Girls soccer preview: Preseason picks for the Boise area’s favorites, dark horses
Perennial powers, Division I prospects and upstart programs dot the Treasure Valley’s high school girls soccer scene.
But who are the teams to beat this fall? We asked every coach in the 6A and 5A Southern Idaho Conference for our annual season preview. Below are the full rankings for each league, and the top players to watch on each squad.
6A SIC
1. ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Last season: 18-1-2, 10-0-2 6A SIC
Coach: Eric Simmonsen, second season
Players to watch: Campbell Wilson, sr., F; Van Staley, sr., M/D; Dilynn Revelle, sr., W/F; Ella Navarro, so., M
Outlook: The reigning district and state champs only fell a tiebreaker short of the conference title, too, narrowly missing out on a rare three-championship season. But with seven returning starters, Simmonsen said the Grizzlies might be even deeper than last year’s decorated squad. It all starts up front with Wilson, a Boise State commit who led 6A with 30 goals and swept conference, state and Gatorade player of the year awards. She will pair with Revelle (14 goals, five assists) to form a potent one-two punch, while Staley and Navarro control the midfield. The Grizzlies may have finished atop the preseason coaches’ poll, but they received only six of 13 first-place votes — meaning the league doesn’t see Rocky as invincible.
2. OWYHEE
Last season: 13-5-2, 8-2-2 6A SIC
Coach: Madison Graham, third season
Players to watch: Lauren Chatterton, jr., D; Paisley Pack, jr., M; Lilli Denhardt, sr., M/F; Alexa Zierenberg, jr., F
Outlook: The Storm return just four starters after taking third at state. But all four made the All-Idaho team, the most in any classification, solidifying Owyhee as the top challenger to Rocky Mountain’s reign. Zierenberg (21 goals, five assists) gives the Storm an elite goal-scoring threat to put atop the formation, and she’ll have plenty of help from Denhardt (eight goals) and Pack (four goals), a Portland commit. Chatterton returns to lock down the defense after making the all-state first team as a sophomore. The only question remains who takes over in goal.
3. TIMBERLINE
Last season: 13-6-3, 6-3-3 6A SIC
Coach: Maison O’Neill, second season
Players to watch: Maya Atkinson, so., M/F; Maura Walters, sr., D; Mackenzie Hildebrand, sr., F/D;
Outlook: O’Neill guided the Wolves to state last fall with just four seniors after a midseason coaching change. Now she brings back seven starters for her first full season at the head of the program. O’Neill said all that returning talent breeds chemistry. Atkinson (17 goals, three assists) headlines that list as a second-team all-state forward. Hildebrand, a Montana commit, gives Timberline a dangerous option it can plug into the back and front lines depending on the situation. And Walters provides a steady and physical presence in the back.
4. BOISE
Last season: 14-3-2, 10-0-2 6A SIC
Coach: Ali Leonard, second season
Players to watch: Grace Hatch, sr., F/W; Lucy King, sr., M; Emerson Shirey, sr., D; Josie Reedy, so., F
Outlook: The defending regular-season champ fell a shootout short of another state title. But the perennial power starts the season in an unfamiliar spot in the preseason poll after losing 12 seniors and four Division I signees. Only four starters return, but don’t count out Boise just yet. Hatch, a Boise State commit and a first-team all-state pick two years running, returns as a goal-scoring threat after injuries limited her to eight games last fall. She’ll pair with Reedy to form another dangerous attack, and Leonard said Boise can rely on plenty of team chemistry. But a new group will need to prove it can live up to the high expectations in the North End.
5. BISHOP KELLY
Last season: 13-6-2, 8-2-2 6A SIC
Coach: Dawn Hill, fifth season
Players to watch: Mary Higgins, sr., D; Kenzie Hill, jr., M; Erin diVittorio, sr., M; Kate Jaques, sr., M
Outlook: The reigning district runner-up proved it belongs in Idaho’s top classification last season with a 19th straight trip to state. Now the Knights return five starters looking to stretch that streak to an even two decades. An offseason injury sidelined Caitlin Staats, a Denver commit and first-team all-state striker. But the Knights feature plenty of offensive firepower in Hill (12 goals, 13 assists), diVittorio (13 goals) and Jaques. Hill said BK will need to rebuild its backline after heavy graduation losses. But Higgins, a second-team all-state pick, provides a steady hand there and a weapon on set pieces.
T-6. EAGLE
Last season: 8-5-3, 6-3-3 6A SIC
Coach: Tristen Spooner, fourth season
Players to watch: Stella Jones, so., F; Rebecca Gabriele, sr., D; Sophie Carr, sr., D; Peyten Taylor, sr., D
Outlook: After a two-and-out performance at district, five starters return looking to re-establish the Mustangs as a threat for hardware. The Mustangs start their rebuild with a dynamic forward and an enviable backline. Jones (10 goals, three assists) impressed as a freshman with her physical presence a year ago, and Gabriele (seven goals) and Taylor form a solid pair of center backs. But a host of young goalkeepers and midfielders will need to prove themselves to show Eagle is truly back.
