'She's just such a complete player' says Panthers coach after senior earns rare repeat as area's best on the pitch
Val Bunde is the first player to repeat in the 18 years the Herald-Times has named a Girls Soccer Player of the Year.
It shows how special she was for Bloomington South. Then again, Bunde wasn't asked to be the same player she was last season, earning this year's award under much different circumstances.
With playmaker Helena Cutshall back in the lineup, Ellie Barada pushed up into the attack more, and with sophomore Maddie Norman another year older and more polished, Bunde was able to go back to a more natural role as a playmaker while remaining as one of the Panthers' top finishers around the net.
"She did a little bit of everything for us," South coach David Prall said.
Or a lot of everything, with another 22 goals but also piling up a career-best 20 assists.
"I felt like everything that went well for our offense started or ended with her," Prall said. Bunde was a versatile piece who could cover any position, including center back.
"I felt bad because I put a lot of weight on her, but she's just such a complete player," Prall said. "She does what's necessary for the team. Last year, it was score more goals.
"This year, we needed her to be involved in the buildup more often. Whatever we both agreed needed to be done for the team, she was a team-first kid."
She was always there for her teammates, starting every game she was healthy for all four years, and this year brought all that to her role as a senior leader.
"We had four seniors, and all had different personalities," Prall said. "She led mostly by example. She wasn't stern in telling kids what not to do. She just did everything right. When you practice and play like Val, you're going to be a good player.
"She was a great example. We just had a good combination of the four of them. They were really good leaders who made it fun and welcoming. They were inviting to all the underclassmen."
Bunde will taking all of that to the next level, having committed to NCAA Division III Brandeis in Massachusetts.
"This year, just the overall range of passing, winning tackles and creating more goals was at a much higher level," Prall said. "She was more suited to the job. You could see her at center back at the next level.
"She has such a soccer brain, and she knows the game."
Herald-Times All-Area Girls Soccer Team
Ellie Barada, South, Sr. MF
Speedy center-mid was more involved in the attack this year, finishing with 14 assists to go with three goals. All-Conference Indiana. Repeat All-Area. Will run track at North Carolina.
Val Bunde, South, Sr. MF
Attacking mid repeats as H-T Player of the Year, recording 22 goals and 20 assists. Leaves with 67 career goals. All-Conference Indiana. Three-time All-Area. ICSA All-District 4 and Second Team All-State. Signed with Brandeis University in Massachusetts.
Haeli Chambre, North, So. D
Important part of a defense that posted seven shutouts. Had a goal and three assists. Honorable mention All-Conference Indiana.
Macey Crider, Edgewood, Sr. GK
Mainstay in net again for Mustangs with 103 saves. Had nine shutouts and gave up just seven goals. All-Western Indiana Conference. Repeat All-Area. Will play basketball and run track at DePauw.
Helena Cutshall, South, Sr. F
Came back from a season-ending knee injury as a junior to score a career best 19 goals and record six assists, giving her career totals of 45 and 17. ISCA All-District 4 and Third Team All-State. All-Conference Indiana. Third time All-Area.
Paloma Martinez, South, Jr. GK
Three-year starter had 73 saves and allowed just nine goals, seven of them in three games against top-10 teams Carmel and Center Grove. Posted 13 shutouts, giving her 33 for her career. All-Conference Indiana. ISCA All-District 4 Second Team. Three-time All-Area.
Maddie Norman, South, So. F
Always a dangerous threat on left wing, piled up a team-best 29 goals to go with 19 assists. She already has 45 goals and 110 career points. All-Conference Indiana. Repeat All-Area.
Cora Parker, North, Sr. MF
Led Cougars in assists (seven) and had four goals. Honorable mention All-Conference Indiana.
Helee Patel, Edgewood, Sr. D
Center back in charge of a defense that gave up just nine goals and posted nine shutouts as a conference co-champ. All-Western Indiana Conference.
Izzy Sweet, South, Sr. D
Center back led a defense that gave up just 11 goals and shut out 13 opponents. Dangerous piece on corner kicks and had three goals, including one in the playoffs. All-Conference Indiana. Repeat All-Area.
Erica Urheim, North, Sr. F
Team captain had six goals and six assists. All-Conference Indiana. Repeat All-Area.
Zhenia Venegas, Edgewood, Sr. MF
Became the top threat for the Mustangs this year, leading the team in goals (15) and assists (five). Won 35 games over three seasons. All-Western Indiana Conference. Three-time All-Area. Center mid.
Parker Witt, Edgewood, Sr. MF
Outside-mid scored six goals for conference co-champs. All-Western Indiana Conference.
Daphne Wright, North, Sr. MF
Had to nurse her way through season coming off an injury and missed postseason. Had a team-best nine goals, including four game-winners, and had four assists. All-Conference Indiana.
HONORABLE MENTION: Jennifer Brown, Owen Valley, Jr. GK; Lizzie Bucklin, South, So. D; Camilla Ensign, North, So. D (2 goals, 4 assists); Caroline Farmer, North, So. F (8 goals, 2 assists); Mae Love, Edgewood, So. F (4 goals, 2 assists); Hattie Wisler, North, Sr. F (2 goals, 3 assists).
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: South's Val Bunde leads H-T All-Area Girls Soccer Team again
Category: General Sports
