Brittany D'Addio, Pope John Paul II: Post All-Area small school girls soccer player of the year

Friday, March 26, 2010
by Joseph Kairalla

Brittany D'Addio. (Photo by Damon Higgins / The Palm Beach Post

Entering the season, you wouldn't expect Brittany D'Addio to match her outstanding numbers from her junior season.

And you'd be right. Instead, the Pope John Paul II junior surpassed them while leading the Eagles to the Class 2A regional finals.

D'Addio led Palm Beach County in scoring for the second straight year. After tallying 37 goals and 27 assists as a junior, D'Addio totaled 36 goals and 31 assists as a senior. Midway through the season, she became the first player in school history to register more than 100 goals and 100 assists for her career.

"Looking back on those numbers, I take a lot of pride in what I was able to accomplish," said D'Addio, who will play at Flagler College. "It's nice to know that all the hard work paid off."

D'Addio is far from a selfish player who only cares about numbers. The Eagles enjoyed the best year in D'Addio's four seasons, going 18-5-2 and reaching the regional finals, where they fell to eventual state champion American Heritage. Team success means more to D'Addio than any scoring records.

"I know it sounds like a typical response, but I don't really worry about scoring as much as if we win," she said. "The fun I had bonding with my team this year was just as good, if not better, than any goal I've ever scored."

D'Addio spent the past four years playing for her father, Bill, who resigned after the season. Playing for her father had its ups and downs.

"It was good because my dad is a great coach, but at the same time, people acted like I got things handed to me, and that was far from the case," she said. "Sometimes I don't think people realized how hard I worked."

D'Addio had always let her play speak for itself, but after being voted team captain, she took on a bigger leadership role.

"I've always been a shy person," D'Addio said. "But when my team trusted me to be captain, I knew I couldn't let them down."

COACH OF THE YEAR:

Bill D'Addio

Pope John Paul II

In his final year coaching, he led the Eagles to an 18-5-2 record and a berth in the regional finals.

FIRST TEAM:

Goalkeeper: Sam Perretty, American Heritage, Sr.

Posted 17 shutouts in 28 matches, helping the Stallions to the state championship.

Defender: Melissa Bergstein, American Heritage, Jr.

One of the top defenders, she helped the Stallions post 17 shutouts.

Defender: Miranda Fyfe, American Heritage, Jr.

Joined with Bergstein to form a dominant backline. Also had two goals and five assists.

Defender: Cara Horton, Pope John Paul II, Sr.

A true defender, she also had six goals and 19 assists for the Eagles.

Midfielder: Gilda Doria, King's Academy, Sr.

Battled injuries but returned to lead the Lions to the 2A regional finals. A Duke signee.

Midfielder: Christina Cobb, American Heritage, Sr.

Posted 15 goals and seven assists in 20 games for the state champions.

Midfielder: Andrea Jefferson, King's Academy, Sr.

A dominant offensive force, scored seven playoff goals to go with 21 in the regular season.

Midfielder: Lauren Silver, American Heritage, Jr.

Great on offense and defense, had 25 points in 26 matches for the Stallions.

Forward: Laura Weinberg, St. Andrew's, Sr.

A down year for the Scots, but not Weinberg, who scored 20 goals in just 16 matches.

Forward: Tatiana Penagos, American Heritage, So.

The leading scorer for the 2A state champs had 21 goals and 14 assist in 24 matches.

Forward: Sydney Parodie, American Heritage, So.

Unbelievably consistent for a sophomore, scoring 49 points in 28 matches.

SECOND TEAM:

G: Catalina Perez, St Andrew's, Fr.

D: Morgan Currie, Pope John Paul II, Sr.

D: Sydney Griffith, St Andrew's, So.

D: Laura Geisler, Boca Christian, Jr.

M: Danielle Marra, Am. Heritage, Jr.

M: Hannah Brammer, PJ Paul II, Sr.

M: Katie Capobianco, PJ Paul II, Sr.

F: Jodi Bronstien, Cardinal Newman, Sr.

F: Sarah Coy, American Heritage, Fr.

F: Gabby Hurtado, Boca Christian, 8th

F: Jennifer Collins, King's Academy, Sr.

HONORABLE MENTION:

St. Andrew's — Ana Clements; Pope John Paul II — Alexa Pack, Hannah Brammer, Lindsay Brammer; Cardinal Newman — Kristin Temple, Erick McGrath, Alex Hendersen, Giavanna Calabria, Zoe Zelazny; American Heritage — Ashley Ulbrich, Arielle Gonzalez, Danelle Nguyen; Lake Worth Christian — Tiffany Anderson; Jupiter Christian — Alyssa Hearing, Kim Lopez, Maureen Mikosz, Emily Soricelli, Kiana Riviera; King's Academy — Stephanie Czajkowski; Trinity Christian — Denise Mera, Ingoo Lee.