NEPS 2016 Video Highlights

NEPS concludes with the Best Of in 2016

HS: Harr highlights Best of NEPS team

Article Written by Sheldon Shealer

Published: January 13, 2016

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FORT WORTH, Texas -- Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas) defended its No. 1 position, youthful Marcus(Flower Mound, Texas) showed it might be a force this season, and Texas, in general, made quite a statement at the National Elite Prep Showcase over the weekend.

Eight teams -- all from Texas -- went undefeated while visitors from California and Florida were held to a combined losing record for the first time at the 34-team girls soccer showcase.

The following is our TopDrawerSoccer.com Best of NEPS summary: 

TOP PERFORMERS

The annual NEPS All-Tournament team is selected through a combination of of staff evalustions and votes from coaches of the participating schools. Jordan Harr, who suffered a season-ending injury in the closing minues of the final match Saturday was a runner-up winner for MVP.

The Texas Tech-bound superstar scored six goals and assisted on two others to lead Sachse (Sachse, Texas) to a 3-0-1 showing.

Harr's high school coach confirmed that Harr broken an ankle in four places during a play late in the final match. Harr is expected to be sidelined for four months.

NEPS ALL-TOURNAMENT FIRST TEAM

Name School Year Commitment
F Alex Arenas, Ursuline Academy (Texas), Junior
F Alexandria Griffin, Southlake Carroll (Texas), Junior, Texas A&M
F Jordan Harr, Sachse (Texas), Senior, Texas Tech
M Courtney Corrin, Harvard-Westlake (Calif.), Senior
M Nathali Da Silva, Montverde Academy (Fla.), Senior
M Celia Hilsabeck, McKinney Boyd (Texas), Junior
M Natalie Kennedy, Santa Margarita (Calif.), Senior, Santa Clara
M Taylor Moon, Marcus (Texas), Soph., Baylor
D Allisyn Gardner, Southlake Carroll (Texas), Junior, Arkansas
D Sarah Houchin, Coppell (Texas), Junior, Auburn
GK Peyton Bauman, Marcus (Texas), Junior, Missouri

MVP - Jordan Harr

SECOND TEAM
F Ansley Bunger, Byron Nelson (Texas), Junior, Arkansas
F Allie Luna, Southlake Carroll (Texas), Senior, Kansas State
F McKenzie McFarland, Coppell (Texas), Soph., Texas
F Berklee Peters, Keller (Texas), Junior, North Texas
M Hannah Allred, Nolan Catholic (Texas), Junior, SMU
M Cyera Hintzen, Sachse (Texas), Senior, Texas
M Atupele Mshana, Bishop Lynch (Texas), Senior, Texas
M Chelsee Washington, Hebron (Texas), Senior, Bowling Green
D Brooke Boisvert, Midlothian (Texas), Junior
D Holly Streber, Vandegrift (Texas), Junior, Texas State
GK Katie Hogarth, McKinney Boyd (Texas), Senior, Idaho State

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Goalkeepers: Paige Vincent, San Angelo Central (Texas), Margaret Weber, Coppell (Texas). 

Defenders: Grace Dunker, Southlake Carroll (Texas), Mari Gillespie, Kingwood (Texas), Aliyah Marsh, San Angelo Central (Texas), Jessie Roux, Santa Margarita (Calif.), Sofi Salonen, Montverde Academy (Fla.), Kirsten Siragusa, Sachse (Texas), Darci Wilson, San Angelo Central (Texas). 

Midfielders: Madison Conte, Midlothian (Texas), Alyssa D’Aloise, Ursuline Academy (Texas), Gabriella Duca, Hebron (Texas), Madison Ellis, Keller (Texas), Katie Hemperly, Marcus (Texas), Ashlan Hustava, Flower Mound(Texas), Taylor Jordan, McKinney Boyd (Texas), Neaka Khalilian, Southlake Carroll (Texas), Kate Luby, Plano West (Texas), Riley Mattingly, Marcus (Texas), Kristen Meadows, McKinney Boyd (Texas), Ariana Miles, Harvard-Westlake (Calif.), Haley Riley, Arlington Martin (Texas), Andrea Rodriguez-Flores, Montverde Academy (Fla.), Tyler Runnels, Coppell (Texas), Jasmine Spence, Montverde Academy (Fla.), Katina Tsapos, Byron Nelson (Texas). 

