Not many local girls soccer players have had the career that Lauren Barnes has had. It’s only fitting that after being a finalist just about every year, she finally earns the title of BLITZ Player of the Year.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• 65 Goals
• 12 Assists
• 77 Points
• 100+ Career Goals

65 Goals in a single season is ridiculous. It’s funny that Barnes and nearby talents Ivy Tolbert and Chloe Diaz (both of Commerce) tied for second in the NATION in goals scored. Barnes has been doing it for awhile, tallying north of 100 goals in her time with the Lady Cats. She had 77 points this season and 12 assists to go with her flurry of goals.

VOTING RESULTS

1. Lauren Barnes – 57 pts (9 1st-place votes)
2. Ivy Tolbert – 44 (4)
3. Hazen Ramey – 26
4. Nicole Limehouse – 14
5. Gabby Morrow – 6.5
6. Jayden Taylor – 6.25
7. Savanna Jackson – 5.25
8. Sarah Clark – 0.5

Barnes took 9 top votes, while Tolbert got herself 4. Barnes had all 1st and 2nd place votes, while Tolbert had a couple 3rd-place tallies but otherwise also all top 2.

Voting included our 13-person panel made up of sports reporters, writers, video producers, former coaches, players, GHSA officials, and sports experts. The voting is Heisman-style, with the following points system:
1st place votes: 5 pts; 2nd: 3 pts; 3rd: 2 pts; 4th: 1 pts; 5th-6th: 0.5 pts; 7th-8th: 0.25 pts

HISTORY OF SOCCER POY

• 2021 – Lauren Barnes – Rabun County SR F
• 2020 – Hope Kenney – Lumpkin County SR F
• 2019 – Hope Kenney – Lumpkin County JR F
• 2018 – Brooke Barrett – Towns County SR F
• 2017 – Fallan Lacey – Dawson County SO GK
• 2016 – Alexis Satterfield – Lumpkin County SR F
• 2015 – Alexis Satterfield – Lumpkin County JR F
• 2014 – Anela Melton – Dawson County JR GK
• 2013 – Tina Libao – Dawson County FR M
• 2012 – Emily Stowers – Dawson County SR F
• 2011 – Kaitlyn Hooper – White County SR F
• 2010 – Kaitlyn Hooper – White County JR F

Barnes is the first Rabun County player to claim this award, which has been dominated by goal-scoring experts.

WHO WILL WIN IT NEXT YEAR?

Barnes departs, as does finalist Gabby Morrow (Stephens). However, everyone else is back in another crowded field. Back will be Tolbert as a sophomore, Savanna Jackson as a senior, and Hazen Ramey, Nicole Limehouse, Jayden Taylor, and Sarah Clark as juniors…oh, and don’t forget Chloe Diaz of Commerce, who also had 65 goals and is back as a junior next season. Too much talent to choose from! All that said, if Tolbert does again what she did this year and doesn’t win it, there should be some sort of investigation.