2026 Daily Journal Girls Soccer All-Area Team
The annual All-Area selections spotlight the most influential high school girls soccer players across the region, recognizing those who have turned the 2026 season into a showcase of talent and record‑breaking performances.
Grace Durante of Beecher emerged as one of the most prolific scorers, netting 62 goals and securing the third spot in Illinois High School Association history for a single season. Her precision in front of goal has set a new benchmark for future attackers.
Nia Lawrence from Bradley‑Bourbonnais earned the honor of team MVP, a testament to her leadership on and off the field, and also collected All‑Sectional Honorable Mention accolades that underscore her all‑around impact.
Breaking New Ground
Gianna High of Herscher rewrote the record books by surpassing the IHSA assist record, a milestone that highlights her vision and playmaking ability as a midfielder who consistently creates scoring opportunities for her teammates.
Jocelyn Sanchez of Kankakee made history as the first player in her program to cross the 100‑career‑goal threshold, a achievement that reflects both durability and consistency throughout her high school career.
Other standout contributors include Harper Tollefson, who posted a career‑high 27 goals for the Boilermakers, and Leia Haubner, who anchored a defensive unit that recorded 15 shutouts while also adding eight goals to the offense.
Freshman Alina Mkhwanazi startled the league with 50 goals, earning All‑Sectional recognition early in her career, while Emily Horath set new personal bests with 24 goals and 10 assists.
Callie Weiss repeated as defensive MVP for the third straight season, underscoring her defensive prowess, and Allie Werner capped her high school tenure by establishing a new program record of 127 career goals, surpassing the previous mark with 46 goals in the latest campaign.
The collective achievements of these athletes have been celebrated not only by their schools but also by the governing bodies of high school soccer in Illinois, with the IHSA and IHSSCA acknowledging the significance of these performances in shaping the future of the sport.