Soccer season is underway in Bucks County. We have plenty of talent taking the field, with several teams looking to defend state titles. Who are the names you need to know for fall 2026? Here are 28 of this season's top returning soccer defenders and goalies in the Bucks County area.
Who do you think will be the season's top players? Let us know by voting in our poll for top defender.
20 Dominant Defenders in Bucks County area soccer:
Ella Roumy, CB East, senior
The leader of the Patriots’ defense that allowed 0.75 goals per game last season, en route to winning a state championship, Roumy is the calm, steady force anchoring the back line. A strong leader, Roumy helped the Patriots’ defense hold opponents to three goals throughout the district and PIAA state playoffs, including shutouts in the state semifinal and title games.
With her ability to read the field and make quick decisions, Roumy is also a strong contributor in transition and on the attack. She, along with twin sister Taylor Roumy, has committed to the University of Richmond.
Lily Walker, Gwynedd Mercy, senior
Walker is the consistent force behind a Monarchs’ defense that gave up 0.70 goals per game last season. Aggressive on the ball with great field awareness, Walker is a two-year team captain due to her communication skills, positive attitude, and the results she gets on the field. The University of Scranton commit is quick to capitalize on any mistakes from her opponents and excels in transition. She had several big moments on offense last year as well, scoring the go-ahead goal against AACA rival Villa Joseph Marie, and the game-winning goal against Faith Christian, a team that went on to win a state title.
Tenley Rogers, CB South, junior
After missing time due to injury last year, Rogers returned to the starting lineup stronger than ever. Her time on the sidelines last season showed Rogers to be a natural leader, earning her a role as team captain this year. Technically skilled, Rogers plays a physical game, blending speed, endurance and seemingly effortless tackling. Her ability to read the field and get a quick start make her a threat from anywhere on the field.
Lily Kaczmarek, Neshaminy, senior
A confident and consistent force on the backline, she also has a great impact on Neshaminy’s offense. Last season, she recorded 10 assists on restarts, and also scored the game-tying goal in the second round of the District One playoffs. The Alvernia University commit makes precise passes and crosses and is always dangerous when she has the ball.
Natalie Walter, Pennridge, senior
A team captain and first-team All-SOL Colonial selection, Walter was a key piece of a Rams’ defense that allowed just 18 goals in 22 games last season. With the graduation of several key starters, Walter has taken on even more responsibility this season, helping the Rams to two shutouts in their first five games. She has committed to Bloomsburg University.
Peyton Rabinowitz, Pennridge, senior
Rabinowitz can play forward and midfielder as well as on the defensive line and has contributed to all aspects of the game the past four seasons. A two-year team captain, she excelled in the postseason. In addition to securing two shutouts in the district playoffs, she had a game-winning assist and one of the penalty kicks that won the district championship. The Christopher Newport commit has also had goals and assists in multiple games this season.
Emma Harrison, Neshaminy, senior
A smart player with good decision-making skills as well as strong technical skills, Harrison is fearless in the air when going for a header. She passes well under pressure and starting the attack. Harrison has committed to Division I Rider University.
Peyton Karpinski, CB South, junior
A versatile defender who can play center back as well as right and left outside back, Karpinski is fearless when going after the ball. A strong tackler with excellent field vision, Karpinski plays without hesitation, whether defending 1-on-1 or supporting the attack.
Jadyn Sperling, North Penn, senior
A defensive anchor for the Knights due to her communication and leadership skills, Sperling is athletic and versatile. Strong and accurate on penalty kicks, Sperling has given the Knights some of their biggest wins in recent years. Last year, she converted a game-winning penalty kick against CB East. She is a Division I recruit committed to Le Moyne College.
Emma Regan, Abington, senior
The center back is a team captain who brings valuable experience to the defensive line.
Gabrielle Brader, Palisades, senior
Brader is the anchor for a Pirates’ team heralded for its ferocious defense. Her brief absence due to injury was notable, as the Pirates gave up 11 goals over three games, while allowing just nine goals the rest of the season. The center back sets the example for the rest of the unit, and operates with confidence and control on the back line.
Mia Rahn, William Tennent, senior
The Panthers’ defensive anchor the past two years, Rahn is a first-team All-SOL Freedom selection who also stars on the lacrosse field for Tennent.
