Illinois Girls Soccer Preseason First XI
In this article:
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…
Access all of Prep Soccer
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIllinois 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.
GK Megan Holland Megan Holland null | GK Barrington | 2025 State IL – Barrington Jr
Kentucky commit anchored the Barrington defense to 17 shutouts (18 in regulation) over 25 games. Solid ECNL Fall and Winter with Rockford Raptors.
D Haden Vlcek Haden Vlcek D Glenwood (IL) | 2024 IL – Glenwood Sr
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.
D Finley Scott Finley Scott M O Fallon Township | 2025 State MO – O’Fallon Jr
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.
D Lailyn Patterson Lailyn Patterson M MO – O’Fallon Jr
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.
D Casey Kittridge – Lemont Sr
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.
M Anya Gulbrandsen – Oswego East Sr
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.
M Emily Fox – Deerfield Sr
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.
M Piper Lucier Piper Lucier null | F Barrington | 2025 State #167 Nation IL – Barrington Jr
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.
F Jocelyn Leigh – Evanston Sr
Athletic #9 prospect who creates so many scoring chances. Finished with 24 goals last season as a junior. Committed to Loyola-Chicago
F Claire DeCook Claire DeCook 5'9" | F Naperville North | 2026 State IL – Naperville North So
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.
F Eliana Egeland Eliana Egeland 5'7" | M Adlai E. Stevenson (IL) | 2024 #149 Nation IL – Stevenson Sr
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.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
- Zoey Bohmer Zoey Bohmer GK Wheaton North | 2024 IL – Wheaton North Sr
- Liz Cardwell Liz Cardwell null | F Joliet Catholic Academy | 2025 State IL – Joliet Catholic Jr
- Imani Coleman – De La Salle Sr
- Clara Deliduka, New Trier, Sr
- Autumn Diduch – Freeport Sr
- Anabelle Egeland Anabelle Egeland 5'8" | D Adlai E Stevenson (Lincolnshire IL) | 2026 State IL – Stevenson So
- Annie Fitzgerald Annie Fitzgerald 5'7" | M Benet Academy | 2026 State IL – Benet So
- Alyssa Gluting Alyssa Gluting GK Metea Valley | 2024 IL – Metea Valley Sr
- Camryn Hoffman – Springfield So
- Molly Hughes Molly Hughes M Hononegah (IL) | 2024 IL – Hononegah Sr
- Shea Krakowski Shea Krakowski M Libertyville | 2026 State #94 Nation IL – Libertyville So
- Rylann Law Rylann Law null | F Glenwood | 2025 State IL – Glenwood Jr
- Rowann Law Rowann Law M Glenwood | 2025 State IL – Glenwood Jr
- Caroline Mortonson Caroline Mortonson F Lyons Township | 2025 State IL – Lyons Jr
- Mia Ortega, De La Salle Sr
- Rayna Powers Rayna Powers 5'9" | M Normal Community | 2025 State #175 Nation IL – Normal Community Jr
- Sarah Sarnowski – Barrington Sr
- Abi Stevens – Glenwood Sr
- Ivana Vukas Ivana Vukas F Benet Academy - Varsity | 2026 State IL – Benet So
- Kayla Washington Kayla Washington F St. Ignatius College Prep | 2026 State #86 Nation IL – St. Ignatius So
- Izzi Wirtz Izzi Wirtz M Lyons Township | 2024 IL – Lyons Sr
- Gwen Zimmerman Gwen Zimmerman 5'8" | M Fremd | 2026 State #61 Nation IL – Fremd So