Players of the Year Profiles

Kirsten Andersen

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Kirsten Andersen, jr, keeper, Princeton — When you make back-to-back trips to the Elite 8 and post 13 along with 18 teams wins, not only do you need a solid defense, but you also need a solid

goal keeper on your side. Princeton had just that in Andersen. The 13 shutouts is a school record in a season, and she still has a year to go before she is done rewriting the Tigresses record books. Andersen was also named to the All-NCIC honorable mention team in 2007.

“A true leader out there all year long and throughout her career,” Young said. “She was always directing players out there and will be an even bigger asset to this team next year.”

Tara Bonucci, so, defender, Princeton — This sophomore sensation reassured fans that the future looks bright for the Tigresses. It didn’t happen often, but when opponents got into the defensive end of Princeton, Bonucci was hitting the grass to knock the ball free from her opponents grasp.

“Tara did everything on that field,” Young said. “She got physical, she got control of the ball and got the ball to her teammates and pushed back up the field.”

Eliza Morris, sr., defender, Princeton — Another of the strong defenders for coach Ed Young, who is a four-year starter for the Tigresses. Morris obtained All-NCIC honorable mention during the 2005 and 2006 season, and in her senior season, Morris was named to the honorable mention All-NCIC team.

“As strong a player as we’ve had here,” Young said. “I see the same type of player in Tara Scott, and I think Eliza was kind of a role model for Tara.”

Morris will attend Illinois State University to study fashion merchandising and theatre.

Amanda Prostko, sr, sweeper, Princeton — Prostko was a two-year starter for the Tigresses, as a defender, and showed everyone what kind of natural athlete she is by claiming honorable mention All-NCIC pick as a junior and as a senior. Prostko was part of the Princeton defense that posted 13 shutouts for the 18-4 Elite 8 team.

“Amanda came out as a junior, and we didn’t know what to expect, but what a tremendous player we had the last two years,” Princeton coach Ed Young said.

The BCR Volleyball Player of the Year will continue her career at North Park University in Chicago. She was also a starter on the PHS Sweet 16 basketball team.

Sydney Young, sr, stopper, Princeton — When the Tigresses ran into a strong opponent who scored at will on other opponents, coach Young called on Sydney to put a stop to that.

“That’s part of why we call her position the stopper,” Ed Young said. “She controlled just about everything at mid-field, and we put her on our opponents’ strongest scorer, and she just did a great job for us.”

Young was named to the first team All-NCIC as well as the All-Sectional team.

Princeton’s best offense was often its defense, but they did have plenty of offensive spark plugs. Here’s a rundown of the team’s offensive leaders:

Jackie Arndt, sr, forward — Another of the talented seniors that led the Tigresses, but this one can pretty much score at will. Thirty-two goals in just two years of soccer means the sky is the limit for Arndt when she reaches Carthage College next school year.

“Speed, speed and more speed,” Young said. “The difference with Jackie, unlike some players, is when she is using that speed she has the ball right there at her feet, where others push the ball ahead and then run, but Jackie has the great control and that allows her to create her shots.”

Maggie Griggs, sr, mid-field — Griggs was also a first-team NCIC selection. Griggs scored five goals and recorded 12 assists on the season. The 12 assists was one short of the school record as well. Griggs was often referred to as the quarterback on the soccer field.

“That’s exactly how she was out of there on the field,” Young said. “She has great vision and has the ability to pass through attackers with great knowledge of the game.”

Griggs will also be continuing her education, and playing career, at Heartland Community College.

Josie Gustafson, sr, forward — One of the best athletes to walk the halls of Princeton, Gustafson split some time between track and the soccer field in addition to playing on regional volleyball and basketball teams. On the soccer field, the 2006 BCR Player of the Year scored 12 goals this season, 35 for her career, and was named to the All-NCIC first-team selection as well as honorable mention all-sectional.

“Just simply a pure athlete,” Young said. “She has a huge heart and a lot of desire and uses a lot of pressure on defenses with her athleticism, as she uses it to put pressure on defenders.”