Indiana high school girls soccer: Indy-area's top defenders to watch in 2023
IndyStar is highlighting returning girls soccer players to watch by position before unveiling the 2023 preseason ALL-USA Super Team next week.
Today's position group: Defenders.
Allie Blum, New Palestine
The senior Kentucky softball commit helped lead a Dragons defense that allowed 22 goals over 17 games (10 wins). Blum wasn't afraid to jump into the attack, totaling seven goals and four assists over 12 games played. She has 18 career goals.
Catherine Cline, Cathedral
A Loyola Chicago commit, Cline notched one goal and a team-high 12 assists in 2022 as a midfielder. She's moving to defense this year to help a unit that graduated its starting keeper, center back and defensive mid.
Addie Crowe, Center Grove
In addition to aiding a Trojans defense that conceded just a goal a game through 21 games, Crowe scored the first two goals of her high school career, including the decisive tally in a 1-0 win over East Central in the season opener.
Paige Dill, Park Tudor
Dill played center back for the state champion Panthers, who allowed just seven goals in 19 games. The junior netted three goals and a couple assists, as well. She will be tasked with leading the Park Tudor defense with fellow center back Dominae Butler, a senior Western Michigan commit, out for the season due to injury.
More: Paige Dill kicks for Park Tudor football team, too
Natalie Hay, Brownsburg
Hay, who scored the game-winning PK against Plainfield in sectionals, led the three-time defending sectional champion Bulldogs in minutes played last season. A versatile talent, she underwent offseason ACL surgery, but expects to be ready for the team's opener vs. Bishop Chatard.
Alexandra Little, North Central
The senior played 1,430 minutes for a Panthers squad that gave up 20 goals in 20 games. Little registered two goals and two assists.
Rowan Pearl, Brebeuf Jesuit
Pearl shined for a Braves defense that allowed 14 goals through 19 games, against a schedule that included Zionsville, Brownsburg, Bishop Chatard, Cathedral and Roncalli. She also scored three goals and registered three assists.
Erin Reilly, Roncalli
Reilly, a second team all-state pick, helped anchor a Royals back line that posted 10 shutouts and allowed 21 goals on the year.
Sydney Rotert, Danville
Danville allowed five goals over its final nine games with Rotert at center back. A strong, speedy defender, she was critical to the team's 12-5-2 finish that culminated with a runner-up finish in sectionals. Two of her four goals came in one-score decisions, and her first assist of the year came in a 2-1 win over Crawfordsville.
Blair Satterfield, Hamilton Southeastern
Satterfield started varsity last fall as a freshman, netting a goal and helping an HSE defense that allowed just 10 goals in 17 games. Opponents totaled just 52 shots on goal for the season.
Clare Simmonds, Carmel
The 3A runner-up Greyhounds allowed just 15 goals with Simmonds helping anchor the backline. The senior scored the game-winning goal against South Bend St. Joseph, and registered an assist in a 2-1 victory over Fishers.
Kylie Smith, Center Grove
Smith led the way in minutes played (1,126) for a regional champion Center Grove squad that conceded just 19 goals on the year.
Mia Smith, Westfield
An all-state honoree, Smith shined with a Westfield defense that allowed just 21 goals. The junior, who logged 1,289 minutes over 17 games, also recorded her first three varsity assists.
Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA girls soccer: Indy-area's top defenders to watch in 2023
