Sports

Vote for Cincinnati's top forwards in the 2026 girls soccer preseason

With high school soccer season just a couple of weeks away, here is the Enquirer’s final list of position previews in girls soccer. We have saved the top forwards and goalscorers for last.

And what a list it is.

Greater Cincinnati high school girls soccer fans had much to enjoy as well in 2025, as there is an abundance of players who put up big numbers last season or who will play for major colleges after they graduate. Because of that, limiting to 10 players to spotlight, as we do for other positions, was impossible. So we are listing 16 players to watch.

Make sure to vote in the poll at the bottom of the story. The poll will close at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7. The USA Today Co. network is debuting a new polling service that allows readers to vote more often while protecting against fraudulent voting methods. User experience feedback can be sent to mlaughman@enquirer.com.

Ava Bergman, Anderson

Anderson's Ava Bergman (22) heads the ball during their OHSAA tournament game against Little Miami at Wright State, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025.

The senior had 11 goals and 14 assists last season, helping the Raptors to a 14-5-4 record. She is the top returning scorer for Anderson after senior Nina Brandon suffered a season-ending injury. She was an all-district player and has committed to Robert Morris.

Aubrey Blakely, Summit Country Day

Summit's Aubrey Blakely reacts during their 2-1 win over Indian Hill during their OHSAA regional tournament game Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.

The sophomore came onto the scene in a big way during her freshman season, scoring 18 goals with nine assists for the Division IV state champions. She is the top returning scorer on the team after the graduation of All-American and Ms. Ohio Soccer Mia Stevens.

Ava Bush, Ross

She was one of the best freshmen in the city last season, posting 18 goals and 11 assists to lead the Rams to a 17-3-1 record and a league championship.

Louise Guidugli, Seton

Seton freshman Lou Guidugli (24) controls the ball against Ursuline senior Dana Kern (6) during Seton's 6-0 win over Ursuline in OHSAA girls soccer Aug. 28, 2023 at the Elder Athletic Complex.

The senior, who has committed to the University of Alabama, returns to the Saints after focusing on club ball the last two years. She had nine goals and seven assists her freshman year in 2023, helping the Saints to the state semifinals.

Taylor Hamilton, Mount Notre Dame

The junior returns to MND after skipping her sophomore season. The University of Missouri commit had four goals and two assists in 2024, helping the Cougars to the Division II regional finals.

Kendall Hanlon, Western Brown

The senior is one of the city’s top returning scorers, posting 31 goals for the Broncos, who were 15-3 and co-champs of the SBAAC-American.

Averie Layman, Batavia

The senior scored 30 goals with 12 assists, helping the Bulldogs to a 12-5-3 record. She was the SBAAC-American player of the year, plus Division III all-state and all-region.

Tylee Littlejohn, Purcell Marian

Purcell Marian's Tylee Littlejohn scored 30 goals last season as a freshman.

The sophomore standout scored 30 goals for the Cavaliers last year, and she was first-team all-league in the MVC-Gray.

Morgan MacDonald, Holy Cross

The junior had 22 goals and four assists last year for the Indians, who were 9-10-2.

Estelle Murphy, Sycamore

The junior was the top goalscorer in the Greater Miami Conference and fourth among all DI players in Ohio last season with 22, plus four assists. She was first-team all-league and all-district.

Abby Nisonger, Lebanon

The senior scored 21 goals for the Warriors, who were 11-5-3. She was first-team all-league in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference.

Kiley Smith, Bishop Brossart

The junior was one of Kentucky’s top scorers last season, posting 38 goals and 17 assists and leading the Mustangs to a 20-3-3 record and the state tournament.

Taylor Spille, Oak Hills

The junior led the team last year with 18 goals and 10 assists as the Highlanders finished 13-3-3 and second in the Greater Miami Conference. She was first-team all-league and all-district.

Poppy Wakefield, Springboro

Springboro junior Poppy Wakefield (6) heads the ball as Seton defeated Springboro 1-0 in an OHSAA Division I girls soccer regional semifinal Oct. 28, 2025 at Miamisburg High School.

The senior has committed to Kansas State and is ranked fifth in the state in the Class of 2027. She has played on the Panama national team in international youth competitions. She had seven goals and eight assists last year for the Panthers, who were 16-3-1 and lost in the regional tournament to Seton. She was first-team all-league in the Greater Western Ohio Conference.

Anabelle Wiesemann, Harrison

The junior has transferred to the Wildcats after a record-setting two years at Franklin County (Indiana). She had a school-record 44 goals last season after 32 as a freshman, and is weighing several Power-Four college offers.

Addy Zawaly, Mariemont

Addy Zawaly of Mariemont has been theed the No. 5 girls soccer player in the state of Ohio ahead of the 2025 girls soccer season.

The senior led the Warriors to a 16-4 record with 20 goals and 11 assists. She has committed to Wisconsin. She was an All-American as well as all-state and was co-player of the year in the Cincinnati Hills League with Allie McCauley.

Other forwards to watch in 2026

Heather Albrinck, East Central; Bella Anderson, Mason; Aubrey Barber, Fayetteville-Perry; Julia Best, Clermont Northeastern; Audrey de Alarcon, Cincinnati Country Day; Anne Bowling, Calvary Christian; Mollee Erras, West Clermont; Megan Johns, Notre Dame; Zoey Kelch, Georgetown; Ally Lickert, Highlands; Taylor Murphy, Notre Dame; Olivia Naegeli, Madeira; Olivia Neal, Harrison; Lennon Newton, Purcell Marian; Sophia Reedy, Notre Dame; Stella Schaffeld, Holy Cross; Laylla Sears, Blanchester; Karringtyn Wilder, Walnut Hills; Macy Yelton, Beechwood.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Vote for Cincinnati’s top forwards in the 2026 girls soccer preseason

Read More

Related Articles

Back to top button