A Star is Crowned
Addison Schaffer, a senior forward at Crystal Lake Central, has been crowned the 2026 Northwest Herald Girls Soccer Player of the Year, a testament to a season that blended scoring prowess with playmaking brilliance.
She finished the year with 41 goals and 31 assists, guiding the Tigers to a 22‑2 record and a state championship, their fourth Fox Valley Conference title in five years.
Her impact shone brightest in the championship match, where she netted two goals against Morton and added three assists in the semifinal victory over Lemont, earning her a place on the IHSSCA All‑State forward list for the first time.
Beyond the pitch, Schaffer balances her athletic ambitions with a love of mathematics and a dream of one day appearing on screen, while also enjoying simple pleasures like napping, pickleball and her father's smash burgers.
Committed to Loyola, she cited proximity to home and the presence of former teammates as key factors, and she hopes to translate her collegiate experience into a professional career or a future in acting.
A Multifaceted Future
Schaffer’s versatility extends off the field as well; she has cared for more than ten pets, including three cats and a dog, and she admires Neymar, expressing a desire to meet the Brazilian star someday.
Local voices, including reporter Russ Hodges and coach Leah Rutkowski, have praised her leadership, noting how she mentors underclassmen and carries the team’s momentum as an upperclassman.