GIRLS SOCCER: Nederland’s Sheppard earns 22-5A soccer MVP honor

Published 1:33 pm Thursday, April 19, 2018

Nederland’s high-scoring junior Meg Sheppard was named District 22-5A most valuable player in girls soccer.

Sheppard was one of two Bulldogs who received superlative honors as the district announced its award winners Thursday. Sophomore Hailey Kimler was crowned newcomer of the year.

Meg Sheppard of Nederland scored 46 goals in a District 22-5A MVP campaign. (I.C. Murrell/The News)

Sheppard capped a stellar season in which she scored 46 goals, two more than last year, and 15 assists in helping the Bulldogs win a share of the district championship.

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Libbie LeJeune of Port Neches-Groves took home goalkeeper of the year accolades. LeJeune played a big role in the Indians’ 23 shutouts, including making two key stops in the final minute of regulation of last Friday’s 5A Region III semifinal loss to Tomball (4-1 in shootout after a scoreless tie).

PNG senior Mackenzie Tindel shared the midfielder of the year award with Vidor freshman Brooklyn Healy. PNG coach Aimee Bates was named coach of the year after leading the Indians to their fourth straight regional tournament, fifth straight regional quarterfinal and 10th district title (shared with Nederland) in her 17 years at the helm.

Port Arthur Memorial picked up a superlative award when sophomore Guadalupe Contreras shared the utility player of the year honor with Vidor junior Mallory Chilton.

Lumberton took home the defensive (Landrie Young) and offensive (Kambrie McFarland) player of the year awards.

All-district first-team players include: From PNG, Ariel Muller, Jillian Flores, Kacie Wallace and Mia Delgadillo; from Nederland, Jordan Minaldi, Destyn Miguez, Phoebe Short and Madison Diaz, from Memorial, Blanca Orozco and Arianna Fernandez; from Vidor, Jaci Mathews, Kelsie Droptini and Nyah Sciarrilla; from Livingston, Tyler Jackson; and from Lumberton, Emily Bowman and Raegan Bowman.

The second-team players are: From Memorial, Ivana Pagoaga and Jatsari Morales; from PNG, Izzy Volk, Halley Smith and Kaylee Landry; from Nederland, Skylar Thomassie, Jenna Brekel and Abby Gray; from Beaumont Central, Lorena Garcia; from Livingston, Jaqueline Rodriguez and Chelsey Johns; from Lumberton, Baylee Flowers and Isabell Bassa; and from Vidor, Kameron Bailey and Reagan Castilaw.

About I.C. Murrell

I.C. Murrell was promoted to editor of The News, effective Oct. 14, 2019. He previously served as sports editor since August 2015 and has won or shared eight first-place awards from state newspaper associations and corporations. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, grew up mostly in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

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