Mt. Hebron girls soccer coach Tim Deppen vividly remembers the moment during a 2022 game at Reservoir. Then-sophomore Ava Skaggs soared in from out of nowhere and headed a cross far post into the top corner of the net.

Deppen marveled at the power she generated on the header, as well as her aggressiveness and physicality, and thought, “Wow this kid’s going to go places.” Deppen’s early inclinations would prove true.

“She stood out pretty early as somebody who just wanted to be the best,” Deppen said. “One of the things that stood out was how good she was out of the air. As a sophomore, she had a couple of game-winners off of her head. It was just, ‘Wow, this Ava kid is so talented.’ She gets to where the ball is going to be. That’s part of having really good anticipation, but it’s part of just the hunger inside of her to want to score and be the best.”

Those qualities helped her quickly acclimate to varsity as a sophomore. She was named first team All-County as a junior, emerging into an attacking force for the Class 3A state runner-up Vikings. As a senior, Skaggs shouldered more of the offense.

An Eastern Michigan commit, Skaggs thrived in her increased role, excelling as both a goal scorer and facilitator. She finished with six goals and six assists and has been named the 2024 Howard County Times girls soccer Player of the Year.

“I’ve always been a physical player,” Skaggs said. “Some teams know that about me during club. I think it’s because I just want to get the ball. I want to get it and create scoring opportunities, no matter the circumstances. If it’s in the air or someone has it, I’ve always been taught to run through the ball. So, even if it’s a tricky situation, if you get the ball and dip your shoulder it will be a foul on the other team. Just being confident with it and I think that really helped throughout my career growing up.”

Deppen didn’t know exactly what Skaggs’ role would be entering the season. With her diverse skillset, Skaggs could have been utilized in either a defensive or attacking midfield role. After the Vikings lost another attacker to injury, Skaggs’ role became clearer: a primary goal scoring threat up top.

Facing the pressure of constant double teams proved challenging. However, Skaggs used it as an opportunity to create for others. She focused on remaining calm and navigating different ways to create scoring chances. When Deppen and Skaggs would discuss a particular game’s physicality, Skaggs would often smirk and say, “I got this coach.”

“I think the [double teams] are enough to frustrate a lot of people,” Deppen said. “I never saw any look other than determination on her face. When you’re getting fouled constantly and double teamed, that’s enough to take somebody off their game. But I think Ava is the kind of person who almost enjoys that. She almost looks at that and says, ‘Challenge accepted.’ It almost pushes her more to perform better.”

That mindset helped Skaggs excel as one of four team captains. A multi-year varsity starter, Skaggs learned valuable leadership lessons from past leaders. Those veterans showcased the value of accountability and inclusivity, which became important parts of her leadership approach. Deppen credited this year’s captains with developing what he said as “some of the best team chemistry in a long time.”

While one accomplished career closes, another one begins, with Skaggs embarking on a new venture in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

“I’m excited about the level of play and the speed of play,” Skaggs said. “How different it’s going to be. I think it’s going to be a really good and fun change to see what it’s like. Also, team bonding, workouts and other things, I’m excited to see how it is and move forward with it.”

All-County first team

Abby Desena, Centennial, junior, striker: A captain, Desena was a vital part of the Eagles’ offense with a team-high 13 goals. She also added five assists.

Katie Hoffman, Long Reach, senior, striker: A Charleston Southern commit, Hoffman spearheaded Long Reach’s offense. She scored a team-high eight goals to go with two assists.

Sydney Rhodes, Howard, senior,striker: Second-team All-County as a junior, Rhodes was a force as a senior. She netted a team-high 15 goals, which ranked second in the county, and also tallied five assists.

Marella Virmani, River Hill, senior, striker: First team All-County for a second straight season, Virmani finished as Howard County’s points leader. Virmani led Howard County with 23 goals and added a team-high 11 assists.

Miley Barrett, Atholton, junior, midfield: Barrett emerged as an integral part of Atholton’s midfield. She had three goals and three assists.