Forwards: Erian Brown, Coppell (Texas), Katy Brown, Marcus (Texas), Elli Brunts, Ursuline Academy (Texas), Grace Cory, Southlake Carroll (Texas), Cailee Dennis, Hebron (Texas), Ariel Diaz, Monterey (Texas), Stefani Doyle, Hebron (Texas), Sydney Nobles, Southlake Carroll (Texas), Ariana Owens, Round Rock (Texas), Elena Reyna, Flower Mound (Texas), Delanie Sheehan, Liberty (Calif.), Madalyn Turlington, Byron Nelson(Texas), A.K. Ward, Keller (Texas).

LEADING SCORERS

GOALS

7, Alexandria Griffin, Southlake Carroll

6, Jordan Harr, Sachse

5, Ansley Bunger, Byron Nelson

4, Nathali Da Silva, Montverde Academy

4, Ariana Owens, Round Rock

4, Berklee Peters, Keller

3, Alex Arenas, Ursuline Academy

3, Grace Cory, Southlake Carroll

3, Ariel Diaz, Monterey

3, Cyera Hintzen, Sachse

3, Natalie Kennedy, Santa Margarita

3, McKenzie McFarland, Coppell

3, Taylor Moon, Marcus

3, Madalyn Turlington, Byron Nelson

3, Chelsee Washington, Hebron

ASSISTS

4, Neaka Khalilian, Southlake Carroll

4, Allie Luna, Southlake Carroll

3, Stefani Doyle, Hebron

3, Cyera Hintzen, Sachse

3, Taylor Moon, Marcus

3, Jasmine Spence, Montverde Academy

TEAM RECORDS

(All teams in Texas, unless noted)

4-0: Byron Nelson, Flower Mound Marcus, Southlake Carroll
3-0: Flower Mound
3-0-1: McKinney Boyd, Midlothian, Sachse
2-0-2: San Angelo Central
3-1: Coppell, Hebron, Ursuline Academy
2-1: Montverde Academy (Fla.)
2-1-1: Keller
2-2: Liberty (Calif.), Liberty Christian, Round Rock, Santa Margarita (Calif.), Tyler Lee
1-2-1: Arlington Martin, Belton, Fort Bend Clements, Kingwood, Nolan Catholic
1-2: Hockday School
1-3: Amarillo, Grapevine, Lubbock Monterey
0-2-1: Bishop Lynch
0-3-1: Antonion College Prep, Colleyville Heritage, Harvard-Westlake (Calif.), Plano West
0-4: Incarnate Word, Vandegrift

Final Day of NEPS 2016 comes to a close

Recaps for Day COMING SOON but to see results from the final day of the event CLICK HERE.

NEPS Day 2 Top Performers

Article Written by Sheldon Shealer

Published: January 9, 2016

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Day 2 of the Natonal Elite Prep Showcase wrapped up Friday, and some familiar faces return to the list for the day's top performaners.  

K Peyton Bauman, Marcus (Texas), Jr.: With the match still in the balance, Bauman made a great diving save to her left to deny [Santa Margarita ca-]w (Calif.) what appeared to be a sure goal in what ended up as a 2-0 Marcus win. Bauman, who is committed to Missouri, has three shutouts to start the season.

D Brooke Boisvert, Midlothian (Texas), Jr.: After returning from a near-death accident about eight months ago, Boisvert has emerged as a defensive leader for Midlothian, which is a surprising 2-0-1 at NEPS. Boisvert is central a three-person defense that blanked Grapevine (Texas), marking the team's first win over the Mustangs. 

F Stefani Doyle, Hebron (Texas), Sr.: Doyle factored in all four of the team’s goals in a 5-4 loss to Sachse. She scored one and assisted on three others.

M/D Allisyn Gardner, Southlake Carroll (Texas), Jr.: Gardner, as a holding midfielder, helped put the clamps on Montverde Academy (Fla.) standout Nathali Da Silva, who was held without a goal. Also, once Gardner was pushed forward a bit, Southlake started to mount more serious attacks, which led to two goals.

