See notable players, top schools and biggest games for this year's girls soccer season.
Midfielder Allison Stucky anchors a deep Brecksville-Broadview Heights girls soccer team.NOTABLE PLAYERS
Alyssa Balasko, North Olmsted, Sr., F: Ohio University recruit was a Division I second-teamer. Led the Eagles with 15 goals and 11 assists.
Devon Beckwith, Chardon, Sr., F: Top Division I scorer in area with 33 goals and 19 assists.
Alex Brown, Bay, Soph., F: Top point scorer for Rockets after scoring eight goals and dishing out 15 assists as a freshman. Member of capable group of underclassmen.
Taylor Burke, Medina, Sr., GK: Florida recruit recorded 18 shutouts for the Division I state champions. Has the ability to make one-of-a-kind saves. She is also a two-time state high jump champion.
Kori Chapic, West Geauga, Sr., MF: First-team All-Ohio selection plays all over the defensive side. Still managed 11 goals and five assists.
Jillian Graf, Medina, Sr., F: Florida recruit is top returning scorer. She notched 18 goals and had 12 assists for the Division I state champions.
Morgan Lieber, Chagrin Falls, Sr., GK: Third-year starter will be called upon to keep the Tigers in games. Had 11 shutouts last season.
Ashley Meier, Strongsville, Jr., MF: Spent the summer playing with the USA Youth-17 team. Signature center player has the all-around game.
Stephanie Poeppelman, Westlake, Sr., GK: Allowed only four goals during the regular season, seven overall. Recorded 15 shutouts.
Grace Redmon, Hathaway Brown, Sr., GK: Strong presence in goal. Recorded 13 shutouts last season, allowing 12 goals in 23 games.
Lysette Roman, Hathaway Brown, Soph., MF: Scored goal in state title game. Counted on to be a key contributor as an underclassman.
Haliegh Shingary, Holy Name, Jr., F: Leading scorer for the Green Wave with 17 goals. She has the finishing game to spearhead the offense.
Tori Shokles, North Royalton, Jr., GK: Paid her dues a year ago and has the technical skills to come into her own against tough competition.
Kelsey Smigel, Walsh Jesuit, Sr., F: Dayton recruit scored 21 goals and had 13 assists last season as an All-Ohio first-teamer. Has led the Warriors in scoring for three seasons.
Sarah Stachowiak, Westlake, Sr., D: As the last line of defense, proved her worth by being named Southwestern Conference MVP.
Allison Stucky, Brecksville, Soph., MF: National team age player led the Bees with nine assists.
Alyssa Tindal, Holy Name, Sr., MF: Xavier recruit has excelled in set-up role. Major focus has been controlling ball on opponent's side.
Nicolle Varney, Medina, Sr., D: Ohio University recruit was first team all-conference for the state champion Bees. Defense allowed six goals all season.
Megan Waskowski, Strongsville, Jr., F: Leading scorer with 25 goals. Makes the most of opportunity with uncanny knack for finding openings.
Christen Westphal, Walsh Jesuit, Jr., MF: Scored 13 goals and had eight assists last season.
View full sizeWalsh Jesuit sophomore midfielder Sandra Yu (16). Sandra Yu, Walsh Jesuit, Soph., MF: A member of the junior national team, she scored 11 goals and had 12 assists for the Warriors.
NOTABLE TEAMS
Bay (13-3-3 last season): The Rockets return 14 players, 10 starters, to a club that got to the district semifinal. Bay allowed 11 goals as goalkeeper Margaret Francati recorded eight shutouts in 11 games as a freshman.
Brecksville (10-6-2): The Bees return nearly everyone to a team that played a rugged schedule. Senior Amanda Sivic, all-state as a sophomore, and sophomore Sarah Sivic return after missing last season with injuries to further bolster lineup.
Chagrin Falls (17-1-2): The Tigers lost in double overtime to Hathaway Brown in the Division II regional final. They lost eight starters, so it's either reloading or rebuilding.
Hathaway Brown (17-2-3): The Blazers had to relinquish their Division II state championship because of an ineligible player last year and got more bad news when Elizabeth "Birdie" Wargo suffered a season-ending knee injury. They should regroup with seven returning players playing 13 games against Division I competition.
Holy Name (12-6-3): The Green Wave returns 14 players, seven starters, from district semifinal team. There is enough talent to extend the season past that.
Medina (21-1-2): The Bees allowed six goals in 24 games, none in their final 12, in winning their second Division I state title since 1997. With seven starters back, they are more than ready to defend as they are ranked No. 1 in the country by ESPN/Rise.
North Royalton (10-5-3): The Bears return 14 players with plenty of experience after a learning-curve season. They play five nationally-ranked teams and can be dangerous come playoff time.
Strongsville (18-2-1): The Mustangs lost to Medina in the district semifinals. They return 13 players, with seven starters, and will be a force come playoff time after playing a rugged schedule.
Walsh Jesuit (18-1-2): The Warriors' lone loss was to champion Medina in the state semifinal. They lost one starter and will be playoff ready after competing against tough competition.
Westlake (16-2-3): Reached the regional semifinals for the second straight year. With seven returning starters, the Demons are out to take the next step.
KEY DATES
Monday: Season starts.
Oct. 18-23: Sectional tournaments.
Oct. 25-30: District tournaments.
Nov. 3 and 6: Regional tournaments.
Nov. 9-13: State tournament.