Willough Davis showed signs of things to come as a freshman last year, when she had 24 goals and 14 assists to lead Allatoona to a state semifinal appearance in Class AAA.

This year, Davis fulfilled the promise that she showed a year earlier as she came through with 36 goals and 16 assists to lead the Lady Buccaneers to their first state championship.

For her crucial role in Allatoona’s drive to the state title, Davis is the 2012 Marietta Daily Journal/Cobb County girls soccer player of the year.

“It’s amazing to win this honor,” Davis said. “It was a great season.”

As good as Davis was as a freshman in 2011, she was even better this year as she led Allatoona to a 20-2-1 record and the Region 7AAA title in addition to its state title.

“I just worked hard to get better,” Davis said. “ I play club soccer for NASA G14 Elite and that gave me a chance to work on my game and get better.”

Davis was a scoring machine, getting at least one goal in nearly every game for Allatoona this season. She scored four goals in a 7-0 victory over Ringgold and had three goals in a 9-0 win over Murray County.

She was just as prolific in the state playoffs. After scoring two goals in Allatoona’s 6-2 first-round win over Walnut Grove and three goals in a 10-0 second-round win over West Laurens, Davis scored all four of the Lady Buccaneers’ goals in their quarterfinal win over Woodward Academy.

After Davis scored two goals to lead Allatoona to a 3-0 win over Gainesville in the semifinals, she scored the first of two goals in the second half for the Lady Buccaneers, who went on to beat Columbus 2-1 in the Class AAA championship game.

“We came so close (to winning the state title) last year and to win it this year was awesome,” Davis said. “It was a great feeling.”

Allatoona coach Bill Perry acknowledges Davis’ contribution to the Lady Buccaneers’ state title effort this season.

“Willough is a big reason why we won the state title,” Perry said. “She worked hard and really stepped up for us on the field. She is a big threat to score whenever she touches the ball.”

For Davis, being a part of Allatoona’s first state championship was special for her.

“This was the first state team championship for Allatoona and I’m so excited to be a part of that,” she said.