Rankings Analysis: Ohio's top midfielders and forwards

The Prep Soccer Ohio state rankings for the Ohio 2028 class were released last week. Check out <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/ohio/rankings/girls/2028-rankings/">the rankings here</a>. Learn more about <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">the rankings process here.</a>   Below is a scouting report on some of the top talent from that group in the midfield and forward position. Here is the article on the <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/02/top-defenders-and-goalkeepers-from-ohios-2028-class/">top defenders and goalkeepers.</a>    Forward. Right-footed. All-State as a freshman.   Griffin is a forward or winger on the [program_tooltip program_id='279052' first='Columbus' last='United'] 2010 team. She was also a top performer on the Bishop Watterson High School Championship team, which earned her a spot on the All-State team as a freshman. Griffin has been outstanding in a wide role for her club team. She's a direct player who gets at the goal in a hurry. She has a strong leg and peppers the opposition with shots from outside the box when the opportunity is on. She's shown the ability to shine against older competition at the high school level, which is a key trait for suggesting early success at the college level.      Midfielder. Girls Academy Mid-America Talent ID.    McFarland is a defensive midfielder on the CUP 2010 GA Gold. She was part of the Mid-America Talent ID event last season - and has been even better this season. McFarland was terrific during the GA event in December in Southern California. She covered a ton of ground for her side and made a number of game-deciding plays all over the field. She was a killer in the tackle - a joy to watch her destroy the passing sequence of the opposition with a crunching challenge at just the right moment. There's still some times when she takes an extra touch to beat one more player. If McFarland can speed up her processing on the ball, she's going to be an unstoppable talent at the No. 6 position. An underrated aspect of her game is her delivery on set pieces, which is a key asset to the CUP success.     Hamilton is a forward on the CUP 2010 GA Gold. She can play on the wing or center forward. She looked more productive playing in the center at a recent showcase, but her skills translate to an impactful player in either role. Hamilton's best attribute is her competitiveness. She is a driven player who likes the challenge of taking on top defenders. Her back-to-the-goal play is very good for this age group. She keeps close control of the ball while under pressure and can hold off defenders with her strength. Her equalizing goal against Utah Celtic showcased her top-level impact and quality as a forward in this class.     Winger. US Soccer Talent ID events. Girls Academy Talent ID events.    One of those rare wingers who can create chances for herself in a variety of ways. Bazile is a standout on the CUP 09 GA Gold team. She is always involved in the play. Her defensive work rate is excellent. She creates turnovers with her pressure. She shines in the transition parts of the game when her paces allows her to capitalize on the mistakes of the opposition. Bazile also serves an excellent ball from dead ball situations.      Golden Ball winner at USYS National Championship. Center forward. Dynamic.    Alonso would be my pick for the player who is going to be a breakout star of the ECNL playoffs. We're a long way off from that event - and Ohio Premier still needs to qualify for it, but it's looking likely based on the first few months of the season. Here's why I'm betting on Alonso - she's an outrageous talent at center forward who is also extremely hardworking. I don't think we've seen the best soccer out of her yet either. She's still getting comfortable with her club team and learning the tells of her teammates. There's always a moment in a game though when you see the glimpse of what this Ohio Premier team is capable of with Alonso leading the charge at the No. 9. She's strong with a great first touch and a nose for the goal. She's going to be a nightmare for center backs in San Diego in June.      Midfielder. Competitive. State Champion.    Buckholtz is a midfielder on the Ohio Elite 2010 ECNL team. She scored the game-winning penalty kick in the shootout at the State Championship this season for Springboro. The nerves of the steel from the youngster have shown in ECNL games this season. She can play any role in the midfield. She is a tough player who is willing to put in the tackle in the open field. She stood out from recent ECNL game films for her defensive instincts and quick decision-making. Buckholtz is a skillful player with confidence to use either foot. She does a lot of the little things really well - she's got a bright future thanks to that strong fundamental background.      Center forward. Freshman star. Goal scorer.    Spille is a center forward on the Ohio Elite 2010 ECNL team. She had a stellar rookie season with Oak Hills as she scored 12 goals in 21 appearances. That hot streak has continued in ECNL. She's a striker who can play with her back to the goal. She's got the first touch to handle the pass driven into her feet while holding off a defender. She's god the skill to turn on a defender and get in on goal in a hurry. Spille's physical profile makes her an exciting prospect among the No. 9s in this class. Her skill gives reason to believe she could be the top forward from the pool.      Athlete. Versatile. Playmaker.    Paulozzi is an attacking talent on the Internationals 2010 ECNL team. She can play out on the wing or through the center. I think she looked the best on the wing, but she uses her body well in shielding off defenders, which makes her an option at the No. 9. She has good instincts in the 2v2 game when timing the pass to play the overlap for the outside back. Paulozzi's got the athletic and competitive gene to suggest she will be an impact player in this class for a long time.      Attacking midfielder. Quick burst dribbler. Dual-sport athlete.    Darnell is an attacking midfielder on the Ohio Elite SA 2010 ECNL team. She plays her high school ball in Kentucky. She is also a track standout. The pace of her play shows that quickness from the track. She's got that burst with her first step to get past the defender with her initial touch. She likes to get those slalom runs through the defenders in the center of the field. She can provide the key pass in those situations. She needs to improve on the consistency of success she finds from those chances to take her game to the next level.      Set piece specialist. Booming kicks. Midfield disrupter   Savukas is a defensive midfielder on the Cleveland Force 2010 ECNL team. She stood out for her play on the ball. She strikes the ball well and can ping it over the top of the defense with her strength. She's a good athlete and moves her feet well side to side defensively to stay in front of the attacker. Savukas takes the corner kicks for her side and provides excellent accurate delivery.      Talent ID Center invites. Attacking talent. Creative playmaker.    Sibel has been called into multiple US Soccer Talent ID events. She can play as an attacking midfielder, center forward, or winger. Sibel has good pace and shows good instincts on the ball. Sibel has game-breaking qualities especially when she is in the open field and can run at defenders. She's got the chops to be top attacking talent in this class, she just needs to find more ways to impact the game even when the opposition outnumbers her near the ball. She looked best on the wing in recent games.      Center forward. Potential.    Johnson is the center forward on the Kings Hammer 2010 ECNL team. She is the tallest player in this class. She stands out for her height, but she's got the game to back up and seems to constantly be improving. Johnson is going to catch the eye of a lot of scouts for the potential she offers as a No. 9. Her club team is off to a slow start to the campaign, but there is reason to believe they can turn it around and make a push through her play during the spring.

The Prep Soccer Ohio state rankings for the Ohio 2028 class were released last week. Check out the rankings here. Learn more about the rankings process here.