Massapequa High School junior Hope Breslin was named Gatorade New York Girls Soccer Player of the Year. The award, presented by The Gatorade Company in collaboration with USA TODAY High School Sports, distinguishes Breslin as New York’s best high school girls soccer player and recognizes high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. The honor also places her as a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year award to be announced in May.
Breslin, a forward, led the Chiefs (19-1-1) to their historic third straight Class AA state championship, scoring 27 goals and passing for 10 assists this past season. An All-East Region selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, Breslin was named both the Class AA Player of the Year and the Long Island Player of the Year. She led her team to a No. 3 ranking nationally in the NSCAA/USA TODAY Super 25. She was also named play off Most Valuable Player last year.
“Hope scored the winning goal in the New York Stat
e Championship game; she has great foot skills and is a very diverse player; she just keeps getting better and better,” said Coach Bruce Stegner. “For her to win this award as a junior is a huge accomplishment.”
Breslin said of the award, “When I found out I was so excited. This award means a lot to me, not only on an individual level, but for my team as a whole, which has been so successful. We all work together so well that it’s easier for success. Coach Stegner is so supportive. He’s really good at coaching.”
Breslin has committed as a sophomore to play soccer at Big 10’s University of Illinois where she is considering studying law. She maintains a high academic average, is a peer mentor in her school, and has volunteered locally on behalf of the Special Olympics, youth soccer programs and Best Buddies International.
“This honor is well deserved,” said John Piropato, director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics for the Massapequa School District. “Hope is an outstanding athlete and a well-rounded individual who truly exemplifies the spirit of this award.”
With this distinction, Breslin joins an elite alumni association of famous past state award-winners including Derek Jeter, Candace Parker, Alexi Lalas, Heather O’Reilly, and Mark Sanchez. She is also the fourth Gatorade New York Girls Soccer Player of the Year to be chosen from Massapequa High School.
