NWO Soccer Weekly (Boys') Player of the Year - Matt Bules

   A competitor with a positive swagger, work rate and ability to lead is the blueprint to Bules' game

Toledo - Sylvania Northview had a season to remember, being in the top half of the state of Ohio in Division I, winning their second straight NLL title and a special senior paving the way for many of his teammates and younger players in the Wildcat program - that special senior is midfielder Matt Bules.  Bules finished off one of his best seasons he has ever had as a player and doing something that he may not be known for...scoring goals.  Bules went on a tear in the middle of the season, tallying goals in nine straight contests and helped keep the Wildcats in position for their first District title since 2007 - but the season took an interesting shift. Back on September 27th, Bules left the St. Francis de Sales with a knee injury - an injury at the time that was undisclosed; but that was not going to stop Bules from performing at a top-level. "The injury was a setback but that is all I thought it was, just a minor setback" said Bules; and it was just a minor setback. In the district semifinal in which the Wildcats dropped on penalties to St. John's Jesuit - Bules continued his brilliance like he had done all season and created many opportunities throughout the extended match, at the end of the match Matt saw his senior season come to an end but it did not keep the quirky and stern Bules from enjoying what the team had accomplished. "I wanted to end my Northview soccer career on a high note and we may not have won a district title but being with my teammates day-in and day-out was a lot of fun and just batting. There are more important things sometimes than winning a title, just being around your brothers and working for each other is gratifying on its own" said Bules. The senior midfielder finished the season with 16 goals and 5 assists and was a key in that dominant midfield the Wildcats

possessed; Bules not known for his goal-scoring output was very impressed with his efforts throughout the season. "It felt great scoring goals and helping the team in anyway I could. I know I may not be that player [scoring] but sometimes being in the right position and putting chances away makes you feel great" said Bules - and it gave a Wildcats a boost at times when they needed it the most. Watching a player like Matt Bules, sometimes it can raise those hairs on your arm. His relentlessness and competitive edge is worth the ticket of admission - so many times this fall this young man would just do something in a match that was worthy and noted by any opposing player, coach or fan could admire. If you ask me - whatever this young man received in the post-season with accolades - it was rightfully deserved. This fall, Bules was named First Team All-NLL, All-District and All-Ohio; joining many great players that have come through the Sylvania Northview soccer program. With all those accolades, Matt was selected as the NLL Player of the Year and now named the first ever NWO Soccer Weekly Boys' Player of the Year. Bules hopes to attend the Ohio State University and planning on continuing his soccer with the club soccer team in Columbus.  When asking Matt about what he wants to leave behind younger players and future players coming through the Wildcat program he stated "Go out and always give 100 percent, we are a family first and have to put our own personal egos behind because it can sink a team's chemistry". Fourth-year Northview head coach and alumnus Jon Haynes raved about Bules' performance this past fall "Matt's senior year caps a great career for him. He has always been a hard working, tough as nails kind of kid. Seeing him excel in his last year was an absolute pleasure" said Haynes. "He's a tough

Courtesy of Toledo Blade

competitor and did not settle for anything less than success. Most importantly though, Matt is an outstanding man and ambassador for his team, his school and the community [of Sylvania]". Congratulations to Matt Bules on this prestigious award and being our first ever on the boys side and we wish you nothing but the best in his future endeavors both academically and athletically.

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NWO Soccer Weekly (Girls') Player of the Year - Abby Allen

Courtesy of Toledo Blade

Steady, pacey and just a flat out goal scorer - AW's Abby Allen a cut above many in NW Ohio and the State

Toledo - Not many student-athletes can say they have done what Abby Allen has been able to do in her high school soccer career - help propel the Generals to three straight district finals (2 district titles and a regional final appearance), leave the program as the all-time goal scorer, leader in assist (both career and season) and be a first-team All-Ohioan, but when talking to this young lady she will not talk about herself but more about the team.  "It has been great to play in this program and get such a great experience like the one I have had" said Allen. "We are such a family and we have deserved everything that we have accomplished", with that being said the Generals have become one of the top girls' programs not only in northwest Ohio but in the state. Allen's ability and skill to score goals have taken this program to new heights, coming in as a freshman Allen set the tone early with her abilities and to be a danger for any team's defending four or goalkeeper. This fall, Allen finished with 26 goals and in a match back in Findlay on September 29th she finished with two goals in that match and passed her older sister and former northwest Ohio talent Kate to become the Generals' all-time leader in goals.  With all of the talent that graduated this past summer, most felt that Allen would have to take on more responsibilities but she would have to disagree with that statement - "I knew it would be different this year but we worked hard and as the season went on and our chemistry got a lot better and it really came together for us. Coach Williams always preaches family and working for each other and it was just an awesome year I could not be more proud of our team" said Allen.  When watching a player of Abby Allen's caliber you hate to see them graduate and move on because it is such a great thing to see when you have a chance to watch her - next fall Abby will continue her soccer career at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana in the Big Ten...like her sister Kate did at Northwestern University. 

Courtesy of Toledo Blade

When asking her about the next level, she felt very confident and ready to adjust her game at the collegiate level - "It will be a tough adjustment but I am looking forward to the challenge. I have met many of the girls and they are all very nice and looking forward to all of the new players coming in" said Allen.  Abby is a two-way athlete; she is a starter on the Anthony Wayne girls' basketball team and helped them immensely last winter and with balancing athletics and other various extracurricular activities Allen ranks as the top student in her graduating class of 2015 at Anthony Wayne with a GPA of 4.8 - Allen sets the bar for many who are coming into the AW program or regulars who are currently still active in the program. "It is important leaving a great mark with being the leading scorer in the program but realistically it is leaving a positive experience so young players can achieve their goals both personal and as a team. I remember that when I was a freshman and being so excited for the years to come".  This fall Allen has collected many accolades including being named first team All-NLL, All-District and All-Ohio; while being named the unanimous choice for the NLL and District Player of the Year and now the first-ever NWO Soccer Weekly Girls' Player of the Year. Anthony Wayne head coach Lori Williams had nothing but great words to say about the senior leader; "In my opinion the sky is the limit for a player like Abby. She is just so natural in front of goal and has a great tactical sense" said Williams. "To get the attention she was getting in matches [from] opponents and putting up the number of goals and assist that she did is incredible and speaks volumes of the player she has become. She is a not only a great player but a great person and it is a testament to her family and how she has been brought up. She and all of our great seniors will be missed next fall". On behalf of NWO Soccer Weekly we congratulate Abby on her terrific season and receiving such a prestigious award - we wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors both academically and athletically.

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