Who was the best girls soccer player from our local area?
As the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY Sports will celebrate the 250 greatest American sports figures of all time. Alongside that national recognition, the USA TODAY Network will spotlight the roots of the country’s sports culture by featuring the high school standouts who helped shape communities and defined their states.
The Lower Hudson Valley has seen tremendous growth in soccer in this millennium, as evidenced in the number of college athletes the region produces and Section 1 having member teams among the perennial state championship contenders. Rye and Albertus Magnus, for example, have won multiple state titles in recent years.
With input from some area coaches and longtime sports fans, along with archived information, we’ve come up with 10 of the greats. If you have another idea for a nominee, there is a spot in the poll for your choice.
The poll is presented by White Plains Hospital. Voting ends at 3 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 10.
Greer Barnes, Rye, midfield
She is among the greatest players and most prominent figures in Section 1 soccer. Barnes was a standout on the field, known for her athleticism and defensive prowess, and she helped establish the Garnets as a force. She led Rye to an undefeated season in 2004 before going on to star at West Virginia University, where she was a three-time All-Big East selection and a United Soccer Coaches all-region pick. Barnes was drafted by the Los Angeles Sol of Women’s Professional Soccer in 2009. Her local legacy includes being part of a Title IX lawsuit, along with high school teammate Alex Singer, that led to Section 1 joining NYSPHSAA in making girls soccer a fall sport.
Kelly Brady, North Rockland, forward
Brady starred as an explosive scorer and creative playmaker, dominating despite her talents and reputation making her the focus of opposing teams. She had a knack for delivering in big games and shining when the lights were brightest, including leading the Raiders to a Section 1 title in 2019. She also scored twice for Team Ireland against Serbia in the UEFA European U-19 World Championships before even entering the 12th grade. Brady had 21 goals and 17 assists as a senior, guiding North Rockland to the Class AA regional final, and that season earned her All-American recognition and the Journal News’ Rockland County Player of the Year. She went on to play at Central Connecticut State and then Ole Miss before beginning her professional career. Brady played for Athlone Town and led the League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division in scoring last season before signing with Crystal Palace in the Women’s Super League this offseason. She’s also a member of the Irish national team.
Gabby Chan, Albertus Magnus, forward/midfield
Her lengthy athletic resume includes being the first Section 1 girls soccer player to earn All-American honors three times. Chan was a dynamic scorer and facilitator who often managed to shine brightest even in games that featured several big stars. She rang up 70 goals and 36 assists during four-year varsity career in which Albertus Magnus went 64-6-6. Chan scored or assisted 14 of their 25 postseason goals on a run to the state championship in 2022. She twice was voted New York State Player of the Year and was a two-time Journal News Rockland County Player of the Year. She graduated in 2025 and now plays for Columbia University.
Sam Coffey, Masters School, midfield
The Sleepy Hollow native is, perhaps, the most accomplished women’s soccer player the area has produced. Coffey is a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team and helped them win Olympic gold in 2024. She dominated at The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, scoring 100 goals, and was named league Player of the Year three times during her high school career. Coffey then went on to star at Boston College and Penn State, earning All-American honors three times. The 27-year-old plays professionally and joined Manchester City earlier this year. She also was inducted into the Westchester Sports Hall of Fame in 2025.
Melina Couzis, Somers, midfield
She was a stabilizer in the midfield, and one capable of lighting up the scoreboard. Couzis was a driving force for Somers in four varsity seasons during which the team went 72-5-3, including an undefeated state championship squad in 2014. She is on a short list of local players who were selected all-state three times. In addition to controlling tempo and orchestrating, Couzis had 60 goals and 63 assists and was named the Journal News’ Westchester/Putnam Player of the Year as a senior. She went on to play at UConn, where she earned first-team All-Big East and United Coaches all-region honors as a senior in 2021, then starred for St. John’s in one season as a graduate student. Couzis is now the women’s soccer head coach at DeSales University.
Teigan Cunnane, Albertus Magnus, midfield
An outstanding defensive midfielder, she was a catalyst in the Falcons’ recent dynastic run. With her athleticism, soccer IQ and savvy, Cunnane excelled at playing the ball in the air, forcing turnovers, winning and maintaining possession and initiating transition. She anchored a defense that held opponents to 0.21 goals per game last fall, despite facing a challenging schedule. Cunnane also was a capable offensive weapon, particularly in the clutch, as evidenced by her scoring the winning goals in the 2025 state semifinal and final, delivering Albertus Magnus a third state title during her varsity tenure. She twice earned Cunnane All-American honors and was the Journal News’ Rockland County Player of the Year as a senior before going on to Auburn University.
Hannon Eberts, Somers, forward
An offensive dynamo capable of controlling games as a facilitator or taking over as a scorer, Eberts piled up accolades while leading the Tuskers to two Section 1 titles and their first state championship in 2014. That two-year stretch featured a 42-game win streak during which Eberts contributed to at least one goal in 37 matches. She totaled 50 goals and 28 assists during that run alone. The 2016 graduate twice earned first-team all-state and All-America honors, was named the Journal News’s Westchester/Putnam Player of the Year as a junior and senior, and was selected as lohud’s Player of the Decade for the 2010s. She went on to play at Vanderbilt and led the team in goals as a freshman.
Lauren Gallagher, Pearl River, goalkeeper
She is widely regarded among the best goalies this area has produced, despite having only been introduced to the position as a middle schooler. She dazzled, nevertheless, including helping Pearl River beat Somers in penalty kicks to win a Section 1 title as a freshman in 2012. Gallagher went on to excel at the position, twice earning first-team all-state honors and an All-America selection, and she was named the Journal News’ Rockland County Player of the Year as a senior after notching 15 shutouts en route to the section final. She went to play at Georgetown.
Zoe Maxwell, Irvington, midfield
She was a superb athlete whose track and field excellence translated well to the pitch, helping her become lethal offensively. Maxwell totaled 116 goals and 40 assists in her high school career while propelling Irvington and earning all-state honors three times. Following a 40-goal campaign as a senior, she was named All-American and the Journal News’ Westchester/Putnam Player of the Year in 2017. Maxwell went on to Brown University, where she helped lead the Bears to three consecutive Ivy League titles.
Tatiana Saunders, Rye, goalkeeper
Her high school accomplishments include a state championship, All-America honors, leading the Garnets to a top 10 national ranking from ESPN, and being named New York State Gatorade Player of the Year in 2010. Saunders was an exceptional goalie who dominated scholastically, including notching 16 shutouts during her senior season while leading Rye to the state final for a second time. She also represented England on the Under-17 and Under-19 teams while competing in high school. She went on to star at Dartmouth, earning All-Ivy first-team honors, then played professionally in Iceland and England.
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Who’s the best all-time lohud girls soccer player? Poll presented by White Plains Hospital
Reporting by Stephen Haynes, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Stephen Haynes, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
