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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

Soccer scholar athletes are honored

Easton center midfielder Bethany Hall and Emmaus center back Callen Reid were named the 2018 Lehigh Valley Soccer Scholar Athletes on Sunday at the annual awards banquet in Northampton.

“It was exciting,” said Reid. “I was very honored because there are a lot of people in this room who are very intelligent and very skilled in soccer.”

Reid played varsity soccer for three years and was named 2018 All Conference First Team. Academically, Reid is a member of the National Honor Society and Math League.

Reid and the Hornets made it to the District XI final this past fall and qualified for the state tournament as the district runner-up.

“It was just a great experience being with all the guys,” said Reid. “It was a strong team, good coaching, overall fun, and a competitive level of soccer.”

Reid plans to study engineering in college but is undecided on a college choice at this time.

Hall, whose father Tim is head coach of the Red Rovers, was named All Conference Third Team, and is also a member of the National Honor Society and Latin Club.

“I was really excited because of all the hard work I’ve done over the past four years. It’s nice to get recognized,” said Hall. “I think I’ll miss going to practice every day because I love playing soccer.”

Highlights for Hall were qualifying for states, defeating Whitehall in overtime, team bonding, and playing for her father.

“I think it worked because he always draws a fair line. He tries to treat me evenly with the other girls on the team and when we go home I’m his daughter, and I definitely will miss playing for him,” she said.

Hall plans to attend Cornell, Rice or Clemson where she will major in biological sciences and minor in political science.

Eighty Lehigh Valley soccer scholar athletes were honored at the Northampton Memorial Community Center.

Brittney Ruggieri, founder of WPSL franchise, the Lehigh Valley Tempest, was the guest speaker.

Ruggieri encouraged the soccer scholar athletes to keep soccer as part of their lives.

“When you have an opportunity, say yes. There are people out there who will help,” Ruggieri told them.

The following are bios of local athletes nominated from Catasauqua, Northampton and Whitehall:

Catasauqua

Hailey Baez, parents are Mike and Danielle Hacker, is a four-year varsity player, a two-year captain and a member of various youth soccer organizations since age of five.

She plans to study nursing.

Devon Troxell, parents are David and Gretchen Troxell, is a four-year varsity player, a senior-year captain, played for TriBoro Soccer Association and the Catasauqua

Youth Soccer Association. He played football, basketball and track and is a member of SADD, a class VP and a student adviser.

He plans to study landscape design.

Northampton

Gabrielle Demchak, parents are Ed and Colleen Demchak, is a four-year varsity player and a junior and senior year captain. She played for Bath East Allen Soccer and Moore Township, and also played softball, basketball and was a member of DECA and the German Club.

She plans to study mathematics and secondary education.

Aaron Eberts, parents are Ed and Deborah Eberts, is a two-year varsity player, a senior year captain and a member of Bath East Allen Soccer and the Northampton Soccer Club as well as a National Honor Society and Biology Club member.

He plans to study chemical engineering.

Whitehall

Erica Juliano, parents are Mike and Rita Juliano, is a four-year varsity player, all-league first team senior year, a member of Lehigh Valley United, ODP, PDA, as well as student council and SADD.

She plans to attend Sacred Heart University to play soccer and study mechanical engineering.

Aziz Atiyeh, parents are Abraham and Flavian Atiyeh, is a four-year varsity player, all-league third team member junior year and all-league second team member senior year. He was also a member of Triboro Soccer, Western Lehigh, Lehigh Valley United and National Honor Society.

He plans to study accounting.

Press photo by Katie McDonaldEaston center mid Bethany Hall and Emmaus center back Callen Reid were named the 2018 Lehigh Valley Soccer Scholar Athletes.