Alexandria girls soccer has plenty to honor after eight-win season

The Alexandria girls soccer team had one of its best seasons in recent history this past fall after going 8-2-3, so there was plenty to honor when the Cardinals handed out their postseason awards.

Senior midfielder Molly Panther helped set the tone for this group, and she was voted as the team MVP by her teammates. It was part of a long list of accolades she picked up after also earning all-state honors and All-Central Lakes Conference honors.

“Molly's technical skills are as strong as any player we've had come through our program,” Alexandria head coach Tom Roos said. “When we transitioned out of our defensive end, it usually flowed through Molly. She would receive the ball under a lot of pressure and yet was able to beat opponents with a variety of different moves and be able to advance the ball up field. She was really a joy to coach and a joy to watch play.”

Junior defender Kylee James, senior defender Myah Kremer and senior forward Allie Randazzo joined Panther as All-CLC players this past fall, and sophomore forwards Ella Westlund and Morgan Jones, and sophomore goalie Sophia Vinje were honorable-mention selections.

Westlund had 10 points with six goals and four assists. Vinje posted a 1.0 goals-against average with a 0.82 save percentage.

Randazzo earned the Hustle Award from her teammates after leading the team in points with 18. She tallied nine goals and a team-leading nine assists. Jones was first on the team in goals with 11, and she added four assists, as well.

Sophomore defender Ellen Panther was named the most improved player for the Cardinals, and senior Sadie Boraas (F/M) earned the Coaches’ Award to finish off team-voted honors.

Alexandria was a shootout loss away against Bemidji from advancing to the Section 8A title game. The Cardinals (6-0-2) were also second in the Central Lakes Conference to an always-talented Brainerd team (9-2-1 overall) that finished 7-0-1 in league play, with that one tie coming against Alexandria on Oct. 8.

The Cardinals dominated in a lot of their wins this season, outscoring opponents 45-13 overall.

1/2: Ellen Panther / Most Improved

2/2: Sadie Boraas