- P.K. Yonge girls soccer team won their seventh straight district title and were the only local team to advance past the first playoff round.
- Five P.K. Yonge players made the Bosshardt Realty All Area small school team, highlighting their regional dominance.
- Gainesville High School led big school selections with five players earning All Area honors after winning the 5A-District 5 title.
- Newberry placed three players on the All Area small school team, including sophomore Mallory Smith who scored 23 goals in 2025-26.
This is the first of three stories unveiling the 2025-26 Bosshardt Realty All Area Soccer Teams.
The P.K. Yonge girls soccer team was one of seven area teams to advance to the FHSAA state playoffs this past winter.
However, the Lady Blue Wave (11-5-3), who won their seventh straight district title, were the only one of the seven to win a first-round playoff game.
P.K. Yonge, which was denied a fifth straight region final with a 2-0 loss at Episcopal (Jacksonville), has been the top girls program in the area the last several years and once again placed five players on the Bosshardt Realty All Area small school team (Class 1A-2A).
Headlining the list is 4-time All Area goalkeeper Norah Pancoast. The senior posted nine shutouts, had 62 saves, and a .889 goals against average (GAA), which ranked seventh in Class 2A.
“Norah is one of the toughest and most hard-working athletes I have ever met,” said Rebecca Schackow, who recently stepped down after nine seasons as P.K. Yonge girls coach. “She became more confident with every season. She shared and instilled her confidence and courage with our team. She is competitive and fun. She led our team well by her example of hard work, her best effort in all things, her outstanding goalkeeper skills, and her encouraging and instructive voice in every situation.”
Fraternal twins Ellie and Paulina Cervantes, who each signed with Columbus State University, made the All Area team as seniors.
Ellie made the team as a defender, but she also contributed offensively and finished third on the team with 21 points (9 goals, 3 assists).
“Ellie is an amazing athlete with great vision for the game,” Schackow said. “She sees an overall picture of how to succeed and makes great decisions on how she can help achieve that success. She is smart and strong, and she is a difference maker and a game changer. Ellie anchored our team in our toughest moments all season long.”
P.K. Yonge senior Taylor Hass is the other defender. She helped anchor a defense that allowed less than one goal per game (.84).
“Taylor is a strong, calm, steady player who knows the game well,” Schackow said. “She is loyal and dedicated to our program and the goals we set out to achieve. She unites the players on our team with her friendly presence, inclusive attitude, and warm character. Taylor sees the game well, plays the game well, and is someone we can depend on in every game.”
Ellie’s sister, Paulina, is one of four midfielders on the small school team. She led P.K. Yonge with 19 goals and 12 assists, which led 2A-District 3, for a total of 50 points.
“Paulina is a gifted athlete and outstanding soccer player,” Schackow said. “Her technical abilities are top level. She shows confidence on the ball, creativity in decision making, and passion for her teammates and the way the game is played. She is an attacking threat who found a way to create or make goals for our team when we needed them most.”
Sophomore midfielder Lily Tomlinson of P.K. Yonge finished second behind Paulina with 11 goals, five assists and 27 points.
“Lily is such a special player,” Schackow said. “She is dedicated to our team and our success like no other. She works hard, sacrifices much, and is resilient in the toughest of circumstances. Lily was not only one of our best wingers and center mids, but she was also one of our top outside backs. She was always pulled to mark and shut down the fastest and toughest attacker on the opposing team. She’s pretty amazing.”
Newberry (18-3-2), which lost to P.K. Yonge, 5-0, in the 2A-District 3 title game but earned an at-large regional bid, placed three players on the team.
Sophomore midfielder Mallory Smith led the Panthers (18-3-2) with 23 goals, which ranked eighth in Class 2A.
“As a sophomore, Mallory plays with maturity and composure,” said Newberry coach Ashley Arnold, whose team lost 5-0 at Maclay (Tallahassee) in the 2A-Region 1 Quarterfinals. “She is well-skilled, talented and extremely coachable.”
Joining her teammate is MF/F Aubrey Schwab. The freshman led Newberry with 55 points (22 goals and a team-leading 11 assists), finishing top 10 in 2A in both points (ninth) and goals (10th)
“As a freshman, Aubrey came onto the high school scene and made a huge impact right away,” Arnold said. “She is hard working, competitive and always gives 100%.”
Rounding out the trio is sophomore forward Baylee Akers, who finished third for the Panthers in goals (15) and points (38) while adding eight assists. She was also the team’s part-time goalkeeper and added three shutouts and 37 saves.
“Baylee has great energy and enthusiasm when she steps on the field,” Arnold said. “She is extremely versatile and brings a competitive spirit to the game.”
Williston, which lost 2-0 to Newberry in the 2A-District 3 Semifinals, had one player on the team.
Midfielder Julia Murphy, the team’s only senior who has been a starter on varsity since her seventh-grade year, helped lead the Lady Red Devils (9-6-1) to an at-large playoff appearance by scoring a team-high 13 goals and dishing out a team-best 10 assists.
