JOURNAL STAFF
Byrd’s Natalie Dvorakova was selected as the Overall MVP on Shreveport-Bossier Journal 2024 All- Metro girls soccer team and her coach, Lisa Levermann, was voted as the Coach of the Year after they led the Lady Yellow Jackets to the state finals.
Audrey Jordan, Caddo Magnet’s star forward, was selected as Offensive MVP, with Loyola’s Mary Helen Burford taking the Defensive MVP honors.
In a very balanced season of girls soccer locally, Byrd, Loyola, and Captain Shreve each had three players selected, with Caddo Magnet adding two. Evangel, Benton, and North DeSoto had one chosen. There were almost 40 players nominated by the local coaches.
The Shreveport-Bossier Journal All-Metro team was put together to honor the best of the best players in the area, for 2023-2024 high school season, without regard to grade or team success. The criteria: who would be the group this area could put on the field to best compete against other all-star teams in the state?
All coaches in the area were asked to submit their nominations for inclusion on this team. The Journal staff made the final selections. The players included on the “Best of the Rest” were seriously considered for the team. The Coach of the Year was selected by a vote of the local coaches.
Dvorakova was the centerpiece of Byrd’s run to the state finals, displaying top-level footwork, distribution and shooting ability. According to Levermann, “Natilie’s technical skill and soccer IQ made her one the best players in the state,” and other coaches agreed. She scored 10 goals and had a part in just about every other goal the Lady Jackets scored, whether directly getting the assist or beginning the play that led to a goal. LSU is presently pursuing her.
Jordan’s stats this year were eye popping with 68 goals and 25 assists for the Lady Mustangs. She set the Caddo Parish record for goals in a season (68) and career goals (161). Every team that faced Magnet had a game plan to combat her, but rarely was it effective. She was also voted the West Team MVP of the Senior All Star game played this past Saturday. Jordan has committed to the University of Arkansas-Rich Mountain.
The Defensive MVP was more closely contested with Burford edging out Ella Grace Davis of Captain Shreve. Burford, a Louisiana Tech commit, ran the backline of Loyola the past three years, with this year overseeing three freshman defenders on the pitch with her. She was also tasked with moving forward in games when the Lady Flyers were tied or behind, to get Loyola back in the game.
Levermann took the Lady Jackets to the state finals, falling 2-1 to St. Scholastica. This was the third time in her career she has brought Byrd to the finals, winning the state title in 1996 and a finalist result in 2016. Levermann was the overwhelming vote getter, with no other coach getting more than one vote.
Wednesday, the boys All-Metro Team will be announced.
2024 SBJ All-Metro Girls Soccer Team
Overall MVP Natalie Dvorakova Byrd
Offensive MVP Audrey Jordan Magnet
Defensive MVP Mary Helen Burford Loyola
Coach of the Year Lisa Levermann Byrd
Forwards: Alex Knight Shreve
Myjoi Anderson Byrd
Midfielders: Isabella Baltov Magnet
Ansley Matlock Loyola
Grace Shurley Evangel
Eryn Flowers Benton
Isabella Hamilton Shreve
Defenders: Ella Grace Davis Shreve
Ella Cosby North DeSoto
Catie Miller Byrd
Goalkeeper: Millicent Mascagni Loyola
Best of the Rest:
Forwards: Melanie Windham North DeSoto
Mary Katherine Foster Evangel
Midfielders: Khaela Roraback Byrd
Eden Whiteman Benton
Cassie Campbell Loyola
Defender: Karsyn Best Benton