Team of the Year

Wayne Hills

The Patriots were an offensive powerhouse this season as they rolled to a 16-3-1 record and the Big North Division IV title. Hills scored nearly three-and-a-half goals per game, led by sophomore Nickolette Driesse, who had 32 goals, junior Siara Kolpon with 11 goals and 22 assists, and senior Christie Cherup with 11 goals.

Wayne Hills was ranked in the state's Top 20 by the Star-Ledger for much of the season, and twice was poised to knock off a higher-ranked soccer team only to see a halftime lead get away. The Patriots played crosstown rival Wayne Valley four times and won three; the fourth was a county semifinal tie but the Indians won the shootout to advance to the final.

It was that kind of season for Wayne Hills, full of accomplishments, yet a little short of greatness. The Patriots should be very strong again in 2011; for this season they are the JSN Girls' Soccer Team of the Year.

Player of the Year

Hannah Steadman, Kinnelon

One of the best high school goalies in the entire country, Steadman had to be on top of her game for a Kinnelon team that often struggled to score goals this year. In 21 games, the senior allowed just eight goals, as the Colts posted 14 shutouts on the season and ended up with a record of 18-3-1.

Steadman's talents shone through in a game with Villa Walsh that decided the NJAC Liberty Division title. The Vikings besieged her net in the first half, but she came up with save after save to keep the soccer game scoreless, and Kinnelon went on to a 1-0 win.

After relocating from California to Kinnelon during her sophomore year, Steadman now plans to head to Tennessee to play Division I college soccer for the Volunteers. In just two seasons in New Jersey, though, she left a legacy, and Hannah Steadman is our JSN Girls' Soccer Player of the Year.

Coach of the Year

Maria Pepe, Wayne Hills

Pepe led Wayne Hills to another successful season and has built the program into one of the best in north Jersey. She found a way to make the Patriots the top team in the JSN area even though one of the best players in the school decided not to play high school soccer this fall to concentrate on club play.

As she builds what looks more and more like a juggernaut each year, Maria Pepe is our JSN Girls' Soccer Coach of the Year.

-- Paul Mencher for Jersey Sports Now