Salisbury High School center midfielder, Ethan Heydt, and Quakertown High School forward, Victoria Sturgess, were named 2016 Soccer Scholar Athletes at the Lehigh Valley Soccer Scholar Athlete Awards Banquet on Jan. 29 at Northampton Memorial Community Center in Northampton, Pa.

Heydt and Sturgess were among 76 nominees from 40 high schools throughout the area who were selected jointly by their coaches and the school administration. The Soccer Scholar Athlete Committee then selected the overall winners.

“I’m super proud,” said Heydt. “It’s probably my biggest accomplishment this year, and it’s nice to be recognized for what I do off the field too.”

Coached by Mark Allinson, Heydt was a four-year varsity starter who scored 60 goals and had 41 assists during his high school soccer career. The Salisbury senior is also president of the National Honor Society.

“I wasn’t thinking about it too much, but definitely tonight, I was hopeful,” Heydt said. “Then [Master of Ceremonies] George Crampton gave me a little eyebrows, and I had an idea, and when I heard 60 and 41, I recognized it. I never had that many people clap for me before.”

Heydt accepted the award, thanking his parents Joseph and Bonnie for being there for him his whole life, and he thanked his coach by saying he wouldn’t have been here without him.

“My love for the game has grown, and I love the sense of camaraderie. I’ve grown as a player and a person,” said Heydt, who was captain his junior and senior years.

The Salisbury Falcons were crowned District XI champions after a 1-0 overtime victory over Palisades. Heydt was credited with the assist on the goal by Mason Groff. The Falcons went on to defeat Scranton Prep 2-1 in the first round of states. Heydt scored Salisbury’s first goal in that game.

“It was awesome [winning districts]. I didn’t want to go out without a district championship,” Heydt said. “Winning the first round of states was a milestone. It was the first time we won that in 10 years.”

Heydt is considering attending Georgetown University where he will major in business.

Sturgess was a three-year varsity starter for Quakertown and captain her junior and senior year. She is also a member of the National Honor Society.

“After they called my last name, I was thinking, don’t trip, and, am I supposed to be walking up there?” said Sturgess, who was accompanied by her parents Michael and Ann. “I’m really proud because I accomplished what I wanted to do with my coaches, the other players, and my teachers.”

Quakertown won the Suburban One American League after being undefeated in the regular season.

“Winning leagues was not something we were expecting to happen, and it was the first time in three years we made districts,” Sturgess said.

Quakertown coach Mike Koch has had a profound effect on Sturgess’s life.

“He taught me everything, from being a good soccer player to being a leader. He is a gentle, decent person,” said Sturgess. “He taught me to be good and do good in the world.”

Sturgess is planning to attend McGill University and major in engineering.

Nominees:

Central Catholic - Christina Marinos, Chris Alvarez

Bangor - Amalia Abrahamsen, Timothy Ferguson

Bethlehem Catholic - Blake McGill, Kevin Michels

Catasauqua - Sofia Alquirih, Nicholas Hertzog

East Stroudsburg No. - Kassandra Patrick, Joshua Becker

East Stroudsburg So. - Gabrielle Bonnar, Jordan Cortez

Easton - Jayliana Bedoya, Keith Grega

Emmaus - Reilly McGinnis, Kevin Williams

Faith Christian - Nathaniel Peterson

Freedom - Jaiden Coyne, Judson Freidl

Jim Thorpe - Margaret Holloway, Cameron Condly

Lehigh Valley Christian - Jonathan Stamper

Lehighton - Raja Alie Quinones, Tyler Dietz

Liberty - Jessica Becker, Valentin Perevalov

Dieruff - Joey Saba

Moravian Academy - Shabaig Chatha, Griffin Richards

Nativity BVM - Madison Ulsh, Patrick Crane

Northampton - Brandy Moser, Trevor Hanuschak

Northern Lehigh - Karlyna Kemery, Everette Bevans

Northwestern Lehigh - Emily Renner, Dominic Mertz

Notre Dame (East Stroudsburg) - Krista Kissell

Notre Dame (Green Pond) - Catherine Kelly, Cameron Sauers

Palisades - Brianna Johnson, Bobby McClintock

Palmerton - Johanna Matska, Jacob Taylor

Parkland - Olivia Schantz, Mark Stenske

Pen Argyl - Megan McCarty, Mason Hudnall

Phillipsburg - Lauren Brown, Peter Dragun

Pleasant Valley - Natalie Lautz, Ryan Prator

Pocono Mountain East - Taylor Yacuboski, Michael Bone

Pottsville - Megan Dalton, Charles Botto

Quakertown - Victoria Sturgess, Jacob Graham

Salisbury - Kyra Bruns, Ethan Heydt

Saucon Valley - Ashleigh Nagy, Ryan Smith

Schuylkill Haven - Mary Zimmerman, Ryan Kunkle

Southern Lehigh - Allison Borelli, Daniel Qian

Stroudsburg - Becca Meisse, John Burns

Weatherly - Morgan Gower, John Hinkle

Whitehall - Kylee Cunningham, Bailey Luckenbill

Allen - Erika Sinchi, Josen Mana

Wilson - Augusto Sanchez