Vermont Girls Soccer Preseason Rankings Preview
The 2026 Vermont high school girls soccer preseason rankings have been released, offering a first glimpse of which squads are poised to contend for state titles.
At the top of the list, Champlain Valley Union High School enters the season as the clear favorite, riding a wave of momentum after capturing the last two championships.
The squad boasts 10 returning veterans, including standout forwards Elliana Antonucci, midfielder Sierra Rainey and defender Charlotte Clark, who will anchor the attack.
Close behind, Mount Mansfield Union High School is ranked second despite losing key contributors Mallory Chicoine, Chloe DeJong and Sofia Randall; however, the team returns 19 players and fields a deep defensive line that could neutralize opponents.
Essex High School slides in at third, bringing back eight senior starters after a sub‑.500 campaign the previous year, aiming to translate experience into wins.
Colchester High School occupies the fourth spot, returning five starters and looking to cement its reputation as one of the Metro’s elite programs despite notable departures.
Rice Memorial High School, fifth in the rankings, are the defending D‑II state champions seeking back‑to‑back titles under longtime coach Aubrey Ouellet, though they must replace several graduates and a handful of prep‑school departures.
Harwood Union High School, the previous D‑II runner‑up, sits sixth and will be eager to rebound from a crushing final‑match loss to Rice, focusing on tightening a defense that proved vulnerable.
South Burlington High School drops to seventh, with new head coach Paul Membrino relying on star attackers Julia Conway and Josie Maxwell; the program has lost five seniors but welcomes a large freshman class.
Burlington High School, ranked eighth, hopes to improve upon a 3‑11‑1 record from last season, leveraging 15 returning players to build continuity.
Vergennes Union High School, ninth, enters as the defending D‑III champions after losing key figures Ava Francis and Ashtin Stearns, yet the team retains enough firepower to repeat.
Finally, Peoples Academy rounds out the top ten, returning seven starters including leading scorer Sophia Calcagni and defender Peyton Bliss, who are targeting a deeper run in the D‑III playoffs.
Players to Watch
Among the talent pool, names such as Elliana Antonucci, Sierra Rainey, Charlotte Clark, Mallory Chicoine, Chloe DeJong, Sofia Randall, Julia Conway, Josie Maxwell, Ava Francis, Ashtin Stearns, Sophia Calcagni and Peyton Bliss are expected to make significant impacts.