Tiffany Blakey, Wilde Lake, junior, midfield: First team All-County for a second straight season, Blakey spearheaded Wilde Lake’s offense. She finished tied for a team-high with 10 goals.

Elise Choe, Glenelg, senior, midfield: A captain, Choe provided an important veteran presence for the young Gladiators. The senior scored four times and added three assists.

Allison Custer, Marriotts Ridge, junior, midfield: Named second team All-County as a sophomore, Custer was the backbone of the Mustangs’ midfield. She scored one goal as her speed was pivotal on both ends of the field.

Kelsey Kartanowicz, Howard, junior, midfield: Kartanowicz excelled as a distributor for the Lions and concluded the year with a team-high seven assists. As Howard’s corner kicker, she played a key part on set pieces.

Dylan Watson, River Hill, senior, midfield: Watson formed a formidable one-two-punch for River Hill’s offense alongside Virmani. She was second on the team with 11 goals and two assists.

Chloe Coughlan, Atholton, junior, defense: Coughlan made her impact as Atholton’s defensive leader after missing last season with a Torn ACL. She also contributed by setting up her teammates on quick counterattacks with five assists.

Sophia Julian, Wilde Lake, senior, defense: Julian often marked the opposition’s best attacker as a key part of Wilde Lake’s defense. The veteran also showcased her offensive prowess with six goals and seven assists.

Kaitlyn Magdar, Mt. Hebron, senior, defense: Second team All-County as a junior, Magdar was the leader of Mt. Hebron’s defense as a senior. Magdar also showed her offensive capability with three goals and three assists.

Kaitlyn McManus, Centennial, junior, defense: A team captain, McManus’ speed was vital to Centennial’s defense. She also proved dangerous on the counterattack, quickly sparking Centennial’s offense.

Emily Canseven, Mt. Hebron, senior, goalie: Canseven anchored Mt. Hebron’s stifling back line. She allowed just nine goals all season and finished with eight clean sheets.

All-County second team

Brynn Bartlett, Howard, junior, midfield

Madison Berge, River Hill, senior, defense

Madison Brock, Wilde Lake, junior, striker

Maria Brogno, Mt. Hebron, senior, midfield

Elizabeth Brown, Centennial, sophomore, midfield

Presley Carey, Marriotts Ridge, senior, defense

Avery Graham, Howard, senior, defense

Shyann Hansen, Long Reach, senior, goalie

Menna Hassan, Centennial, senior, defense

Katie Huang, River Hill, senior, midfield

Ioana Kostova, Atholton, senior, midfield

Hannah Lindberg, Glenelg, junior, midfield

Londyn Minor, Howard, sophomore, striker

Morayo Omitowoju, Marriotts Ridge, senior, striker

Raymah Quist-Therson, Howard, junior, defense

Lyric Stevenson, Long Reach, sophomore, defense

Addison Tracy, Glenelg, sophomore, goalie

Final Season Standings

Summit Division: 1. Mt. Hebron (8-2-4, 5-0, Howard County Runner-Up); 2. Marriotts Ridge (8-4-1, 4-1); 3. Glenelg (4-10, 3-2); 4. Reservoir (3-10, 2-3); 5. Oakland Mills (0-11-1, 0-3-1); 6. Hammond (0-12-1, 0-4-1).

Sierra Division: 1. Howard (14-2, 4-0, Howard County Champion, 3A South Region I finalist); 2. River Hill (11-3-1, 3-1-1, 3A State Quarterfinalist); 3. Centennial (7-3-3m 2-1-2, 2A West Region I finalist); 4. Atholton (6-3-3, 0-2-3); 5. Wilde Lake (7-4-3, 0-3-2, 2A State Quarterfinalist); 6. Long Reach (5-5-3, 0-3-2).

IAAM C Conference: Glenelg Country (8-4-1, 8-2-1); Chapelgate Christian (10-7-2, 6-4-1).