Jacksonville kicks off high school girls soccer. See top teams and players for 2023-24
Florida's 2023-24 high school girls soccer season opens the week of Nov. 6-10. The Times-Union previews the new year for the Jacksonville area.
Atlantic Coast
Maybe the toughest Stingrays team to date, and a possible challenger in a loaded District 1-7A. They'll bring back the multi-talented Gaby Rourke, the Kentucky-committed goalkeeper who's as adept at scoring goals as she is at keeping shots out of the net. Up front, they'll field fleet-footed transfer striker Taliah Brooks from Mandarin and Puerto Rico junior national team member Evangelina Arocho, while adding Audrey Howard from Wolfson in midfield.
Bartram Trail
End of the dynasty? Not necessarily. Even after the graduation of stars like Anna Bachman, Olivia Bori, Emma Revels, Malia Roberts and Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Soccer Grace Ivey, the 21-0-2 Bears are still winners, particularly in a defense led by junior fullback Eden Freeman-Warren and keeper Lily Holden. Carolyn Johnson now takes over as midfield leader, while Brooke Gosse and Kate Kirby step up into starting attacking roles for the 2022-23 national champions.
Bolles
Each year the Bulldogs graduate another key attacker, and each year, they find a way to keep winning. This year, Bolles must move on without Kentucky signee Annalise Cannada, scorer of 26 goals and 13 assists. That means high-intensity soccer, physical pressure and overall teamwork to keep the ball moving, with junior Hallie Nelson at the hub of the midfield.
Boys soccer 2023-24 season preview: Northeast Florida boys high school soccer opens now: Which area teams will contend?
Creekside
A healthy Avery Robinson for the Knights makes a huge difference — maybe one that could carry Creekside a very long way. The UCLA-committed attacking midfielder has the shooting range to scorch the net from anywhere inside 35 yards and the dribbling quickness to turn defenses inside out. Add a back line anchored by Skye Tumbelty and the attacking support of Alana Maki and Lipscomb commit Chloe Iliff, and Creekside could be in the hunt for a second championship to join their 2022 trophy.
Episcopal
Last year's 5-10-4 record doesn't tell the full story for the Eagles, who played one of Class 3A's toughest schedules and return most of their 2022-23 lineup. Usually solid in defense, Episcopal brings back a reliable shot-stopper in junior Ava Galani, committed to Memphis. Senior captains Skylar Dancel and Charlotte Seay provide stability behind attacking teammates like Nora Slack and Charlotte Ritter, who picked up eight assists.
Fleming Island
The Golden Eagles welcome a new coach who's also a familiar face: Taylor Berry, a standout defender on the 2014 state finalist team who makes the move from New Smyrna Beach. With several key graduation losses from last year's regional finalists, Fleming Island may need even more goals from midfielder Taylor Tamares, who scored 10 last year. Senior Megan Cobb returns to anchor the defense.
Fletcher
Two years after their Class 6A championship, Fletcher still has a few links to that unforgettable run. In center back Mia Diaz, midfield playmaker Allison Aquino and speedy fullback Avery Langlois, the Senators bring back three starters steeped in a winning tradition and aiming for another year atop the Gateway Conference. The big challenge is improving their scoring rate, after no Senators surpassed six goals in the 2022-23 season.
Ponte Vedra
Continuity and motivation. The Sharks return most of the starting lineup that spent parts of 2022-23 in the national top 10, before a penalty-kick regional exit to Fleming Island. The attacking combination of Natalie Brooks, Izzy Whitaker and center forward Jenny Dearie would automatically make Ponte Vedra a 6A contender. But add skill and experience behind them, from Audrey Johnson in the net to Alia Soares and Hadley Conway in defense to Carson Beliakoff and Abby Wooten in midfield, and it could be a special season.
St. Johns Country Day
For the first time in 11 years, St. Johns doesn't enter a new season as reigning state champion. But after spending most of 2022-23 in the national top 10, they're favorites to reclaim the Class 2A crown. Sophomore Sydney Schmidt (24 goals, 22 assists) leads the front line after a breakout year. Behind her, defensive solidity and depth stand out: Roxy Mathews is among Northeast Florida's most reliable goalkeepers, and Savannah Berrang and Cece Nowicki lead the back line on a roster that outscored its foes 110-8.
Stanton
The Blue Devils defied all expectations to storm to the semifinals last year and they're back for another postseason run. The bonus is the return of athletic forward Courtney Brown, who was sidelined for almost all of last season. That adds one more weapon to the Blue Devils' traditional three-pronged counterattack, highlighted by 18-goal attacking midfielder Emma Griner. Also back is junior keeper Savannah Yerger, who tallied 10 shutouts and made numerous key stops in postseason.
Tocoi Creek
Moving up to a District 1-7A against giants like Bartram Trail and Creekside means the Toros can expect to face plenty of shots, but they've got one of the area's best in the net: Junior goalkeeper Morgan Weaver is already committed to Tennessee and has the height and reach to command the box. Plus, Isabelle Pinlac and Kalli Robinson combined to score 16 goals in their sophomore years, a sign that a still-young Toros lineup can make noise in 2023-24.
