DURHAM, N.C. – Duke University incoming freshman Ella Stevens was presented with the 2015-16 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year Wednesday as former MLS MVP Taylor Twellman surprised the forward with the award at Grayson High School.  

Stevens, who hails from Grayson, Ga., scored 25 goals and passed for 11 assists as a senior, leading Grayson High School to a 14-4 record and to the second round of the Class AAAAAA state tournament.  

“Ella really deserves to be this year's Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year because she symbolizes everything the award stands for,” said Twellman. “Not only has Ella impressed on the field, but she's also a good student and is a positive influence in the community. I'm excited to follow her career at Duke and see what she will accomplish in the future.”

A member of the U.S. Soccer Under-20 Women's National Team during its successful World Cup qualifying campaign in December of 2015, Stevens is a two-time Gwinnett Daily Post All-County selection.  She finished her prep career with 74 goals and 84 assists.  

A standout in the classroom as well, Stevens owns a 3.62 grade-point average and is very active in the community.  

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Stevens as the nation's best high school girls soccer player. A national advisory panel comprised of sport-specific experts and sports journalists helped select Stevens from nearly 375,000 high school girls soccer players nationwide. She is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade Female High School Athlete of the Year award, to be presented at a special ceremony prior to The ESPY Awards in July.

“Ella embodies everything we look for in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient,” said Gatorade Chief Marketing Officer Morgan Flatley. “In addition to being one of the best high school girls soccer players in the country, Ella has excelled in the classroom and been a positive influence in her community. She is a role model for younger student-athletes to look up to and we are excited to see all the things she will accomplish in the future.”

Stevens becomes the second Blue Devil to win the Gatorade award as Duke alumna Mollie Pathman was presented with the honor in 2010.

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