Who are the difference-makers in New Jerseys’ 2026 rankings?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer Player Rankings for New Jersey for the Class of 2026 were updated on Monday. Check out the full rankings here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The New Jersey class of 2026 includes some of the top prospects in the country in their positions. Below is a breakdown of some of the top midfielders and forwards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["24272"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnLeft center back. Plays center back like she is a center midfielder. Smooth on the ball and very comfortable in playing out against pressure. Had a few slip passes with excellent timing on drawing the defender to her (or I suppose the opposing forward in this instance) and then release the ball at the right moment to spring her teammate into space. Had a couple of early season hick-ups about setting the defensive line. Looked good in the tackle. Lots of potential and a big difference-maker for her club as she provides an advantage in possession that most teams don't get from a player in that role.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["99879"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnAttacking midfielder. Tusche always looks like she is moving at a different speed than anyone else. And it's not because I have the footage at 4x. She just moves differently and is probably the easiest player to scout in this class. She is a player with the potential to reach the professional level.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fe497a7db3f"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwb-tW_4JWs","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwb-tW_4JWs </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["101631"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Center back (left or right). The STA star was a big discovery for this class and has the potential to be one of the top center backs in the country in this class. She is an excellent defender: strong in the tackle, smart about how she uses her body, and always in the right position. She takes over games at times when the opportunity is there for her to make the charging runs forward. Improving her use of her left foot both in the tackle and in passing will take her game to the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["23904"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Midfielder. Wysocki was a player who stood out from some of the ECNL events in January. She is a player that coaches love because she does the little things really well. She checks her shoulders before receiving the ball in the center of the field, she communicates with teammates to pick up marks, she is clean with her first touch, and she plays the ball to the correct foot to set up her teammate for success. The one aspect of her game that could improve is she got caught on her heels once defensively in transition. As she stays forward in her stance, she will be most successful in moving to shut down counters and really take her game to the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["101637"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"It's weird to say that Gominiak has flown under the radar considering the long list of accolades: Girls Academy Talent ID, US Soccer Regional Talent ID, and a bunch of others. However, it feels like her name should be mentioned at a national level. She has the quality to be a Youth National Team player in the future. She is a stud in the center of the field for STA. Smart in her positioning and smooth on the ball, Gominiak is one that scouts need to prioritize from this class as she is likely headed to a top program if she continues to develop as a soccer player as she has in the past year.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["24099"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Attacking midfielder. Cotter is a flashy player in the best way. She wows you with her skill on the ball and then makes your jaw-drop with her quality in the final third. The combination of flash and finish is rare, which makes her a top prospect in this talented New Jersey class.rnrnShe is a goal-scorer and playmaker for both her high school and club team. The reason she is one of the top midfielders in this class is that she can do a bit of everything. She is at her best when the game is open and she can run at defenders with the ball at her feet. Her decision-making in those situations is elite and she had quite a few goals during the high school season that proved her quality from that role - she has excellent ball-striking technique with either foot. Another element of Cotter's game that stood out was her body fakes. She uses her feints to create space and never rushes into a pass. She is a very high potential player in this class.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fe497a7dd1b"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpFfshdB3nA","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpFfshdB3nA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["24246"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnPaige aka Penny Foye is another defender from PDA. The big remark on her is that she can launch a throw-in. She can play as either an outside back or a center back - perhaps best as a right center back in a three back system. She is quick. She does in excellent job of anticipation and steps in front of players to intercept passes.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fe497a7ddc7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13862588/63fbd4dc4bb2360d24d2e5f4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fe497a7de25"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["23899"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Midfielder (No. 6 or No. 8). Banks is another standout from the PDA 08 ECNL team. She is midfielder who has the engine to cover the whole field. She impressed with that unrelenting approach to the position as it seemed like she covered every blade of grass for her team. She is an excellent passer and does occasionally make the run to provide the goal in the final third. She is one to watch as a standout on the PDA squad.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["101693"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Midfield/defender. Cunnane is a player that really impressed from her highlights at the high school level. She played as an outside back and there might be a star in the making for that position. She has the vision and skill of a midfielder and the defensive instincts of a hungry wolf. Cunnane is going to be one to watch this fall - she could pop up in a number of positions, but she is a difference-maker in any role.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fe497a7dee8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17579983/63c09b380428990facb53880' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fe497a7df13"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->