It is hard for a freshman to break through and contribute in high school varsity sports. The ones who do are often highly talented players with bright futures.
Here are 25 who have shined this season in the Greater Cincinnati area.
It's harder for freshmen to get playing time in boys sports, so this list looks at 10 boys and 15 girls.
Freshmen who have stood out in Greater Cincinnati boys soccer
Jonathan Biembongo, Northwest: He has eight goals and four assists for the Knights, who are 9-5-2. Most recently, he had two goals and an assist in a 4-2 win over Mount Healthy. Northwest will start play in the Division III tournament Oct. 24 against Batavia.
Garrett Ginandt and Andrew Martinez, Northwest: The duo has split time in goal for the Knights, who are 9-5-2. Martinez has started most of the games in the second
half of the year, Ginandt has played some on offense and has an assist.
Braylon Johns, Bethel-Tate: He is third on the Tigers with seven goals, helping them to a 9-7 record. He had two goals against Western Brown in a 3-2 win in the season finale. They are the No. 13 seed in the Division IV district tournament.
Luther Johnson, Wilmington: The Hurricane have posted a 14-1 record behind 46 goals from standout senior Ben Angelica. Johnson has helped make those goals happen with a team-high nine assists, plus three goals of his own, two of them in Southern Buckeye-American wins over Goshen.
Anthony Morales, Brossart: He has six goals and seven assists for the Mustangs, who are 8-9-2 and hope to make a run in the competitive 10th region.
Tyler Neill, Monroe: The defender has helped the Hornets post 10 shutouts this season and post a 9-4-3 record. He has a goal on offense for the Hornets, who are the No. 5 seed in the Division III district tournament.
Ian Puzo, Talawanda: He has three goals and two assists for the Brave, who are 12-4-1 and the No. 7 seed in the Division III district tournament. He scored recently against Edgewood in league play and also scored against Colerain.
Caleb Smith, Badin: He has been a key contributor in the Rams' offense with four goals and six assists, helping them to a 12-3-1 record and No. 2 seed in the Division III district tournament. He had a goal in a key league win over Alter and a win over GCL-South team La Salle, and two assists against Madeira.
Ruud Van Frank, Batavia: The keeper has five shutouts in league play this season, helping the Bulldogs to an 8-6-2 record in the Southern Buckeye Academic and Athletic Conference-American. They are the No. 10 seed in the Division III district tournament.
Jace Wells, Fayetteville-Perry: He is third on the Rockets with nine goals, helping them to a 12-1-1 record as they hope to make a Division V tournament run in the Southeast District.
Freshmen who have stood out in Greater Cincinnati girls soccer
Rachel Burkart, Summit Country Day: The defender is a regular starter for the Silver Knights, who will look to win another state title this fall.
Cara Cunningham, Simon Kenton: She is second on the team with 10 goals and five assists, helping the Pioneers to a 12-5-3 record as they enter the Eighth Region Tournament, which they hope to win.
McKenna Goedde, Lakota West: She is one of several freshmen playing key roles for the Firebirds, who are 11-4-1 with the Division I tournament around the corner. She has a team-high eight goals with four assists. Freshman Melanie Howard has four shutouts in goals.
Scotlan Halcomb, Fenwick: She leads the Falcons with eight goals, helping them to a 10-5-1 record in the competitive Greater Catholic League-South.
Caroline Kiefer, Loveland: She leads the Tigers with eight goals and five assists, and is fifth in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference with 21 points. Among her season highlights are two goals against powerhouse Summit Country Day and two against Badin.
Ella Lengle, Walton-Verona: She is second on the team with nine goals and leading the Bearcats with 10 assists, as they have a 13-3-3 record entering the postseason.
Tiann Littlejohn, Purcell Marian: She has 5.5 shutouts in goal for the Cavaliers, who are 10-5 and co-champions of the Miami Valley Conference-Gray.
Laila Meyer, Batavia: She is one of several freshmen who have played big roles for the Bulldogs, who are 12-5-1 and leading the Southern Buckeye-American. She has eight shutouts in goal, including a 3-0 win over high-powered Western Brown. Freshman Chloe Davis is third on the team in goals with seven.
Matilda Miller, St. Ursula: She leads the offense with 12 goals, helping the Bulldogs to a 9-5-3 record as they hope to contend for the Division II regional title. Freshman Isabel Cullum has a team-high 10 assists with three goals.
Siearra Sandker, Bethel-Tate: She has been a key part of the Tigers’ offense with seven goals and eight assists as the Tigers are 12-2-1 and champions of the SBAAC-National.
Kaitlyn Pfeffer, Eastern Brown: She is second on the team in scoring with 12 goals and six assists, helping the Warriors to an 11-1-3 record.
Kourtney Rahschulte, Ryle: She is second on the team in goals with eight, and has four assists, helping the Raiders to an 11-6-3 record, the 33rd District championship, and a spot in next week’s Ninth Region tournament.
Masyn Rockey, Milford: She has scored four goals this season, all in league wins, helping the Eagles to a 9-3-4 record and first place in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference. They can win the title with a victory in their next game.
Josie Weinewuth, Oak Hills: She has split time in goal for the Highlanders, posting five shutouts and helping them finish third in the Greater Miami Conference with an overall record of 9-4-3.
Claire Young, Mariemont: She has been an important part of a balanced Warriors' offense with six goals and four assists for the Cincinnati Hills League champions, who are 12-1-2 and the top seed in the Division IV district tournament.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Who are the top 25 freshmen in Greater Cincinnati high school soccer?
