Nine local players named to All-Ohio soccer teams

The winning didn't stop for Lorain County with Sunday's state championship game. Nine Lorain County athletes were recognized for their achievements this year when the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association announced its All-Ohio team Monday. Avon, Avon Lake and Open Door led the way with one player named to the boys and girls All-Ohio teams. Amherst, Firelands and Vermilion each had one player honored. Logan Fitchko, who was a captain on Avon's state champion team, was named to the boys Division II team. Eagles sophomore forward Sydney Thomas, who led her team with 23 goals, was named to the Division II girls team. "It's a really good feeling," Thomas said. "My coaches obviously put a lot of effort into me. It really means a lot to me to be All-Ohio because it was a goal for me, it was something I strived to do." Thomas nearly doubled her goal total from her freshman year as she moved into a new role as the leader of the offense. "There were a lot of good seniors last year," Thomas said. "This year I kinda had to step up and make everybody feel more comfortable. It felt really great to play a big role for my team. It was an honor and I tried to be the best I could be for my teammates." Comets senior midfielder Isabelle McGee also earned her spot on the Division II team by being a dynamic offensive threat who could fill the back of the net or dish to teammates. "I was really excited and honestly a little surprised. I'm really grateful I had the opportunity to earn the award," said McGee, who had 12 goals and nine assists. "I'm glad I got to play with the girls I got to play with. I tried to help my team the best I could." None of the local All-Ohioans passed the ball quite like Open Door's Liam Bores. Bores, A Division V honoree, had a team-high 20 assists to go along with nine goals as the Patriots won a district title for the second year in a row. "This is probably the biggest accomplishment in my career so far. I'm really stoked about it," Bores said. "We put in the work and it feels great to have the success that we've had. I feel like we deserve it. The hard work and the offseason practices are finally paying off for us. It's awesome to be recognized for your success, but we have to keep pushing." Bores shares the All-Ohio spotlight with Patriots junior forward Claire Hepner, whose 17 goals and four assists earned her a spot on the Division V team. The two local Division IV selections took different routes to the All-Ohio roster. Vermilion's Brady Parker was among the area's leading scorers with 26 regular-season goals. Meanwhile, Jordyn Copley earned her spot on the All-Ohio list as one of the key defenders on Firelands' Lorain County League championship team. Copley also finished with four goals and five assists. After helping lead Avon Lake to the regional finals for the first time in school history, senior defender Drew Krupitzer got a spot on the Division II team. "I was super happy about it. I saw my teammates get the award last year and I was really hoping I could get it this year," said Krupitzer, who had seven goals and two assists while being part of a defensive unit that had 15 shutouts. "Defense was a big part of our team identity. I'm proud of myself but I couldn't have done it without my teammates." Shoregals senior Camryn Koski, who recently committed to play at Northern Kentucky, was a Division III selection after a 10-goal, nine-assist senior season. Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.