Best of Girls' Class of 2026: Southern Piedmont

<p>As we approach the end of the year, it's important to look at the players who stood out for their extraordinary talent. This article will focus on the Class of 2026, current seniors, who demonstrated why they should be considered the best of their class. Specifically, the focus is on southern Piedmont. This includes Charlotte as its main city, and various large towns in its periphery. It'll be a list of 23 players, consisting of 3 goalkeepers, 7 defenders, 7 midfielders, and 6 attackers. Each position will have a standout player specifically evaluated. This format will remain the same for the upcoming articles as well.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Goalkeepers</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>School</strong></td><td><strong>Club</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Molly Deblitz</td><td>Providence Day High School</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='283996' first='Elizabeth' last='Rupert']</td><td>Hough High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283283' first='Charlotte' last='Independence SC']</td></tr><tr><td><em><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/04/4a-matchday-4s-best-performers/">Aubrey Rose</a></em></td><td><em>Hickory Ridge High School</em></td><td><em>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</em></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Aubrey faced stiff competition to be the best goalkeeper of the year for her class, but she does so with great reason. Her abilities are fantastic and allow her to be a protagonist when called upon. A quick and brave goalkeeper, she doesn't hesitate to go for the ball if she needs to. Whether it be through being a sweeper keeper or coming out for crosses, she does not fear coming off her line. Her great reactions are also translated when making spectacular saves. She doesn't dive for the cameras, yet you'd have a hard time finding an important save of hers that isn't picturesque. Her mental fortitude is also remarkable, not buckling under pressure when her teams needed her the most.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defenders</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>School</strong></td><td><strong>Club</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Kensley White</td><td>Hickory Ridge High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</td></tr><tr><td>Braelyn Iouse</td><td>Pine Lake Prep</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283283' first='Charlotte' last='Independence SC']</td></tr><tr><td>Madeleine Steele</td><td>Marvin Ridge High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</td></tr><tr><td>Ava Kolasch</td><td>Weddington High School</td><td>Charlotte Development GA</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='110466' first='Peyton' last='Steele']</td><td>Hickory Ridge High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</td></tr><tr><td>Mikaela Arey</td><td>Providence Day High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</td></tr><tr><td><em>Jane Neil</em></td><td><em>Covenant Day High School</em></td><td><em>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</em></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Jane is a spectacular defender who can play either as a full-back or a center back just as well. On the ball, she drives the ball forward fantastically. Though she dribbles out wide greatly, her greatest dribbling is seen when she inverts to clear space centrally. She rids herself of markers and potential markers with simple yet effective body feints. This allows her to lay off the ball to a midfielder who can continue progressing the play. She also has a knack for scoring goals, picking up a respectable 9 goals for her school. Defensively, she imposes herself immensely. She'll do whatever it takes so that the opposition won't advance. Her standing tackles and shielding demonstrate her great physicality. But the most remarkable defensive attribute she has is her lack of fear to go to ground. Either sliding tackles or even putting her body in the way of a shot, she proves to be an extremely brave player.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Midfielders</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>School</strong></td><td><strong>Club</strong></td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='21089' first='Dempsey' last='McMahon']</td><td>Charlotte Latin High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</td></tr><tr><td>Claire Hauck</td><td>South Point High School</td><td>Charlotte Development GA</td></tr><tr><td>Sophia Banzon</td><td>Nation Ford High School (S. Carolina)</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283283' first='Charlotte' last='Independence SC']</td></tr><tr><td>Kyndall Watson</td><td>South Pointe High School (S. Carolina)</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283283' first='Charlotte' last='Independence SC']</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='344021' first='Elloree' last='Kieffer']</td><td>South Mecklenburg High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283283' first='Charlotte' last='Independence SC']</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/04/3a-matchday-5s-best-performers/">Megan Story</a></td><td>Northwest Cabarrus High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</td></tr><tr><td><em>[player_tooltip player_id='24729' first='Claire' last='Zhang']</em></td><td><em>Charlotte Latin High School</em></td><td><em>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</em></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Claire is a multi-faceted and multi-talented midfielder who can play anywhere on the pitch. Her work rate is unbelievable to watch. With her stamina, she allows herself to shine all match long at the same level. Defensively, she holds off the opposition effectively in one-on-one scenarios. Her tackles are strong and clean, allowing her to win the ball back to launch a counterattack. Offensively is where she shines the most, though. Agile and quick, she'll embarrass her markers, especially in tight spaces. She turns with the ball at her feet so effortlessly and smoothly that the opposition can't tell what's going on until too late. Her shot power is magnificent, allowing her to shoot from wherever she wants and still get it on target. This power and accuracy translate to her crosses, where she creates multiple chances.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Attackers</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>School</strong></td><td><strong>Club</strong></td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='274923' first='Molly' last='Brown']</td><td>Charlotte Country Day School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/05/playoff-round-2-wests-best-players/">Amaya Falzarano</a></td><td>Myers Park High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283283' first='Charlotte' last='Independence SC']</td></tr><tr><td>Gracie Pehi-Toh</td><td>Central Cabarrus High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283283' first='Charlotte' last='Independence SC']</td></tr><tr><td>Jozlyn Isaac</td><td>Clover High School (S. Carolina)</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283283' first='Charlotte' last='Independence SC']</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='24993' first='Paige' last='Santos']</td><td>Weddington High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</td></tr><tr><td><em>[player_tooltip player_id='125557' first='Sadie' last='Peterson']</em></td><td><em>Pine Lake Prep</em></td><td><em>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</em></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Anyone who has watched Sadie play can see that she is destined for greatness. Her talents allowed her the honor to be named as <a href="https://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/winner/sadie-peterson/41105">Gatorade's choice for NC Girls' Soccer Best Player</a>, and deservedly so. The striker has shown how complete a player she is in the final third all year long. Her dribbling and agility allow her to clear paths for herself spectacularly. Watching her go at opposing defenders feels almost unfair, seeing how unstoppable she is. In the box, she'll beat the goalkeeper as if it were just as simple as a pass. Her positioning is always correct, making the job for her teammates even easier. They know that as soon as she gets the ball, magic will follow. If she isn't scoring, she's using her talent to service her teammates. She'll play fantastic passes behind the defense as well as holding the ball up to play into space.</p>

As we approach the end of the year, it's important to look at the players who stood out for their extraordinary talent. This article will focus on the Class of 2026, current seniors, who demonstrated why they should be considered the best of their class. Specifically, the focus is on southern Piedmont. This includes Charlotte as its main city, and various large towns in its periphery. It'll be a list of 23 players, consisting of 3 goalkeepers, 7 defenders, 7 midfielders, and 6 attackers. Each position will have a standout player specifically evaluated. This format will remain the same for the upcoming articles as well.