F Alexandria Griffin, Southlake Carroll (Texas), Jr.: The Texas A&M commit scored three goals Friday, pushing her three-match total to five. Very athletic and a strong finisher, Griffin’s addition to Southlake Carroll’s lineup will make the Dragons tough to contain this season.

M Jordan Harr, Sachse (Texas), Sr.: One of the nation’s top prospects delivered big-time on Friday. She scored two of the team’s final three goals in a 5-4 win over Hebron (Texas) and netted the last two in a 4-4 draw with Keller (Texas). For the day, Harr had four goals and two assists.

F Cyera Hintzen, Sachse (Texas), Sr.: Harr and Hintzen are a dangerous pair at Sachse. In fact, their return was the reason for a lofty preseason national ranking. They are delivering on the offensive side as evidence by nine goals in two Friday matches. Hintzen hadone goal and three assists as the team is off to a 2-0-1 start.

M Natalie Kennedy, Santa Margarita (Calif.), Sr.: Kennedy netted a pair of goals as Santa Margarita bounced back from an early loss with a 3-0 win over Plano West (Texas). Kennedy is committed to Santa Clara.

F Allie Luna, Southlake Carroll (Texas), Sr.: Although she did not score a goal, she assisted two in the team’s win over Bishop Lynch (Texas), then put a lot of pressure on Montverde Academy (Fla.) in the nightcap.

F MacKenzie McFarland, Coppell (Texas), So.: McFarland scored three goals in Coppell’s victory over Belton (Texas).

F Taylor Moon, Marcus (Texas), So.: Moon delivered the first two goals and set up the third as Marcus defeated Santa Margarita (Calif.) to start an impressive two-win day. Moon was very active on the offensive end, practically demanding the ball and creating scoring chances. Moon is committed to Baylor.

M Natalie Kennedy, Santa Margarita (Calif), Sr.: After a sluggish start to the day for Santa Margarita, Kennedy lifted the team up in a 3-0 win over Plano West (Texas). Th Santa Clara-bound senior scored the first two goals.

F Berklee Peters, Keller (Texas), Jr.: Peters has scored at least one goal in each of Keller’s first three matches as the team has built a 2-0-1 record. The tie was a wild 4-4 draw with SIMA FAB 50 Top 10-ranked Sachse (Texas).

F Madalyn Turlington, Byron Nelson (Texas), So.: Turlington scored the only goal in the team’s 1-0 win over Harvard-Westlake (Calif.), then scored the first goal in a 2-0 victory over Round Rock (Texas). Her played has helped Byron Nelson to a 3-0 start.

NEPS Day 1 Top Performers

Article Written by Sheldon Shealer

Published: January 8, 2016

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Day 1 of the Natonal Elite Prep Showcase wrapped up Thursday and featured several of the nation's top winter-playing girls teams, and along with it plenty of elite talent.

M Hannah Allred, Nolan Catholic (Texas), Jr.: She was dangerous once she got the ball. She also moved well and was very versatile -- playing both fom the left and right sides. Allred is committed to SMU(w).

F Katy Brown, Marcus (Texas), So.: Brown scored the first two goals in Marcus' victory. 

M Courtney Corrin, Harvard-Westlake (Calif.), Sr.: Exceptionally fast and very good on the ball. She had a back-heel pass to herself that left the defender all tied up. 

F Grace Cory, Southlake Carroll (Texas), Sr.: One of the top players at NEPS last year is back at it again this year. Cory scored twice to help finish off Southlake Carroll's first opponent. Cory is committed to Texas A&M(w).

F Nathalia Da Silva, Montverde Academy (Fla.), Sr.: Perhaps the most polished, uncommitted senior in the nation. A native of Brazil is not a burner but is exceptionally fast and confident with the ball at her feet. She's very dangerous in 1-v-1 situations. Da Silva already has 35 goals this season, in 16 matches. 

F Alexandria Griffin, Southlake Carroll (Texas), Jr.: Griffin made her Southlake Carroll debut a special night, scoring twice in the team's 6-0 win. Griffin has committed to Texas A&A(w).

D Avery Hall, McKinney Boyd (Texas), Jr.: Hall turned in a very strong performance, helping Boyd shut out previously undefeated Ursuline Academy. Hall is committed to Kansas(w).

