Here are 17 high school girls soccer players to know around Peoria for 2024

PEORIA — Notre Dame, Dunlap, Morton and Metamora combined for 54 wins to form the power base of the Peoria area in the 2023 IHSA girls soccer season.

They are reloading as the 2024 season arrives, with a cast of elite returnees and some rising newcomers.

Notre Dame's lineup was hit with graduations as goalkeeper Addie Jennetten, midfielder Claire Girard and defender Meredith Oliver all moved on from a team that reached the Class 2A Elite Eight.

But the Irish have 2023 Journal Star Player of the Year Mya Wardle coming back for her senior season, and she'll be joined by her freshman sister, Emy, whose midrange jumper won the Class 3A state basketball title earlier this month.

2023 ALL-AREA: Meet the Peoria Journal Star all-area girls soccer team and the player of the year

The Irish also got sophomore midfielder Ava LaFollette as a transfer from Metamora, and she is cleared to play by the IHSA. LaFollette was on the Journal Star all-area team last season and was the only freshman from the Section 8 region to earn IHSSCA all-sectional honors.

In the Mid-Illini Conference, Dunlap and Morton each went 6-1 to share the league title, while Metamora was close behind at 5-1-1.

Here is the Journal Star girls soccer players to watch list for 2024:

Mya Wardle, Notre Dame

The senior forward will play basketball at NCAA Division-I Eastern Kentucky next season, but she is a college-caliber, dynamic soccer player and the Journal Star's reigning Player of the Year.

Wardle scored 16 goals and added 15 assists in 21 games for a Notre Dame team that went 18-4-2 (18 shutout wins) and lost to Lisle Benet in double-overtime in the Washington Supersectional.

She busted opposing defenses and created scoring opportunities for teammates, and used her elite speed to stress defenders. She was a unanimous all-Big 12 Conference selection and a first-team all-state pick by the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association.

Sophie Davila, Morton

The junior midfielder was one of five area players to earn an IHSSCA all-state selection in 2023, and also was an all-Mid-Illini Conference first-team pick. Her 41 shots on goal in 19 games led the team, and she produced team-bests with 17 goals and 13 assists.

Abbie Gleason, Dunlap

A senior midfielder who was an IHSSCA all-state selection in 2023, a Mid-Illini all-conference first-team pick, and served as captain of her team and earned team MVP honors. She controlled the middle for Dunlap, and shifted into an attacking player who produced eight goals and four assists. She was the catalyst for the Eagles.

Addie Dea, Morton

A junior midfielder who developed into elite status to earn 2023 IHSSCA all-sectional honors and a Mid-Illini Conference first-team selection. She produced 36 shots on goal in 19 games. She was next, behind Davila, with 16 goals and seven assists on a strong Morton team.

Elise Grant, Dunlap

The junior is an attacking midfielder whose passing game was elite in 2023. She scored eight goals and added three assists, and played a high-tempo, emotional game. Grant earned IHSSCA all-sectional and all-Mid-Illini first-team honors.

Ava LaFollette, Notre Dame

The sophomore midfielder had a huge freshman season for Metamora in 2023, and now has transferred to Notre Dame. She was the only freshman from the Peoria area (Section 8 region) to earn IHSSCA all-sectional honors last season. She was an all-state candidate, and earned all-Mid-Illini first-team honors. LaFollette scored 25 goals — believed to be the only freshman in the area to reach that scoring level. She added three assists to those 25 goals over 18 games.

2023 IHSA girls soccer brackets: Peoria-area postseason schedules, scores and pairings

Devyn Davis, Dunlap

A junior forward with a wide-ranging game that included stints as an attacking center-midfielder and outside-midfielder. She delivered a team-best 10 goals and team-best eight assists in 21 games, and her consistent placement left her as the go-to for the team's set pieces and corner kicks. She earned IHSSCA all-sectional honors and was an all-Mid-Illini first-team pick.

Zoe Kormah, Pekin

The junior forward had a breakout scoring campaign in 2023, netting 28 goals and adding three assists. She was an IHSSCA all-state selection and earned all-Mid-Illini first-team honors. She heads into 2024 with 43 goals career goals after her first two seasons.

Taylor Haun, Metamora

The senior center-midfielder tended to be defensive-minded and commanded the middle of the field for Metamora, where she reads the game well and is a powerful presence. She had two goals, five assists in 18 games, and earned IHSSCA all-sectional honors and was an all-Mid-Illini first-team pick.

Abby Cooley, Richwoods

A junior defender who anchored a Richwoods team that posted 18 shutouts in 24 games. She has elite speed and is generally considered among the top three fastest players in the area. And old-school, tough defender who was a unanimous all-Big 12 first-team selection.

Ellen Dahlquist, Notre Dame

The senior defender notched four goals and five assists last season. She diagnoses the play well and is one of the best one-on-one shutdown defenders in the area.

Jackie Contreras, Richwoods

A senior midfielder who earned IHSSCA all-sectional and Big 12 all-conference first-team honors in 2023.

Arlie Akers, Morton

The junior forward is a highly-skilled goalscoring ace, but her season in 2023 was cut down by injuries.

Abigail Chaddock, Notre Dame

A sophomore midfielder who started as a freshman and has been rapidly improving. She has a huge motor, can attack and defend. A really strong, versatile, rising player.

Alex Jensen, Dunlap

The senior goalkeeper projects as the top in her position for the area this season. Her scouting report notes she has soft, quick hands, high composure, plus-level foot skills and dominates in one-on-one situations. She also is a hockey player, and went to USA Hockey Olympic Developmental camp in Green Bay, Wis., in 2021.

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Mia Williams, Dunlap

A rising sophomore midfielder who has made big strides in her game going into 2024. Her technical skills are high-level and she excels at creating scoring chances.

Elly Bare, Notre Dame

The senior midfielder earned Big 12 Conference second-team honors last season.

Others to watch

Emy Wardle, fr, defender, Notre Dame; Mylee Hansen, sr, defender, Pekin (IHSCCA all-sectional, Mid-Illini honors); Willow Toft, jr, defender, Washington (Mid-Illini honors); Lola Kaiser, sr, midfielder, Morton (9 goals, 3 assists, Mid-Illini 1st-team honors); Maddie Stickelmaier, jr, midfielder, Notre Dame (all-Big 12 2nd team); Gabby Schupbach, jr, center-back, Dunlap (Mid-Illini 2nd team); Kate Robertson, jr, outside-midfielder, Dunlap (Mid-Illini 2nd team); Maya Duncan, sr, defender, Metamora (IHSSCA all-sectional and Mid-Illini 2nd team selection).

Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA girls soccer: Names to know around Peoria for 2024 season