Ashlan Ard was solid in her first year of playing soccer and it got even better.
The Franklinton sophomore goalkeeper was named the District 6-II Defensive Most Valuable Player.
“It’s really cool because it’s my first year and I’ve never played,” Ard said. “Goalie, it’s overwhelming stepping into this and getting defensive MVP, but coach (Drew) Brooks helped me a lot at practice and he’s pushed me to be a leader of this team. We don’t really have one person that is a captain, so he’s helped me calm our team down before games.”
Brooks said he couldn’t be more pleased with the season Ard put together.
“On top of being an outstanding athlete, she’s a very coachable kid and a great teammate,” Brooks said. “For a kid who has literally never played soccer before to get an award like this in such a competitive district is outstanding. I’m very proud of Ashlan.”
In addition to Ard, two other Lady Demons made the first team — midfielder Kayla Simmons and defender Lorna Smith.
Simmons scored nine goals this season while Smith had one.
Franklinton’s second-team players are striker Kassidy Nielson and midfielders Ashlea Jones and Sydney Ignacek.
Nielson led the team with 18 goals while Jones and Ignacek had one each.
This season, Franklinton finished with an 8-6 record.