Kentucky boasting athleticism, ability

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bluegrass State is heading into the fall season, with high school games just around the corner. And with that comes talent to keep an eye on. Here are seven players from Kentucky to keep an eye on this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111689' first='Blair' last='Hartman'], Forward/Midfield, Class of 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hartman is a talented No. 7 who can get downhill quickly and go for goal, but also knows when to let play develop and then send a ball into the area. She has a lethal shot from range and a very accurate cross. She's very quick and agile and can make plays with the ball at her feet. This comes in handy when she dips into the midfield and plays the No. 10 spot where she turns into a creative playmaker that shows vision, patience and accuracy when moving the ball. She attends South Oldham High and plays club for Racing Louisville Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='206646' first='Preslie' last='Houp'], Central Defender/Midfielder, Class of 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Houp is a rising sophomore at West Jessamine High and plays club at Lexington SC and she is a versatile player long the spine who plays central defender and in the midfield. She can play both because she is so comfortable on the ball as she can carry the ball forward, she is patient and calm as she can move it side-to-side if she does not see a pass to pick out going forward. She is a tough-minded center back as she wins most of her aerial duals and is not afraid to make a challenge and get stuck in. She is lockdown in transition and even harder to beat when defending in the area. She is a well-rounded center back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='180460' first='Colton' last='Martin'], Outside Defender/Midfielder, Class of 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Montgomery County High and Lexington SC player is a very skilled and talented one. Martin is incredibly athletic and that is on display when he's in the open field. When he's tracking back when the other team is in transition, he reaches top speed quickly and does not get beat by attacking players. He can also dispossess while moving at full speed, which is not easy. He is a very clever player when moving forward, using his quickness, agility and athleticism to twist and turn defenders, to create space to operate in. When he separates he shows the ability to whip in a very strong cross.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maggie Murphy, Defensive Midfielder/Central Defender, Class of 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Murphy is at South Oldham High, where she will be a sophomore, and plays club at Racing Louisville Academy. She can really break lines from her deep-sitting position as she delivers a precise ball with power and accuracy and can split defenders. She receives the ball well and acts as a true pivot as she can help transition quickly. She can carry the ball if space is given to her, she can turn a defender and she can spray the ball all over the pitch. She anticipates well and steps into passing lanes, and she also has a very powerful shot and can push up and score from distance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='161289' first='Brady' last='Stockton'], Central Defender, Class of 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stockton attends West Jessamine and plays club for Lexington SC. He is a versatile defender who can play both centrally and outside, but spends most his time as a center back. However, he is like a midfielder in disguise. Stockton has some serious foot skills, incredible vision and the ability to make players miss, and operate in tight spaces. He plays a beautiful ball, whether it be on the ground or over the top, seeming to always place it at a teammates feet. He likes to push up and get involved on corners and set pieces and has a great vertical and attacks the ball with his head. He also tracks back nicely, he maintains his shape and knows his responsibility as a defender and is almost impossible to beat 1v1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='207277' first='Arianna' last='Taylor'], Keeper, Class of 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor is a prodigious young keeper who will be a freshman at Cooper Union High and she plays club at Cincinnati United for the 2010 Gold team. She is really incredible at coming off her line, taking on attackers and bringing the fight to them. She is very athletic, showing good feet. She can cover a lot of space in the air, and she is very comfortable in possession and can use either foot to distribute with. Leadership is something you hear a lot about when you speak to her coaches or opposing coaches, as well. She has been an Ohio State Cup champ, has stood out in the GA playoffs and has attended many talent ID camps. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='207249' first='Mackenzie' last='Wallace'], Forward, Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wallace plays at Lexington Christian Academy during the fall season and plays her club with Lexington SC. She seems most comfortable as a No. 11, but has the flexibility to feature in other spots. She is able to use both feet to score, as she can generate power and accuracy, even when she's drifting from goal. She has the strength to hold off defenders, and continue working her way toward goal. She is a very tall player with long levers and that coupled with great speed, she gets up and down the pitch very quickly and with ease. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->