Sikeston's Jordi Ferrell, seen here against Fredericktown on May 8, was named to the Class 1 All-State First Team for the second time. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat) [Click to enlarge]

SIKESTON -- Five Sikeston Lady Bulldog soccer players received honors recently after a 12-14 2008 season.

Jordi Ferrell led the way, both on the field and with honors, as she was named First Team All-State for the second consecutive year. Ferrell wrapped up the season with 60 points, 19 goals and 22 assists, including four game-winning goals.

She will be playing collegiate soccer at Murray State University in 2009. Other awards for Ferrell included First Team All-Conference and All-Region.

"Jordi's biggest accomplishment as a Lady Bulldog was making All-State two years in a row," said Sikeston head coach Derrick Long. "She works so hard in our games and she was our quarterback for the last three years. It's going to be a big hole to fill, but I think she would've traded them both for a district championship."

Right behind Ferrell was Abbi Keefer, who was named First Team All-Conference and All-Region. Keefer had a solid season for the Lady Bulldogs with 55 points, second only to Ferrell. She recorded 18 goals and 19 assists as a junior for Sikeston and had six game-winning goals.

"I think Keefer's awards were well-deserved," said Long. "I think her and Ferrell are two of the top in our area, and if there were a top-11 team, I think they'd be on it. They both work hard inpractice and that shows in games."

Receiving Second Team All-Conference honors were Katie De La Rosa and Ariel Reynolds. De La Rosa, a 2008 graduate, captained the defensive end of the field for the Lady Bulldogs, and pulled together five points on three assists and one goal in her senior campaign. She was also named honorable mention to the Southeast All-Region team.

"I think if we would've played better as a team, then Katie would've gotten on the first team," said Long of his defensive specialist. "She had an amazing year, but we just didn't finish well. I think she would've made it."

Reynolds, a junior, had one assist but also held opponents tight on the defensive end alongside teammate De La Rosa. She will headline an experienced defensive team for the Lady Bulldogs in 2009. "

"Ariel had a great year," Long said. "I was kind of disappointed for her not getting more accolades towards the end of the year. She's definitely the fastest girl on our team, and anytime our team had a defensive breakdown, she came across field and saved us. She shut down her side every game and we re expecting big things from her next year. She'll be the captain of our defense."

After two seasons in goal for Sikeston, Amber Minner was awarded for her play with honorable mention to the SEMO All-Conference team. Minner recorded 12 wins in 1924 minutes, had nine losses and two ties. She also recorded 10 shutouts on 198 saves.

"Amber holds the record for most shutouts in school history," said Long. "She stepped in her junior year and had never played keeper before. She was a rock and had a lot of saves this year. The reason she made All-Conference honorable mention was because teams started noticing her defense. She's a heck of an athlete and she learned the skill quickly. Overall, she was a big part of our team."

The Lady Bulldogs finished up the season in district play, losing to Notre Dame 2-0 after defeating Farmington in the opening round of the tournament. Keefer and Reynolds will look to build on the 2008 success next season under head coach Derrick Long.