Six named to All-Ohio soccer | News, Sports, Jobs - Morning Journal News

South Range senior midfielder Canaan Johnson and West Branch senior forward Lexi Biery were first-team selections in their respective divisions to highlight area soccer players on the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association All-Ohio teams.

Crestview senior defender Dale McGoogan, East Palestine forward Josh Welch and South Range senior forward Quinn Pierson were all Div. III second-team picks, while South Range freshman midfielder Gabby Lamparty was a second team pick in Div. III on the girls side.

Biery, a Div. II first-teamer, had 14 goals and 10 assists in leading the West Branch girls soccer team to a 14-3-1 record and a 6-0 mark in the Eastern Buckeye Conference. It was the Warriors’ sixth consecutive league title.

“Lexi is a very talented player whose work rate is rarely, if ever, matched,” West Branch coach Cheryl Ficco said. “She is the energy of our team, winning the ball in the midfield and getting forward in the attack. She is a team player and encourages all around her to become better.”

Biery was also a first-team district selection and was the EBC player of the year.

South Range’s boys soccer team had a boatload of talent to rely on in gaining a berth in the Div. III state semifinal this season and Johnson was one of the clear leaders.

Johnson, the Youngstown District Div. III player of the year, tallied 22 goals and 27 assists finishing his career with 56 goals (fourth all-time at Range) and 60 assists (first all-time at Range). His 27 assists was a season school record.

“Johnson being named first-team All-Ohio is a perfect way to wrap up one of the best soccer careers that a South Range Raider has ever had,” South Range coach Mike Bailey said. “This didn’t happen by mistake. Canaan has worked tirelessly year round on improving his play in all facets. He has been an incredible leader, and one of the most coachable kids I have ever had the pleasure to coach. I am so happy for him for receiving this distinguished recognition.”

Pierson was also right there with Johnson in scoring 25 goals and providing 11 assists. For his career he finished with 36 goals (seventh all-time at Range) and 18 assists.

“Quinn Pierson is a player that proves that hard work can lead you to accomplishing your dreams,” Bailey said. “He battled injury throughout his career, missing his entire freshman season. He played three quarters of this season with a broken nose and was an absolute nightmare for defenses all season long. Speed, strength, off ball pressure, and a knack for finishing the ball on the ground or out of the air makes Quinn as outstanding of a forward that you will find. I couldn’t be happier for him to see his perseverance land him on the All-Ohio teams.”

Welch was a terror against defenses in the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference as he had a school-record 41 goals this season. He also holds the Bulldog single-season assist record with 23 in 2017.

His 100 career goals puts him at the top of the school’s all-time scoring chart. He is also tied for the school’s career record in assists with 43.

“Josh is a very skilled player who plays year round,” East Palestine coach Rob Patterson said. “He is very knowledgeable and understands the game better then most his age. He is also does well academically.”

McGoogan, a four-year lettermen, did whatever the Rebels needed him to do this season. Offensively the 6-foot-4, 190-pounder scored 16 goals and had 13 assists, but could do many things.

“Positionally speaking, he played in a rotation of assignments for our team this season (as he did each season), contingent on our opponent and needs,” Crestview coach Jonathan Kinkead said. “This year, more so than others, Dale played forward in an attacking role.”

Off the field, McGoogan has a 3.95 GPA. For his career he had 20 goals and 22 assists.

Lamparty was one of only three freshman to make the All-Ohio team. She had 24 goals and 10 assists for the Raiders.

“She could have easily scored more than 35 goals but she had four games worth of second half playing time that I either put her on defense or sat her down versus weaker teams because we didn’t want to run up the score,” South Range coach Paul Lindstrom said.

Lamparty scored one of two goals Poland gave up during the regular season and also tallied one of six goals Lakeview gave up all season.

“She is one of the best all-around soccer players in the area,” Lindstrom said. “She scores the goals like the best strikers, controls play like the best midfielders and defends like the best outside backs.”