GIRLS SOCCER: Take a look at SOSA’s All-Area team

Derrick Webb, Managing Editor

A regional champion, four district champions, and a number of instant classic games … needless to say, this past girls soccer season was as successful as they come.

Southern Ohio Sports Authority was right there every step of the way, covering individual milestones, improbable feats and wins that changed history.

After a fun-filled year, take a look at our All-Area team, which consists of 30 area players who were at their best throughout the fall season.

Kiera Archer | Senior | Striker | Chillicothe

If you’re looking for the fastest player on this list, in all likelihood, you’ve found her. Archer’s blazing speed allowed her to habitually find the net and when she did, she most always beat the keeper. She spent her senior year scoring 46 goals and passing out 10 assists, helping the Cavaliers nail down 11 wins. She ends her storied career with 107 scores and 29 assists.

Braelyn Brennan | Junior | Striker | Jackson

If you were a defense that lost track of where Brennan was on the pitch, you’re not alone. She has that effect. Brennan’s speed is top-notch and she uses it to run circles around defenders. While Jackson finished 11-5-1 this season, Brennan tallied nine goals and eight assists, and posted two game-winning scores. She’ll head into her senior season with 29 and 16 assists.

Sydney Carpenter | Junior | Midfielder | Jackson

Carpenter was as advertised all year, taking a leadership role for the Ironladies and helping them win 11 games. After Jackson lost a large senior class following the 2023 season, many thought a downfall would come. Carpenter didn’t let it happen. The junior All-Ohioan led the team in scoring with 22 goals. She’ll enter her senior year with 53 goals and 20 assists.

Ava Cronin | Senior | Striker | Minford

There were so many outstanding players on Minford’s roster. Having said that, it was hard to stand out. But Cronin was able to do so. Her 20 goals and 13 assists helped the Falcons go 18-3 overall with league, district and regional championships. Cronin’s speed gave defenders fits and gave the Falcons another solid scoring option up top. She’ll be tough to replace.

Ella Chapman | Junior | Midfielder | Athens

If there’s one thing that Athens was good at, it was sitting back and playing defense. The Bulldogs won 10 games and four of their six losses were one-goal games. The point? The defense was spectacular all year, surrendering 16 goals in 19 contests. Chapman was the ringleader, earning all-district and All-Ohio honors. She’s got one more go-around left.

Lexi Conkel | Senior | Striker | Minford

If Conkel has the ball at her foot and space in front of her, it’s a wrap. SOSA’s unanimous Player of the Year was also a first-team All-Ohioan, and rightfully so. While leading her Falcons to district and regional championships — both program firsts — Conkel scored 42 times and tallied nine assists. The Shawnee State commit ends her career with 147 goals and 27 assists.

Makena Corbin | Sophomore | Midfielder | Eastern Brown

While Eastern Brown may not have had the success it wanted to have in terms of wins and losses, the Warriors still reached a district final. As the season continued to progress, Corbin’s trajectory did the same. Her nine goals and 17 assists were both career highs. Those numbers were also good enough to earn her all-conference, all-district and all-state accolades.

Aidyn Danison | Junior | Striker | Unioto

In terms of wins and losses, Unioto had a roller coaster-like season. After a slow start, the Shermans won five of their last seven games. Danison played a huge part in that turnaround. The back-to-back SVC Player of the Year netted 27 goals and passed out seven assists, putting her career scoring total at 48. She’ll enter her senior year as the SVC POY favorite — again.

Ana Diaz | Sophomore | Midfielder | South Point

Diaz dazzled throughout her sophomore season, helping South Point win 14 games and an OVC championship with a 10-0 mark in conference play. It’s quite the turnaround from a 7-8-2 mark in 2023. The sophomore was second on the team in scoring with 19 goals while she passed out a team-high 22 assists. She’ll be the focal point of the team’s attack next fall.

Alex Erslan | Junior | Midfielder | Chillicothe

Erslan’s play might not have garnered headlines, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t play at an elite level all year. While scoring eight goals and tallying 12 assists, she helped her Cavaliers finish 11-5-2 and bring the FAC championship back to Chillicothe. With whom the Cavaliers are losing to graduation, you can be sure that Erslan will be a top scoring option in 2025.

