Lakeland Christian and Victory Christian played in the state tournament last year with Victory Christian finishing state runner-up. The Storm’s top player, Sylvia Rodriguez graduated, and LCS graduated two starters, defender EC Bentley and Ellie Cox. Rodriguez and Bentley were first-team, all-county selections and Cox was named second team. In all, 14 of 28 first- or second-team selections graduated, including player of the year Abigail Lovelady, and two more moved out of the county.
Yet girls soccer still was deep in talented underclassmen who return this season, including three more players who were player of the year candidates. They are joined by talented newcomers as girls soccer again should be strong in Polk County. Lakeland Christian and Victory Christian are again two teams to keep an eye on along with two other small schools in Santa Fe Catholic and All Saints. McKeel and George Jenkins are the top bigger schools, and Lake Gibson could be a sleeper as the Braves might have their best team in years.
Here are the top 28 players to watch along with 86 more players that include many all-county candidates and rising stars.
Top 28 Players to Watch
Kendall Freeland Santa Fe, forward
Freeland goes into her senior year as one of the preseason favorites for player of the year honors. She was a finalist last season when she led led the Crimson Hawks with 18 goals, and 11 assists.
Allie Williams, Lakeland Christian, midfielder
Williams was another finalist for player of the year honors. Just a sophomore, she could be even better this season. A dangerous offensive player, she scored 21 goals and had 15 assists to lead LCS.
Kadie Maurer, George Jenkins, forward/midfielder
A versatile player, Maurer can play in a defensive role but has been an impact player on offense. She finished with 14 goals and five assists last season.
Eliot Losinski, George Jenkins, forward
Losinski has been the No. 1 scoring threat for the Eagles since her freshman season. An explosive player, her speed can put players on their heals but she’s also tough enough to battle in a crowd. She had a team-leading 16 goals with five assists. Now a senior, she has 45 goals and 19 assists for her career.
Harli Head, Auburndale, forward
Head was a midseason favorite to be player of the year as she emerged as one not the most dangerous offensive threats in the county. She had 14 goals and two assists in 12 matches before sustaining an ACL injury in early January. She’ll miss the early part of her senior season but is expected to return.
Ansley Lausell, Santa Fe Catholic, midfielder
Lausell, a senior, has the ability to control the midfield. An all-around athlete who also plays volleyball, Lausell is a playmaker who can set up Freeland for offensive chances. She finished with one goal and 11 assists.
Brooklyn Strawbridge, Lakeland Christian, defender
Strawbridge has been an impact player since her eighth-grade season and is still just a sophomore. A dominant defender, she can also contribute offensively as she had four goals and four assists.
Breanna Clyatt, Lake Gibson, forward
Clyatt helps lead what could be a very productive offense for Lake Gibson. A junior, She scored 13 goals and added two assists.
Mackenzie Purdie, Victory Christian, forward
Purdie made an impact offensively as a freshman last year. She was the second-leading scorer with 13 goals. With Rodriguez and her 21 goals having graduated, Purdie will have an even bigger role offensively.
Natalie Medina, McKeel, midfielder
Medina has been a game-changer since her eighth-grade season and often is the best player on the field. Now a sophomore, she scored 10 goals for the Wildcats last season.
Anya Riskin, All Saints, midfielder
Riskin, an excellent playmaker, led All Saints with 28 points last year. A senior leader, her offensive role will be even bigger as the Saints lost their top two goal scorers in Carll and Sidney Rasnake. She tied Rasnake with nine goals.
Audrey Slater, Santa Fe Catholic, junior
Slater is a steady player who can move team with Freeland at forward or with Lausell to help Santa Fe control the midfield. Now a senior, she was second to Freeland with 14 goals and added eight assists.
Layla Williams, Auburndale, midfielder
A junior, Williams had six goals and four assists and should be an even bigger offensive force this season.
Aaliyah Rodriguez, All Saints, forward
Coming back from ACL surgery, Rodriguez, a junior, is one of the top offensive players in the county. She can create to set up her own shot and also be a playmaker to set up a teammate. Her return to form will be important as she’ll likely fill the void left by Carll’s departure. She tied Carll with both 16 goals and 12 assists to lead the Saints two years ago.