D Sara Houchin, Coppell (Texas), Jr.: She's the "safety net." Houchin is an outstanding outside defender, but also makes her presence known in the attack. Her perfectly played, left-footed pass sprung a teammate for a breakaway that led to a game-opening penalty kick, which she converted. Despite being a junior, she was selected as team captain by her teammates. Houchen is committed to Auburn(w).

M Taylor Jordan, McKinney Boyd (Texas), So.: Jordan spent time at attacking mid and outside mid and gave Boyd some very important minutes. Her pass to Celia Hilsabeck resulted in the team's first goal in a 2-0 win. 

F Allie Luna,  Southlake Carroll (Texas), Sr.: One of several offensive weapons in a loaded Southlake Carroll lineup. Although a forward by nature, her play on this night was setting up teammates for goals while scoring one of her own. Luna is committed to Kansas State(w).

F McKenzie McFarland, Coppell (Texas), So.: McFadden stepped into a new role and was very active in the attacking third. She provided a lot of movement - side-to-side and pushing up and getting back. She kept the defenses guessing where she was going to be next. McFarland is committed to Texas(w).

M Taylor Moon, Marcus (Texas), So.: Moon had a goal and two assists in her season debut with the Marauders. She's very active, checking back for the ball and able to turn and attack. Moon is committed to Baylor(w).

M Atupele Mshana, Bishop Lynch (Texas), Sr.: A defender by trade, Mshana has been pushed into the midfield on the high school team in order create some offense for a squad that graduated seven seniors from last year's title-winning team. Mshana was a physical presence. Mshana is committed to Texas(w).

M Tyler Runnels, Coppell (Texas), So.: Had a flick into the side net, and hit a legit volley with power. Runnels, who has committed to Arkansas, may emerge as the team's top offensive threat this season. Runnels is committed to Arkansas.

D Sofia Salonen, Montverde Academy (Fla.), Jr.: The junior defender scored Montverde Academy's first goal and was a steady defender. A strength of her gam were her quality distrubtions, even when under pressure. She's from Finland, and it has not been decided if she will finish up her education in the U.S. or return to Finland next school year. 

M Jackie Stacy, Plano West (Texas), So.: Stacy did a good job holding up and slowing, at times, Nolan's Allred.

D Holly Streber, [Vandergrift tx-w] (Texas), Jr.: Very solid in the back who has the ability to play simple and consice. Streber has committed to Texas State.

D Grace Wall, Plano West (Texas), Sr.: Wall is fast, keep position well and had great vision. Her play helped Plano West hold Nolan Catholic scoreless.  

M Chelsee Washington, Hebron (Texas), Sr.: Washington scored the first goal and proceeded to dminant the midfield the rest of the match as Hebron defeated Harvard-Westlake. Washington is committed to Bowling Green(w).

NEPS Day 2 Recap courtesy of TopDrawerSoccer.com

NEPS: Coming of age for Marcus

Article Written by Sheldon Shealer

Published: January 8, 2016

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FORT WORTH, Texas – Some would consider a lineup with one senior, three juniors and seven sophomores grounds for a rebuilding season.

For Marcus (Flower Mound, Texas), it’s viewed as the start of something special.

Sophomores delivered all five of the team’s goals Friday as the Marauders pulled off two nationally impressive shutout wins in less than eight hours at the National Elite Prep Showcase. SIMA FAB 50 No. 26 Marcus first defeated perennial California power No. 49 Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) 3-0, then ended a 33-match undefeated streak by No. 2 Coppell (Coppell, Texas) in a 2-0 contest.

“They have talent, focus, drive, and they are hungry,” Marcus coach Chad Hobbs said of the sophomore class, six of whom started last year as freshmen. “To do what they did today, it legitimatizes what we are doing. It shows them that we can play with anybody in the state, anybody the nation.”

Taylor Moon, a Baylor commit, scored the first two goals, then assisted one by Kaity Hemperly in Marcus’ win over Santa Margarita, which had won nine of its previous 10 matches before travelling to Texas. Alabamacommit Riley Mattingly and Baylor commit Maddison Algya scored in the nightcap win over Coppell, handing the Cowgirls their first loss since the 2014 playoffs.