Kyla Gasser | Sophomore | Striker | Fairfield Union

It’s a good thing that Gasser has two years left because she’s a ton of fun to watch. The sophomore scored 24 times and posted 15 assists — following a 13-goal, 15-assist effort as a freshman — and helped her Falcons finish 18-2-1 overall with a district championship trophy in hand. There’s no reason to expect a letdown next fall. She’ll be one of the area’s best.

Layni Greenhill | Senior | Defender | Wheelersburg

The Pirates were 40 minutes from an Elite 8 before suffering an overtime loss to Worthington Christian, a state semifinalist. That game was the perfect example of Greenhill and the defense proving they belonged. The unit gave up just 31 goals — 11 of which came in one game. For her efforts, Greenhill was the SOC’s Defensive Player of the Year and earned all-district honors.

Vivian Henniger | Sophomore | Midfielder | Fairfield

Before an injury ended Henniger’s season early, she was, in a word, phenomenal. The sophomore showed why she’ll be an elite-level talent over the next two seasons with a team and SHAC-leading 27 goals alongside 12 assists. Those numbers aided the Lions to a 13-5-1 finish. She enters her junior year with 35 goals, 18 assists and an upside that’s unlimited.

Ella Hochstetler | Sophomore | Striker | Wheelersburg

In two years, all Hochstetler has done is harass opposing defenses. She scored a team-high 31 goals and passed out nine assists this season, aiding the Pirates to a 17-3 mark. Her speed allowed her to race past defenders, her strength allowed her to win one-on-one matchups and her skill allowed her to find the net with ease. She enters her junior year with 47 goals.

Jasmyn Jones | Senior | Striker | South Point

The program’s all-time scoring leader just added onto her legacy as the year went by. Jones’ 37 goals led the team while she also added six assists to the mix. Those numbers helped the Pointers finish 14-4 and win the OVC championship. The All-Ohioan reached the end of her career with 118 goals and 22 assists. The once-in-a-generation talent leaves a huge hole to fill.

Addie Lemon | Sophomore | Keeper | Minford

Lemon’s final stat line speaks for itself, showing 50 saves, a 0.90 goal against average, and 12 shutouts — three of which came in postseason play. Of the 18 goals she allowed, four came in one game to the eventual state champion. She was phenomenal in big games, constantly negating opponents’ chances to score. With two years left, she’s already one of the area’s best.

Maycee Martindill | Junior | Defender | Fairfield Union

When Martindill stepped in goal, there were questions. She was replacing an All-Ohio keeper in Bella Neal and had, admittedly, big shoes to fill. Over the past two seasons, while the Falcons have gone 35-4-3 and won two district titles, Martindill has tallied 85 saves and 32 shutouts — 18 of which came this fall. The questions have been answered. She’s one of the best there is.

Ella McGraw | Freshman | Striker | Wheelersburg

For some players, it takes time to adjust to the varsity level. McGraw is not one of those players. Wheelersburg’s dynamic freshman looked like a seasoned veteran all year long, scoring 23 times and adding 11 assists to her totals. She was an integral part of a team that won 17 games and reached a regional semifinal game. If you’re looking for someone to watch for, it’s her.

Kobie Miles | Junior | Striker | Hillsboro

When Miles was remotely around the soccer ball, there was a chance for Hillsboro to score. The junior found the back of the net on 31 occasions, leading her Indians to 11 wins. In nine of its 20 games, Hillsboro scored three or more goals. Miles was a huge part of that trend, fighting through double teams and man-marks through most of the year. She’s as impressive as it gets.

Nora Morrison | Sophomore | Striker | Miami Trace

After a 14-goal season as a freshman, Morrison took her game to the next level this fall. While pacing her Panthers to an 11-win season, Morrison scored 22 goals — tied for the team lead — and passed out 10 assists for good measure. If there’s ever a team to expect a pleasant surprise out of next season, it’s the Panthers. Morrison, alongside others, are the reason why.

Quinn Murphy | Senior | Striker | Athens

Scoring might have been Athens’ fatal flaw, but when the Bulldogs did so, it was usually because Murphy. The senior led the Bulldogs with 13 goals — almost half of the team’s 28 — and led them to 10 victories and a district final. Her four-year career made the program better. With Murphy on its roster, Athens won 33 games. She scored 42 goals in her last three years.

