Best of the best: Meet Greater Fall River's Girls Soccer All-Scholastics

It was a soild fall season for Greater Fall River girls soccer teams.

Four local squads each punched their ticket to the postseason, including Westport getting their first playoff win in program's history.

The Wildcats' Korynne Holden was named the 2023 Herald News Player of the Year, leading Westport to its best record since bringing back the program in 2015. They also won the program's first-ever postseason game.

The Herald News is pleased to announce the 2023 Girls Soccer All-Scholastic teams from Greater Fall River high schools.

Player of the Year

Korynne Holden, Westport 

Holden had a season to remember for the upstart Wildcats this past fall.

The senior two-time co-captain was named the Mayflower Athletic Conference all-star and voted Eastern Massachusetts Girls Soccer Coaches Association Division 5 Player of the Year. 

The Westport attacking midfielder finished with 15 goals and five assists for 35 points. Holden, who was named an All State and Eastern Massachusetts first teamer, also recorded four-game winners. She helped lead the Wildcats to the best overall record since girls soccer was brought back to Westport in 2015.

She is highly driven student in the classroom and possesses a tremendous work ethic on the field. Holden is a great example of a team leader. 

This is Holden's third straight Herald News All-Scholastic honors.

First team

Kiara Almeida, Diman

Almeida had a great final season for the Bengals this past fall ... she was named a Mayflower Athletic Conference all-star ... arguably the best left midfielder in the MAC Large conference ... handles the ball well and is a leader on the field ... a four-year starter and senior captain ... this is Almeida's second straight Herald News All-Scholastic honors.

Cidney Barboza, Atlantis Charter

Barbosa was very versatile on both ends of the field for the Tritons this past fall ... the senior central Midfield/Central defenser was a playmaker from the sweeper position ... pass completiton rate and successful action surpassed 30% ... averaged 35 touches per game ... this is Barboza's first Herald News All-Scholastics honors.

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Kaitlyn Coutu, Durfee

Coutu was one of the strong pieces for the Hilltoppers this past fall ... she was named a Southeast Conference all-star ... the junior striker/winger tallied 11 goals and had seven assists ... finished third for Durfee in points with 29 ... scored the winning goal against Bridgewater-Raynham to secure the program's first-ever SEC title ... named to the Eastern Mass Girls Soccer second team ... helped the Hilltoppers to 13-3-2 record and postseason berth.

Julia George, Westport

George enjoyed a solid campaign for the Wildcats this past fall ... she was named a Mayflower Athletic Conference Comprehensive all-star ... the junior midfielder scored six goals and collected seven assists ... tallied four game-winners ... helped lead Westport to 12-5-1 mark and the program's first playoff win ... tremendous potential and strong on the ball ... this is George's first Herald News All-Scholastic honor.

Julia Hargraves, Durfee

Julia enjoyed a great final season for the Hilltoppers this past fall ... she was named a Southeast Conference all-star ... the senior captain finished with 14 Goals, 11 assists and a team-high 39 points ...eclipsed the 100-point club this season, becoming the ninth member (between both Durfee soccer programs) ... finished her career with 120 total points  and 48 goals ... helped lead the Southeast champion Hilltoppers to 13-3-2 record, a 14-game unbeaten streak and postseason berth ... this is Julia's third Herald News All-Scholastic honors.

Madeline Hargraves, Durfee

Maddie had a great campaign for the Southeast champion Hilltoppers this past fall ... she was named a SEC all-star ... the sophomore forward had a team-high 15 goals and five assists ... second in team points with a total of 35 ...  was awarded the SEC Most Valuable Player ... also named All-State and Eastern Mass Girls Soccer first team ... received the team's Offensive Player award ...  helped lead the Southeast champion Hilltoppers to 13-3-2 record, a 14-game unbeaten streak and postseason berth ... this is Maddie's second straight Herald News All-Scholastic honors. 

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Elizabeth Kinnane, Diman

Kinnane had another all-star season for the Bengals in 2023 ... she was named a Mayflower Athletic Conference all-star ... the senior captain finished with an area-high 26 goals and 12 assists ... collected more than 60 goals in three season ... a three time league all-star and team Most Valuable Player her junior and senior season ... helped Diman to a postseason berth ... this is Kinnane's second consecutive Herald News All-Scholastic honors.

Lilah Krauzyk, Diman

Krauzyk had another great season on defense for the Bengals this past fall ... the junior captain covered the opponent's best player ... defensive player of the year in her freshman and sophomore years from her sweeper position ... helped lead Diman to a postseason berth ... this is Krauzyk's second straight Herald News All-Scholastic honors.

Lauren Roosa, Somerset Berkley

Roosa had a solid year for the Raiders in 2023 ... she was named a South Coast Conference all-star ... the senior striker led the team in goals scored with 12 ... also contributed five assists ... dangerous player near the net ... helped lead SBR to a 10-6-2 mark and berth in the Division 2 Round of 16 ... this is Roosa's first Herald News All-Scholastic honors.

Abigail Saunders, Durfee

Saunders played a significant role at the defensive midfield position this past season ... she was named a Southeast Conference all-star ... the junior defender helped Durfee achieve an unbeaten 14-game streak with her physical and overall work ethic ... played a role in the six shutouts during that span ... awarded the team's Defensive Player of the Year .. has great stamina ... helped the Hilltoppers win their first SEC league title in program's history ... this is Saunders' first Herald News All-Scholastic honors.

Lily Veracka, Westport

Veracka bursted onto the scene in a big way as a seventh grader for the Wildcats ... she was named a Mayflower Athletic Conference all-star ... the star forward scored the most goals (22) in school history by any Westport varsity player ... had five-game winners and was four-for-four on penalty kicks ... scored the most points (49) in the area ... she has an amazing skill set and exciting player to watch ... this is Veracka's first Herald News All-Scholastics honors. 

Maddie Willis, Somerset Berkley

Willis was a wall between the pipes for the Raiders all season long this past fall ... she was named a South Coast Conference all-star ... the sophomore goalkeeper finished with 181 saves on the season ... averaged nine saves per game ... helped lead SBR to a 10-6-2 mark and berth in the Division 2 Round of 16 ... this is Willis's first Herald News All-Scholastic honors.

Second team

Gianna Botelho, Case

Jayda Braga, Atlantis Charter

Skyla Carvalho, Diman

Julia Costa, Somerset Berkley

Sophia Esteves, Atlantis Charter

Emily Fernandes, Somerset Berkley

Rachel Ferreira, Case

Sophia Ferreira, Atlantis Charter

Lilah Krauzyk, Diman

Kambree Nell, Case

Makenzie Pires, Somerset Berkley

Julia Raposa, Durfee

Julia Ribon, Atlantis Charter

Rachael Silva, Durfee

Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @Chezsports.