T-6. MOUNTAIN VIEW
Last season: 12-7-1, 7-4-1 6A SIC
Coach: Gene Corson, third season
Players to watch: Marisol Stosich, sr., F; Sienna Holbrook, sr., M; Samantha Jones, sr., F; Kaylee Bellomy, sr., D
Outlook: With eight returning starters and one of the state’s most feared strikers, expect the Mavericks to contend for a return trip to state. Stosich (21 goals, seven assists) remains the name atop every scouting report as a Utah Valley commit with multiple appearances for Guatemala’s senior national team under her belt. But the Mavericks feature plenty of other weapons, including Jones (13 goals, seven assists) and Holbrook (five goals, five assists). All that firepower and aggression burned the Mavericks on counterattacks last fall, so Corson said Mountain View will need to remain disciplined in its shape.
8. KUNA
Last season: 8-9-1, 5-6-1 6A SIC
Coach: Dave Rider, fourth season
Players to watch: Lily Lowe, sr., M; Gretchen Baker, sr., M; Sammie Deedon, jr., F; Tatumn Harding, so., D
Outlook: The Kavemen have gone 0-8 at district since returning to the state’s top classification in 2020. But Kuna looks to change perceptions with seven returning starters and a key new addition. The midfield remains loaded with Lowe (14 goals, five assists) and Baker, a Division I commit (Campell), returning. That core should feed Deedon, a newcomer expected to make an instant impact at the top of the field. But to contend deep into October and knock off a few perennial powers, Rider said Kuna will need to find more consistency.
9. BORAH
Last season: 5-10-0, 3-9-0 6A SIC
Coach: Jeff Schatz, fourth season
Players to watch: Adee Carter, jr., M/F; Briar Carter, jr., M/F; Cassidy Mack, so., F; Grace Byrns, sr., GK
Outlook: The Lions last qualified for the district tournament in 2020. But with eight returning starters — including its top two scorers — Borah trains its eyes on making that elusive field. Look for Briar Carter to take on a larger role as the outside back moves up the field for more chances in the final third. And a fully healthy Adee Carter pairs with Mack to give Borah a dangerous trio. But Borah will need to shore up its defense and defend as a team to reach its goals, Schatz said.
10. CENTENNIAL
Last season: 6-9-0, 4-8-0 6A SIC
Coach: Brandon Gallegos, first season
Players to watch: Lily Simpson, sr., GK; Peyton Miller, jr., D/M; Zoey Stuart, fr., D; Brooke Hiebert, jr., D
Outlook: The former power saw its season end in a district play-in game last fall, then lost eight seniors and its head coach in the offseason. That leaves four returning starters for Gallegos as the Patriots try to climb back up the standings. The first-year coach said the group’s leadership has impressed him, and that leadership starts with Simpson in goal. Her communication keeps Centennial organized, Miller provides a versatile weapon, and Stuart stands poised for a breakout season. But a young group will need to grow up quickly for Centennial to contend again.
11. MERIDIAN
Last season: 2-11-0, 2-10-0 6A SIC
Coach: George Hunt, first season
Players to watch: Hallie Corder, sr., M; Mylee McCoy, jr., M/F
Outlook: The Warriors broke through last season, snapping a 54-game conference winless streak (0-49-5). Now it looks to take the next step with six returning starters under a new head coach. Corder remains the maestro in the midfield, and McCoy serves as the goal-scoring threat atop what Hunt called an improved attack. But while he said Meridian has improved all over the field, Meridian will still rely on a host of young players.
12. CAPITAL
Last season: 0-13-1, 0-12-0
Coach: Lauren Croy, sixth season
Players to watch: Manal Alkadro, jr., M/F; Argelia Saldana Rodriguez, jr., F/D; Tuvy Ly, sr., M; Stella Thompson, so., D/F
Outlook: A group of 10 returning starters starts the season looking to snap an 18-game winless streak and change how the league views the Eagles. Croy said the group impressed her with its team bond and willingness to work no matter the score. To turn that work into a few wins requires finding a few goal-scoring threats. Look for Alkadro and Saldana Rodriguez to fill those roles.
13. RIDGEVUE
Last season: 2-14-0, 1-11-0 6A SIC
Coach: Cristian Hernandez, second season
Players to watch: Danielle Hensley, sr., D; Sadie Miller, sr., M; Millie Bratvold, fr., F
Outlook: The Warhawks took their lumps in their first season in the state’s top classification. Now eight returning starters look to turn the program around. Hernandez said a defense led by Hensley at center back has shown more cohesion, and Bratvold adds an impact player up top. Improved conditioning and a large incoming freshman class point toward an improved future. But winning remains a habit Ridgevue has yet to develop.
