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Soccer stars: 15 Fort Collins-area girls soccer players to watch this spring season

chris abshire, fort collins coloradoan
·5 min read
Fossil Ridge soccer player Abby Ballek, left, is hugged by teammate Liv Redmon after Ballek scored the first goal during a Class 5A second-round playoff game against Rock Canyon on May 12, 2023.
Fossil Ridge soccer player Abby Ballek, left, is hugged by teammate Liv Redmon after Ballek scored the first goal during a Class 5A second-round playoff game against Rock Canyon on May 12, 2023.

Buckle up for what should be an awesome spring season on the pitch.

The Fort Collins area always features great soccer talent, and this year's girls class is a mix of high-end Colorado talent and experience across the board.

Fossil Ridge, Windsor, Rocky Mountain and Liberty Common should be among their respective classification's top 10, while Fort Collins, Poudre and Timnath could all emerge as contenders.

Here are 15 local high school soccer players to watch this spring, plus some bonus names to know:

Abby Ballek, Fossil Ridge

Fossil Ridge girls soccer player Abby Ballek (10) chases a ball during a match against Poudre on April 6, 2023, at Poudre High School in Fort Collins. The SaberCats won 4-1.
Fossil Ridge girls soccer player Abby Ballek (10) chases a ball during a match against Poudre on April 6, 2023, at Poudre High School in Fort Collins. The SaberCats won 4-1.

The SaberCats' junior has already proven she's one of the best players in the state, scoring 27 goals in her first two seasons despite missing half of her sophomore season with injuries.

The forward is dynamic in her scoring ability, able to create shots and finish past defenders in the box. With older sister Kiley graduated, the younger Ballek will be a top offensive option for a loaded Fossil Ridge squad.

Jace Holley, Rocky Mountain

Rocky Mountain girls soccer player Jace Holley (13) weaves through defenders during a high school playoff game against Cherokee Trail on May 9, 2023, in Fort Collins, Colo. The Lobos won 2-1.
Rocky Mountain girls soccer player Jace Holley (13) weaves through defenders during a high school playoff game against Cherokee Trail on May 9, 2023, in Fort Collins, Colo. The Lobos won 2-1.

The Lobos' senior controls the action from the midfield spot better than just about anybody in Colorado. Holley can make long offensive runs, play brilliant through balls to Rocky forwards or drop back in defense and wrestle possession back.

She's a CU signee and returning first-team all-state performer poised to push the Lobos on another deep playoff run after making the 5A quarterfinals last spring.

Ella Moody, Windsor

Windsor girls soccer player Ella Moody shoots a penalty kick during a match against Rocky Mountain at French Field in Fort Collins on April 7, 2023. The Lobos won 1-0 in overtime.
Windsor girls soccer player Ella Moody shoots a penalty kick during a match against Rocky Mountain at French Field in Fort Collins on April 7, 2023. The Lobos won 1-0 in overtime.

The Wizards' senior has her foot in just about everything Windsor does offensively. She was electric last season, scoring 12 goals along with 11 assists.

Moody is a two-time Class 4A first-team all-state selection and it would frankly be a surprise if she doesn't make it three in a row for a Windsor team with elite aspirations.

Maddie Burr, Poudre

Poudre girls soccer player Maddie Burr (19) defends Kiley Ballek (2) during a match against Fossil Ridge on April 6, 2023, at Poudre High School in Fort Collins.
Poudre girls soccer player Maddie Burr (19) defends Kiley Ballek (2) during a match against Fossil Ridge on April 6, 2023, at Poudre High School in Fort Collins.

The Poudre senior has shifted her role into one of the city's best scorers after being a defensive ace early in her career. She scored 15 goals with seven assists last season for an improving Impalas' squad.

Burr is a Wyoming commit and strong club performer who should absolutely garner all-state attention this spring.

Makena Feist, Liberty Common

Liberty Common soccer player Makena Feist fights for a loose ball during a Class 3A playoff game against Middle Park played at Fossil Ridge on May 13, 2023. Liberty Common won 1-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.
Liberty Common soccer player Makena Feist fights for a loose ball during a Class 3A playoff game against Middle Park played at Fossil Ridge on May 13, 2023. Liberty Common won 1-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.

The Eagles' senior is an offensive juggernaut, scoring or setting up her teammates seemingly at will. Feist is coming off a 3A second-team all-state campaign that saw her score 25 goals with 25 assists.

She had five hat tricks and three games with double-digit points. Expect Feist and Liberty Common to score goals in bunches again after outscoring opponents by more than 70 goals last season.

Maria Armatas, Fort Collins

Fort Collins girls soccer player Maria Armatas fights off defenders during a Class 5A first-round playoff game on May 10, 2022, in Fort Collins.
Fort Collins girls soccer player Maria Armatas fights off defenders during a Class 5A first-round playoff game on May 10, 2022, in Fort Collins.

The Lambkins' junior has scored 13 goals in each of her first two seasons, a consistent finisher near the net for a defensively-talented Fort Collins squad.

Armatas can use her speed and shifty footwork to elude defenders and break free near the net. She'll likely be a more primary offensive option with three of the other top four Lambkin scorers from last season now gone.

