The State Journal-Register has unveiled its 2026 girls soccer Players of the Year and All‑Area team, spotlighting the region’s most influential performers. The announcement celebrates not only individual excellence but also the growing pipeline of talent headed for Division I programs.
A repeat champion
Kamryn Hoffman of Springfield High repeats as Large School Player of the Year after a season that produced 40 goals and 22 assists. She also stands as the school’s all‑time leader with 153 career goals and 103 assists, cementing her legacy as the program’s most prolific offensive force.
Small‑school dominance
Bailey Leach from Pleasant Plains/New Berlin earns the three‑time Small School Player of the Year honor, having tallied 49 goals and 25 assists this season. Her name also appears at the top of the school’s historical ledger with 162 goals and 85 assists, underscoring a sustained impact over multiple years.
Other standout performers include senior goalkeeper Lydia Auble of Springfield High, who recorded 106 saves and 12 shutouts, and Raelyn Brammer of Pleasant Plains/New Berlin, whose contributions helped the Cardinals reach the state final. Chloe Law from Litchfield joined Kamryn Hoffman as the first players in the area to surpass 150 career goals and 100 assists, finishing the season with 50 goals and 33 assists.
Future pathways
Several of the honorees have announced intentions to continue their careers at the collegiate level. Among the schools they are eyeing are the University of Dayton, Illinois State University, the University of Illinois Springfield, the University of Louisville, Ball State University, Lincoln Land Community College, Southeast Missouri State University, Rockhurst University and Miami University, all of which are listed among the region’s notable athletic programs.
The recognition of players such as Emma Sabatka, a sophomore goalkeeper with 23 shutouts, and Grace Sabatka, who contributed 22 goals and 19 assists, as well as junior defender Kinsley Zellers from Chatham Glenwood, whose 12 goals and three assists highlighted a strong defensive showing, illustrates the depth of talent across the area.
As these athletes look ahead to the next chapter, the State Journal-Register’s All‑Area team serves as both a celebration of this season’s achievements and a preview of the promising careers that lie ahead.