A pair of area seniors, DeSmet’s Louie Berra and Ursuline’s Maddie Friedmann, have been named National Soccer Coaches Association of America all-Americans.
Berra, a three-year starter in the midfield, recently helped DeSmet (25-4-1) capture the Missouri Class 3 championship, finishing among DeSmet’s scoring leaders with 19 goals and 13 assists.
Berra, who opened the scoring in both the semifinal and championship matches at state, will play at Ohio State University.
Friedmann, a member of Ursuline’s Class 3 runner-up squad last spring, had seven goals and two assists as a junior, but did her best work in the middle of the Bears’ backfield. She is headed to the University of Mississippi.
Following is a list of local players who received NSCAA All-Midwest honors:
• Boys: Brian Hail, DeSmet; Aris Nukic, Mehlville; Jeff Cameron, Hazelwood West; Zach Hollstrom, Fort Zumwalt West; Justin Bilyeu, CBC; Sean Clancy, Summit; Tyler Collico, O’Fallon
• Girls: Michelle Auer, Notre Dame; Kailey Utley, Pattonville; Mel Donaldson, Incarnate Word; Kelsey Dinges, Althoff
And, the NSCAA Midwest high school coaches of the year:
Boys
• Private/Parochial: John Mohrmann, Priory
• Large schools, public: Kyle Austin, Rock Bridge
• Small schools, public: Chris Miller, Southern Boone
Girls
• Private/parochial: Ben Timson, Springfield Catholic
• Large schools, public: Tom Rottjakob, Liberty
• Small schools, public: Brandon Cox, Orchard Farm
