Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Caitlyn Canepa celebrates a win over Arcata with her teammates this fall.

By Ray Hamill — After some confusion regarding the announcement of the all-league teams in girls soccer, the H-NDL confirmed this week that McKinleyville’s Caitlyn Canepa has been named 2023 Big 4 MVP Goalkeeper.

And it was a well-deserved award, with all three of the league coaches in attendance at the league meeting voting unanimously for the Panthers standout.

Canepa has been one of the most respected shot stoppers in the H-DNL for the past few seasons and that continued to be the case this fall.

“If teams scored on her it was never going to be an easy goal,” McKinleyville head coach Brady Burtchett said. “If they scored on her you know it was going to be a good shot.”

The Panthers lost seven of their nine league games, but they were in every game they played and four of those loses were by just one goal, with Canepa continually denying opposing attacks.

“She kept us in a lot of games,” Burtchett said.

Canepa also has seen her role change over the past few seasons as her game evolved.

“She was very vocal for us through the season,” the head coach added. “And she was definitely our MVP. We could count on her.

“Overall she was a great leader and a positive reinforcement for her teammates.”

And she might not be done yet.

The talented net-minder is considering her collegiate options and may continue her playing career at the next level after graduating in 2024.

College of the Redwoods reportedly is interested in bringing her on board.

Canepa also is continuing to work on her game with local travel team Sequoia FC.

For more on the all-league team, see Eureka’s Lila Ekholdt named MVP in Big 4 girls soccer …

Photo by Cherie Fry Circe