Illinois continues to develop top talent

Texas was recently feature in a four-part story that featured 20 of the top players in state. Another state that continues to be at the forefront of developing a lot of top girls youth talent is Illinois. This will be the first of three stories featuring more than 15 standout players from the state.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-08-10-at-11.49.00-AM.png?w=875" alt="" class="wp-image-144896" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='103565' first='Elizabeth' last='Burfeind'], Central Midfielder, Lincoln Way East, Class of 2026   Burfeind is a center mid from Lincoln Way East High, and plays her club with Galaxy Soccer Club in Naperville, IL. What you will see from her is a very athletic player, who has incredibly quick feet and is very dangerous in the attack. A technical player who goes from box-to-box, she is very disciplined defensively. Burfeind has a very high soccer IQ, makes great decisions and on top of that is composed and hard-working. She is also ultra competitive and will be a force to deal with in the middle of the pitch every time she's out there.   [player_tooltip player_id='106735' first='Sosi' last='Dadekian'], Central Defender, Bloomington, Class of 2025   Dadekian is a junior at Bloomington High in Illinois. She is a fierce center back. She is aggressive and tough. She is a bold player who looks to make an impact on every match she plays in. She plays with aggression, with passion and loves to compete. She is also a great teammate who supports those around her and is very good at listening to her coaches. Dadekian is also a very versatile player as she is tough in defense, but can play the ball forward or join in the attack. She plays club for the Central Illinois United 2007 GA team.   Madeline Lewis, Defensive Midfielder, Barrington, Class of 2025   Lewis is a junior holding mid from Barrington High in Illinois. She plays club for FC 1974's Elite 2007 ECNL team. Lewis is a very technical No. 6, one who remains calm, is good in possession and likes to keep things simple. She is aware, which you need from a No. 6 and is accurate in her reads, in making her passes. Lewis is a physical player who really likes to compete.   Tess McGormley, Forward/Midfielder, Libertyville, Class of 2025   Another junior, McGormley is a very, very versatile and flexible player. She features mostly as a No. 7 or a No. 8. She is a very fast and creative player, but also well-rounded and composed which really helps when she's in the middle of the pitch. She is composed on the ball, likes to compete and has quickness and speed to burn. She is also an excellent teammate, always supporting those around her as well as being extremely coachable. She plays high school for Libertyville and plays club for the FC 1974 U16 Elite ECNL team.   Liv Smith, Forward/Attacking Midfielder, Wheaton North, Class of 2025   Smith is the fourth junior on this list, attending Wheaton North High in Illinois. She can play as a forward, playing on the outside, or as an attacking midfielder. Smith shows great explosiveness that allows her to get up and down the touch line and great quickness that allows her to beat defenders in the middle of the pitch. She is very agile and good with the ball at her feet. She is strong and will fight while she's on the ball and when not on the ball will be aggressive in trying to win it back. She adapts quickly and is very resilient. Smith plays club at Sockers FC for the 2007 GA team.

Texas was recently feature in a four-part story that featured 20 of the top players in state. Another state that continues to be at the forefront of developing a lot of top girls youth talent is Illinois. This will be the first of three stories featuring more than 15 standout players from the state.