Indiana Girls All-District Defenders and Midfielders

Yesterday, we looked at some of the top goalkeepers in Indiana, establishing the importance of keeping opposing strikers at bay. Today, we work our way up the pitch by breaking down two top-tier defenders and one of the fastest-rising midfielders in the state, all of whom were on the Girls All-District squads. Each of these three will be back looking to achieve even more next fall. They each have enormous potential. As such, they all warrant serious attention heading into 2022. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22344" first="Lauren" last="Adam"], 5-foot-8, Defender, Noblesville, Indiana Fire, Junior</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="22344" first="Lauren" last="Adam"] was a stabilizing force in the back line for a Noblesville team that had another great season this year. Adam stole possession 36 times this season. But she also provides a presence going forward. She scored one goal and provided one assist this season. Not only can she shut things down defensively, but she is so good on the ball. While many defenders are not as comfortable with the ball at their feet, Adam is good at picking her head up and picking out a good pass. Her ability to win challenges and play the ball is essential in allowing the Millers to launch attacks. [player_tooltip player_id="22344" first="Lauren" last="Adam"] can be a leader on the field. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22364" first="Marit" last="Mclaughlin"], 5-foot-7, Midfielder, Noblesville, Indiana Fire, Freshman</strong> The best way for young players to develop is for them to get on the field early in their careers. [player_tooltip player_id="22364" first="Marit" last="Mclaughlin"] did not just see a lot of playing time this season, but she provided significant contributions for her team. McLaughlin recorded over 1,000 minutes played this year- an astounding amount for someone playing in her first season of high school soccer. The trust that the coaching staff had in McLaughlin was quickly repaid. She netted four goals this season while applying consistent pressure by firing 17 shots. She also handled her defensive responsibilities very well. McLaughlin created 19 turnovers in the Noblesville midfield. McLaughlin gained a ton of valuable experience in her freshman season, and she will continue to be a big part of the Noblesville program in the three years ahead. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22255" first="Anna" last="Spellacy"], Defender, Indianapolis Cathedral, FC Pride Elite, Junior</strong> At the heart of one of Indiana’s top defenses was [player_tooltip player_id="22255" first="Anna" last="Spellacy"]. Spellacy was the anchor of a Cathedral team that was solid at the back all year long. With her leadership, the Fighting Irish managed to keep 11 clean sheets this season. The defense was a big part of the reason why Cathedral had a 12-win season. Spellacy will be counted on next season. But she will be a defensive prospect that college coaches need to pay close attention to.