Eureka’s Lila Ekholdt named MVP in Big 4 girls soccer

By barstoolfanatics on December 1, 2023 • ( Leave a comment )

Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Lila Ekholdt

By Ray Hamill — The hard work is paying off for Eureka’s Lila Ekholdt.

The standout senior will have plenty of options to continue her playing career after graduation in 2024 and her success on the soccer field has not gone unnoticed by local coaches.

This week, the H-DNL named Ekholdt as the 2023 Big 4 MVP in girls soccer after she led the Loggers to a second straight league and North Coast Section championship double.

And that doesn’t surprise her coach Tommy Learmouth, who has seen the work Ekholdt puts in at practice and outside of practice.

“Lila, over the course of the last four years, has been one of the hardest working athletes, or the hardest, I’ve been around,” he said. “She’s dedicated to her craft and constantly working outside of practice and working to improve.”

Ekholdt was a consistent threat in attack for the Loggers all season long and led the team in both goals (19) and assists (15).

But that’s not the only impact she had in what was another memorable season for the Eureka girls, and according to her coach her game improved in other ways too.

“She took on more of a leadership role this year,” Learmouth said.

Ekholdt is still considering her collegiate options but is likely to receive plenty of interest and should continue to improve her game at the next level.

The standout senior was one of seven Eureka players to receive all-league recognition.

Teammates Angelina Conant, Lorena Hernandes, Maia Hales and Ella Tollefson each also were named to the all-league team, while junior Paige Rodgers received an honorable mention, as did freshman Olivianna Millender, who has quickly established herself at the varsity level.

Three Fortuna players were also named all-league.

Brylee Barsanti

Allie Cox

Taylor Brooks, Brylee Barsanti and Allie Cox led the Huskies to a second place finish in the Big 4 and almost knocked off the Loggers in a thrilling NCS championship game.

Joining them on the all-league team are McKinleyville’s Leah Circe and Gabby Watson.

No Arcata players were officially listed on the all-league team.

However, according to Tigers head coach Patrick Stranahan, who was unable to make the all-league meeting because of illness, his all-league selections are Sionna Khattab and Maile Russell, each of whom enjoyed outstanding seasons for the Arcata girls and are worthy candidates.

There was also no Big 4 Goalkeeper MVP named this year, although McKinleyville’s Caitlyn Canepa was a clear favorite among the majority of league coaches and the best and most consistent shot stopper in the entire H-DNL this fall.