Elite 11: Meet the Journal's top returning girls soccer players for 2023
With the girls soccer season underway, the Journal has selected its Elite 11 and players to watch, highlighting some of the best returning players in the area and some rising stars poised for breakout seasons.
Girls soccer 2023 Elite 11
Olivia Farnham
School: Webutuck/Millbrook
Grade: Senior
Position: Defender, midfield
What makes Olivia elite? She is an excellent athlete whose combination of soccer knowledge, tactical skills and a tireless drive put her among the best local players. The three-time Journal All-Star anchors the defense and thrives in transition offensively, leading the team with seven goals and four assists last season.
Cassie Gallagher
School: Our Lady of Lourdes
Grade: Senior
Position: Goalkeeper
What makes Cassie elite? With her instincts, leaping ability and range, Gallagher has made several acrobatic saves. She shined in the postseason last fall, helping the Warriors capture a Mid Hudson Athletic League title and a Section 9 championship en route to the Class B regional semifinal.
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Julia Gigliotti
School: Our Lady of Lourdes
Grade: Junior
Position: Midfield
What makes Julia elite? She had a breakthrough season as a sophomore, helping solidify a strong defense and establishing herself as a dynamic offensive weapon. Gigliotti had 31 goals and 15 assists and dominated in the playoffs, helping Lourdes capture a section title in its inaugural season in Section 9.
Ava Jordan
School: John Jay-East Fishkill
Grade: Junior
Position: Forward
What makes Ava elite? She announced herself last fall, first in the preseason as a budding star, and soon began fulfilling that potential. With good footwork, savvy and excellent shot placement, she had 13 goals and six assists, helping the Patriots reach the Section 1 Class AA semifinals.
Kayla Kalbaugh
School: Arlington
Grade: Senior
Position: Goalkeeper
What makes Kayla elite? Her exceptional body control, reaction time and athleticism have allowed her to routinely make difficult stops. The two-time Journal All-Star has become known for her spectacular leaping and diving saves, and her performances under pressure. Kalbaugh earned all-section and all-state honors last fall after helping the Admirals win a sixth Section 1 Class AA title in seven seasons.
Peyton Kangas
School: Roy C. Ketcham
Grade: Junior
Position: Forward, midfield
What makes Peyton elite? She flourished on the front line last season, showcasing her footwork, positioning and shot-making skills as underdog Ketcham enjoyed a turnaround campaign. Kangas was among the area's scoring leaders with 22 goals and five assists, leading her team to the Section 1 Class AA quarterfinals.
Devyn Kelly
School: Beacon
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield
What makes Devyn elite? She has good field vision, instincts and ball skills. A returning Journal All-Star, she had nine goals and five assists and contributed significantly on both ends as she led a talented young squad to the Section 9 Class A semifinals.
Kara Kilpert
School: Spackenkill
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield
What makes Kara elite? Her ability to weave deftly through defenses to create opportunities for herself and teammates, has made her a prolific scorer and playmaker. The two-time Journal All-Star fuels a high-powered offense that drove the Spartans to the Section 9 Class B semifinals last fall. Kilpert already has scored seven goals in her last two games this season.
Riley Pettigrew
School: Arlington
Grade: Junior
Position: Forward
What makes Riley elite? She is a two-sport star whose exceptional speed makes it difficult for opponents to keep up on the track or on the pitch. Pettigrew combined that athleticism with refined footwork and shot skills, breaking out last season with 19 goals and six assists in leading Arlington to the Class AA regional semifinals.
Ani Safaryan
School: Red Hook
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward, midfield
What makes Ani elite? Her speed, ball skills and determination have made her a standout since the eighth grade. The three-time Journal All-Star had 10 goals and three assists in 11 games last year, despite missing a chunk of the regular season while playing for the Armenian Under-17 national team. Safaryan returned from Europe and led Red Hook to the Section 9 Class B semifinals.
Leah Schamberg
School: New Paltz
Grade: Junior
Position: Midfield
What makes Leah elite? Described by coach Keith Walker as "a tireless worker in the middle of the field," Schamberg has excelled as a defensive midfielder. Her ball control, tackling skills and persistence have made her a standout on that end, able to consistently make stops and win possession. The Section 9 all-star also had a goal and four assists, helping New Paltz reach the sectional quarterfinals.
Others to watch
Ava Acampora, Highland, M, So.; Tessa Blackburn, Pine Plains, M, Sr.; Katie Boyd, Red Hook, M, Sr.; Rachael Butler, Ketcham, D, Jr.; Ryleigh Calimano, Lourdes, M, Jr.; Kaleigh Dean, Roosevelt, D, Sr.; Erin Drickel, Franklin D. Roosevelt, D, Sr.; Malana Douglas, New Paltz, F, Jr.; Kait Dwyer, Arlington, F, Jr.; Madelyn Dwyer, Arlington, F/M, Jr.; Megan Fedish, John Jay-East Fishkill, D, Sr.; Gabriella Gemmell, Highland, D/MF, Fr.; Celeste Gorres, Roosevelt, M, So.; Peyton Grant, Red Hook, D, Sr.; Noel Haase, Beacon, M, Jr.; Elizabeth Heiter, Pine Plains, G, Sr.; Kaleigh Horos, John Jay-East Fishkill, D, Jr.; Sofia Iandolo, Dover, M/F, So.; Kayla Johannesen, D, Sr.; Grace Kennedy, John Jay-East Fishkill, M, Sr.; Reilly Landisi, Beacon, F, Jr.; Blythe McQuade, Spackenkill, F, Jr.; Kaitlin Murphy, Red Hook, M, Jr.; Ruby Poses, Haldane, G, Sr.; Olivia Pulver, Rhinebeck, D, Sr.; Tatum Roidl, Dover, F, Jr.; Ava Santarpia, Arlington, M, Sr.; Sabrina Schmitt, Ketcham, D, Sr.; Riley Thirwall, Webutuck, D, Sr.; Delilah Tumulo, Rhinebeck, M, Sr.; Maia Viggiano, Spackenkill, F, Jr.; JoAnna Voigt, Webutuck, M, Sr.; Annika Walsh, New Paltz, G, Jr.; Grainne Williams, Webutuck, G, Jr.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: High school girls soccer: The Journal's Elite 11 selections for 2023
