Six Levittown Soccer Players Earn All-State Accolades

It was an exceptional year on the soccer pitch for MacArthur, Division and Island Trees. Teams at all three schools experienced successful seasons, with the Lady Generals of MacArthur claiming the New York State Class AA championship.

Six players from these schools earned All-State honors after their performances in 2011. The awards are determined annually by the New York State Sportswriters and Coaches Organization for Girls Sports (NYSSCOGS) and the New York State Sportswriters Association (NYSSWA).

At the top of that list is MacArthur senior Jill Mulholland, who not only earned first team All-State, but also was named the Class AA Co-Player of the Year with Samantha McGuire of John Jay. Mulholland was also named an All-American player after leading her team to an 18-2-0 overall record with 17 goals and 11 assists.

“If you have seen Jill [Mulholland] play, you know she is an All-American,” said MacArthur head coach Lauren Gotta. “She always had more than one person marking her, but she always managed to still be the player that shines on the field.” 

Senior teammate Kelly Kempf earned second team All-State honors after proving her status as one of the top defenders in Class AA. The MacArthur defense let up just eight total goals in its 20 games in the fall season.

“They both have been on the team since eighth grade and this was their senior year and they wanted to go out with a bang,” Gotta added. “They are definitely two of the top players to ever come through the program and having them on the team as captains helped build it.”

Mulholland will play soccer in 2012 at Hofstra University after her second All-State nomination (second team in 2010). Kempf will play at University of Albany after her second All-State nomination as well (fourth team in 2010).

For the first time in school history, the Island Trees boys soccer team had a player named to the All-Region team. Midfielder Adonis Martinez also has the distinction of being the only sophomore named to the All-Region team, which encompasses New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

"Adonis is a special player who is truly gifted," said Island Trees head coach Graham Radcliffe. "I have to be careful because I find myself getting caught up watching him play instead of coaching the team."

Junior defender Alexa Schneider headlined the selections for the Division girls with a first team All-State nomination. She played a prominent role in leading the Lady Blue Dragons to the Nassau County Class A finals after a 14-1-3 season. Schneider, who also earned the 2011 Conference I Player of the Year, helped the defense and goalkeeper Gina Fader to collect a new school record in shutouts.

“Alexa [Schneider] is one of the best defenders I have ever seen in all my 30 years coaching girls soccer,” said Division head coach Steve Kissane.

Senior midfielder Krista Fitzpatrick earned third team All-State honors in Class A. She tallied eight goals and a Division High School record 20 assists, and registered at least one point in all but two games during the fall season. With the 20 assists, Fitzpatrick set another school record for assists in a varsity career with 71.

“Our team was voted the best team in Nassau County for the regular season and won the Bob Bigelow Award for this, presented by the Coaches Association, in a large part due to the efforts of Krista and Alexa,” Kissane added.

For Island Trees, senior forward Allison Merrill earned second team All-State honors and helped the Bulldogs to a 13-2-0 overall record and a Class A playoff berth. Merrill scored 10 goals and assisted on four during the season for the Lady Dawgs, who were recognized as one of the top ranked teams in the state.