Canon-McMillan’s Bryan named Almanac MVP
Sabrina Bryan helped Canon-McMillan capture its first PIAA championship in girls’ soccer by scoring 31 goals and dishing up 28 assists. As a result, she has been named Almanac MVP.
Sabrina Bryan finished her career as the second-leading scorer in school history with 94 goals. She also ranked No. 2 in assists with 64.
Sabrina Bryan will continue her playing career at Hofstra University.
Sabrina Bryan scored 31 goals and collected 28 assists as the Lady Macs posted a 22-1-1 record, complete with a state title.
A clever slogan propels Sabrina Bryan as the Canon-McMillan senior pursues her goals in athletics as well as life.
“Teamwork makes a dream work,” she said.
On Nov. 19, Bryan realized her high school soccer aspiration. She helped the Lady Macs capture their first-ever state championship when they edged Central Bucks South, 1-0, in overtime of the PIAA Quad-A girls’ final at HersheyPark Stadium.
“Without a doubt, winning states,” Bryan said has been the highlight of her scholastic career.
”Definitely the focus was on teamwork. It takes 11 players,” she explained. “There are 11 players on the field for a reason. I think working as a team definitely helped us achieve all of our goals. We have to believe in each other and trust that the other person is going to do their job and you just have to do yours and together you can win a championship.”
Bryan certainly did her job. She scored goals, leading the Lady Macs with 31 goals and finishing with 28 assists.
“My goal this season was to get as many goals as I can because I knew that with goals would come wins,” Bryan said. “As long as you would get a goal, then you would win the game.”
When Bryan didn’t score, in fact, when she didn’t play, due to a leg injury, the Lady Macs (22-1-1) suffered their lone loss of the season, a 3-1 setback against Norwin in the WPIAL District 7 championship match. Back in the line-up a week later, Bryan tallied two goals as Canon-Mac avenged the defeat, downing the Knights, 3-1, in the quarterfinals of the PIAA tournament.
Bryan felt her contribution to the victory was critical to her as well as the Lady Macs and their morale.
“It was really important for me to help the team because I saw how heartbroken they were after the first loss so I knew if I could play that I would do anything that I could to win and beat Norwin the second time,” she said.
Bryan, certainly, helped the Lady Macs win some big games this season. She recorded a hat trick against rival Upper St. Clair and a pair of goals against Mt. Lebanon as well as Seneca Valley, a WPIAL semifinalist. She also produced two tallies in the state semifinal game against Cumberland Valley.
“In the past, people knocked Sabrina because they said that she could not score against the good teams (only against lesser opponents),” C-M skipper Dave Derrico said. “This year, she scored goals against most of the really tough teams that we played. She would have had more goals, in fact, if she had not been injured. She came back from her injury rested and more determined than ever to win the state title.”
Bryan remembered all too well her first PIAA championship experience. She scored the first goal of the game, less than a minute into the action, and it appeared the Lady Macs were on their way to a title back in 2014. Canon-McMillan lost, 2-1, to Central Bucks East in overtime.
Despite the most-adverse weather conditions, the Lady Macs triumphed this year on a goal from Addi Roman almost 100 minutes into the contest.
“I wasn’t sure but as soon as the ball left her foot, I knew it was going in,” Bryan said of the winning score. “I was extremely happy because it was awful playing in those conditions. It was hailing. It hurt my face to run. I was trying to shield my face as I was running. It was awful weather conditions. The wind. You couldn’t even pass the ball without the wind taking it in a different direction.
“But, when we won, it was the most unbelievable feeling. After the game, I was in tears. I couldn’t help but cry. We waited four years for this and it finally happened. Even now, I still can’t believe it. That we won. I’m extremely proud of everyone that played, everyone that cheered us on from the sideline and extremely grateful to have the opportunity.”
Up next for Bryan is the opportunity to play at the collegiate level. She committed to Hofstra University, turning down offers from Valparaiso, New Hampshire and Providence. She will major in exercise science with the hopes of becoming a physical therapist. Bryan said that she selected the Long Island school because “the campus was beautiful” and the academics as well as athletics were great. “The coaching staff was amazing,” she added. “They really made me feel at home
Since she was 3, the pitch has been Bryan’s home. She started playing soccer because of her older sister, Samantha. “She started when she was 3,” said the 17-year-old daughter of Jon and Francine Bryan. “So once I turned three, it was a great way to make friends so my parent just signed me up,” she explained.
In addition to playing for the Canon-McMillan Soccer Association, Bryan also competes with the Riverhounds and participates in the club’s academy. There she really honed her skills.
“I’ve always had natural speed. That and scoring goals are my strengths but I lift weights on the side so I think that helps me really push and get the extra step. With the Riverhounds, we have a weight-lifting program and work with a speed and strength coach.
“Without a doubt, being with the Riverhounds has helped my game,” Bryan continued. “We work on foot skills every day of practice, we work on passing, possession, and we work on opening the field up. We do every aspect of the game every day in practice.”
Practice will enable Bryan to reach her ultimate dream. She hopes to play on the U.S. women’s soccer team some day.
“Every since I have been a little kid I have dreamed of playing on the national team.”
Right now, Bryan will be content with starring on The Almanac’s Elite Eleven team. She has been named Most Valuable Player for girls’ soccer.
“I feel extremely honored to be named MVP,” said Bryan, who finished her career as the second-leading scorer (94) and assist-getter (64) in school history. “There are so many talented players in the WPIAL, especially in Quad-A, and to be named MVP really means a lot to me.”