Philadelphia area high school girls best XI
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Though fewer area girls teams play soccer in the fall than the boys (Delaware girls play in the spring) it wasn’t any easier picking a Best XI on the girls side. As is the case with the boys this process…
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Continue ReadingThough fewer area girls teams play soccer in the fall than the boys (Delaware girls play in the spring) it wasn’t any easier picking a Best XI on the girls side.
As is the case with the boys this process is a little bit subjective. I did get some input from a poll but mostly this is just a snapshot of what I was able to observe across a very busy and short high school season.
Tighe is the type of player that finds ways to score in big moments and lead her team through adversity. She had an impressive senior campaign as expected for the Bulldogs.
Cherry Hill West made it all the way to the state final after coming up short in the semis of the coaches tournament. McGlinn was a driving force behind both runs.
One of the top local players in her age group on the club side, Shumate was a standout for her high school this fall as conference MVP and an all-state and all-region player.
Kitzinger managed to do even more damage as a senior than she did as a junior. Her pace and ability to spread defenses make her such a fun player to watch.
Highlights
While Neshaminy had plenty of experienced players in the attack and on defense, Maxwell was at times impossible to mark through a season that included a district championship and a run to the state semifinal.
Going unbeaten in the Philadelphia Catholic League is no easy feat and DeGeorge was a big reason Archbishop Wood was able to accomplish that. Her patience and precision on the ball is vital in Wood’s ability to break down even the stingiest of defenses.
McIntyre had to battle through injuries in her senior year but she showed her class again in the team’s biggest game of the year in a 1-0 win over Episcopal Academy in the Pennsylvania independent schools title game.
It’s not often that you see outside backs at the high school level with the ability to take over a game on both sides of the field, but Audrey Cain Audrey Cain null | M Academy Of Notre Dame (PA) | 2023 State PA isn’t your run of the mill high school defender.
The talented and silky smooth center back with a knack for breaking lines with pinpoint passing received all-state recognition for her role leading the Perkiomen Valley back line.
Paul VI had a dream run to the New Jersey state final on the strength of some timely goals, dramatic comebacks and a defense that kept some of the top teams in the state in check. Miller’s calmness in the back, ability to play out of pressure and positioning were key ingredients in the back line’s success.
Ava Clark
Ava Clark
Eastern won the coaches cup this season in large part because of the play of their star goalkeeper. Clark made big saves throughout the tournament and the season, saves you simply don’t see many at the high school level making.
Bench
Williams had a banner senior season contributing goals and creating for teammates in the final third. Her pace, shiftiness on the ball and vision and timing on her runs makes her a challenging player to mark.
Highlights
Abbey really stood out in her sophomore campaign with her dazzling playmaking skills and impact going forward.
Though the girls didn’t quite match the boys’ incredible run this season, they had a really strong season of their own, winning their third straight league title. Slensky was the clear MVP of that run, leading the Aces in the middle of the field.
Megan Steinbach
Megan Steinbach
Though they came up short in overtime in the Catholic League final, Steinbach capped her final season with an impressive run leading her team to the final.
Maya Bright
Maya Bright
Bright scored goals in bunches for an Episcopal Academy team that if not for Springside Chestnut Hill Academy would’ve won some hardware this season.
Garcia led a strong Rancocas Valley team in goals for the second straight season while also dishing out 9 assists.
Naimoli didn’t get to showcase her skill as much with so many lopsided wins for EA this season but she was fantastic when called upon, especially in the PAISAA final keeping her team in the game against an Springside Chestnut Hill attack that tested her throughout.