School: Ann Arbor Pioneer
Class: Senior

Notable: The Pioneer girls soccer team was very much an average squad when the season began, going 2-3-2 through its first seven games. But the Pioneers ended the season on an 11-1-1 run in large part thanks to the leadership of Jennifer Fichera. Fichera ended the season with 18 goals and 11 assists playing in the central midfield. “As far as how we started and where we finished, she was the catalyst for it. She would score goals in the big games, but her assists alone tell how involved she got everyone,” said Pioneer’s first-year coach Chris Coleman. Fichera scored two goals and had an assist in Pioneer’s first round district win over Brighton and what proved to be the game-winner off of a set piece in a district championship win over Skyline. Pioneer had lost to both teams earlier in the season. “I don’t think we have that winning streak without Jenny as that driving force. She made everyone else better. Her teammates would always say, ‘I play harder because of Jenny,” Coleman said. Fichera was a second team Division 1 All-State selection by the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches’ Association. She will continue her playing career at Rice next year.

Player of the Year schedule:

• Tuesday: Boys track and field, girls track and field
• Wednesday: Girls soccer, boys golf
• Thursday: Boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse
• Friday: Girls water polo, girls tennis
• Sunday: Baseball, softball

Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.