Cincinnati high school soccer: Preseason top 10 midfielders to watch in 2023
Regular-season high school soccer games in both Ohio and Kentucky begin in the second week of August, but it's time to get an early look at top returning players.
Here's a rundown of the top 10 midfielders to watch in Greater Cincinnati going into the 2023 season. Midfielders are a key to any strong soccer team, whether they're running the offense or controlling possession.
The 10 are listed in alphabetical order by last name, followed by several other players to keep an eye on. Undoubtedly, others will emerge as the season unfolds.
(This is the second of a four-part series where The Enquirer will list the top 10 players at each positional group. Next up is defenders).
Boys soccer
Tommy DeRoussel, Summit Country Day
The senior was player of the year in the Miami Valley Conference-Gray after leading the Silver Knights to a share of the title and a 12-5-1 record.
Alex Dorko, Anderson
The junior was first-team all-league in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference and is one of the top returning players for the 2022 league champions.
Roman Girandola, Walnut Hills
The senior was first-team all-league in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference after notching five goals and six assists to help Walnut Hills finish second in the league at 8-1.
Diego Hoenderkamp, Ryle
The senior recorded 24 goals and nine assists to lead the Raiders to a 19-5-2 record and the KHSAA state semifinals.
Gaven Johnson, Harrison
The junior had 10 goals and 14 assists to lead the Wildcats to an 8-7-2 record and second place in the Southwest Ohio Conference. He was first-team all-league.
Bradley Poppell, Moeller
The senior had 21 goals and six assists to help the Crusaders to the Division I state semifinals. He was first-team all-state and the Greater Catholic League-South Player of the Year. Poppell, who has committed to play for Air Force, enters his senior season with 32 career goals and 17 assists.
Kellan Ren, Mason
The senior had 10 goals and eight assists for the Comets, who were Greater Miami Conference champions. He is the only returning player from last year’s first-team All-GMC list.
Tyler Smith, Bishop Brossart
The senior has been one of Northern Kentucky’s top scorers for three seasons, leading the Mustangs to a 13-6-2 record and 37th District championship last year. He had 17 goals and 13 assists for the season.
Eli Taylor, Felicity-Franklin
The senior had seven goals and 16 assists and was named first-team all-league in the Southern Buckeye-National.
Connor Wilkes, Indian Hill
The junior was Cincinnati Hills League Player of the Year after leading the Braves to second place in the league with 19 goals and 11 assists.
Best of the Rest
Lucas de Alarcon, Cincinnati Country Day; Ian Ciric, Loveland; Mason Cooper, Moeller; Ryan Desmond, Newport Central Catholic; Alex Edmondson, Roger Bacon; Tyler Gannon, Monroe; Chad Gesenhues, Highlands; Logan Gould, CHCA; Ty Gronostaj, Monroe; Henry Gipson, Batavia; Cole Hubert, Covington Catholic; Josh Line, Ryle; Jose Morales, Wilmington; Andrew Pavlisko, Cincinnati Country Day; Everett Rinaldi, Seven Hills; Liam Thornsberry, Edgewood; Nico Voight, Holy Cross.
Girls soccer
Millie Cluxton, Seton
The senior was one of the top scorers for the Division I state champion Saints, notching 13 goals and 14 assists. She was named first-team All-Girls Greater Catholic League and has committed to the University of Charleston.
Samantha Erbach, Waynesville
The senior led Waynesville to the Division II state finals last year, finishing as state runner-up. She had 43 goals and 18 assists and was named first-team all-state and player of the year in the Southwestern Buckeye League. The Xavier University commit has 104 career goals.
Piper Farris, Cincinnati Country Day
The senior had 24 goals and 15 assists for the Nighthawks, one of three top scorers who led the team to the Division III state championship. She has 45 career goals and 46 assists and has committed to East Carolina.
Katelyn Jamie, Highlands
The senior had 15 goals and six assists to help the Bluebirds go 15-7-3 and win the Ninth Region championship.
Olivia Hopper, East Central
The senior had 24 goals and 11 assists for the Trojans, who were 15-4-1. She has committed to Indiana State.
Allie Mouch, Wyoming
The senior had 18 goals and nine assists for Wyoming, who was co-champions of the Cincinnati Hills League. The Ohio University commit was a key part of Wyoming’s 2021 state runner-up team and has 47 career goals.
Emma Rhodis, Badin
The senior had seven goals and five assists for the Rams, who were Greater Catholic League-Coed champions. She was first-team all-league.
Marlee Scanlon, Milford
The senior had 17 goals and six assists last year and is the second-leading returning scorer for the Eastern Cincinnati Conference champion Eagles, who were 19-3.
Chelsea Simpson, Reading
The senior was third in the Cincinnati Hills League in scoring last year with 17 goals and 12 assists for the Blue Devils, who were 12-6-1. She is a Mt. Vernon Nazarene commit.
Megan Zimmerman, Cincinnati Country Day
The senior had 10 goals and 20 assists for the Division III state champion Nighthawks.
Best of the Rest
Francesca Alberto, Wyoming; Trinity Bauwens, Walton-Verona; Danielle Charleston, MND; Caroline Chernock, Ross; Callie Drew, Seven Hills; Bailey Fishback, Clermont Northeastern; Nicky Klosterman, Lakota West; Natalie Krummen, Lakota West; Lily Martin, Summit Country Day; Ella Mann, Conner; Abby Matthews, Badin; Maggie McDowell, Summit Country Day; Kiley Reese, Little Miami; Meagyn Riffle, West Clermont; Ava Rivard, Anderson; Riley Robertson, Notre Dame; Kaylee Rose, Batavia; Emily Steiner, Batavia; Meredith Stetson, Clermont Northeastern; Olivia Stroud, Fairfield; Caroline Stupp, Waynesville; Samantha Vibberts, Summit Country Day.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati high school soccer: Top 10 midfielders to watch in 2023
