It should be another competitive season for the Central Ohio girls soccer team, with more teams having a chance to secure postseason titles.
More district, regional and state titles are at stake as the Ohio High School Athletic Association expands the postseason from three to five divisions.
In Division I, Olentangy Liberty returns three key starters – juniors Carsyn Cowell (defenseman), Avery Hilvert (forward) and Elle O’Brien (defenseman) – from a team that lost 2-1 to Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit in the state final. Dublin Jerome, Olentangy Berlin and Upper Arlington also won district titles.
In Division II, Bloom-Carroll and Fairfield Union won district titles before being eliminated in the regional semifinals.
Grandview Heights, the Division III district champions now in Division V, will be without standout junior midfielder Maci Tew, who has decided to focus on club soccer. The Bobcats opened the season with a 7-0 win over Tree of Life on Saturday.
Here are 12 Central Ohio women’s soccer players to watch this fall:
Tessa Brooks, Bloom-Carroll
The veteran midfielder helped the Bulldogs win their first district championship and 10th MSL title last season. She scored 20 goals and 26 assists and was named to the state and district first team in Division II and was also named the MSL Buckeye Player of the Year. Bloom-Carroll has moved to Division III.
Maren Degenhart, Upper Arlington
The senior is one of the program’s all-time best defenders. The Butler commit helped UA allow just 13 goals and post 13 shutouts last season. She was first-team all-district and all-OCC-Central and second-team all-state in Division I as the Golden Bears (19-3-1) advanced to the regional final.
All Ohio States: USA Today Network Preseason Girls Team
Grace Eiselstein, Hartley
As a defender, Eiselstein was in Division II last season and on the district team’s CCL first team. The junior has moved up to the forward position this season under new coach Chris Kowalski. The Hawks are now in Division III.
Mia Elliott, Bexley
The veteran midfielder helped the Lions (11-6-2) to a shared Central Buckeye League title last season, tying with Worthington Christian (6-0-1). Elliott scored nine goals and six assists and was a Division II first-team and district player. Bexley has moved up to Division III.
Madeleine Hulme, Worthington Christian
A veteran midfielder, Hulme helped the Warriors (16-2-3) to a shared CBL title with 15 goals and 12 assists. She was a first-team and district player in Division III. Worthington Christian is now in Division IV.
Alexis Knisley, Olentangy Orange
The veteran defensive midfielder is expected to play a key role in the Pioneers’ success this season. Last season, the Ohio State product scored seven goals and five assists and was named to the first team All-District and All-OCC Central teams, as well as the second team All-State in Division I. The Orange finished the season 16-4-1.
Olivia McCuen, Pickerington North
North coach Jeff Sever calls the junior midfielder “one of the best players in the (Central) District.” Last season, McCuen scored 11 goals and nine assists and was named to the district and OCC-Ohio first team. The Panthers finished the season 14-6 and 4-1 in league.
Jessica Murray, Ready
The attacking midfielder scored 16 goals last season and was named to the Division III first team for the second consecutive year, as well as the CBL first team. Coach Chad Davis said Murray is “not only talented and hardworking, but he also puts the team first and is willing to help his teammates when they are struggling.” The Silver Knights have been relegated to Division IV.
Taylor Novak, Olentangy
The senior forward was instrumental in the Braves’ 16-5 season last fall, finishing with 19 goals and 13 assists. She was first-team All-District in Division I and first-team All-OCC Cardinal. Olentangy shared the OCC Cardinal title with Jerome and Berlin, 4-1.
Whitney Scott of the Dublin Coffman girls soccer team gives a preview of the 2024 season
Veteran forward Whitney Scott, who has committed to Creighton, gives a preview of the 2024 season for the Dublin Coffman High School girls soccer team.
Whitney Scott, Dublin Coffman
The senior forward led the Shamrocks (15-3-1) to the Division I district final, where they lost 2-1 to Berlin in overtime. The Creighton product scored 28 goals and seven assists and was named to the All-District and All-OCC Central first team and the All-State second team.
Ady Waters, Tree of Life
The senior forward was again one of the best players in Division III last season, finishing with 32 goals and 10 assists. Waters, who began the season with 56 career goals, was selected to the all-district first team after being selected to the all-district second team as a sophomore and freshman. The Trojans have moved up to Division V.
All Ohio States: USA Today Network Preseason Boys Team
Avery Williams, Licking Valley
The senior center forward and attacking midfielder had 22 goals and 12 assists in 16 games last season. The Indiana Wesleyan product was on the All-District team in Division II and All-District in the Licking County League. She scored three goals and had an assist in the Panthers’ 7-3 season-opening win over McConnelsville Morgan on Saturday. Licking Valley is now in Division III.
@DispatchFrank