“She is a hard-working athlete with a lot of speed, and most defenders can’t keep up with her,” said Williston coach Carrie Murphy, who noted Julia has also played left wing and striker. “She has a power shot with either foot and can surprise you with a goal from a corner or far out free kick as well. She stepped up and led her team well, leading with determination and perseverance. She is a true team player who was always cheering on and encouraging her teammates to be their best. She will be missed.”
Rounding out the small school girls All Area team are junior forward Delilah Poore of Branford and eighth-grade forward Vanessa Schwartz of Oak Hall School.
Poore, who helped the Bucs (9-10-1) win the 2A-District 2 title, their first district title in program history, led Branford with 18 goals and 38 points.
“She’s not just our leading goal scorer, she is the heartbeat of our offense,” said Branford coach Cara Soride. “Her speed makes her a constant threat, her finishing has grown tremendously, and her aggressive play helps us win crucial balls and create opportunities on offense. More importantly, she’s a selfless, hardworking teammate who plays her role with purpose. She’s an incredible asset, and we’re truly blessed to have her on this team.”
Schwartz helped lead Oak Hall (11-5) to a 1A-District 2 runner-up finish and playoff appearance. She had a whopping 34 goals in 16 games, which ranked 14th overall in Florida and third in Class 1A.
“Vanesa is an explosive young player who has a special ability to drive past players with noteworthy skill and pace,” said OHS coach Danny Clark. “Her ability to stay calm in front of the goal and consistently score for the team truly speaks to her importance on the field. She can distribute accurately to build the play, break lines through the middle, drive with speed down the wing, and finish from close range or far out. Vanesa kept Oak Hall in many tough matches and consistently supported her team’s needs on both sides of the ball. A truly remarkable player.”
Gainesville High School, which defeated Springstead (Spring Hill), 3-1, to win the 5A-District 5 title, led the way with five selections on the big school team (3A-6A).
Sophomore goalkeeper Peyton Courtney made the team after finishing with 87 saves and posting four shutouts. Her 1.750 GAA was good for second in the district.
“Peyton stepped into goal for the first time this season, so she had to learn the position as we went,” said GHS first-year coach Mike Giannini. “That’s not easy, but she stuck with it and kept improving. You could see her confidence grow, especially in big moments, and by the end, she was making saves that mattered. For someone new to the position, she gave us a lot of stability.”
The second GHS All Area selection is junior defender Olivia Raeber, who was a key contributor for the Hurricanes (11-5) defensively.
“Olivia played right center back for us and that comes with some tough matchups,” Giannini said. “She saw some of the best attackers we faced and did a great job handling that. What I liked was when she won the ball, she helped us get forward right away. She gave us a steady presence on the back line.”
She is joined by teammate Kaeden Rosselle.
The senior DEF/MF finished with eight assists and seven goals, finishing second on the ‘Canes with 22 points.
“Kaeden played as a wingback, and that role asks a lot—she had to defend, recover, and still be part of the attack,” Giannini said. “She covered a lot of ground for us and brought a lot of energy to that position. Her connection with Piper was important for how we created chances.”
Freshman midfielder Lyla Morton is next, following a solid ninth-grade season with eight goals and five assists to finish just behind Rosselle with 21 points.
“Lyla came in as a freshman and had to adjust quickly, especially playing in the midfield where the game moves fast,” Giannini said. “She didn’t shy away from that and kept getting better. As the season went on, she became someone we trusted to help us connect play and move forward. Her growth really stood out.”
Senior DEF/MF Abbi Latner of Santa Fe (Alachua) made All Area for the first time after leading the Raiders (1-16-2) with 13 steals, while adding a pair of goals.
“Abbi is the type of athlete every coach hopes to have,” said Santa Fe coach Shawn Kowatch. “She’s incredibly consistent, hardworking, and selfless, always putting the team first. Whether she’s playing in the back or stepping into the offense, she brings a high level of composure, awareness, and competitiveness that sets the tone for everyone around her. Beyond her ability on the field, Abbi is a leader. She’s dependable, coachable, and holds herself to a high standard every day. Her work ethic and attitude had a big impact on our team culture. We are very proud of her and excited to see her receive this recognition.”
Buchholz (6-8-4) landed a pair on the team in junior midfielder Rebekah Goodson and sophomore DEF/MF Maddie Fudge.
The final member from the Hurricanes is forward Piper Aarons.
The senior led GHS with 18 goals and tied for first with eight assists. She finished with a team-leading 44 points.
“Piper was someone teams had to deal with every time we played,” Giannini said. “She finds space, creates chances and stays active around the goal. Her connection with Kaeden helped us a lot going forward, and she was involved in a lot of what we did in the attack. She gave us a consistent threat up top.”
Joining Aarons at the forward position is senior Halea Lam of Keystone Heights, who won the Class 3A-District 4 title and advanced to the state playoffs.
