The News-Gazette has released its final girls soccer Top 5 poll for the 2026 season, positioning Champaign Central at the summit after a 14‑6‑1 record and a Class 2A regional championship.
Mahomet‑Seymour follows in second place with a 17‑5‑2 slate, highlighted by Player of the Year Paislee Welge, who topped the area with the most victories and anchored a dominant midfield.
Centennial opened the campaign undefeated at 6‑0 but saw its run end with a 3‑0 loss to Normal West in the regional semifinals, finishing the season with a narrow defeat that underscored the competitiveness of the field.
St. Thomas More posted a 12‑6‑1 record and is aiming to capture its first regional title since 2018, while Monticello closed the year at 16‑8‑2, securing back‑to‑back Class 1A regional championships and cementing its status as a rising program.
Player Spotlights
Individual brilliance peppered the season, with standouts such as Rylie Schulze, Chloe Sikora, Steve Whiteley and Jeremy Davis contributing key goals and defensive stability for their respective squads.
Other notable names including Alicia Fernandez, Leighton Clark, Emerson Clark, Jordyn Reed, Henley Parsons, David McDaniel, Lauren Good and Matt Daniels helped shape the narrative of resilience and growth across the poll.
The rankings reflect a vibrant soccer landscape in central Illinois, where traditional powerhouses and emerging programs alike are setting the stage for an exciting future.