Through Friday’s play, Marcus is one of three teams at 3-0 in the 34-team event, along with SIMA FAB 50 No. 1 Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas) and No. 7 Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas).

BIG-TIME CLASH: Neaka Khalilian’s goal 20 seconds before half proved to be a back-breaker as SIMA FAB 50 No. 1 Southlake Carroll defeated Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 2-0.

The match had major national ranking implications as Southlake needed the win to stay No. 1 and Montverde was looking for a victory to up its own ranking, not to mention help justify other Florida teams, as well.

Montverde controlled play the first 20 minutes, then Southlake took over, leading to an Alexandria Griffin with 7:30 left in the half. Just as it was appearing to be a 1-0 halftime score, Sydney Nobles made a run on the right wing, and sent a pass back to Khalilian, whose strike toward the left post went unchallenged by the Montverde keeper.

“They had the better of play the first 15-20 minutes, then we made some adjustments,” Southlake coach Matt Colvin said. “We stepped the midfield up because we were getting too far back. Once we did that, we started to put [Montverde] under pressure.”

“In the first 20 minutes, we needed to score,” Montverde Academy coach Robbie Aristodemo said. “We needed someone to step up and finish, and we didn’t get it.”

SCORING FRENZY: Two nationally ranked teams were locked in a defensive struggle – then the second half started. Sachse (Sachse, Texas) rallied from three two-goal deficits to stun Hebron (Hebron, Texas) 5-4 on Friday in a match were the teams combined for eight goals in a 20-minute stretch.

Hebron held leads of 2-0, 3-1 and 4-2 before Sachse closed out the match with the last three scores for the hockey-like final. Jordan Harr scored two of the last three goals, including the game winner.

MORE GOOSE EGGS: Friday was a bit more of a scorefest, yet there were still 24 shutouts in the 31 matches played. Overall, that puts the two-day total at 38 shutouts in 47 matches.

MATCH SUMMARIES

At Nolan Catholic

McKinney Boyd (Texas) 2, [Clements tx-w] (Texas) 0. B (2-0-0): Celia Hilsabeck (Taylor Jordan), Maggie Scales (Barrett Hollis). C (0-2).

Marcus (Texas) 3, Santa Margarita (Calif.) 0. M (2-0): Taylor Moon (Katy Brown), T. Moon (Kirsten Penney), Kaity Hemperly (T. Moon). SM (9-3).

Hockaday (Texas) 2, Incarnate Word (Texas) 0. H (4-3-1): Clarissa Fuentes (Ilana Perkins), Shannon Anderson (Perkins). IW (5-4-2).

Liberty (Calif.) 2, Plano West (Texas) 1. L (6-3): Lauren Sisneros (Devyn Gilfoy), Taty Elsea (Gilfoy).

Nolan Catholic (Texas) 3, Colleyville Heritage (Texas) 2. NC (10-3-1): Hannah Allred (Kate Kleiser), Mikaela Gamboa (Allred), Gamboa (Megan Bettinger). CH (0-2-1): Alyssa Cleveland, Shine Pickler (Nicole Mueller).

Marcus (Texas) 2, Coppell (Texas) 0. M (3-0): Riley Mattingly, Maddison Algya. C (2-1).

Santa Margarita (Calif.) 3, Plano West (Texas) 0. SM (10-3): Natalie Kennedy (Madeline McFerren), Kennedy (Gwynn George), Stephanie Webb (Evann Furlong). PW (0-2-1).

At Southlake Carroll Dragon Stadium

Byron Nelson (Texas) 1, Harvard-Westlake (Calif.) 0. BN (2-0): Madalyn Turlington (Sarah Igoe). HW (8-3-1).

Southlake Carroll (Texas) 4, Bishop Lynch (Texas) 0. SCL (2-0): Alexandria Griffin (Allie Luna), Gracy Cory (Luna), Griffin (Georganne Phelps), Sydney Nobles. BL (8-3).

Sachse (Texas) 5, Hebron (Texas) 4. S (2-0): Gracie Harr (Jordan Harr), Kasey Sobers, J. Harr (Cyera Hintzen), Kayla McKeon (Niah Johnson), J. Harr (G. Harr). H (1-1): Ashely Hart (Stefani Doyle), Hart (Doyle), Doyle (Gabriella Duca), Cailee Dennis (Doyle).

