Girls soccer 2023: Avon's Ariana Vakos has few peers when it comes to her all-around talent, work ethic

Ariana Vakos checks all the boxes. The Avon senior is a Division I commit, headed to the University of Akron next fall, one of the top goalkeepers in Ohio, a game-changer in the midfield and a coach's dream with her work ethic and leadership qualities. Now she's hoping she can make her final high school season one to remember and help lead the Eagles on another deep tournament run. "I'm really excited for my senior year," Vakos said. "Last year, big year. Going to go out with a bang hopefully." Vakos can usually be found in goal, where she earned second-team All-Ohio honors last year. But if Avon needs a boost in the midfield, she'll swap jerseys and lead the team from the front. "It's very rare that you see someone who can play the field and be one of the of the top players on the field and also be a top-notch goalkeeper," Avon coach Attila Csiszar said. "It's very difficult because it's two totally different positions with different skill sets, but she's just a different breed." Vakos has been playing soccer since she was 5 years old and Csiszar has been coaching her almost as long. But as talented as Vakos is, Csiszar said it's really her passion and work ethic that sets her apart from other elite players. "This is not a hobby for Ariana, this is her life," Csiszar said. "She lives it, eats it and breathes it. She's willing to do the things that separate herself from the rest. Players like that are hard to come by. "She's a player who's willing to get pushed, she has the special mentality. I've coached her since she was 6. There have been ups and downs but she wants to compete in every aspect of the game so I don't really have to push her too much." Vakos comes from a family of talented athletes. Her father, Mike, was a state champion wrestler in his native Illinois and her brother, Nathanial, is currently kicking at the University of Wisconsin. While she played multiple sports growing up, she decided pretty early that soccer was No. 1. "I just kinda started when I was young and it was the game I fell in love with," she said. "I was always a multisport athlete but I narrowed it down to my love for soccer. The people, the coaches, the environment, and just how fun the game is to play. I've met teammates and made friends all across the world." As for playing multiple positions, that just evolved from being a team player. "Growing up I always played both, I just went wherever my coach needed me, which helped me as I got older," Vakos said. As a junior, Vakos made 65 saves and was a part of 10 shutouts, splitting goalie duties with Sevilla Anderson. Vakos' offensive role has expanded this season. Through the Eagles' first four games, Vakos led the team with four goals while also making 10 saves and being a part of two shutout wins. "I've never had a goalkeeper before who could come out and change the game the way Ariana can," Csiszar said. "It's been amazing to watch her grow up. It's bittersweet knowing she'll be gone after this year. When she leaves she's going to take a piece of my heart." Vakos said her family, Csiszar and others have been instrumental throughout her career. With her days in a Avon uniform winding down, she wants to be there in the same way for her fellow Eagles. "The people around me and the support I've received is really what has pushed me," she said. "Even on the worst days I've always had people supporting me and driving me to keep working hard. I want to be that loud voice to help others, especially the younger kids on our team. I want to be that older sister to guide them through their high school experience." Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.