Bella Dykes, Lake Wales, forward
Dykes was one of the top freshmen in the county last season. She quickly became one of the most dangerous offensive players in the county and finished with 20 goals and 13 assists.
Finley Traffanstedt, Lakeland Christian, defender
Traffanstedt was a shutdown, dominant defender her sophomore season when she was first team, all county. She missed the first half of last season as she recovered from an ACL injury but returned to solidify LCS’s back line. She can mark top offensive players and shut them down.
Jordyn Williams, Victory Christian, defender
A sophomore, Williams, who is a track and field standout too, is a three-year starter. She moved to center back last year and solidified the defense.
Brinley Herndon, Lake Gibson, forward
A junior, she led the Braves with 15 goals and six assists and will team with Clyatt to give Lake Gibson one of the top 1-2 offensive punches in the county.
Dariana Rubio, All Saints, midfielder
Rubio is coming back from ACL surgery. She was called up to the Mexican National team for her age group and will help make up for the losses the Saints sustained in the offseason.
Lizzy Fischer, Lakeland Christian, defender
Fischer missed most of her sophomore season with All Saints as she recovered from an injury. She’s an impact defender that will make the Vikings’ defense even stronger.
Aryn Rodgers, Lake Wales, midfielder
Rodgers was a prolific offensive player with 13 goals and 18 assists.
Katie Coleman, Lakeland Christian, forward
Coleman was the third-leading scorer for the Vikings with 12 goals. With Ellie Cox and her 16 goals having graduated, Coleman will be looked up to be an even bigger offensive player in her junior season.
Helena Rodriguez, Santa Fe Catholic, forward
Rodriguez transferred to Santa Fe from Frostproof gave the Crimson Hawks depth in scoring. She finished with nine goal and nine assists.
Olivia Enechukwu, Victory Christian, forward
Enechukwu scored 12 goals with four assists last year as a seventh-grader. She’s part of a young group of offensive players for the Storm.
Kendall Boardman, All Saints, defender
Boardman is a difference-maker as a defender.
Holland Slocum, George Jenkins, defender
Slocum is a transfer from College Park High School in Texas for her senior year. She is a strong defender/midfielder and will make a big impact for the Eagles.
Ashley Richarz, Lake Gibson, defender
Richarz will solidify the defense for the Braves after going over from McKeel. Last season with the Wildcats, she was productive on offense with 12 goals and five assists.
Madeleine Ibarra-Lopez, McKeel, forward
Ibarra-Lopez is back from an injury and was a 10-goal scorer as a freshman.
86 MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH
All Saints
Emily Lobb, midfielder: Came over from McKeel, Lobb is very dynamic and smart player.
Peyton Hayes, defender, Sr.
Jezzella Moody, forward, 7th Grade
Auburndale
Brailey Brady, forward, Fr.: Brady’s older sister Brianna scored 119 career goals, playing two years at Auburndale and two years at Ridge Community.
Ava Williams, midfielder, Sr.
Paisley Moore, goalkeeper, Sr.
Audrey Skipper, forward, Sr.
Braelyn Knowlton, Jr.
Bartow
Mikaela Dominguez-Migone, midfielder, Sr.
Gabriela Dominguez-Migone, defender, Jr.
Juliette Katsoulis, midfielder, Sr.
Discovery
Ailani Perez, forward, Sr: Perez led Discovery with 15 goals.
Nadia Blair, goalkeeper, So.
Ariani Perez, midfielder, Sr.
Kameela Barrios, midfielder/defender, Sr.
Frostproof
Elena Alvarado, Sr.: Alvarado has been one of the Bulldogs’ top offensive players.
Areslin Valdez, Fr.
Elena Reyes, 8th Grade
Anneliz Guttierez, 8th Grade
George Jenkins
Ardynn Williams, Midfielder, Fr.: Williams and Clark are expected to be key players for the Eagles as freshmen.
Ellie Clark, Midfielder, Fr.
