Defensive Mastery in the Spotlight: Ohio’s 2027 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>USE PROMO CODE JR30 for a discount on your first subscription to Prep Soccer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Soccer state rankings for Ohio's 2027 class was released this week. Check out <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/ohio/rankings/girls/2027-rankings/">the full rankings here</a>. Learn more <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">about the ranking process here</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a scouting report on some of the top defenders from the 2027 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111762"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eWetzel is a defender on the Internationals 08 ECNL team. She plays outside back for her club team. She can play on either side of the formation. She is a relentless defender who is willing to stick her body into a challenge. She does well using her body to shield players off of the ball. She is comfortable in possession and is an accurate passer with her right foot. She reads the game well and excels in the transition moments of the game. Her shutdown ability against wingers is her best attribute and should take her far.u003c/pu003eu003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["166310"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eCiminero is a defender on the Ohio Premier 09 ECNL team. She is listed as a defender/midfielder on her player profile, but I've mainly seen her play left center back. Ciminero impressed me with her tactical intelligence. She is smart off the ball and does well moving to get to spots to support her teammates. She drops her level to provide support and cover. She is good on the ball too. She hits accurate passes and showed good vision. She is a center back to know from this class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["111698"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eHarris is a defender on the CUP GA 09 team. She is also an outside back on the Summit Country Day varsity team. Harris is a dual-sport threat as she is also a standout on the basketball court. Harris was one of the best players on her high school team. She played right back and shutdown the opposition with her terrific tackles and intelligent positioning. Harris could be one of the best in this class. She offers high upside as an athletic defender.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["111740"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eMcCauley is a defender on the on Ohio Elite 08 SA ECNL team. She is a center back who can do a bit of everything at a high level. McCauley's play at the 08 level against some of the top 2026s shows she has the quality to be one of the best defenders in that class. Among 2027s, her ability to move her feet and block passes and shots are really impressive. She rarely lunges for the ball, but gets her body in front of the ball to shutdown the attacking player. She has excellent technique for a defender.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":"","_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eSferry is a defender on the Cleveland Force 08 ECNL team. She can play center back or outside back. She's right-footed. She does well in 1v1 defending. When she plays outside back, she can rush decisions on the ball. She has the quality in possession to take on players in that role and could offer even more for her side if she wins that advantage. Ferry has the strong technical foundation to be a top defender. She also has the love of defending to be one to watch for the future.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["165151"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eChandler is a defender on the Internationals 09 ECNL team. She plays right center back for her club team. She has been part of the US Soccer Talent ID events in the past. The aspect of Chandler's game that stood out from game film (compared to her peers in this class) is her comfort on the ball. She was willing to dribble past the first line of pressure. She also had a couple of body feints on the ball to create space. Chandler's confidence on the ball is a refreshing aspect of her game. She is a sound defender and brings a high-level approach to the position.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f07d1fb8cf1"} /-->