Five players from the Midwest who deserve your attention
The Midwest is a vast area, as it could really refer to anything from Wyoming to Ohio. For the purposes of this story, the Midwest will include five players from five different states. From Kansas to Missouri and up to…
Access all of Prep Soccer
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Midwest is a vast area, as it could really refer to anything from Wyoming to Ohio. For the purposes of this story, the Midwest will include five players from five different states. From Kansas to Missouri and up to Nebraska, and from Michigan to Ohio here are five players from a big region of the United States who are very deserving of being on everybody’s radar.
Izzy DeBuyl, Central Defender, Blue Valley Northwest, Class of 2024
DeBuyl is quite the player and is already committed to Santa Clara University. She plays at Blue Valley Northwest High in Overland Park, KS. DeBuyl is a center back, generally playing the No. 4 role. The Kansas City Athletics 2005 ECNL player is the complete package. She closes quickly on attacking players with her speed, she is excellent defending in 1v1 situations, she has superb tackling ability and she is brave and strong with balls in the air. DeBuyl, who is ultra competitive, is also very good moving the ball forward. She has great range when passing out of the back, and can pick out a pass, either long or short. She can break the lines with a good pass, but can also do so by dribbling out of trouble.
Gabrielle Herfindahl, Outside Defender, Gretna, Class of 2025
Herfindahl is an outside back that displays great class. She is a tough-minded, hard-nosed defender, playing as a right back. Herfindahl is very gritty and resilient, not quitting on plays and not switching off. She remains focused and committed to the task at hand. She is very consistent in her play as her teammates and coaches know what they will get out of her. And that is a player who is motivated, committed, energetic and highly competitive. She’s also respectful of the game, her coaches and of her opponents. Herfindahl plays at Gretna High which is just outside of Omaha, NE, and plays her club with Gretna Elite Academy, playing on the 2007 ECNL team.
Ava Landstra, Holding Midfielder, Unity Christian, Class of 2026
Landstra is from Michigan, as she plays for Unity Christian High School in Hudsonville, near the shores of Lake Michigan. She is a midfielder, usually playing the No. 6 and she plays her club with Midwest United, playing for the 2008 ECNL team. Landstra is a bold player, taking risks, but they usually work out because she is an absolute ball winner. She really causes trouble out on the pitch, making it hard for an attack to break down the back line as she protects her defenders well. She works hard, she encourages her teammates and is considered a leader on any team she plays on.
Mary Kate Lillis, Defender/Midfielder, Notre Dame de Sion, Class of 2025
Lillis plays her high school soccer in Missouri, playing at Notre Dame de Sion in Kansas City, and plays her club for Toca FC on the 2006 MLS team, which is based in Kansas. Lillis is a very versatile and dynamic player. She can play anywhere on the back line and make an impact as a defender, or she can play the attacking midfield position which she does for her club. At Notre Dame de Sion, she is a sophomore captain. Lillis is a hard-working player, and because of this has become a leader. She is very physical, she is very smart and this allows her to read the game well.
Elizabeth Semenec Elizabeth Semenec D Homeschool | 2025 State OH , Defender/Midfielder, Cleveland Force, Class of 2025
Semenec is a standout player for the Cleveland Force 2007 ECNL team, but also plays on the Force’s USL Academy team. She is mainly a central defender, but also plays as the No. 6, showing her versatility as a player. Semenec, who lives in Ohio, has great 1v1 defending abilities, which makes her a perfect candidate to play center back or the holding mid spot. She is very fast, which helps when tracking back or keeping up with attacking players. She is strong and physical, with a very high work rate. Semenec also has excellent technical ball skills and can flip the field very quickly from either spot.