The upcoming girls soccer season in the East Metro area is shaping up with a blend of seasoned leaders and emerging stars, each poised to influence their teams' ambitions.
Standout Performers
Among the most watched is Lilli Eggum of the Stillwater Ponies, a midfielder whose four goals and two assists as a freshman in just four games last year hint at a breakout campaign.
Forward Kendall Grate from Rosemount has already locked in a Division I spot at Nebraska, having tallied 24 goals and four assists in 2025, promising another strong year.
Eagan’s Tess Triplett earned a place on the 2025 MSHSL All‑Tournament team and helped the Wildcats reach the semifinals before a narrow loss to Stillwater in the finals.
Lakeville North’s goalkeeper Paige Ervasti posted a 0.49 goals‑against average and a .951 save percentage, anchoring a tournament run that ended in the championship match.
Commitments and Classroom Futures
Ida Wynn of Mounds View, a midfielder who led her squad with seven goals and nine assists as a junior, has pledged to continue her career at Iowa.
Mahtomedi’s Elise Aflakpi, who scored the decisive goal in the Class 2A championship, finished the season with seven goals and six assists and collected All‑Tournament honors.
Livi Abboud‑Young from Blake delivered a junior season of 34 goals and eight assists, steering her team to the finals before falling to Mahtomedi.
Mollie Statsick of Sartell set a school record with 37 goals, guiding the Sabres to their inaugural postseason appearance.
New Faces and Future Leaders
With Marley Murdock departed, Peyton Bluhm of St. Croix Prep is expected to shoulder more offensive responsibility, having recorded 12 goals and 11 assists in her debut year.
Midfielder Abbey Bradley, also from St. Croix Prep, contributed eight goals and nine assists in her junior campaign, supporting Bluhm’s ascent.
Maggie Sampsell‑Jones, another notable name from the region, continues to develop within the local soccer ecosystem, adding depth to the talent pool.
As the teams head into the fall, the blend of proven performers and promising newcomers creates a narrative that extends beyond the pitch, reflecting broader ambitions of college recruitment and community pride.