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After winning team MVP honors her sophomore and junior seasons, Auburn goalie Virginia Porten didn't know what she could do for an encore.

Finishing her senior campaign with 188 saves would have to do.

“When I heard at the banquet that I got 188 saves this season, I was surprised,” said Porten, The Citizen's player of the year for girls soccer. “I didn't know it was that many, but I am proud of that.”

Porten closes the book on her high school soccer career as a new kind of player, and perhaps a new kind of person as well.

“I really came out of my shell this year,” Porten said. “It was a big change for me because I am typically a quiet person. This season I had to take on a leadership role and talk to my defense a lot more.”

The team captain's steady play in goal helped propel the Maroons to the Section III, Class AA semifinals, where they were eliminated by Christian Brothers Academy.

“My coach stressed to me how important communication is,” Porten said. “All preseason we worked on getting me to be loud and clear and become a leader ... It changed everything.”

Becoming a captain and a senior is what Porten also said helped her realize that she needed to be a little louder. But connecting with her teammates on a personal level is what made the transformation possible.

Porten attributes her success to her coach, Tom Quest, who she said really helped her improve.

“He helped me with my footing skills and technique and he bought a lot of videos for me to watch that really helped out,” she said.

Porten is pleased with her varsity career and especially with the lifelong bonds she made with her teammates.

“The season went better than I had initially expected it to,” Porten said. “I am really happy we made it to sectionals, that was one of my goals this season. This season was an amazing experience and I will never forget anyone or anything about it.”