BELLEVILLE - Sugar River's Hannah Kernen was named the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association Player of the Year recently.
Kernen, a University of Wisconsin-Green Bay recruit, was also named first team all-state for the fourth straight year as a midfielder. She scored 37 goals and had 17 assists in leading Sugar River to the WIAA Division 2 sectional semifinals, where the Raiders lost to eventual state champion Madison Edgewood 1-0.
Kernen is the first player from Sugar River to win the player of the year award.
"I think it's well deserved," Sugar River coach John Ziperski said. "It's an incredible honor. With only one girl getting the award for all divisions every year, it's a pretty prestigious award. It's a huge honor not only for her, but for the program."
The Raiders finished the season 22-2-1 and 8-0 in the Capitol South Conference to win the conference title outright.
Ziperski said there are several compounding factors that have worked in Kernen's favor. She has played in a Madison soccer league and has older brothers who have pushed her to withstand physical play, Ziperski said.
Kernen also played a vital role in the winter in helping the Belleville girls basketball team reach the Division 4 sectional title game, where the Wildcats' state tournament hopes were dashed with a 38-37 loss to Westby.
However, it's on the soccer field where her future remains.
"She has been dedicated to soccer," Ziperski said. "Her offseason program has helped her get to where she is. She has been fortunate to have been on some teams with some other talented players."
Kernen, a University of Wisconsin-Green Bay recruit, was also named first team all-state for the fourth straight year as a midfielder. She scored 37 goals and had 17 assists in leading Sugar River to the WIAA Division 2 sectional semifinals, where the Raiders lost to eventual state champion Madison Edgewood 1-0.
Kernen is the first player from Sugar River to win the player of the year award.
"I think it's well deserved," Sugar River coach John Ziperski said. "It's an incredible honor. With only one girl getting the award for all divisions every year, it's a pretty prestigious award. It's a huge honor not only for her, but for the program."
The Raiders finished the season 22-2-1 and 8-0 in the Capitol South Conference to win the conference title outright.
Ziperski said there are several compounding factors that have worked in Kernen's favor. She has played in a Madison soccer league and has older brothers who have pushed her to withstand physical play, Ziperski said.
Kernen also played a vital role in the winter in helping the Belleville girls basketball team reach the Division 4 sectional title game, where the Wildcats' state tournament hopes were dashed with a 38-37 loss to Westby.
However, it's on the soccer field where her future remains.
"She has been dedicated to soccer," Ziperski said. "Her offseason program has helped her get to where she is. She has been fortunate to have been on some teams with some other talented players."
