After watching the Upper Arlington girls soccer team capture its first state championship last season, several central Ohio programs have set one goal above others this fall – matching the Golden Bears’ feat.
One of those programs is Dublin Jerome, which returns several key players from last year’s Division I regional semifinalist squad.
“We’d be happy to be the next Columbus team that wins the state [tournament],” Jerome coach Georgi Petrov said. “We have potential. Everybody has potential. We have to see how far we can go in the tournament. Staying focused is important. UA is still going to be good.”
Although UA lost several players to graduation, it hopes to remain in the state tournament conversation. Key returnees include seniors Alina Montero
(goalie) and Charlee Stubbs (midfielder/defender), who were instrumental in the Bears’ 1-0 win over Cincinnati Seton in the state final.
Pickerington North advanced to a state semifinal, losing 4-1 to Seton.
Columbus Academy reached the Division IV state final, losing 1-0 to Cincinnati Summit Country Day. Academy is now in Division V.
Here are 12 central Ohio girls soccer players to watch this fall:
Stella Albrecht, Olentangy Orange
The junior midfielder was a key part of the Pioneers’ improvement last year under coach Allie Sieradzki, who is now in her second season. Albrecht was named first-team all-OCC-Central and all-district in Division I.
Ella Dusenberry, Olentangy Berlin
The senior helped anchor the defense last fall as the Bears recorded 14 shutouts, won the OCC-Cardinal title and reached a regional final, losing 2-1 to Pickerington North to finish 16-3-1. Dusenberry, a Xavier commit, was named first-team all-district and all-league.
Kyla Gasser, Fairfield Union
The senior forward had 22 goals and a single-season program-record 29 assists last season, earning first-team all-state and all-Southeast District in Division III and first-team all-MSL-Buckeye. Gasser is Fairfield Union’s all-time leader in assists with 59.
Cali Hejduk, Westerville Central
The junior forward finished last season with 16 goals and was named first-team all-state and all-district in Division II and first-team all-OCC-Ohio after helping the Warhawks win their first league title since 2005. The North Carolina commit, the daughter of former Crew star Frankie Hejduk, will represent the United States in the FIFA U17 World Cup in Morocco. The event will be held Oct. 17-Nov. 7.
Reese Laaksonen, Delaware Hayes
The senior midfielder was a standout for the Pacers last fall, earning first-team all-state and all-district in Division I along with first-team all-OCC-Capital. She finished with eight goals and five assists.
Anna McGough, Big Walnut
The senior forward was first-team all-state and all-district in Division II and first-team all-OCC-Capital last season after tallying 14 goals and 10 assists. McGough helped lead the Golden Eagles (13-4-3) to a regional final, which they lost 3-0 to Watterson.
Ivy Miller, Granville
The senior forward is coming off a 33-goal and 12-assist season in which she led the Blue Aces (17-4-2) to a Division III state semifinal. A University of Charlotte commit, Miller was district and Licking County League Player of the Year and first-team all-state.
Kaylee Morris, Bloom-Carroll
The senior played a major role in the Bulldogs’ success last season, anchoring a defense that allowed just 13 goals in 19 games while contributing offensively with nine goals and three assists. Morris was named first-team all-state and all-district in Division III and MSL-Buckeye Player of the Year.
Sydney Smoot, Columbus Academy
The sophomore forward played an integral role in the Vikings (18-4-2) reaching the Division IV state final last season. Smoot finished with 23 goals and five assists and was named first-team all-district and all-Central Buckeye League.
Gabby Smullen, Watterson
The junior center back helped lead a defense that surrendered just 14 goals in 21 games with 11 shutouts and was named first-team all-CCL and all-district in Division II. The Eagles (16-3-2) advanced to a state semifinal, losing 2-0 to Hudson.
Blake Sobczak, Dublin Jerome
The junior forward and Mississippi State commit was key to the Celtics’ success last season with 15 goals and five assists, earning OCC-Cardinal Player of the Year and first-team all-state and all-district in Division I. Jerome (12-2-4) won a district title before losing its next game to Berlin 2-1 in double overtime.
Stella Weber, Grove City
The junior forward was a key contributor for the Greyhounds last season, finishing with 13 goals and three assists. Weber was named first-team all-state and all-district in Division I and first-team all-OCC-Ohio.
High school sports reporter Frank DiRenna can be reached at fdirenna@dispatch.com and at @DispatchFrank on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Central Ohio high school girls soccer players to watch in 2026 season
