Nansemond River High School senior forward Emily Leverone set out to make this soccer season a special one, and the coaches of the conference agreed she did just that. She was unanimously voted as the Ironclad Conference girls’ soccer Player of the Year.

She produced 18 goals and 10 assists for the Lady Warriors during the regular season, helping them go 9-5 and undefeated in the conference.

“It was really cool and unexpected,” Leverone said of receiving the award. Having decided not to pursue soccer in college, she said, “It’s kind of like a good way to go out.”

Leverone said something that she thought stood out this year and enhanced her play was the passion with which she played.

“I think I played this year with more emotion than I ever had, trying to honor my brother,” she said of Nick Leverone, who died in a car accident in August at the age of 19.

She also praised her team and coach Darryl Yandle for helping this year be a fitting tribute.

Her father and Lady Warriors assistant coach Don Leverone said the award “was just kind of a culmination of what I think the season started as.”

Both Yandle and his assistant coach agreed about something that makes Emily special.

“A sign of a great player is not only that you’re good, but you’re able to make your whole team better,” Yandle said. Don Leverone finished Yandle’s thought when he said, “She makes people around her better, which is something that I’m proud of.”

While she displayed notable character, the coaches also hailed her versatility, which benefited the team during the regular season and beyond.

Lady Warriors joining Leverone on the all-conference first team included freshman forward Daijah Norris, senior midfielder Dawn Wright, sophomore midfielder Claire Janek, freshman midfielder Kamarie Jewette and senior defenders Cassidy Feldt and Karin Kleps.

King’s Fork High School first-team players included junior forward Lindsay Ransome, freshman forward Cydney Nichols, freshman midfielder Becca Washburn, sophomore midfielder Logan Montel and freshman defender Skylar Wall.

Lakeland High School first-team players included junior forward Julianna Durand, sophomore defender Jennifer Rockwell and junior goalkeeper Erin Bradshaw.

Nansemond River players on the all-conference second team included sophomore forward Alina Rivera, sophomore midfielder Kendall Webster, freshman midfielder Starr Robinson, junior defender Desiree Patterson, sophomore defender Jen Herrera and junior goalkeeper Samantha Henry.

King’s Fork second-team players included freshman forward Alyssa Vick, junior midfielder Hannah Washburn, sophomore midfielder Emma Marston, freshman defender Nia Nickerson and junior defender Rachel Gist.

Lakeland second-team players included freshman forward Kaylee Conner, junior forward Amanda Mason and freshman defender Haley Beale.

Players receiving honorable mention included Lady Warriors freshman Meghan Pearl, Lady Bulldogs sophomore Carlee Morse and Lady Cavaliers junior Lindsey Bagley.