Five Defenders to Watch in the Nevada Girls Class of 2028

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nevada has produced several girls standout defenders in recent years, and this season is no exception. From center backs who control the middle of the field to versatile outside backs, there is no shortage of talent for college coaches to recruit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are five defenders from the Class of 2028 that will attract attention this season and beyond:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":332893,"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a88c847d7408"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perry is one of the state's top prospects regardless of class and was a first team U16 Southwest All-Conference selection for the 2025-26 season. Her soccer IQ is off the charts and she reads the play well from her center back spot, covering acres of ground to stifle attacks. Perry committed to BYU in June.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":385425,"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a88c847d743d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Serrato is one of the strongest center backs in Southern Nevada and rarely loses duels when going shoulder-to-shoulder against an opponent. She also has the ability to play as a defensive midfielder where she launches accurate long balls to spring teammates into the attacking third.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hhu2ks7IHUY","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=Hhu2ks7IHUY </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":385426,"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a88c847d7463"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The center back for the Reno Apex ECNL RL 09/10 club team doesn't shy away from contact and isn't afraid to put her body in front of a shot, either. Pincolini was a first-team Northern 4A High Desert League pick in 2025 and had a goal and an assist in her high school team's first two games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZOYSdoJjPN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZOYSdoJjPN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":385427,"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a88c847d7483"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Oberg is off to a strong start with her Reno Apex ECNL RL 09/10 club team playing primarily as an outside back. She anticipates well on defense to break up plays and likes to push up into the offense on the left side. Oberg was a first-team Northern 4A Sierra League selection for her high school team last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/9Ne8px_ABeI?si=kH9rPen6g-zGxsxb","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://youtu.be/9Ne8px_ABeI?si=kH9rPen6g-zGxsxb </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":385428,"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a88c847d74a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The versatile center back is a solid 1v1 defender and distributes well from the back, breaking lines and switching play with accurate passes. Lujan earned an invitation to the U.S. Soccer girls talent ID camp in December but was injured and missed most of the second half of the 2025-26 ECNL season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/3kF-E3YsxCI?si=aaW4hJVdh5FXCjG9","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/3kF-E3YsxCI?si=aaW4hJVdh5FXCjG9 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->