Neuqua’s Oyster Naperville Sun player of year

Updated: June 24, 2011 2:56PM

Most often player of the year honorees in soccer have phenomenal offensive statistics or the individual might be a goalie whose saves and shutouts are the equivalent of a brick wall.

While Neuqua Valley’s Megan Oyster doesn’t fit either description, there’s no questioning how much of an impact player the defender has been for the powerhouse Wildcats and that’s why she is the Naperville Sun’s 2011 Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

“There was never a better player on the field,” said veteran head coach Joe Moreau whose Neuqua Valley squad was ranked No. 1 all year until a 24-0-0 campaign was ended by a controversial goal in a 1-0 sectional championship loss to rival Naperville North.

Had the Wildcats advanced to the IHSA championship, Oyster’s impact that day would have been in terms of her absence, because June 4 was the date she had to report to Chula Vista, Calif., where she was one of six defenders called up for the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team’s training camp that ran through Sunday.

The U.S. played its counterparts from Japan in preparation for the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Comprised of athletes born in 1992 and 1993, Oyster is one of nine players who just completed their high school careers.

A few weeks back, Oyster’s abilities were reflected in her being chosen as the 2011 Gatorade Player of the Year for Illinois. The 23 members of the current U-20 roster include 12 Gatorade state winners with Oyster one of six for 2011 headed by National Player of the Year Morgan Brian (Georgia). Also on the squad is Waubonsie Valley graduate Vanessa DiBernardo, one of six 2010 state selections headed by that year’s National Player of the Year Mollie Pathman (North Carolina).

Oyster’s current achievements are the most recent entries on a stellar resume that includes Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association (IHSSCA) All-State status for all four of her high school seasons.

“Even as a freshman, she was a leader because the upper class kids respected her enough to listen to her,” Moreau added. “And as she’s matured as a person and player, the respect only grew. The real key is her leadership skills and how much she loved playing in big games. It comes from having great instincts for the game, the ability to make difficult things look very simple. She is a gifted athlete with great vision, but she never allows an accolade or any type of success to go to her head.”

Oyster’s unique ability on defense was summed up after her Gatorade award as coach Moreau said, “We’re able to play a three-back defense strictly because of Megan. I can guarantee you we won’t be doing that next season.”

Julie Bergstrom, head coach of rival and 2010 state champ Waubonsie Valley testimony was direct: “Megan is the reason Neuqua Valley can put numbers forward and why they’re so good.”

A four-time recipient of Upstate Eight All-Conference acclaim, Oyster was the state’s only player on the 2010 Parade All-America unit and also received ESPN Rise First-Team All-America accolade.

“Every honor I’ve received simply wouldn’t be possible without my teammates. I have to thank them, my parents, coaches Moreau and (Sue) Soderberg,” Oyster said. “I can remember stepping on to the field as a freshman starter and how nervous I was. It’s been a great four years and I’m already nervous about the idea of being a freshman once again when I step on the field (for UCLA).

“What a huge year we had, to be 24-0 was amazing, but despite the way it ended I’ll never forget this year and my teammates,” said Oyster, who eventually wants a career in sports marketing or communication. “There’s no place I’d rather be, but I’d love to stay with national team or have an opportunity in WPS (Women’s Professional Soccer).”

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