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PREP SOCCER: All-Covington News Girls Soccer Team
Redskins’ Preston, Eagles’ Funes headline All-Covington News girls
All Cov News Girls Soccer
Social Circle's Tess Preston (top right) was named the All-Covington News MVP, Joanna Funes (bottom right), of Eastside, was named Newcomer of the Year. Lady Redskins head coach Heather Richardson (left) was named Coach of the Year. - photo by Covington News/File Photo

COVINGTON, Ga. — With the girls soccer seasons recently concluding, The Covington News compiled an All-Covington News girls soccer team highlighting the area’s best players. 

The team begins with a Most Valuable Player, Newcomer (Freshman) of the Year and Coach of the Year. 

Most Valuable Player

Tess Preston, Social Circle

Preston walked off to the field on May 3 for the final time as a high school soccer player. As she left the field, Preston was celebrating a state championship victory, which capped a monumental season for the Lady Redskins. 

The championship dream became reality largely due to Preston’s efforts. 

At the end of the season, Preston recorded 68 goals, which placed her second on the team, and had a team-high 38 assists. Preston’s contributions earned her, not only a spot on Region 8A-Public’s First Team All-Region, but she took home the Region 8A-Public Player of the Year. 

Newcomer of the Year

Joanna Funes, Eastside

Normally, freshmen do not receive much playing time in any sport. However, Funes made her mark on the Lady Eagles in 2022. 

Funes scored 11 goals and led her team with seven assists on the year. Her goal total was the third-most on Eastside’s team this season, too. 

Funes accomplished this while being on a squad that was senior-heavy. 

Coach of the Year

Heather Richardson, Social Circle

Winning a state championship doesn’t happen by accident. It takes a talented group of players and athletes working together to accomplish such a feat. On top of that, it takes a head coach to captain the ship. 

Richardson did just that in 2022 at the helm of the Lady Redskins. 

On Richardson’s watch, Social Circle went 24-1, won the Region 8A-Public championship as well as the Class A-Public state title — the first in program history. 

Here are the top 11 area players (in alphabetical order): 

1. Peyton Brooks, SCHS

      - 72 goals, 25 assists 

      - First team All-Region 

2. Kaylee Connell, SCHS

      - 5 goals, 17 assists

      - Second Team All-Region

3. Lauren Davis, EHS

      - 13 goals

      - Second Team All-Region 

4. Alana Ferguson, SCHS

       - 17 goals, 8 assists

       - Second Team All-Region 

5. Bailey Love, EHS

       - 5 goals, 4 assists

       - Second Team All-Region 

6. Savannah Massey, NHS

      - 13 goals, 1 assist

7. Tania Menchaca, Alcovy 

      - 5 goals

8. Katie Oakley, EHS

     - 17 goals

     - First team All-Region 

9. Rory Stowe, SCHS

     - Region Defensive Player of the Year 

     - First team All-Region

10. Lizzie Teasley, EHS

     - First Team All-Region 

11. Taylor Wright, SCHS

     - 4 goals, 17 assists



The All-Covington News girls soccer team was selected by a panel including sports editor Phillip B. Hubbard and editor and publisher Taylor Beck.