5A SIC
1. MIDDLETON
Last season: 16-3-1, 9-0-1 5A SIC
Coach: Adam Fullmer, second season
Players to watch: Abby Linderman, sr., M/F; Kaylee Banks, so., D; Brinklie Steele, sr., M; Megan Stewart, jr., GK
Outlook: The reigning conference and district champ went into last year’s state tournament as the No. 1 seed, but that dream season ended without a trophy. Middleton returns nine starters looking for redemption, and the league’s only state qualifier remains the favorite with 4-of-6 first-place votes in the preseason coaches’ poll. The Vikings’ defense ought to remain one of the state’s best. Stewart, a first-team all-state selection, leads that group after giving up only seven goals, including two on penalty kicks. But Middleton must find new offensive threats after graduating 63 of its 83 goals. Linderman (six goals, 10 assists) stands as the primary candidate after first-team all-conference honors. But she’ll need help if the Vikings want to bring home state hardware.
2. VALLIVUE
Last season: 14-4-1, 8-1-1 5A SIC
Coach: Armando Soto, first season
Players to watch: Jenna Seals, sr., F; Delaney Hughes, fr., GK; Melissa Haro, sr., D; Amanda Soto, sr., M/F
Outlook: After four straight runner-up finishes at the district tournament, the Falcons bring back seven starters trying to break through for the program’s first district title since 2004. Armando Soto said Vallivue fields a confident squad, and the Falcons have plenty of reason for optimism. Amanda Soto (30 career goals) and Seals (26 career goals) stand as the league’s top two scoring threats after making the all-state team in 2023. The first-year coach said unlocking Vallivue’s next step relies on ditching its kick-and-rush tendencies and learning to maintain possession and control the game.
3. SKYVIEW
Last season: 6-6-1, 5-4-1 5A SIC
Coach: Sam Lungren, fifth season
Players to watch: Hailey Fisher, sr., GK; Lilly Hockenberry, jr., M; Maddy Cantrell, sr., D; Reese Michaelson, sr., D
Outlook: The Hawks haven’t qualified for state since 2017. But with seven returning starters, Skyview eyes ending that seven-year drought. All that experience creates a deep bench and what Lungren described as the closest team in his 20 years as a coach. Fisher leads that group as a first-team all-conference pick in net, and Cantrell (second team) also returns from a torn ACL to lead a stingy defense. But after scoring 20 goals in 13 games, Skyview needs to find a more consistent attack to contend for a trip to state.
4. COLUMBIA
Last season: 4-14-0, 2-8-0 5A SIC
Coach: Jared Allen, first season
Players to watch: Cadyn Kenyon, sr., M; Cara McDougald, sr., GK; Courtney Klotther, sr., M
Outlook: After a promising 2023 season, the Wildcats slid back last fall, going two-and-out at district. But with 10 returning starters and a new coach, Columbia enters looking to make waves. Allen said the midfield he inherited remains loaded with four seniors and a junior. Kenyon, a four-year starter and second-team all-conference pick, leads that group and pairs with Klotther to control traffic in the center of the field. But Columbia entered camp without any true center backs. It needs two players to transition into that key position, a tall task at the varsity level.
5. CALDWELL
Last season: 7-10-2, 4-5-1 5A SIC
Coach: Katelyn Benavidez-Schulte, fifth season
Players to watch: Ella Larsen, so., M; Giselle Araiza, so., D; Emmi Gutierrez, jr., W; Ruby Balderaz, jr., M
Outlook: Graduation hit the Cougars hard, robbing them of 15 seniors, including several who played all four years. That leaves Caldwell searching for a new identity with just four returning starters. Larsen (four goals, three assists) and Araiza (six goals) provide a pair of key pieces to start the rebuild. But Benavidez-Schulte said to expect a host of former junior varsity players to break into the lineup this fall. Gutierrez leads that young group after scoring 15 goals on the Cougars’ second team.
6. NAMPA
Last season: 0-14-0, 0-10-0 5A SIC
Coach: Corrina Smith, first season
Players to watch: Britney Gleaves, sr., M; Ruthanne Fischer, sr., F; Audrieana Maldonado, fr., F; Lexi Smith, jr., D
Outlook: Riding a 34-game losing streak, the Bulldogs start the season with nowhere to go but up. Smith points to several signs for optimism, chief among them an increase from 12 to 22 rostered players. She said she expects to see a lot of growth as the team mixes in veteran club players with athletes new to the sport. Ten starters return, giving Nampa a few experienced hands to rely on, with Gleaves and Fischer serving as captains.
This story was originally published August 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM.
