The 2026 North‑South All‑Star Game for girls soccer will bring together the state’s most promising rising seniors in a showcase that highlights the depth of talent across Alabama.
A Glimpse of the Future
Among the selected athletes are five standout players hailing from Shelby County, each earning a spot on the North All‑Stars roster: Marley Brown of Oak Mountain, Charli Gantt from Thompson, Taylor Mathews of Briarwood Christian, Ashna Mehra from Indian Springs, and Mackenzie Varden of Westminster OM.
These players will be guided on the sidelines by a trio of experienced coaches — Rebecca Mercer of Hoover, Tiffany Walker of Florence, and Ron Oakley of Athens — who will serve as administrative leaders for the event.
Brown, celebrated as one of the state’s top defenders, anchored a backline that recorded 21 clean sheets and allowed just nine goals during the season. Gantt, a dynamic defender with a knack for scoring, contributed 17 goals and 16 assists for Thompson. Mathews finished with 15 goals and six assists, earning Super All‑State Second Team and All‑State First Team honors. Mehra exploded for 36 goals and 23 assists, collecting Super All‑State First Team, All‑State First Team and All‑Metro First Team selections. Varden, a consistent performer, reached the Class 4A quarterfinals for the second straight year and earned All‑State and All‑Metro Honorable Mentions.
The game itself is part of the AHSAA’s summer conference schedule and is slated for July at the Emory Folmar YMCA Complex in Montgomery, a venue that has previously hosted the event. The setting provides a rare platform for these athletes to display their abilities before college coaches scouting the next generation of talent.
Beyond individual accolades, the All‑Star format underscores the growing competitiveness of high school soccer in Alabama and offers a glimpse of the future at the collegiate level.