Here are 12 girls soccer players to watch from a Rockford area stacked with stars
The 2024 IHSA girls soccer season has kicked in across the region, and as usual, there appears to be a lot of star power right here in the Rockford area.
But this year, there seems to be even more than usual.
That's because, led by seniors Cortlyn Hefty, Autumn and Cadence Diduch and Molly Hughes, the talent level is through the roof in this area when it comes to girls soccer.
"There is just a lot of really good players, who have dedicated their lives to the sport, that are coming up right now," Freeport's 27th-year head coach Nick Namio said. "It's going to be fun to watch."
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Last year, Boylan made it to the Class 2A sectional finals, losing by one goal to the eventual third-place finishers from Crystal Lake Central. Stillman Valley and Byron each advanced to the 1A sectional semis, while Guilford's regional-final appearance was the best any local team could muster in 3A.
But this season could be even better, judging from the skill coming out of this region. The season is already off to a quick start, with just about every team in the area hitting the pitch in mid-March. The conference seasons will kick in next week, with the May 30 start to the IHSA state tournament already closing in fast.
As we pick up speed, here is a little bit on some of the top Rockford-area stars to keep an eye on this season:
Cortlyn Hefty, Belvidere North, last year's co-soccer player of the year
Hefty's 47 goals last season set a school record, NIC-10 record and were the second most in the state. She now has 104 goals in her career and has a chance to top the all-time record in the area of 139 with a strong season next year. Her ball skills, speed, elusiveness, ball-striking ability and aggressive play are just some of her strengths. She's truly an all-around player.
Autumn Diduch, Freeport, last year's other co-soccer player of the year
Like Hefty, Diduch was just a junior last season, and they are both poised to make a run at the all-time goals' scoring record in the area. Diduch moved up to the No. 5 spot on the all-time list of career goal-scorers in the area after notching 40 goals this season. She is Freeport's all-time leading scorer with 110 — counting the two she had in Freeport's season-opening win over Sterling.
Cadence Diduch, Freeport
Cadence slid right over from winning an IHSA state championship (her third in a row) in girls wrestling to being the most aggressive and persistent defender around on the pitch. Coach Namio is expecting big things out of both of the Diduch twins. "We don't have as much depth on the team this year, so we're going to need players like Autumn and Cadence to really step it up," Namio said. "I know I can count on them, that's for sure." Cadence will play more of a modified defender's position this year, and she will most likely be called upon to score more often as well.
Molly Hughes, Hononegah
Now a senior midfielder, Hughes, another IHSSCA all-stater, showed what she was capable of last year, leading Hononegah with 11 goals and six assists. She should produce even bigger numbers this year.
Reese Zediker, Guilford
Guilford mustered just an 8-9-2 season last year, but Zediker is one of the top defenders in the area and she added seven goals and eight assists. Zediker earned a spot on the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association All-State team.
Scarlett Reece, Belvidere North
Reece had nine goals and 13 assists as a junior and she's poised to break out as a big-time goal scorer this season. If it wasn't for Hefty, Reece would be a goal-scoring machine for the Blue Thunder.
Ruby Herrera, Belvidere North
North is loaded this year and Herrera is expected to step up and be a key cog. She only had four points last season, but she has skills and they will show through more as a senior this year.
Berkeley Stenstrom, Guilford
As a freshman, Stenstrom missed six games but still scored 21 goals and added five assists. She is going to be a menace for defenses to deal with for a long time to come.
Juliana Sather, Hononegah
This center-backer is versatile and can do it all on the pitch, and she will for Hononegah this year. Sather is just a junior, but she will prove to be one of the toughest defenders in the league and the area.
Natalie Namio, Freeport
Coming back from a pair of ACL tears, this is another star that everybody has been waiting to see what she can do. The coach's daughter returned and played with a brace last season, but didn't have her mobility. Now, she's back to 100 percent and will be a weapon.
Helen Bageanis, Rockford Christian Life
Rockford Christian Life played in only 10 games last season, but Bageanis had 18 goals and six assists in that short span as a junior. The midfielder will be busier, and more potent, this year.
Rachel Busker, Freeport
As a sophomore, she had four goals and nine assists, but she will be called upon even more this season. Coach Namio said she will "hold down the middle" for Freeport this year.
Jay Taft is a Rockford Register Star sports reporter. Email him at jtaft@rrstar.com and follow him on Twitter at @JayTaft. Sign up for the Rockford High School newsletter at rrstar.com. Jay has covered a wide variety of sports, from the Chicago Bears to youth sports, since the turn of the century at the Register Star, and for over 30 years altogether.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: 12 Rockford-area girls soccer players to watch in 2024 IHSA season
