Key Returners Set to Lead 2026 Campaigns
The upcoming 2026 girls soccer season in the Salem‑Keizer area promises fresh excitement as teams from the Central Valley and Mid‑Willamette conferences bring back experienced lineups and a wealth of talent.
Dallas enters the season with senior forward Madison Barcroft, a first‑team Mid‑Willamette selection last year, anchoring an attack that hopes to build on recent successes.
North Salem will rely on junior defender Elisa Birrueta‑Correa, who earned second‑team all‑Central Valley Conference honors in 2025 and continues to tighten a defensive unit that has shown steady improvement.
McNary’s senior forward Sayje Castronovo returns after a strong campaign that included second‑team all‑conference recognition and a run to the Class 6A state playoffs, bringing both experience and scoring prowess.
Goalkeeper Atalia Davila Macias from West Salem was named to the Central Valley Conference first team after guiding the Titans to a league title and a second‑round playoff appearance, establishing herself as a key last line of defense.
Freshman Karley Dessieux from Stayton made an immediate impact in the Oregon West Conference, earning first‑team all‑league honors and adding a dynamic attacking option for her squad.
Bella Garcia, a junior defender on the McNary roster, collected first‑team Central Valley Conference honors and will be part of a defensive core that aims to build on last season’s momentum.
Halle Hammer of Cascade, a forward who helped her team finish a 4‑9‑1 season, was selected to the Oregon West Conference first team, highlighting her ability to find the net despite a challenging year.
Senior Talia Jones from South Salem returns after being named to the Central Valley Conference first team and graduating five all‑conference athletes, now poised to lead her team’s offense.
Kenzie Lazarus, a senior from Blanchet Catholic, burst onto the scene with 17 goals last fall and contributed to a second‑round state playoff run, bringing veteran leadership to her team.
Savannah Newman, a senior scorer from Western Christian, netted 31 goals last season — the eighth most in Oregon — and guided the Pioneers to a 9‑4‑2 record before falling in the first round of playoffs.
Cate Nickel, a senior from Sprague, earned second‑team Central Valley Conference honors and helped her team improve from a 4‑9‑1 record, adding stability to the midfield.
Camie Olsen, a junior midfielder from Sprague, was selected to the first team all‑conference and is expected to play a pivotal role in the team’s midfield dynamics.
Nessa Olson, a returning senior midfielder from McNary, was a key player in 2025 and will look to steer her side toward playoff contention.
Allisson Reynolds, a junior from McKay, returns after earning second‑team all‑conference honors and will transition to Class 6A competition in 2026.
Jenna Shambaugh, a senior from West Salem, earned second‑team all‑conference honors and is expected to lead her team, which finished as the top‑scoring squad in the Central Valley Conference.
Grace Ulloa, a senior defender from Amity, was a crucial piece of a historic 17‑1‑1 season and helped limit opponents to just 12 goals throughout the year.
Mayela Victoria from McKay was named Mid‑Willamette Conference Player of the Year and earned all‑state honorable mention in 2025, underscoring her standout performance.
Braelyn Walter, a senior midfielder from Silverton, returned after winning an undefeated Mid‑Willamette title and earning second‑team all‑conference honors, aiming to push her team into the state quarterfinals.
Marley Wertz, also from Silverton, led a 13‑2‑2 campaign and collected first‑team all‑Mid‑Willamette and second‑team all‑state honors, setting her sights on a deep playoff run.