Midlothian (Texas) 1, Grapevine (Texas) 0. M (2-0): Alexa England (Emma Germany). G (0-2).

Flower Mound (Texas) 3, Vandergrift (Texas) 1. FM (2-0): Rachel Mann (Megan Heckendorn), Mann (Elene Reyna), Reyna (Ashlan Hustava). V (0-2): Sarah Mahosky.

Southlake Carroll (Texas) 2, Montverde Academy (Fla.) 0. SLC (3-0): Alexandria Griffin, Neaka Khalilian (Sydney Nobles). MVA (13-2-1).

Hebron (Texas) 2, Liberty (Calif.) 0. H (2-1): Gabriella Duca (Marissa Brezgiel), Chelsee Washington(Duca). L (6-4).

At Keller

Coppell (Texas) 5, Belton (Texas) 0. C (2-0): Mackenzie McFarland (Shay Johnson), McFarland, Italia Bradley (Erian Brown), McFarland (Brown), Johnson. B (0-1-1).

Keller (Texas) 2, Vandergrift (Texas) 0. K (2-0): Berklee Peters (Cami Floth), Peters.  V (0-2).

Round Rock (Texas) 5, Amarillo (Texas) 0. RR (1-1): Sammi Mayock (Megan Rickert), Ariana Owens(Mayock), Owens, Allyana Kewish (Megan Moody), Owens. A (0-2): Becca Brock (Yara Carrillo).

[Arlington Martin tx-w] (Texas) 2, Liberty Christian (Texas) 0. M (1-1): Haley Riley (Julie Arriage), Samantha Sadler. LC (11-5).  

Harvard-Westlake (Calif.) 0, McKinney Boyd (Texas) 0. HW (8-2-1). MB (2-0-1).

Keller (Texas) 4, Sachse (Texas) 4. K (2-0-1): AK Ward, Berklee Peters, Cami Floth (Ward), Coleman (Ellis). S (2-0-1): Kayla McKeon, Cyera Hintzen (Jordan Harr), J. Harr (Hintzen), J. Harr (Hintzen).

Grapevine (Texas) 2, Amarillo (Texas) 0. G (1-2): Mary Rumbelow (Sophia Smith), Rumbelow. A (0-3).

At Gateway

Midlothian (Texas) 2, Monterey (Texas) 0. M (1-0-1): Peyton Visconti (Sky Reynolds), Maci Schoonover(Brooke Greeson). L (0-2).

Tyler Lee (Texas) 2, Colleyville Heritage (Texas) 0. TL (1-1): Carly Wyatt (Marlen Esparza), Priscilla Rincon (Jazmine Navarro). CH (0-1-1).

Kingwood (Texas) 0, San Angelo Central (Texas) 0. K (1-0-1). SAC (0-0-2).

Clements (Texas) 1, Antonian (Texas) 0. C (1-1): Courtney Harris (Lexi Moser). A (10-6).

Tyler Lee (Texas) 1, Monterey (Texas) 0. TL (2-1): Jazmine Navarro. M (0-3).

Ursuline Academy (Texas) 5, Kingwood (Texas) 1. UA (9-1): Mary Stoutenburgh (Lizzy Barna), Alyssa Sheldon (Alex Arenas), Adrienne Bland (Sydney Frankenfeld), Alexis Arenas (Sophia Schmidt), Arenas. K (1-1-1): Mari Gillespie.

Byron Nelson (Texas) 2, Round Rock (Texas) 0. BN (3-0): Madalyn Turlington, Ansley Bunger (Jeyci Lopez). RR (1-2).

Liberty Christian (Texas) 1, Antonian (Texas) 0. LC (11-4): Danielle Maniguet (Morgan Taylor). A (10-5).

Belton (Texas) 3, Hockaday (Texas) 0. B (1-1-1): Alison Navarro (Lexi Mack), Navarro (Tiarra Hodges), Hodges (Emma Stinson). H (5-5-1).

San Angelo Central (Texas) 3, Incarnate Word (Texas) 1. SAC (1-0-2): Tegan Wilson (Alexis Quirino), Quirino (Darci Wilson), Addison Bonaventure (Sydnie Dehoyos). IW (5-5-2): Anne Boeckman.