More players to watch
M Hayleah Bagnato, So., St. Joseph
In a small sample size, Bagnato showed off her skills in her freshman year: four goals and four assists before injury ended her season after five games. The Flashes are strong playoff contenders in Class 2A.
F Danyelle Bell, So., West Nassau
It's not every year that the Warriors bring back a 22-goal scorer, but they have one this year in speedy striker Bell. With attacking midfielder Julianna Graham also back and team captain Madison Maynard on the way to recovery from an injury last year, West Nassau could be positioned to improve on last year's 10 wins.
M Betty Elliott, Sr., Fernandina Beach
A vital goal producer for Fernandina Beach last year, Elliott finished with nine goals and two assists. The Pirates exited regionals in the first round last year against Tocoi Creek, and they're relying on teamwork to advance further this time.
D Kaylee Mahony, Sr., Bishop Kenny
The seasoned senior is a leader in defense, scoring one goal and contributing plenty of important tackles on a Crusaders team that reached the regionals but exited early after a long trip to West Florida.
D Natalie Hall, Sr., Wolfson
A commanding player in the center who can also move upfield to contribute to the attack, Hall is committed to Montreat and led the Wolfpack into the regionals last year.
M Ayla Kiziltas, Sr., Beachside
Year two for the Barracudas looks like a winner in Class 5A, and Kiziltas is at the heart of this rising program. Committed to West Florida, she struck eight goals from midfield in her junior year.
M Erika Martinez, Sr., Clay
The senior organizes the transition to attack for the Blue Devils and also scores goals, netting 13 last year. With returning 34-goal striker Kirra Dodson also back, Clay has the firepower to improve from last year's 11 victories.
F Ryanne Robinson, Jr., Orange Park
After 24 goals in her freshman season and 37 more last year, Robinson has staked her claim as a productive finisher for the Raiders — on top of her 800-plus kills for Orange Park volleyball.
F Kiersten Shaw, Jr., Keystone Heights
Although her numbers include seventh and eighth grade, and Keystone's strength of schedule doesn't stack up to the area giants, Shaw's numbers are staggering: 196 goals in four years. She scored 71 goals and added 19 assists last year, and also excels in track and volleyball.
M McKenzie Sullivan, Jr., Menendez
A district champion last year, Menendez is counting on Sullivan to anchor the midfield with her composure of the ball and solid tactical understanding. The Falcons are solid down the middle, including Emma Leonard in attacking midfield and Kalea Taylor at the back.
F Logan Tetlak, Sr., Paxon
One more team to add to the Gateway Conference list for 2023-24. Tetlak took a big step up in the stats department last year, finishing with 15 goals in the Golden Eagles' 9-8-2 season.
5 early-season games to watch
Nov. 7: Ponte Vedra at St. Johns Country Day. State powers face off in Clay County, with two of Florida's most accomplished coaches: The Sharks' Dave Silverberg and the Spartans' Mike Pickett have combined for more than 20 FHSAA championships.
Nov. 14: Stanton at Beachside. The Blue Devils are traditionally solid in defense, while Beachside averaged more than three goals per year in its 2022-23 debut season. Stanton won the teams' playoff matchup 2-1.
Nov. 21: Fletcher at Atlantic Coast. Two of the Gateway Conference's best collide in a game that could make an early statement in the chase for county honors.
Nov. 29: Creekside at Bartram Trail. Games don't come much bigger than the Battle of Longleaf Pine in girls soccer, which has become one of the most intense rivalries in Northeast Florida.
Nov. 29: Fleming Island at Bolles. The Golden Eagles created some excitement last year and bring back plenty of talent. They make the trip to a Bolles team that reached the Class 3A semis.
2023-24 district classifications (* - denotes 2022-23 district champion)
1-7A: Atlantic Coast, Bartram Trail*, Creekside, Mandarin, Sandalwood, Tocoi Creek.
3-6A: First Coast, Fleming Island, Fletcher, Nease, Oakleaf, Ponte Vedra*.
2-5A: Clay, Columbia, Middleburg, Ridgeview, Tallahassee Lincoln*, Tallahassee Rickards.
3-5A: Beachside, Englewood, Menendez*, Orange Park, Parker, Riverside, St. Augustine.
2-4A: Alachua Santa Fe*, Baker County, Gainesville Eastside, Palatka, Suwannee.
3-4A: Fernandina Beach, Raines, Stanton*, West Nassau, Yulee.
4-4A: Bishop Kenny, Paxon, Riverside, White (no defending champion, Tocoi Creek reclassified to 7A).
3-3A: Baldwin, Bishop Snyder, Bolles*, Episcopal, Jackson, Providence, Trinity Christian, Wolfson.
4-3A: Branford, Fort White, Interlachen, Keystone Heights, Newberry, Ocala Trinity Catholic, P.K. Yonge*, Williston.
3-2A: Christ's Church, St. Johns Country Day*, St. Joseph, University Christian.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school girls soccer 2023-24: Top Jacksonville-area teams, players
