Rankings Analysis: Illinois’ Best 2027 GKs and Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>USE PROMO CODE JR30 for a discount on your first subscription to PrepSoccer </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Soccer Illinois state rankings for the class of 2027 were released this week. In the preview to the rankings article, we took a look at two of the best goalkeepers in this class including the No. 1 overall prospect from the 2027 class. Below is a scouting report on some of the other goalkeepers and defenders who appear in the rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/11/updated-2027-illinois-girl-rankings/">the full state rankings here</a>. Learn more about <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">the PrepSoccer ranking process here</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["153184"],"_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=u0022p2u0022u003eShellito is a goalkeeper on the Chicago Inter 09 ECNL team. She was part of the squad that won the ECNL Regional League National Championship last season. The Illinois 2027 goalkeeper class is stacked - like the 2025 and 2026 group as well. There is a reason this position is so strong in the state and it comes down to coaches teaching the fundamentals. Shellito has been a standout early in the ECNL season as a good shot-stopper. She instills confidence in her teammates because she moves her feet well and gets a strong base behind the shot. She is a student of the game and seems to love getting better. Shellito could improve on her distribution for the next level. Overall though, she is a strong prospect from the most important position.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["153604"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eDrake is a defender on the Sockers 09 GA team. She plays center back for her club team. She has been part of the US Soccer Talent ID Center events in the past. Drake is often the last line of defense for her team. The system looks like she is at the center of a back three with a midfielder that could drop in to make a back four. She drops back often to be the outlet for teammates. She does well keeping her first touch always under control which allows her to assess where the pressure is coming from and take her next touch away from the opposition. Her comfort on the ball allows her teammates time to get open and provides Drake with outlets in the build-up to break pressure. Drake is a good defender. She uses her body well and can close off options quickly with her positioning.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["153189"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eHoerbert is a goalkeeper on the Sockers 09 GA team. Hoerbert is a excellent prospect for the position. She moves side-to-side really well and can get down quickly to stop close-range driven shots. Hoerbert is right footed and comfortable on the ball. Her team uses her as an outlet in the build-out. She showed good shot-stopping ability in the preseason. The potential is there for a top prospect in the position.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["153279"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eBenoist is a defender on the Evolution 09 ECNL RL team. She plays as a right center back for her club team. Individually, she's a bright spot for her team. Strong in the tackle, smart with her positioning, and good at organizing the defense. As a team, Evolution is fun to watch and a lot of that stems from the center backs. Benoist is an excellent passer. She can ping a ball on the ground with pace over 40 yards easily. Evolution plays a thoughtful possession system with choreographed movement off the ball - and it takes center backs who can hit passes and break the press in order to play that elevated style of play. Benoist fits that bill, which should translate well to preparing her for the next level.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["153293"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eGuskey is an outside back on the Galaxy SC 08 GA team. She is a part of the Illinois 08 ODP team. She is also a top cross-country runner in the state of Illinois. The freshman runs a sub-6 mile and that speed translates on the field. An active participant on the wing, Guskey has the engine to run non-stop from opening whistle to the final seconds. She can play as the defensive midfielder as well - and has good vision with her passing. She's probably best at outside back though. Guskey is right footed, but could play on either side of the back four. She's been a key part of the successful Galaxy 08 squad.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["153297"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eKus is a defender on the Evolution Soccer Club. She plays as a center back for her club team. I've seen her play as the left center back this season. She is part of the Midwest ODP Regional Team as well as the State ODP team. Kus and the Evolution squad is 7-0-1 on the second in ECNL RL play. She's been a key part of the success of that group. She is not the tallest defender in this class, but she often plays like the biggest. Fearlessly flying into tackles, Kus makes an impact on the field with her ability in duels. She plays on the left side of the defense, but she is right footed. She has a strong leg and can change where the game is played in a swift kick. She does well in organizing her team and has been a key contributor to playing winning soccer for the Evolution team.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["110581"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eOlenek is a goalkeeper on the Rockford Raptors 09 ECNL. Olenek is also part of the Illinois ODP team. She is an excellent shot-stopper. One of the best on penalty kicks. Olenek has the athleticism to reach every part of the goal. She is an excellent diver with good technique. Her distribution is good on the drop kick. She is right footed and looks to be improving on her ball striking consistently. Olenek has the athletic profile to be a player at the next level in the goalkeeper position. Her determination and work ethic is going to make her a top prospect in the region from this position.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6549622a752db"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IIt5Ivem2k","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=6IIt5Ivem2k </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->