Lam led the Indians (8-12-3) with 38 points. She finished with 13 goals and 12 assists.
“Really a leader on the team, a three-year captain, a five-year varsity player, someone who lives, eats and breathes soccer,” said Keystone Heights coach Joshua Hallberg. “A joy to coach because she’s coachable and she leads her team from a great understanding of the game and a knowledge to share that wealth.”
Senior forward Laelle Thompson of Columbia (Lake City) joins the squad after leading the Tigers (8-9-2) with 15 goals. She also added three assists for a team-leading 33 points.
“Laelle is a dynamic player who played a major role in the success we had last season,” said Columbia coach Chip Garner. “Over her time at CHS, she really developed a strong understanding of the game, especially the finer points of soccer and how to help break down an opponent’s defense. She brings a positive attitude, is always coachable, and constantly puts the team first.”
The other forward is senior Alaira Handy of Suwannee (Live Oak).
Handy was the Lake City Reporter’s Player of the Year after finishing with 27 goals in 19 games for the Lady Bulldogs (8-10-2), whose season ended with a 6-1 loss at North Bay Haven (Panama City) in the 3A-District 2 Semifinals.
2025-26 Bosshardt Realty All Area Girls Soccer (Small School)
GK – Norah Pancoast, P.K. Yonge (SR)
DEF – Ellie Cervantes, P.K. Yonge (SR)
DEF – Taylor Hass, P.K. Yonge (SR)
MF – Mallory Smith, Newberry (SO)
MF – Julia Murphy, Williston (SR)
MF – Paulina Cervantes, P.K. Yonge (SR)
MF – Lily Tomlinson, P.K. Yonge (SO)
MF/F – Aubrey Schwab, Newberry (FR)
F – Delilah Poore, Branford (JR)
F – Baylee Akers, Newberry (SO)
F – Vanessa Schwartz, Oak Hall (8th-grade)
Honorable mention:
Branford – Samantha Ray (SR), Kayleigh Wardle (SR), Wren Wilkerson (SR), Hannah Hansard (SR), Erin Contreras (SR)
Dixie County – Gabby Staples (SR), Aeon Nelson (SR), Chloe Kemp (SR), Aislynn McMullen (SR), Kierra Little (JR)
Fort White – Anndersn Fuller (SR), Analee Mills (SR), Emily Bell (JR), Gabriella Serrano (JR), Makayla Mincey (7th)
Newberry – Peyton Cremeans (SR), Ilynana Graciana (SR), Avery Kinsey (JR), Emma Ellenburg (FR)
Oak Hall – Lola Murfee (JR), Emma Clements (SO), Aubrey Loftus (FR), Cayden Roth (8th)
P.K. Yonge – Page Hegland (SR), Bella Young (JR), Ryleigh Luca (FR), Khole Sanchez (FR), Charlotte Miles (6th)
Saint Francis Catholic Academy – Gabby Musalo (JR)
Trenton – Ava Largent (JR), Hayden D’Alono (SO)
Williston – Sarah Hughes (JR), Angelyn Reyes (JR), Madelyn Marino (SO), Nerimar Miranda (SO), Maria Bautista (SO),
Complete stats and/or coach nominations were not available for Bell.
2025-26 Bosshardt Realty All Area Girls Soccer (Big School)
GK – Peyton Courtney, Gainesville (SO)
DEF – Olivia Raeber, Gainesville (JR)
DEF/MF – Abbi Latner, Santa Fe (SR)
DEF/MF – Maddie Fudge, Buchholz (SO)
DEF/MF – Kaeden Rosselle, Gainesville (SR)
MF – Rebekah Goodson, Buchholz (JR)
MF – Lyla Morton, Gainesville (FR)
F – Alaira Handy, Suwannee (SR)
F – Halea Lam, Keystone Heights (SR)
F – Piper Aarons, Gainesville (SR)
F – Laelle Thompson, Columbia (SR)
Honorable mention:
Buchholz –Harley Efron (SR), Sonja Moore (JR), Sophia Tholen (SO), Hailey Lathem (FR)
Columbia (Lake City) – Sadie Sparks (SR), Jenavieve Farer (SR), Marlee Hunt (JR), Leah Shields (FR)
Gainesville – Keira Forbes (SR), Emily Brown (SR), Jessica Winkel (JR), Mackenzie Woodend (SO), Mia Yu (SO)
Keystone Heights – Kayden Huntley (JR), Kaylee Park (JR), Tayler Buchanan (JR), Xana Briley (JR), Parker Collins (JR)
Santa Fe (Alachua) – Kristin Balkin-Gainey (SR), Jaydin Yakubsin (FR)
Suwannee (Live Oak) – Hemy Olivares-Alonso (SR), Lydia Gunter (SR), Felicity May (JR), Maddyson Royero (SO)
Complete stats and/or coach nominations were not available for Eastside.