Newsome’s Stephen Gilbert and Berkeley Prep’s Olivia Pielak were named Alvarez award winners as the top boys and girls soccer players, respectively, in Hillsborough County. 

The award presentation, now in its 39th year, was held during a dinner ceremony last month.

Gilbert, a University of South Florida signee, became the second player from Newsome to win the Jose A. Alvarez award as the top boys player.

A three-year starter, Gilbert scored 87 goals and had 22 assists during high school career and was the Wolves’ MVP, as well as an all-state and all-conference selection, each of the past two seasons. 

This year, Gilbert led Newsome to its first ever state title match.

“Everyone is not chosen for this,” Gilbert said of the award.”You have to be a leader and want others to play the game with you and play together as a team.”

Pielak, a Rice signee, is the seventh player from Berkeley Prep to win the Janet Alvarez award as the top player. 

Known more as a scorer as a freshman and sophomore, Pielak became a defensive stalwart for the Buccaneers the past two seasons. 

Her ability to shut down opposing offenses was a big reason Berkeley Prep won a district title and advanced to the region semifinals this year. 

The accolades started pouring in after that. 

Pielak was an FACA all-state and all-star selection and played a key role in helping Hillsborough County shutout Pinellas County in the senior all-star game. 

In the fall, Pielak will join former teammate Carsyn Martz at Rice. Martz won the Alvarez award last year.

“I’m so honored,” Pielak said of winning. “I appreciate that the coaches noticed the hard work and how I act. I can’t begin to say thank you enough.” 

The awards are named in honor of Jose Alvarez, a businessman, civic leader and soccer advocate who wanted to do something to recognize the top players in Hillsborough County. The honorees are selected based on their athletic and academic excellence, as well as their leadership abilities.