Missouri standouts shining this spring

With the high school season in full swing in Missouri, six players are showing a variety of abilities on the pitch. From attacking prowess, to midfield dominance and physical defending, these players are shining this spring.   [player_tooltip player_id='153846' first='Remy' last='Brawner'], Forward, Class of 2027   Brawner is a very talented forward with a knack for scoring goals, as you can see here in this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc5C7NMDfOY">video</a>. She is very confident on the ball and has made herself more dangerous by being able to use both feet, equally. She's also a constant threat to the defense because of her endurance and her ability to put in a full shift and not take breaks. She has great speed and technical skills and can get a shot off at high speed. She shows great vision as she can spot weaknesses in the defense, and is becoming more tactical in terms of what space to occupy and where to deliver a ball. Brawner is only a freshman at Parkway North, plays club for Lou Fusz Athletics and is getting much better off the ball and helping with defending.   Abby Cooley, Attacking Midfielder/Defensive Midfielder, Class of 2025   Cooley lives in Missouri, attending Staley High, but crosses into Kansas for club, playing at Kansas Rush. The 2025 grad is a dangerous No. 10, one with excellent decision making and with great speed and strength as well. She positions herself well, posing a threat as she can anticipate where to be and where the ball is going. She also plays as a No. 6 and is excellent in 1v1 defending situations and communicating with her defense, positioning herself in order to find space or anticipate passing lanes. Her ability to find space as an attacker creates opportunities, and her decision making skills as a No. 6 thwarts attacks. She shows a high soccer IQ and the ability to scan the field and assess situations quickly. She plays the game at high level speed which is preparing her for the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='172802' first='Alyssa' last='Edwards'], Attacking Midfielder/Forward, Class of 2026   As a freshman at Westminster Christian Academy, Edwards was an All-Missouri state player, scoring 14 goals and dishing out five assists and so far as a sophomore already has 10 goals and nine assists. She shows a growing confidence on the ball and it is paying dividends, and also shows good vision, allowing her to read defenders. She is competitive and hard-working, and this translates to the pitch as well as off, as Edwards is a stellar student athlete. With leadership and qualities and the fact she is very coachable, she is a positive force on the pitch who brings great energy and personality. Edwards plays club with the St. Louis Development Academy.   [player_tooltip player_id='136368' first='Maren' last='Gansner'], Outside Back/Midfielder, Class of 2027   Depending on the formation, Gansner will be a left back or a wide midfielder. The Kirkwood High player is just a freshman, and she plays club with Lou Fusz. She is a very creative player who is very good about making opportunities for herself and doing so in crucial situations. She is very attack-minded, but is aware of the need to work on being a solid 1v1 defender on the outside. Showing an ability to read the game well, and really likes to make creative runs and find dangerous spaces. From the outside she puts the ball into dangerous areas and is improving in terms of her set pieces. She is versatile in that she has played on the right as well, and is good at cutting in on her left foot to score goals.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/Chloe-Knese.jpeg?w=824" alt="" class="wp-image-172948" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Susanne Knese</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='136436' first='Chloe' last='Knese'], Central Defender, Class of 2026   Knese attends Cor Jesu Academy and plays club with St. Louis Scott Gallagher. A center back who is very strong in the air, Knese is fast and uses her body well in order to keep attackers at bay. She is also very technical, showing comfort on the ball and has a very high soccer IQ. She is a very hard-working player and is very coachable.   [player_tooltip player_id='136443' first='Isabella' last='Knese'], Central Defender, Class of 2026   Like her sister, Knese is a center back who is also at Cor Jesu and plays for St. Louis Scott Gallagher for club. A physical defender, Knese is very good in the air and plays a very physical style. She is good with the ball at her feet and shows the ability to help in the attack. She has great speed and couples all these attributes with a very high soccer IQ.

With the high school season in full swing in Missouri, six players are showing a variety of abilities on the pitch. From attacking prowess, to midfield dominance and physical defending, these players are shining this spring.