Soccer fans have delighted in watching the best offensive players in the sport score one clutch goal after another in the FIFA World Cup.
But as in other sports, defense wins championships. While center backs and fullbacks don’t fill up the stat sheet, keeping goals from scoring and protecting your goalkeeper is just as important as finding the back of the net on the other end. Here are some of the best in Greater Cincinnati girls soccer in doing that as the new season approaches.
Be sure to vote for your favorite using the ballot at the end of the story. You can vote once an hour until 4 p.m. Friday.
Aubrey Baker, West Clermont
The senior anchored the defense for the Wolves, who finished second in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference. They allowed 25 goals for the season and posted seven shutouts. Baker was first-team all-league and all-district.
Lilah Beers, Madeira
The senior helped the Amazons win the Division V state championship, leading a defense that allowed 14 goals with 16 shutouts. She was first-team all-league and all-district.
Ella Cook, Little Miami
The senior led the Panthers to an 11-5-4 record and the Eastern Cincinnati Conference championship. She was the ECC defensive player of the year in leading the Panthers to their first ECC title and anchoring a defense that posted 13 shutouts. She was also an all-district selection.
Parker Evans, Mason
The senior has committed to Iowa. The athletic defender helped a unit that allowed only 11 goals all season against the Comets and posted 13 shutouts, going 13-4-2 and winning the Greater Miami Conference. She added five goals and four assists on defense. She was first-team All-Greater Miami Conference and first-team all-district
Linde Harris, Walnut Hills
The senior helped the Eagles to a 10-6-1 record, allowing 22 goals for the season while contributing four goals on offense. She was first-team all-league in the ECC and first-team all-district. The three-sport star for Walnut Hills has committed to High Point for flag football and was the second-leading scorer for the basketball team (8.7 ppg.)
Bella Heile, Badin
The senior helped the Rams to a 15-4-1 record and a Division III state runner-up finish. She was first-team all-league in the Greater Catholic League-Coed, helping a defense that posted 11 shutouts. She is also a flag football star for the Rams.
McKenna Hughes, Cooper
The senior led a Jaguars’ defense that conceded 23 goals in 22 games, finishing 11-9-2 and finishing as 33rd District runner-up. She was second-team all-region in the Ninth Region.
Isabella Huxsoll, Fairfield
The versatile junior helped the Indians to a 10-5-3 record and third in the GMC. They allowed 17 goals and posted eight shutouts. Huxsoll was first-team all-league and all-district and posted two goals and four assists on offense.
Addy Matheny, Harrison
The sophomore was one of the best freshmen in the city, helping a defense that posted 10 shutouts and allowed only 17 goals all season. She contributed three goals on offense.
Allie McCauley, Indian Hill
The senior led the Braves to a 17-2-3 record and the Cincinnati Hills League title. She led a defense that allowed 11 goals and posted 15 shutouts, and scored five goals on offense. The Wright State commit was first-team all-state and CHL Co-Player of the Year.
Additional girls soccer defenders to watch in 2026
Annie Ball, Monroe; Bailey Fishback, Williamsburg; Liz Ledbetter, Clermont Northeastern; Emma O’Brien, Indian Hill; Emme Padjen, Mariemont; Ella Reed, Western Brown; Zoey Sandker, Bethel-Tate; Autumn Waddell, Fayetteville-Perry.
Vote for the top girls soccer defender in Greater Cincinnati
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Vote for the best high school girls soccer defenders ahead of 2026
Reporting by James Weber, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By James Weber, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
