The CIF announced its selections for the 2023 All-CIF team, and names of Hart High School athletes are all over the list, topped by Division 2 Player of the Year Briley Phelps. 

Phelps is one of four Indians to receive All-CIF honors on the girls’ side, as she is honored alongside Ariana Salvador, Alexis Nguyen and Macey Edemann.

Phelps, a Biola commit, played striker, attacking mid and holding mid at different points this season, depending on what the team needed.

“It’s a team sport, it’s not just about me,” Phelps said. “I just want to win more than anything so if moving me around is what we need for us to win, then I’m totally open to go wherever on the field.” 

Nguyen and Phelps typically did all the scoring for Hart while Edemann anchored the strong backline on defense. Salvador, the group’s only returner for next season, was just as big of a threat to score, but made plays to set up her teammates all year, as the junior midfielder led Hart in many assists.  

The four were vital in this year: winning league, CIF and the SoCal Regional championships. The group will also all continue their playing careers in college as Nguyen heads to UC San Diego, Phelps heads to Biola, while Salvador is set to play at Pepperdine in the 2024-25 season. 

Indians head coach, Brett Croft, is also honored as the CIF champion Coach and CIF Coach of the Year. 

Phelps was also nominated as the Los Angeles Daily News player of the year with Hart senior, Macey Edemann as Defensive player of the year. 

Edemann was a leader on a Hart defense that allowed just eight goals in 26 games. She also scored three goals and assisted on five goals and was All-CIF Division 2 and All-Foothill League first team.

“Consistent commitment has built her soccer IQ over the years that kind of sets her up in regards to the people she’s playing against.”

Phelps has been coached by Croft since she was a preteen in club soccer, so she trusted him to put her in the most impactful positions. It seemed only fitting to end her senior year with the championship of a league.

“The years, time, and effort she has put towards soccer has helped her grow to play multiple positions this season and score 19 goals to go with eight assists. She had four multi-goal games as Hart won the Foothill League title, the CIF Southern Section Division 2 championship in the pouring rain, and a CIF State SoCal Regional championship.”

With this being Phelps last season she is hopeful for the years to come in the Hart soccer program.

“We have a big group of sophomores,” Phelps said, “so next year and the following year is going to be their year. So I feel like (we were) kind of setting the tone for them early, showing them not only soccer-wise but as people what Hart soccer really represents.”