Six East Duplin soccer players make the all-district team

The East Duplin’s girls soccer team made history this season by advancing to the third round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state playoffs for the first time in school history.

The Panthers also clinched their second conference title in three years and finished the season with a record of 17-6-2. None of these accomplishments would have been possible; however, without the standout performances of starters Anamarie Rodriguez, Rilee Kisler, Elleanna Rogers, Katelyn Jones, Bella Gaby, and Savannah Hill who were recognized for their excellent play by being selected the North Carolina Coaches Association 2A All-District Team for district 3.

Freshman striker Annamarie Rodriguez and junior midfielder Katelyn Jones made the all-district team thanks to their ability to deliver goals for the Panthers as both players averaged around a goal a game. Rodriguez led all players on the team scoring 20 goals in 21 games, and Jones was second in the team in scoring with 19 goals in 25 games.

East Duplin head coach Joey Jones said that Rodriguez only joined the team after the first four games of the season; however, she made an instant impact scoring four goals for the Panthers in her first game which was a 7-2 victory against Community Christian on March 9. In the next three games, she went on to score a total of six more goals to earn two more hattricks and earn 10 goals in her first four games.

“She came out like a storm,” Jones said. “I think she had three or four goals the first night. In about three games there she had about … 10 goals or something, and I mean it was a pleasant surprise.”

Rodriguez joining the team up front also seemed to free up Katelyn Jones, who with less of the scoring pressure on her, found more freedom to get open and score.

In Rodriguez’s first four games with the team, Jones found the goal seven times— scoring once against Community Christian in their 7-2 victory on March 9, twice against James Kenan in their 9-0 victory on March 12, and four times against South Lenoir in another 9-0 victory on March 15.

Jones’ scoring ability also benefited Rodriguez, of course, and head coach Joey Jones said the two of them together made for an excellent attacking front.

“Kailtyn (and) Annamarie— we seemed to run them together most of the time, and they kind of feed off each other,” Jones said. “Kaitlyn had a good solid year up on the front line contributing to the scoring and everything offensively.”

Another attacking presence for a team (who also made all-district) was senior attacking midfielder Elleanna Rogers who led the team in assists with eight while also finishing third on the team in goals with 11 in 24 appearances for the team.

Joey Jones said that Rogers played a key part in their attack by being a versatile player who could be used in any part of the field.

“She played (as) an outside midfielder. (She) was left footed, but we used her on the right about as much as we did on the left. She did a good job of getting the ball back in the middle. She scored some goals of course. She (also) did a good job of taking the ball and getting it in front of the goal,” Jones said.

In addition to the three offensive players who made the all-district team, three defensive players also made the all-district team for the Panthers and those players were sophomore center back Savannah Hill, junior outside back Bella Gaby, and senior outside back Rilee Kisler.

Joey Jones said that Hill led the defensive line playing in the middle and often times was charged with marking the other team’s striker or best scorer.

“A lot of people play four in the back … in a line. We play in a diamond, and Savannah played in the top of that diamond as a stopper, and she had a really good defensive year. She was who was assigned to the other team’s strong scorer. We assigned her to kind of shadow that player and kind of keep her out of the scorebook and literally try to make the team beat us with somebody else.”

Jones said that Gaby and Kisler also played a big part in their defensive plans by stopping outside runs and preventing passes into the box.

“Bella Gabby and Elle Kreiger, they were our two outside defenders, (and) they had really good seasons,” Jones said. “They were a little bit like books ends. They anchored the outside, did a good job of defending who they had and contributed to the team pretty well: both of them.”

When looking back on the season Jones said he was regretful that only six of his players were able to earn spots on the all-district team when there were many others who were talented as well; however, with so many young athletes on the team, he said he believes they will be a strong presence for at least the next few seasons.

“The region team, the all-area team, the all-conference … the sad thing is we had some players that their names didn’t get on it that contributed also. (They) just don’t have enough spots,” Jones said.

“We just had so many contributors it was hard to come down to some that were the top ones. I think we are going to be fairly competitive for the next couple of years.”