Illinois Girls Soccer Preseason First XI

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Illinois girls soccer is taking a slight little detour from the ECNL/USYS season as some of its top prospects are gearing up to compete with their high school teams this spring. There were a ton of names I considered. At least 40-50. But for now, I'm leaving it to these 11 plus some special mentions. Let's take a look at my Preseason First XI.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GK [player_tooltip player_id='106812' first='Megan' last='Holland'] - Barrington Jr</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kentucky commit anchored the Barrington defense to 17 shutouts (18 in regulation) over 25 games. Solid ECNL Fall and Winter with Rockford Raptors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D [player_tooltip player_id='33350' first='Haden' last='Vlcek'] - Glenwood Sr</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arguably the best center back in Illinois. Really caught my attention in the 2A championship last season. Wins every header and dominated in 1v1 situations. Attackers will fear her 6'1" frame. Committed to Indiana.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D [player_tooltip player_id='33354' first='Finley' last='Scott'] - O'Fallon Jr</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An ECNL all-conference defender with incredible skill around the ball. Excels in transition and shows a high IQ on the field. Even gets involved as a midfielder. Underrated playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D [player_tooltip player_id='23501' first='Lailyn' last='Patterson'] - O'Fallon Jr</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of Finley is another super technical outside back who provides a very similar skillset. The two helped lead O'Fallon to 14 shutouts last season. Recently committed to Southern Illinois.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D Casey Kittridge - Lemont Sr</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I wish I watched more of her last season. Super technical on the ball while also involved heavily in set pieces. Can play as a CB or CDM. Eastern Illinois signee had 14 assists last spring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>M Anya Gulbrandsen - Oswego East Sr</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A true difference-maker for the Wolfpack. Experienced senior has a whopping 62 goals and 26 assists in her high school career so far. Broke a single-season school record with 30 goals last spring. Committed to Wisconsin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>M Emily Fox - Deerfield Sr</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>71 goals and 35 assists in her career at Deerfield. Including an appearance downstate in 2022 as well as 29 goals in 2023. Prospect who makes everyone around her better. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>M [player_tooltip player_id='33353' first='Piper' last='Lucier'] - Barrington Jr</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Has shined in the brightest stages since her freshman year. Outstanding playmaker with 18 assists last season to go along with 15 goals. Hungry for a state crown after finishing 2nd the previous two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>F Jocelyn Leigh - Evanston Sr</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athletic #9 prospect who creates so many scoring chances. Finished with 24 goals last season as a junior. Committed to Loyola-Chicago</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>F [player_tooltip player_id='105655' first='Claire' last='DeCook'] - Naperville North So</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A knee injury forced her to miss most of last year. But when she was healthy, she seemed unstoppable. Scoring 16 goals in only 13 games as a freshman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>F [player_tooltip player_id='45438' first='Eliana' last='Egeland'] - Stevenson Sr</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maryland signee plays with a tremendous amount of pace up top. Scored 18 goals last season and has been impressive during ECNL season, too. Big things are ahead for her and Stevenson this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SPECIAL MENTIONS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='43668' first='Zoey' last='Bohmer'] - Wheaton North Sr</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='37577' first='Liz' last='Cardwell'] - Joliet Catholic Jr</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Imani Coleman - De La Salle Sr</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Clara Deliduka, New Trier, Sr</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Autumn Diduch - Freeport Sr</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='22062' first='Anabelle' last='Egeland'] - Stevenson So</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='102474' first='Annie' last='Fitzgerald'] - Benet So</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='132972' first='Alyssa' last='Gluting'] - Metea Valley Sr</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Camryn Hoffman - Springfield So</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='74091' first='Molly' last='Hughes'] - Hononegah Sr</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='22205' first='Shea' last='Krakowski'] - Libertyville So</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='97190' first='Rylann' last='Law'] - Glenwood Jr</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='97139' first='Rowann' last='Law'] - Glenwood Jr</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='22089' first='Caroline' last='Mortonson'] - Lyons Jr</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mia Ortega, De La Salle Sr</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='105016' first='Rayna' last='Powers'] - Normal Community Jr</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sarah Sarnowski - Barrington Sr</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Abi Stevens - Glenwood Sr</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='22129' first='Ivana' last='Vukas'] - Benet So</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='105048' first='Kayla' last='Washington'] - St. Ignatius So</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='145214' first='Izzi' last='Wirtz'] - Lyons Sr</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='61679' first='Gwen' last='Zimmerman'] - Fremd So</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->