The 2026 HighSchoolOT All-State Girls Soccer Team has been revealed, spotlighting thirty of the state’s most accomplished seniors and juniors. Presented by Talk It Out NC in partnership with First Carolina Bank, the roster reflects a collaborative effort across four governing associations, ensuring representation from every classification.
Among the honorees, five players earned repeat first‑team accolades, underscoring sustained excellence throughout their high school careers. The selections are divided into first, second, and third teams, each comprising twenty‑five athletes, while an additional honorable mention roll call includes fifty more standout performers.
Headlining the selections are Riley Pickels of Hough, who posted a 0.553 goals‑against average and recorded seventeen shutouts, and Anna Ford from Wake Forest, who posted a 0.670 GAA with fourteen clean sheets. Other notable contributors include senior forward Peyton Steele of Ardrey Kell, who tallied four goals and three assists, and forward Rylan Breath from Mountain Island, who led the attack with eleven goals and ten assists.
The depth of talent extends beyond individual stats; many of the players have already secured commitments to a diverse array of collegiate programs, ranging from N.C. State and UNC‑Greensboro to smaller liberal arts colleges such as Colby and Wagner.
The breadth of the roster illustrates the growing competitiveness of girls soccer in North Carolina, where high school teams now rival many national programs in skill and depth. Coaches and analysts alike note that the mix of seasoned seniors and emerging juniors creates a foundation for sustained success at the collegiate level, as these athletes transition to programs that span the spectrum of NCAA divisions.
A Roster of Rising Stars
The list also features players who have broken school records, such as Laney Heafner from Bishop McGuinness, who amassed thirty‑five goals and twenty assists, and Piper Jillings from Hickory, who contributed forty‑three goals and thirty‑two assists as a junior. These standout performances, along with the broader array of statistics across the roster, signal a promising future for both high school and collegiate soccer in the region.