DC/MD HS Review-’24s Girls Defenders That Impressed
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With the Maryland-D.C. High School soccer season in the books, let’s take a look at some of the top 2024 girls defenders that will be looking to have a strong season in the spring for their club side and a…
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Continue ReadingWith the Maryland-D.C. High School soccer season in the books, let’s take a look at some of the top 2024 girls defenders that will be looking to have a strong season in the spring for their club side and a bigger role with their high school team come 2023! Have a player that you want to feature? Email our DMV Soccer Reporter Sean Maslin at semaslin05@gmail.com.
Heard was the leader of the St. John’s defense that captured both the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and the DC State Athletic Association title. Her calmness under pressure and ability to open the field of play to relieve pressure along the backline was instrumental in St. John’s building attacking chances from the back. She is also unafraid to take the direct approach, going directly at opponents to force them out of position. Heard has been called up to the USYNT at the U17 level and is one of the leaders of Bethesda SCs U18/U19 ECNL side.
Robinson was the backbone of a Good Counsel defense this season that made it to the WCAC Championship. Her ability to track back and make decisive runs at attackers has for years stymied attackers at both Good Counsel and her club side Bethesda SC. The timing and delivery of her passes and crosses is almost always perfect, thanks in large part to her excellent communication and chemistry with her teammates. Robinson has verbally committed to playing college soccer in 2024 at Brown University.
Costell thrived on the Glenelg defense this season, taking on the task of transitioning the side from a defensive posture to an attacking one during matches. Her pinpoint passing and excellent field vision helped the Eagles not only maintain possession but create excellent counter-attacking chances. The Howard County All- First Team selection helped Glenelg hold opponents to just 15 goals in 18 matches in 2022.
Ainsley Wilson
Ainsley Wilson
As captain, Wilson led the Vikings, one of the top defenses in the state, to 11 shutouts in 17 matches. Her marking made life very difficult for her opponents, as she gives very little space to operate. She can also deliver cracking clears to her teammates to help start the counter-attack. That she is paired up with her Armour teammate Ellie Fiedler (more on her in a minute) will only increase Hebron’s chances of earning top honors in the state next season.
Ellie Fiedler
Ellie Fiedler
Fiedler split her time last season in defense and in the defensive midfield for one of the top backlines in Maryland High School soccer. The Vikings allowed just six goals and yielded 11 shutouts en route to making the Maryland 3A title game. Fiedler is very decisive with her tackles and can create space between attackers and the ball with relative ease. That her and Wilson are also teammates at Armour should benefit Hebron immensely heading into their senior season as the two will have ample to continue to develop their partnership on the backline.
Ryn Feemster
Ryn Feemster
Feemster dominated attackers this fall with Severna Park, leading the Falcons to the Maryland 3A Regional Final. The Baltimore Sun All-Metro second team All-Metro has excellent vision as a center-back and can always pick out her midfielders with clear, accurate passes and crosses. At 5’11” she is also a major asset on the attack on set pieces. Her goal against Meade early in the season helped the Falcons remain at the top of the table in Anne Arundel County and she has consistently provided timely goals for her club side Maryland United in ECNL play.
Bridget Ford
Bridget Ford
Ford is a two-way defender that can help out on the attack (she scored 2 goals and tallied six assists for Marriotts Ridge this season) but can also track back on defense with relative ease. At center-back, she is very comfortable with making the simple, efficient passes to help jump start possession. But she can also hit the long cross to a teammate to run the counter. Under her leadership, the Mustangs earned eight shutouts in 2022 and place first in Howard County.