RECOGNITION — Big Red’s Cole Bowers, left, and Bailee Beall, right, were named Players of the Year by the East District Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association. - Andrew Grimm

The East District Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association recently announced its All-East District teams, and two local players were among those earning the top honors.

Steubenville Big Red seniors Cole Bowers (boys) and Bailee Beall (girls) were named district Co-Players of the Year.

Bowers, who is committed to Army to play football as a kicker, topped the 100-career goal mark and leaves as the program’s all-time leading scorer.

“He got to spend time in the program with Anthony (Venditti) and Matt (Loot) were also district players of the year, he saw their work ethic and he put it in,” Big Red head boys soccer coach Greg Bowers said. “We’re proud of what he was able to accomplish. It’s exciting for the him and the team. He put the time in and had the drive to win. Goals and accolades come with that. He’s well deserving just like (Venditti and Loot) were.

“Having three of them of them in a short time shows we have had some strong kids that motivate and push each other to get better. They all still keep in touch and give back to the program. It’s been special.”

Beall, who also leaves as the girls’ program’s all-time leading goal scorer, scored 40 goals this past season alone, averaging more than two per game. She had 110 goals in her four years and 60 assists, both school records.

“Bailee is one of the most talented and selfless players to ever come through the Steubenville girls soccer program,” Big Red head girls soccer coach Annie Cutri said. “Her technical ability, field vision, and composure under pressure are unmatched, but what truly sets her apart is her leadership and love for her teammates. Bailee now holds the school records for career goals and career assists for girls soccer — a testament to her balance as both a scorer and a creator.

“She’s a player who makes everyone around her better. Earning Eastern District Player of the Year is a reflection of her hard work, consistency, and dedication to the game, and she’s left an incredible mark on Big Red soccer.”

BOYS

Joining Bowers on the first team on the boys side is teammate Josiah Rea, Catholic Central’s Brendan Kuebler, Edison’s Isaiah Filburn and Harrison Central’s Justin Scott.

On the second team locally were Edison Ethan Warren, Harrison Central’s Hunter Fulton and Brady McAfee, Big Red’s Landon Bowers and Gabe Martin and Central’s Nico Gonzalez and Santiago Descalzo.

Earning honorable mention were Edison’s Brady Haught, Harrison Central’s Parker McAfee, Ethan Hercules and Triston Cole, Big Red’s Chase Beall and Tad Loot and Central’s Javier Desaclzo, Nicholas Frank and Joseph Vranish.

Selected to play in the senior showcase, which was held Saturday, were Brady McAfee, Cole Bowers, Gonzolez, Rea, Filburn, Kuebler, Haught and Harrison Central’s Huner Fulton.

GIRLS

Joinig Beall on the first team were teammates Gianna Thomas and Sagan Smarrella, Central’s Mary Rohde, Edison’s Alison Kireta, Harrison Central’s Grace Miller and Indian Creek’s Tatum Campbell.

On the second team were Edison’s Riley Conkle, Harrison’s Emma Patterson, Creek’s Kaydence Walker, Big Red’s Lucy Saccoccia and Brynn Bowers and Central’s Isabelle Lee and Aurie Hoover.

Earning honorable mention were Edison’s Ella Bright, Harrison’s Teagan Parks, Creek’s Jocelyn Saltsman, Big Red’s Ireland Marshall and Central’s Sophia Hoover, Zelie Baillargeon and Lily Krivoniak.

Selected for the senior showcase were Edison’a Isabella Mitchell, Patterson, Indian Creek’s Tessa Irwin, Edison’s Jayna Gilday, Lee, Sophia Hoover, Marshall, Miller and Beall.