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The Callaway girls soccer team did not have the ending to the 2023 season that they hoped for as they fell in the first round of the AA state playoffs, but that does little to affect all the progress the team made this season. The proof is in the pudding with four Cavaliers being named to the first team all-region — seniors Kate McAteer, Raine Hunt, Mya Lawton and Mary Kate Baswell. These four were joined on the second team all-region 5-2A by Autumn Brown and Aylin Ulloa.

McAteer was the true standout, earning region 5-2A player of the year by putting together a legendary senior season, scoring a whopping 39 goals while also providing 11 assists. That sort of production will be nearly impossible to replace. McAteer was also honored with the team MVP award at their banquet on Tuesday. 

While McAteer led the charge up front, the other three members of the all-region first team came from other parts of the field. Hunt, the team’s starting goalkeeper the last two seasons, first tried out for soccer her junior year and then proceeded to make two first team all-region appearances in her only two years playing soccer. Lawton’s main sport used to be softball, but over the years she fell in love with soccer and became a rock in the middle of defense for the Cavaliers. Baswell was the link between the defense and the attack and finished her junior campaign with 13 goals and 19 assists. Baswell along with Brown were named the team’s best offensive players at the Callaway soccer banquet.

Brown elevated her game to new heights this year and will likely be in line for a first team spot next season. She first started playing soccer as a sophomore last year and wrapped her junior season with 20 goals and 16 assists. Brown’s partner on the second team — Ulloa — finished the season with eight goals and two assists and will likely be called upon to serve in an even bigger role next season.

The Cavaliers also honored Kadence Leithlieter and Isla Garcia with best defensive player and rookie of the year, respectively. Letihlieter along with Daynay Velasquez were named to the all-region honorable mention list.