Paisley Pryor | Sophomore | Striker | McClain

To say that McClain enjoyed a spectacular season is a huge understatement. It could be argued that it was the program’s best-ever. Pryor was right in the center of the storm, leading the team with 27 goals with seven helpers. As she continues to gain experience, she’s only going to improve. That’s unwelcome news for opponents as she continues to barrage opposing keepers.

Maggie Risner | Senior | Midfielder | Minford

Risner was the calm in the middle, quite literally, of the storm for the Falcons’ best-ever team. Her 18 goals showed her ability to find the net, one of which came in a state semifinal, and her 21 assists proved that she could find feet when necessary. More than anything, though, she provided stability in the middle when things got rough. The Falcons will miss her leadership.

Mia Rose | Freshman | Midfielder | Valley

Valley’s girls soccer program might be one of the best kept secrets in the district. The Indians aren’t even eligible to play in tournament games yet, but if they could, you can bet they’d be a threat. Rose is just one of the many reasons why. Just a freshman, she scored 16 times — tied for the team lead — and passed out six assists. Her future is, needless to say, ultra-bright.

Aubrey Slack | Senior | Midfielder | Lynchburg-Clay

If there was ever a constant within a program, it’s Slack at Lynchburg-Clay. The senior constantly controlled the midfield and constantly led her Mustangs to success. Her 13 goals and six assists aided the team’s offense, but her leadership can’t be kept in a stat book. She was the unquestioned motor of the SHAC title team. In her four years, Lynchburg-Clay was 56-13-14.

Aubree Thomas | Senior | Midfielder |  Zane Trace

While the Pioneers enjoyed one of their most successful seasons in recent memory, Thomas was the driving force behind it. Always the center of ZT’s offensive game plans, she was also the focus of opponents’ defensive mindsets. That didn’t stop her from finding the net. The senior scored a career high 21 goal alongside four assists, paving the way to a 9-8-2 record.

Olivia Van Fleet | Senior | Defender | Lynchburg-Clay

Elite doesn’t begin to describe Van Fleet. She’s everywhere, negating scoring chances, marking her man and deflecting any opponent’s shot at gaining momentum. She’s been an important part of four straight district championship teams — LC has six straight —and, defensively, she leaves a lasting legacy. In the past two seasons, LC has given up just 37 goals in 40 games.

Mia Vastine | Senior | Midfielder | Wheelersburg

Like a bull in a china shop, Vastine was dominant in the midfield every time she stepped on the pitch. Her physical style of play and all-out disregard for what, or who, was in front of her was the motor that kept Wheelersburg’s fast-paced offense running. The senior scored 22 times and passed out 19 helpers, earning herself All-Ohio honors and leading the Pirates to the Elite 8.

Allie Waits | Senior | Keeper | Lynchburg-Clay

There shouldn’t be any surprise to see Lynchburg-Clay’s keeper on this list. The Mustangs have built their dynasty with defense and that all starts in between the pipes. Waits was spectacular, pitching 10 shutouts and tallying 53 saves. She posted a 1.20 goal against average while playing one of the best schedules in our area. The Mustangs surrendered 24 scores all year. 

Rachael Warthman | Senior | Striker | Fairfield Union

It could be argued that Fairfield Union has a dynasty alive and well. Warthman is that dynasty’s ruler. The senior’s 12 goals and 11 assists helped the Falcons finish off 18 wins and win a district championship … again. Over her four-year career at Fairfield Union, the Falcons are 66-10-9 with four consecutive district titles. Warthman had 41 goals and 51 assists in that time.

Honorable Mention Selections

Reghan Bee, Unioto; Sophie Hanes, Unioto; Cailynn Bash, Unioto; Hannah Karwatske, Zane Trace; Karlie Peters, Southeastern; Lexi Pendleton, Minford; Rachel Remy, Waverly; Makenzie Mullens, Wheelersburg; Austin Frantz, Valley; Addy Mendel, Chillicothe; Mary Dietrick, Hillsboro; Alyssa Dudley, Chillicothe; Kollier Fulton, Jackson; Bailey Parson, McClain; Karleigh Cooper, Miami Trace; Claire Newkirk, Fairfield; Emerson Zink, Fairfield; Miranda Smith, Lynchburg-Clay; Addison Downing, Lynchburg-Clay; Addalynn Perkins, Eastern Brown; Abbie Pike, Fairfield Union; Molly Dunlap, Fairland; Kamryn Barnitz, Fairland; Angela Li, Fairland; Lily Helmstetler, Chesapeake

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