The Maine Soccer Coaches recently recognized Waterville senior Pilar Elias as one of the top soccer players not only in the state, but New England and the nation.
The organization, an affiliate of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, named Elias NSCAA All-New England and All-American at its Dec. 7 All-Star banquet in Bangor.
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“I’m very thankful for it,” Elias said Wednesday. “It’s an awesome feeling receiving big awards like those and being recognized outside of Waterville for the season I’ve had. I’ve seen so many players be named for these through the years, going back to before I was even in high school, and it’s a great honor to be listed with them.”
Elias is the first Waterville player to receive All-American status since Jordan Pellerin in 2009 and 2010. Since the Maine Soccer Coaches first designated All-Americans in 1989, three other Purple Panthers have earned the honor — Tracy Serdjenian (1997), Christine Serdjenian (2000 and 2001) and Stephanie Whitten (2008).
As a senior striker, Elias scored 37 goals and dished out 24 assists, leading the Purple Panthers to an undefeated 18-0 season and the Class B state title, their first since 2008.
In addition to the regional and national awards, Elias was named Class B Player of the Year and named to the Eastern Maine State Team.
“It’s a great ending to my career,” Elias said. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and coach (Ian Wilson).
Elias, who split her career between Winslow and Waterville high schools, finished with 118 career goals, ranking her sixth all-time in state history, to go with 53 assists.
Next fall, Elias will attend Concord University, a Division II school in Virginia. She also plays for the Seacoast United Mariners, a club team in the Women’s Premier Soccer League.
Also named to the soccer coaches’ all-star teams were Mt. Blue’s Drew Parsons (Eastern Maine Boys) and Richmond’s Cameron Emmons (Western Maine Boys), Kelsea Anair and Amber Loon (Western Maine Girls). Emmons was named the Class D Player of the Year.
Richmond boys coach Peter Gardner won the Maine Soccer Coaches Service Award and was named a NSCAA Region 1 Coach of the Year Nominee.
Elias was one of three Maine girls to receive All-New England honors, along with Opal Curless of Mount Desert Island and Jenna Soucy of Windham.
Randy Whitehouse — 621-5638
rwhitehouse@mainetoday.com
Twitter: @RAWmaterial33
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