyd Central
Floyd Central fielded a young team this season, with just three seniors in the squad. In fact, five of its starters in sectionals were sophomores and three were freshman. And among the young crew coming through is 10th grader Jordan Adams, who bagged a hat-trick against Salem, while showing promise in others, including the hard fought win against New Albany to retain the sectional crown.
Scott Meneou, Jeffersonville
Scored an important equalizer for Jeffersonville against Providence in an energy-sapping semi-final but the Red Devils' missed his attacking abilities in the regional semi-final penalty shoot out loss to Madison through injury. As a junior, he gets a chance to return next year with a sectional under his belt.
Lucas Rigsby, Jeffersonville
Only a freshman but has proven himself capable of competing with the big boys this fall and now has a sectional title to go with the Indiana State Challenge Cup victory with SIU Rampage U14s earlier this year. He will be a big asset in the years to come.
Keenan Sparks, Providence
The sophomore forward actually plays a more defensive role for his club Javanon, but with the Pioneers was strong and busy in offense.
Nathan Driggers, New Albany
Bound for Division 1 program Ohio State next year, the area’s outstanding player took a little time to reveal his true ability but once he got going he was hard to keep down. Scored three long range efforts in one day - two against North Harrison in the sectional semi-final and the other against Floyd Central in the final - before keeping his best for last, slicing through the Highlanders’ defense and hammering home a delicious equalizer.
GIRLS (4-4-2)
Kayla Prusinski, Floyd Central
Kayla played an important part in helping the Highlanders secure its sectional crown and made a number of saves in the first half of the regional decider against Columbus North to keep Floyd Central in with a shout of causing an upset.
Lindsay Hack, New Albany
Of great assistance to New Albany's rearguard this fall, Lindsay is a sophomore among a number of pretty useful 9th and 10th graders coming through the ranks for the Bulldogs.
Jill Grable, Providence
A solid defender in a pretty stout defense, while also not adverse to scoring either.
Megan Eve, Providence
The sophomore has been a rock at right back for Providence team in a regular season which saw them lose only twice before State tournament play.
Brigid Morrissey, Floyd Central (above, left)
The Highlander left-back was part of a team that kept clean sheets against New Albany, Providence and Jeffersonville in regular season, while continuing her form into post-season also. One of the first onto the teamsheet.
Sara Moore, Providence (above, right)
This tall and imposing midfielder will play an integral part in the Pioneers' bid for sectional honors this week. As well as commandeering the center of the field, she has also pitched in with a number of goals.
Nikki Korte, Floyd Central
The Highlander central midfield junior was selected after her performance against New Albany in sectionals but it was her next effort against Providence in the final which stands out as her best of the season. Will be back next year in an attempt to lead Floyd further than this year's regional final appearance against Columbus North.
Kaitlin Robinett, New Albany
Despite her tendency to get a little frustrated sometimes, there's something about Kaitlin Robinett's fiesty play that can appeal. Part of a State title winning team in the shape of Mockingbird's U15s this summer, she carried her good form and skill into the high school season.
Kayton Cole, New Albany
There may have been a certain naivety in the game of this freshman, but her raw talent and prospect for improvement is obvious. Her throw-ins are fired like missiles into the danger areas - a valuable weapon in her armory.
Laura Jenkins, Providence
One of the driving forces behind this year's Providence team, both with assists and goals, the attacking junior has used her physical power to good advantage.
April Vanderplow, Floyd Central
Picking just one of Floyd Central's attackers for this team was probably the hardest choice I had to make. Becky Kennedy is faster than a scared cheetah and Kelsey Traughber has been a regular starter up front for the Highlanders, but I finally came down in favor of junior April Vanderplow. She first impressed when coming off the bench to score twice in a win against Bedford North Lawrence, but clinched her place with two important goals against Providence which secured the sectional title.
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