After a highly successful 2025 girls soccer season saw two Cincinnati teams claim repeat state championships and four others reach the Final Four, it’s time to turn the page to the 2026 season. With all-star seniors graduating over the summer, teams now look to young talent from a year ago to pick up the slack.
The Enquirer is starting its class-by-class breakdowns with the top incoming sophomores. While it can be difficult to see the field as a freshman, these players made a splash in their first season and could have even greater things in store for 2026.
Here are some of the top sophomores to watch this upcoming season.
Hannah Ahrens, Fairfield
One of three Greater Miami Conference freshmen to make an all-league team, Ahrens’ defensive prowess was on full display in 2025. The defender contributed to a lockdown Indians unit that forced eight shutouts and only allowed multiple goals in a game four times. Fairfield loses 10 seniors from a season ago, but Ahrens should provide continuity from last year’s 10-5-3 effort.
Ariana Bailey, Purcell Marian
A key freshman on a young Purcell Marian team, Bailey had a balanced nine goals and nine assists in her first season. A midfielder who also saw some time in goal, she earned first-team all-conference honors out of the Miami Valley Conference and was also selected to the Enquirer’s all-city second unit. With the majority of the team returning, Bailey should be in prime position to help the Cavaliers build on a 9-7-1 season.
Aubrey Blakely, Summit Country Day
On Summit’s undefeated run to the state championship, Blakely established herself as a solid second option behind Mia Stevens. Blakely finished second on the team with 18 goals in her freshman season, adding nine assists as well. She was named to the second-team All-MVC and will be a critical piece of a potential fourth straight state title for the Silver Knights.
Zoe Bess, Clark Montessori
Bess quickly ingrained herself as a key contributor for Clark Montessori, netting seven goals and adding six assists in 2025. The midfielder was named to the All-MVC first team and the Enquirer’s all-city second team as she pushed the Cougars to an 8-4-2 record. With 25 goals graduating from a year ago, Clark will turn to Bess to capitalize on her opportunities in 2026.
Claire Coch, Fenwick
Coch was the only freshman on the Greater Catholic League-Coed’s all-conference teams, earning a second-team nod in 2025. The young midfielder was an immediate difference-maker for the Falcons, leading the team with 10 goals and seven assists. Fenwick boasted a young roster with 12 freshmen last season, so an extra year of development should have Coch leading a dangerous Falcons squad.
Mary Eagleston, Wyoming
A first-team all-conference selection in the Cincinnati Hills League, Eagleston took control of the Wyoming offense as a freshman. Her 10 goals led the team and she also contributed three assists to the offensive output. Eagleston will be the offensive leader again in 2026; with Wyoming bringing back 75% of last season’s goals, the Cowboys should be ready to make some noise.
Dani Fariello, Notre Dame Academy
A key defender for the Pandas, Fariello helped Notre Dame become one of the top defenses in the state. With Fariello in the backfield, the Pandas recorded 11 shutouts and never gave up more than two goals. In the postseason alone, she helped her team reach the regional championship after three consecutive shutouts. Fariello will look to keep building off of last season’s 15-5-2 record.
Rylee Fuller, Bishop Brossart
En route to a 10th Region championship, Fuller proved herself as one of the most dangerous underclassmen scorers in Kentucky. She scored 21 goals, good for third best on the top offense in Northern Kentucky, and added 11 assists. The Mustangs’ offense should be incredibly potent once again with just one of its leading eight scorers departing, and Fuller should be in position to have another huge statistical season.
Liana Kim, Mason
Kim was an important contributor to Mason’s 13-4-2 season, adding four goals and four assists as a midfielder. Her efforts across the pitch earned her second-team All-GMC honors as the Comets went a perfect 9-0 in conference play. With Mason losing GMC player of the year Anna Habra’s 20 goals, Kim and other young talent will have more opportunities in 2026.
Ally Lickert, Highlands
Amidst a well-balanced Bluebird offense, Lickert came away as the leading scorer. In her first season, she led Highlands with eight goals as the team won the Ninth Region championship and marched to the state finals. With three of the top five scorers from last season graduating, Lickert will have space to expand her scoring output in Highlands’ pursuit of a third straight regional title.
Tylee Littlejohn, Purcell Marian
Littlejohn was a walking goal for the Cavaliers in her first season, earning first-team all-city and all-conference honors. The striker ended the year with 30 goals in 17 outings, trailing only Gatorade Player of the Year Mia Stevens on the Miami Valley Conference leaderboards. With Purcell Marian losing just five goals to graduation, Littlejohn should lead a potent Cavaliers offense once again.
Brooklyn Lohner, Conner
Lohner emerged as a key freshman contributor for the Ninth Region’s top-scoring offense in 2025. Her seven goals were good for third best for Conner, and she chipped in three assists as well. With two of the Cougars’ four leading scorers off to college, Lohner should have space to rack up even bigger numbers in 2026.
Sarah Maly, Oak Hills
A first-year defender for the Highlanders in 2025, Maly earned second-team All-GMC honors. She helped Oak Hills finish second in the conference and attain a 13-3-3 overall record, proving a vital component of a Highlanders’ defense that forced 10 shutouts. Maly is sure to take on an even larger role defensively with the departure of eight seniors from last year’s squad.
Olivia Neal, Harrison
Neal’s offensive impact was felt immediately for the Wildcats, scoring the lone goal in her first varsity match. She finished second on the team with 12 goals amidst Harrison’s run to the regional finals, also contributing five assists as she was named to the Enquirer’s all-city second team. The forward will be the expected scoring leader in 2026 and, alongside a cast of returning supporters, will have a chance at an even deeper postseason run.
Lennon Newton, Western Hills
The reigning Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference player of the year wasted no time making her mark. She scored 21 goals with five assists as a freshman, including a hat trick in just the second game of the year. Newton was named a first-team all-city selection for her offensive output in leading Western Hills to the CMAC title, and will once again be the top threat in the conference in 2026.
Sophia Reedy, Notre Dame Academy
Reedy stepped in as a solid second option for the Pandas in year one. She scored eight goals as Notre Dame finished the regular season as the top team in the Ninth Region. She’s the lone returner of Notre Dame’s top three scorers from a season ago, and should see even higher usage in 2026.
On the radar
Ainsley Argo, Taylor; Meryck Bogle, Mariemont; Madison Dent, Dixie Heights; Lily Dickman, Highlands; Avery King, East Central; Brooklyn Lang, Reading; Emma Phillips, Taylor; Evan Porter, Blanchester; Caroline Rude, Monroe; Evelyn Watkins, Reading; Ivy Wilkes, Indian Hill.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top sophomores in Greater Cincinnati high school girls soccer
Reporting by Chase Souder, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Chase Souder, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
