Kourtney Cunningham has the rare distinction of scoring the game-winning goals in both of Whitehall's district championships in girls soccer.

The first came in her freshman season when Whitehall defeated Parkland 2-1 in overtime, advancing all the way to the state finals that year. Her other came last fall when she drilled the game-winner against Nazareth for the 2-1 victory.

In between those memorable tallies, the talented center-midfielder scored over 100 goals, finishing with 122 for her career. She also had 61 assists over that four-year span.

Her game winner against the Trojans in spring 2012 gave Whitehall its first district championship in girls soccer. It would be difficult to beat that feat as far as fondest memories are concerned since it was a historic achievement, but Cunningham points to their district run this year as being the highlight of her athletic career at Whitehall.

"We were the underdogs," said Cunningham. "We weren't the team to beat. Everyone thought it would be someone else in the EPC."

But once they went on a 9-game winning streak to begin the season, the girls started building some confidence. It was also special since they exacted some sweet revenge against Parkland, who defeated them for the EPC title.

They downed the Trojans, who had beaten them three times during the course of the season, in the district semifinals to earn a spot in the finals.

That set up the match with Nazareth who vaulted out to an early lead, leading to Cunningham's late heroics.

"I think that was a really big accomplishment," said Cunningham. "We lost to Parkland three times, and then beat them the fourth. We got the job done."

She said it was a bit unexpected since it was a young team with a new coach, but the transition was fairly seamless, allowing them to get the gold.

Cunningham finished her senior soccer season with 41 goals and 19 assists, garnering multiple postseason honors along the way, including first-team all-EPC, all area, and was selected as a member of the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association All-State Team.

She also got the job done in field hockey, a sport which coincides with soccer during the fall. Her 29 goals and 19 assists this season helped put the Zephyrs into both the league and district playoffs. They finished the year 12-8-1, giving her postseason appearances in both the league and district championships for field hockey and soccer her final year.

Along the way, Cunningham set the season single assist mark her senior year with 19.

The forward also captured postseason honors in field hockey, including a first-team EPC selection, a member of the all area team, and was a Pennsylvania Field Hockey Coaches Association Honorable Mention.

In the spring, Cunningham was a sprinter on the track team, competing in the 100, 200 and the 4x100 relay. As a member of the relay team, Cunningham was part of a foursome that placed fourth in the EPC Track and Field Championships this year. Cunningham, along with Decontee Krayee, Amanda Crooks and Ivanna Jones crossed the line in 50.71.

With all those accomplishments, the senior also has the distinction of being named the Whitehall-Coplay Press' Female Athlete of the Year.

Heading into her senior season, Cunningham had some goals she wanted to accomplish. One was getting her 100th goal which she achieved in a 5-0 win over East Stroudsburg South.

"That was really an exciting point," said Cunningham.

She also wanted to win another league and district championship, fulfilling the latter with the game-winning goal. Winning those two district championships was a big accomplishment, putting her among just a few Whitehall soccer players who can make that claim.

"That will always stand out," said Cunningham.

Cunningham also relished her role as a mentor and a leader. She said the most important thing she instilled in her teammates was a positive attitude.

"I wanted to be the best leader I could," she said. "Part of that was don't be negative and bring them down."

Cunningham said that message was reinforced when teammate Vanessa Pedraza was thrust into an unfamiliar defensive role, leaving her visibly upset.

"I told her, 'I have your back,'" said Cunningham. "That made her more comfortable and we went on to win the game."

Cunningham credits her family for much of her success.

Both her mother and father never missed a game, and always encouraged her when times got rough. Her mom, Tammi, was there to take her to all those practices and games, making sure she had everything she needed for that day's sporting events, while her dad, Tim, made sure she was motivated and prepared, offering her tips to get stronger and better.

"He pushed and motivated us to be the best athletes we could be," said Cunningham.

Her grandparents were also part of that tight-knight circle that followed he throughout her career at Whitehall. All those people made it easier to cope with the highs and lows that come with being a student-athlete.

Cunningham will now take the next step, heading to Rider University in the fall to play soccer. She'll major in Business Administration with a minor in Health Care Administration.