Mattoon sophomore Lily Ghere was named to the all-state girls soccer team, while her dad, Ryan Ghere, was named the sectional coach of the year by the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association.
Lily Ghere scored 39 goals and recorded 27 assists, eclipsing the MHS single-season mark. She scored in all except three of the Green Wave’s 19 games.
Ryan Ghere guided the girls team into the second round of the IHSA regional playoffs and a 14-5 overall record.
“Lily was a great scorer and was also unselfish when she was double-teamed in the box,” Ryan Ghere said. “She gave our team multiple goal opportunities on her corner kicks and free kicks.”
Faith Niebrugge earned all-Sectional honors after breaking her own single-season scoring record with 43 goals this season. The junior also broke the MHS career scoring record with 78 goals.
“Faith is such an aggressive player in the penalty box,” Ryan Ghere said. “She wants to score every time she receives the ball. Faith always plays with passion and her will to win is second to none.”
Sophomore Taylor Kovach earned a sectional honorable mention for her play both at midfield and on defense. Kovach scored three goals and assisted on eight others.
“She did an excellent job of distributing the ball on offense and was a great defender when we needed her to be,” Ryan Ghere said. “I cannot wait to see how good Taylor can become in the next two seasons.”
Coles County Sports 