Seven studs from Illinois
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Illinois is wrapping up its fall soccer season, and there are seven girls listed below who are making a big impact at the high school level, and will continue to do so at the club level once the school season…
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Continue ReadingIllinois is wrapping up its fall soccer season, and there are seven girls listed below who are making a big impact at the high school level, and will continue to do so at the club level once the school season ends. It’s a dynamic group that features players from all positions.
Annie Fitzgerald Annie Fitzgerald 5'7" | M Benet Academy | 2026 State IL , Midfielder/Forward, Class of 2026
Fitzgerald will usually feature in the central midfield, but has the ability to play as a forward as well. She is not just a hard-working midfielder as she shows great creativity and technical ability. Fitzgerald has great vision, allowing her to thrive in either role, and on top of that is a very hard-working player.
Emma Gronlund Emma Gronlund 5'4" | M Wheaton-Warrenville South | 2026 State IL , Midfielder, Class of 2026
Gronlund plays at Warrenville South High and plays club with Evolution SC. You get the best of both worlds from Gronlund as she is a relentless midfielder, but also very skilled. She shows great creativity to go along with her technical skill, and she is unselfish in her play. She is also tenacious and determined whether moving forward or tracking back. She is the leader on the pitch.
Katelyn Haiser Katelyn Haiser 5'8" | F Plainfield North | 2026 State IL , Forward, Class of 2026
Haiser is another Evolution SC player on this list and the sophomore plays at Plainfield North High, where she is a forward. When watching Haiser, you see a player who is dominant in the attack and very good at finishing when given the opportunity. She maintains her composure in front of the goal making her a very productive goal-scorer. She also displays a high soccer IQ, showing excellent situational awareness. And all of this comes with a team first-attitude.
Makenna Harvey, Keeper, Class of 2025
Harvey is the lone keeper on this list of players, and is one of the three juniors. She attends McHenry Community High and plays club for Crystal Lake Force/Rockford Raptors. Harvey has the size you like to see out of a keeper, and that leads to great range and great shot-stopping abilities. She is also very good in the air and coming out for a ball. Harvey works very hard and has a very positive impact for her defenders.
Ava Kus Ava Kus 5'2" | D Waubonsie Valley | 2027 State IL , Central Defender, Class of 2027
Kus was recently featured in an excellent PrepSoccer piece by JR Eskilson as she is one of the best freshman defenders in the state. Eskilson points out many qualities, including her ability to win in duels, and her strong leg. Kus is also a very aggressive center back that shows great agility and can adapt to any situation, and do so quickly. She also has very good speed and can keep up with attacking players. Kus, who plays at Waubonsie Valley High, plays club for Evolution SC, and is very encouraging to her teammates.
Delaney Kyes, Defender, Class of 2025
Kyes is a junior at Glenwood High, playing club for Central Illinois United. She is a versatile defender who can play centrally or outside. Kyes displays great tactical awareness when on the pitch and is very good about being able to contain a player who is on the ball, and has the speed to keep up with attacking players.
Maya Lanier Maya Lanier M Normal UHigh | 2025 IL , Midfielder, Class of 2025
Lanier is a standout junior from Normal, Illinois, playing at University High. She plays ECNL-R with the 2007’s at Chicago Inter and is a dynamic midfielder. What you get from Lanier is a very smart, hard-working midfielder, one who is team-first and is always looking to improve. She is versatile in that she can play all over the midfield, and do so with skill and ability, displaying a great work ethic. She is excellent scholastically, defining what a high-level student-athlete is.