Scoring Sensations: Illinois’ 2026 Forward Standouts

<!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>USE PROMO CODE JR30 for a discount on your first Prep Soccer Subscription. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Soccer state ranking for the Illinois 2026 class was released last week. Check out t<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/04/updated-2026-illinois-girl-rankings-2/">he full rankings here</a>. Learn more about the <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">Prep Soccer ranking process here</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The depth of the Illinois sophomore class ranking is in every positional group, but the forwards have been the one group with the most movement in this update to the rankings. Check out some of the top names to know from the forwards in the 2026 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["105469"],"_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=u0022p1u0022u003ePiekarski is a forward on the FC United 08 GA team. She is a rapid riser in the rankings for her recent play in the Girls Academy. She has a strong right foot and strikes the ball well from the run of play. She has a nose for the goal and can finish in a variety of ways. She's proven to be an excellent target on set pieces, and an eager challenger in aerial duels. Piekarski is a difference-maker in the final third, and has shown that against top defenders in the Girls Academy this season.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662fd45154dbb"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pwJZIN26pc","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pwJZIN26pc </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["171141"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='171141' first='Malia' last='Shen'] is a forward/winger on the Galaxy 08 squad. She is one of the more intriguing prospects from this class. She has the pedigree to attract the attention of scouts (ODP, USYS National Champion, etc.) - and she has been extremely active in the College ID Camp circuit during this spring. The player profile suggest a talent that could play a variety of positions in the attacking third. Most likely, she ends up as a winger due to her pace and ability to play 1v1 with the ball at her feet. The differentiator for Shen from the other prospects in this group is the confidence she displays on the field. She plays with her head up and always in control. There is reason to believe she has a high ceiling as an attacking talent in this class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662fd45154e2a"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96YQhfuiUaw","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96YQhfuiUaw </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["171131"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='171131' first='Grace' last='Durante'] is a forward for House AC and Beech Varsity. She has been dribbling through defenders like they are traffic cones during the high school season. With elite control and the ability to cut on a dime, Durante is slicing apart the competition with her dazzling dribbling displays. The ease at which she runs past people with the ball at her feet is remarkable. She is a bit of an off-the-radar prospect so I think she is going to need these types of performances at ID camps to really get the level of attention she deserves from top programs in the region, but the local scouts should be all over her as she has proven her quality at the club and high school level for the past two seasons.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662fd45154ea4"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/Grace_Durante/status/1782843852925133029","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/Grace_Durante/status/1782843852925133029 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["171126"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='171126' first='Aiyana' last='Wright'] is a forward on the Galaxy 07 squad. She is a center forward who can also play as an attacking midfielder. She has been part of the ODP teams in the state in that past. Wright is an exciting prospect, who I believe projects as a No. 9 at the college level. She can play with her back to the goal and has the pace to get in behind the defense. She offers quite a bit of the trademark characteristics scouts look for from a center forward. Her playmaking in that role is elite - thanks to her time playing as an attacking midfielder. I'd like to see her clean up her first touch with a defender on her back as that aspect of her game could help her get onto the field sooner at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662fd45154f1a"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/AiyanaWright4/status/1713300386415587576","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/AiyanaWright4/status/1713300386415587576 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["104871"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='104871' first='Aubrey' last='Balota'] is a forward on the Central Illinois United GA 08 team. She was an All-Selectional honoree as a freshman for University High School last season. She was also an All-State honoree. Her stellar play as a freshman at the high school level should fimrly put her on the radar for all scouts in the region. Balota is a very smart player. She makes intelligent runs off the ball. She shows a high understanding of the game and the tactical responsibilities for her position. She is great at punishing the defense when the offside trap line is not sharp. Balota is right footed, but she is a capable finisher with either foot. Balota offers the potential to be a double-digit scorer at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662fd45154f78"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCM9U7bnBNs","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCM9U7bnBNs </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->