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HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS' SOCCER: FOUR LOCALS MAKE ALL-STATE; ND'S MALONEY NAMED FIRST TEAM (2021-11-26)

Southern Tier Sports report
Four area girls’ soccer players earned all-state honors on Friday, with Notre Dame goalie Shannon Maloney picking up first team honors.

Maloney was a first-team pick as a goalie and Amanda Simpson was a third-team pick on defense, while Rachael Simpson was a fourth-team selection in the midfield in Class C for the Crusaders.

Notre Dame made the state semifinals this year, not losing a game until that round.

“I am excited that both Amanda and Rachael, our seniors, got recognized at the state level,” Notre Dame coach Joe Picco said. “I believe this is an exclamation mark for them as individuals and on th team’s season and their tenure at Notre Dame.

“Many don’t realize this was Shannon’s first year as a goalie for Notre Dame. It shows the tremendous amount of work that she put in to get to this point. Hours in the offseason prior and Notre Dame during the season, including countless hours after everyone left.”

For Maloney it is special to earn the honor.

"It's definitely an honor to be chosen first team," Maloney said. "But, it is only because of the defense I was honored to have this season and the coaching staff that helped me achieve this award.

"Making first team was obviously very special, but it was the team's accomplishment and the memories we built getting to the state championship that meant everything to me."

Maloney is happy to see her senior teammates honored.

"I'm extremely excited for Rachael and Amanda to have made all state as well, it was well deserved for the two of them," Maloney said. "They were great teammates to everyone. I'm definitely going to miss them next year."

For Amanda Simpson it's special to make all-state with her sister, and to have Maloney make it as well.

"I'm really proud of my teammates who made all state, and we couldn't have done it without the rest of our team, our coaches and our supporters," Amanda Simpson said. "I'm glad Rachael made it with me. It means so much to accomplish great things with her, we push each other to get better and always have."

Elmira junior Emily Hanrahan was a fourth-team pick as a forward for the Express in Class AA, who won the Section 4 AA Championship this year.

“It’s a great honor,” Elmira coach Zach Sarno said of Hanrahan making all-state. “She joins a list of former Express players from past years to be lucky enough to be voted to the team.

“It also speaks volumes about her team and teammates that she plays with to be able to have a player from our team to be fortunate enough to be selected. Happy for her! It was also nice to make the state playoffs, that always helps your chances of being selected.”

Notre Dame faced Elmira this year, and Picco was happy to see four girls from the Elmira area make states.

“Exciting that a number of local girls get recognized at the state level,” Picco said. “We at Notre Dame applaud Emily’s great season and her being recognized as one of the best in Class AA.”
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Notre Dame's Shannon Maloney. . . STSR FILE PHOTO


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