Kingsford’s Brooke Bittinger (13) sets up to boot the ball downfield despite the efforts of a Houghton player during a regular season girls varsity soccer clash at Commemorative Field in Kingsford. Bittinger was one of five Flivvers to receive Upper Peninsula Soccer Conference recognition for their efforts during the 2022 season. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

KINGSFORD — The Upper Peninsula Soccer Conference, comprised of prep teams from Kingsford, Iron Mountain, Houghton and Marquette, has released its all-conference players and offensive and defensive players of the year.

Five Flivvers were given recognition for their efforts during the 2022 season, led by senior centerback Brooke Bittinger. The Central Michigan University recruit was named the defensive player of the year in the conference. Marquette junior Bella Lorens was named the offensive player of the year.

Kingsford junior forward Erika Malone, junior midfielder Maria Fornetti and junior defender Lexie Vross were selected to the first team, along with Iron Mountain senior midfielder Gabby Carey.

Flivver junior goalkeeper Alyssa Englund and Iron Mountain senior Alexis Paris were given honorable mention by the conference.

Other first-team selections included Sydney Osborne and Bella LeGrou of Marquette and Dika KC, Cheyanne Laplander and Alia Weeks of Houghton.

Report compiled by Jerry DeRoche.