Meet the Top 15 girls soccer players to watch in Butler County ahead of 2024 PIAA season
Freshmen are often relegated to junior varsity teams. If they do see varsity time, it usually comes in a limited capacity.
Camryn Woods and Phoebe Brandon weren't the usual freshmen. Both played significant roles at forward last year for the girls soccer teams at Freeport and Karns City, respectively.
Woods led the Yellowjackets with 28 goals and 13 assists, was named All-WPIAL and helped the team to its first section title since 2017.
"She definitely has a goal-scorer's mentality," said first-year Freeport coach Steve Kukic, who was impressed with what he saw on game film from 2023. "She strikes the ball well and plays for a high-level club team (Pittsburgh Riverhounds) outside of high school.
"We expect to be pretty deep on that end of the field and should be able to take some pressure off of her."
Brandon tallied 20 goals and added seven assists, earning Upper Allegheny Valley Soccer League Rookie of the Year honors in the process. She netted the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Brockway in the District 9 Class A championship game.
A position switch helped Brandon blossom on the field.
"In the eighth grade, we had her playing as a defensive midfielder," KC coach Tracy Dailey said. "She was struggling a bit, and we moved her into space and she did well. We thought, 'Hey, maybe she's a forward.' We moved her there and she's taken advantage of the opportunity."
Brandon is part of a Gremlin squad Dailey hopes can "hit the ground running," the coach said. "We are a young team, but one with experience."
Woods and Brandon are two players to watch as teams prepare for the 2024 season. Here is the complete list:
Had 20 goals and seven assists as a freshman. Was league's Rookie of the Year.
Has tallied 35 goals and 36 assists over the last two seasons. All-League player with great vision.
Was All-WPIAL last year after registering 18 goals and six assists.
Scored 14 goals and had five assists as a junior. Has a rocket for a right foot and the knack for being in the right place at the right time.
A versatile defender who can start the attack and distribute the ball well. A University of Richmond commit.
Tallied eight goals and nine assists last year to earn All-WPIAL honors. Leader of the team with a great work ethic.
Scored 10 goals and added eight assists last year to earn All-WPIAL honors.
Possesses shutdown defensive skills. Earned All-League honors in 2023.
Big and strong player with a nose for the net. Scored 12 goals as a junior.
A very athletic playmaker who scored seven goals and added 10 assists last year. Is a Duquesne University recruit.
Possesses versatile skills that make her the team's best all-around player. Had 27 goals and 11 assists last year.
Has rare goal-scoring ability for an outside back. Scored six goals and added eight assists as a junior.
Makes smart decisions and is very adept at clearing the ball. Was named All-Region as a junior.
Causes havoc with opposing defenses. Projected as team's top scoring threat.
Totaled 28 goals and 13 assists as a freshman. Played for a U.S. Olympic Development Program team last spring.