Olivia Dittman, Conwell-Egan, senior
A commanding presence on the defensive line, the 5-foot-10 Dittman also plays forward on the basketball team. On the soccer field, she is the undisputed leader of the Eagles’ defense. Highly focused and competitive, she fights for every ball and will never give up on a play. She recently committed to play soccer for Division II Mansfield.
Aubrie Windish, Villa Joseph Marie, junior
While Windish missed time due to injuries last season, her impact on and off the field earned her a team captain role this season. The center back is a fine leader who communicates well on the field, even under pressure, and directs the defense with ease. She played a big role in the Jems’ district title game win, when her well-placed free kick resulted in the game-winning goal by a teammate.
Krissy Philip, Council Rock South, junior
A first-team All-SOL Patriot selection, as well as an ECNL North Atlantic All-Conference first-team recipient, Philip leads the Golden Hawks’ defense that produced nine shutouts last season, several against playoff teams like Pennsbury, Pennridge and CR North.
Molly McConnell, Archbishop Wood, senior
McConnell is an instrumental part of a Vikings’ back line that gave up 18 goals in 23 games, en route to winning the program’s first state championship. A three-time All-Catholic selection and Robert Morris University recruit, McConnell continues to elevate her game each year. In addition to leading the defense, McConnell is also strong on the attack and contributed three goals from the center back position last year.
Bella Romer, Harry S. Truman, junior
Romer had a breakout sophomore season, leading the Tigers in minutes before an injury cut her season short after 13 games. A tireless competitor, Romer’s stamina and endurance made her a leader on the defense even as a sophomore. A multisport athlete, Romer has the speed to make plays on both sides of the field, and the strength and confidence to defend 1v1.
Hailey Castellano, New Hope-Solebury, senior
A leading scorer for the Lions’ lacrosse team, Castellano is a top defender on the soccer field. In addition, she also contributes offensively when needed.
8 Golden Goalies in Bucks County soccer:
Paige Simpson, Lansdale Catholic, junior
An All-Catholic selection in both field hockey and lacrosse, Simpson had an exceptional sophomore season in net after playing mostly JV as a freshman. Strong and willing to put her body on the line, Simpson has impressed with her athleticism and diving saves.
Sadie Chilton, Palisades, senior
Chilton is an accomplished athlete who was named team MVP last season. She is a member of the Pirates’ basketball, flag football and track and field teams, and also performed double duty for the soccer team. In addition to guarding the net, Chilton also played in the field where she posted four goals and 12 assists. She made several dazzling saves for the Pirates en route to the district championship game against tough District 11 opponents.
Liv Smith, Germantown Academy, sophomore
Smith had quite the freshman year. She earned key roles on both the basketball and soccer teams, and earned second-team All-InterAc honors in soccer. In addition, she won the athletic department’s Rising Star Award, and, after securing a 1-0 win against Penn Charter on the teams’ annual GA/PC Day, she was named MVP. Physically strong as well as mature beyond her years, Smith is a fierce competitor whose multisport athleticism pays dividends on the field. A true team-player, she is both well-respected and well-liked by her teammates.
Maggie Monahan, Villa Joseph Marie, junior
The Jems’ stopper recorded five shutouts last year and made plenty of crucial saves for the district champions. In the district title game, she had three saves to secure the win over Springfield. Aggressive and athletic, Monahan is also a track star in the 100- and 200-meter dash, and her quickness, reflexes and strength carry over onto the soccer field.
Dani Gilbert, Harry S. Truman, junior
After making 20 appearances in net her first two years, Gilbert took over as fulltime starting goalie this year. She recorded over 200 saves last season, and will be seeing plenty of action again this year in front of a young defense on the rebuilding Tigers. She already has one shutout this season, recording three saves in a win over MaST Charter.
Madison Ferroni, Pennsbury, senior
Ferroni had six shutouts last season and already has two clean sheets this year. Confident and athletic, the 5-foot-10 Ferroni is strong and agile, possessing great footwork and reflexes. Calm under pressure and a good decision-maker, she is a vocal leader for the Falcons’ defense. Ferroni has committed to Division I DePaul University.
Gracie Costello, Upper Moreland, senior
A four-year starter, Costello has been a force in net for the Golden Hawks since her freshman year. She issued six shutouts last season.
Avery Jones, CB West, sophomore
After an impressive freshman season in goal for the Bucks, Jones earned an All-SOL Colonial honorable mention. She had three shutouts last year, and held opponents to 1.3 goals per game.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Who are the top defenders and goalies in Bucks County girls soccer?