Kathleen
Alexa Rodriguez, Sr.: Rodriguez will be a key versatile player who will also cover the goal during several games this season. While on the field, she will be a key playmaker.
Addison Dhue, Sr.
Tierra McCullough, Jr.
Zulley Miguel
Amara Salgado
Lake Gibson
Carly Castro, goalkeeper: Castro is the leading returning keeper in the district in goals against average.
Lindsay Gonsalves, forward, Sr.
Bella Diaz, Defender, Sr.
Madison Moore, defender, Sr.
Lily Noyes, defender, So.
Morgan Welbourn, defender, So.
Isabella Urribarri, forward., Fr.
Zoey Prenier, midfielder, Fr.
Lyla Rittenhouse, midfielder, Fr.
Lake Wales
Fynlee Scianimanico, midfielder, Fr.: Scianimanico brings a wealth of youth playing experience and high-level skill set to the Highlanders. She has played high-level club for many years and is currently on an ECNL club team.
September Wilson, defender, Sr.
Lakeland
Sara Corrigan, forward, Sr.: Corrigan led the Dreadnaughts in goals and leads the offense.
Ada Nelson, midfielder, So.
Taylor Haney, midfielder, Fr.
Alayna Pollard, forward/defender, So.
Isabella Kirchon, goalkeeper,
Kara Marshall, defender,
Kay Aquino, defender,
Jane Mohr, defender,
Lakeland Christian
Kiley Proia, forward, So.: Proia joins the Vikings after being third on Lake Wales last years as a freshman with six goals. She also had five assists.
Kendall Reber, forward, Jr.
Liberty Allen, midfielder, Sr.
Charity Allen, midfielder, Fr.
Kennedy Herdel, defender
Piper Streets midfielder, s
Aubrey Francks, goalkeeper, Sr.
McKeel
Lola Zuniga, goalkeeper: Zuniga has been called up to the national team for her age group.
Hailey Jackson, midfielder, Fr.
Jessa Rouse, Jr.
Mulberry
Hailey Jones, goalkeeper, Jr.
Jocelyn Diaz, midfielder, Jr.
Naomi Pinkston, midfielder, Sr.
Kayla Maderos, defender, Sr.
Arianna Garcia, forward, Jr.
Ridgeview Global
Madison Farrelly, forward, Sr.: Farrelly scored 14 goals and her scoring ability will be important as Ridgeview lost 29 goals to graduation and transfer.
Eleanor Maris, forward, Jr.
Gracie Fahy, defender, Jr.
Madisyn McDonnell, goalkeeper, Fr.
Jahzara Green, midfielder, Jr.
Kinley Merck, midfielder, Fr.
Callie Merck, midfielder, 6th Grade
Santa Fe Catholic
Vitoria Pinzas, defender, Sr.: With the graduation of defender Arden Keyser and goalkeeper Reagan Cutrer, Pinzas will provide experience, senior leadership and anchor the defense.
Carlow Collany, defender, So.
Elle Phillips, defender, Fr.
Victory Christian
Sydney Kratky, forward/midfielder/defender, Sr.: Kratky is a versatile player who can play anywhere. She is a two-time team captain and a three-year starter.
Ryleigh McInnes, midfielder, Sr.
Kinley Hunter, forward/midfielder, So.
Amelia Friend, forward/midfielder, So.
Mya Chandler, defender, Jr.
Natalie Wood, midfielder, Jr.
Winter Haven
Cadence Diaz, forward, So.: Diaz scored 10 goals as a freshman and is the leading returning scorer as all-county, first-teamer Brianna Woodruff has graduated. She could receive support from Liparota, who could be an impact player for the Blue Devils if she stays healthy.
Isabella Liparota, forward, Sr.
Nayla Almodovar, midfielder, Sr.
Remy Jacobson, defender, Sr.
Taylor Osieja, midfielder, Sr.
Ryann White, forward/defender, Sr.
Isabella Peterson, midfielder, Jr.
Meiah Woodruff, forward, Jr.
Ayla Neubrand, defender, So.
Grace Stromaier, forward, So.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Here are 114 girls soccer players to watch from Polk County in 2026-27
