Record-breaking Esmie Gonzales is 2016 Super Team girls player of year
It’s no surprise that record-setting Fort Worth South Hills forward Esmie Gonzales is the Star-Telegram 2016 Girls Super Team Player of the Year.
The senior eclipsed the national high school career goal-scoring mark with her 287th goal on March 3, eventually setting the bar at 316. Gonzales scored 109 times this season, an average of just under five goals per match.
I’m not worried about one thing. I’m worried about winning and playing with my team.
Fort Worth South Hills senior Esmie Gonzalez on not worrying about scoring records
“I think at the beginning of the season when she told me she wanted to go after it, that told me it’s not my place to keep her from going after the record,” South Hills coach Jamie Southern said. “That motivated her, and it kind of motivated the team because the team was pulling for her as well.”
Gonzales was also the Super Team Player of Year in 2013 when she burst onto the scene as a freshman with 77 goals. Coming into this season, she knew the national record could be in reach.
“I just put it in the back of my mind and if I got to that it would be awesome,” she said. “I just tried to play my game. I was afraid if I thought of the record more it would just confuse me and make worry more about that one thing. I’m not worried about one thing. I’m worried about winning and playing with my team.”
You don’t want to compare a high school girl to Lionel Messi, but the way she can zig and zag and her footwork in tight spaces is unheard of.
South Hill coach Jamie Southern on Esmie Gonzalez
After four years of coaching her, Southern provided perhaps the best compliment a soccer player could ask for.
“You don’t want to compare a high school girl to Lionel Messi, but the way she can zig and zag, and her footwork in tight spaces is unheard of,” he said. “I’ve never seen a girl that can do that in such tight spaces. She moves like a professional soccer player with that low center of gravity and confidence with the ball at her feet. And she’s probably more creative than any player I’ve seen with the ball at her feet.”
Gonzales’ storied high school career ended in a bi-district loss to Burleson Centennial, but there’s not much else she would change about her time as a Scorpion.
“It was a completely amazing experience. That’s about all I can say,” she said. “People say things happen for a reason. Me and my team, we just wanted to play. Losing hurt us, and made us think about what we could have done better. But it was still just a great experience overall, every one of my years.”
Super team
GK Kyleigh Hall, Jr., Mansfield Legacy: The MVP of 14-5A put together a stretch of 11 consecutive shutouts before losing in the playoffs. Had 16 shutouts on the season.
D Sidney Deatherage, Jr., Joshua: Co-Defensive Player of the Year in District 8-5A, part of backline that posted 18 shutouts this season and allowed just six goals.
D Haylee Hulse, Jr., Grapevine: The defensive MVP of District 6-5A, Hulse also added five goals and an assist for the state runner-up Mustangs.
D Caiti Broccoli, Jr., Mansfield Lake Ridge: Defensive Player of the Year in district 14-5A, helped the Eagles post 12 shutouts on the way to the regional tournament.
M Hannah Allred, Jr., Nolan Catholic: Paced the Lady Vikings with 29 goals this season and added 16 assists. Was first-team all-district and first-team all-state in TAPPS Division I.
M Katina Tsapos, Sr., Trophy Club Byron Nelson: A veteran all-around player, was co-MVP of District 5-6A this season as a central midfielder, chipping in eight goals and eight assists.
M Haley Riley, Jr., Arlington Martin: The MVP of District 4-6A, helped Martin to an undefeated district season chipping in 18 goals and 6 assists.
M Allie Thornton, Sr., Kennedale: Capped her career with a second state title, scoring 42 goals and adding 21 assists en route to District 8-4A MVP honors.
F Ansley Bunger, Jr., Trophy Club Byron Nelson: Leading scorer in competitive District 5-6A with 29 goals. Named the district Offensive MVP.
F Ally Griffin, Jr., Southlake Carroll: In her first year with the team, set a program record for goals in a season with 49. Was named Forward MVP of District 7-6A.
F Esmie Gonzales, Sr., Fort Worth South Hills: A four-time Super Team selection and two-time Player of the Year, she had 109 goals this season to reach a national record of 316 for her career.
This story was originally published May 2, 2016 at 5:19 PM with the headline "Record-breaking Esmie Gonzales is 2016 Super Team girls player of year."