Sydney Nelms, Fossil Ridge

The SaberCats' senior is an absolute stopper in front of the goal. Nelms is one of Colorado's premier keepers, earning 5A second-team all-state honors last season while saving 74 shots and allowing just 11 goals in 16 matches.

She's got quick instincts and great positioning that pairs perfectly with Fossil's stout back line, making opponents work hard for any good shot.

Addison Osilka, Rocky Mountain

Rocky Mountain girls soccer player Addison Osilka (15) takes a shot on goal during a match against Windsor at French Field in Fort Collins on April 7, 2023. The Lobos won 1-0 in overtime.
Rocky Mountain girls soccer player Addison Osilka (15) takes a shot on goal during a match against Windsor at French Field in Fort Collins on April 7, 2023. The Lobos won 1-0 in overtime.

The Lobos' senior is a clutch scorer who often provides the finishing boot after Rocky's defense clamps down.

Osilka scored eight goals last season, including three go-ahead or game-winning goals in one-score matches. She'll pair with Holley and an experienced Lobos' squad that will be tough to beat this season.

Natalie Washburn, Timnath

The Cubs' junior is seemingly everywhere this spring, starring on the track and on the pitch for Timnath. She uses that track speed and endurance on the soccer field, allowing her to blow by defenders and score with ease.

Washburn had 19 goals and seven assists last season, helping the Cubs reach the 3A playoffs in the program's first season.

Hanna McKay, Windsor

Windsor soccer player Hanna McKay shoots during a Class 4A playoff game against Montrose on May 13, 2023. Windsor won 2-1 to advance to the quarterfinals.
Windsor soccer player Hanna McKay shoots during a Class 4A playoff game against Montrose on May 13, 2023. Windsor won 2-1 to advance to the quarterfinals.

McKay doesn't pop on the stat sheet, but her impact for the Wizards is undeniable. The junior is Windsor's control valve on the pitch, directing and steering Windsor's scoring attack and defensive approach.

The 4A all-state honorable mention last season will again be an all-around anchor for a Windsor squad with experienced talent at key positions.

Sybil Arabi, Poudre

Poudre girls soccer player Sybil Arabi (8) passes during a match against Fossil Ridge on April 6, 2023, at Poudre High School in Fort Collins.
Poudre girls soccer player Sybil Arabi (8) passes during a match against Fossil Ridge on April 6, 2023, at Poudre High School in Fort Collins.

The Impalas' senior forms a formidable pairing with Burr on the offensive attack, spearheading Poudre's improved offensive punch.

Arabi had 12 goals with nine assists last season, including a three-goal, three-assist match among two hat tricks.

Payton Kauffman, Liberty Common

The Eagles' other offensive dynamo is plenty capable of piling up points, too. Kauffman had 11 goals with six assists as a junior, earning a 3A all-state honorable mention.

With three other top Eagles scorers gone to graduation, Kauffman and Feist should carry the scoring load as seniors for Liberty Common.

Fiona Khankhanian, Fort Collins

Fort Collins girls soccer player Fiona Khankhanian (5) steps into a kick during a high school match against Rocky Mountain at PSD Stadium in Timnath on April 13, 2023.
Fort Collins girls soccer player Fiona Khankhanian (5) steps into a kick during a high school match against Rocky Mountain at PSD Stadium in Timnath on April 13, 2023.

The Lambkins' junior showed her playmaking chops as an underclassman last spring, scoring three goals with seven assists.

With several top Fort Collins scorers departed, Khankhanian could see more opportunity to both score and assist in the final third this season.

Samantha Jacobson, Timnath

The Cubs' other top option offensively can absolutely find the net or draw defenders away from open teammates, scoring 15 goals with seven assists last season.

The junior also has a strong kicking leg and is important to Timnath's set pieces.

Lily Wale, Fossil Ridge

Fossil Ridge soccer player Lily Wale dribbles during a Class 5A first-round playoff game against Monarch on May 9, 2023. Fossil Ridge won 10-0.
Fossil Ridge soccer player Lily Wale dribbles during a Class 5A first-round playoff game against Monarch on May 9, 2023. Fossil Ridge won 10-0.

Wale is another three-sport standout and will be juggling track and field prowess with soccer this spring.

She's an impact player already, using that running ability to corral the ball and spark scoring chances. Even as a freshman on last year's top-seeded Fossil team, she broke through for seven goals with nine assists and a second-team all-conference selection.

Bonus names to know:

  • Maia Kub, Timnath

  • Teagan Myers, Fossil Ridge

  • Mackenzee McPhaul, Wellington

  • Morgan Kimmi, Windsor Charter Academy

  • Emma Thomas, Rocky Mountain

  • Alice Vecchio, Timnath

  • Leah Bacon, Windsor

  • Emma Boyle, Fort Collins

  • Mika Mason, Poudre

  • MacKenzie Smith, Liberty Common

  • Nikki Gudemann, Rocky Mountain

  • Airyanna Zabka, Windsor

  • Liv Redmon, Fossil Ridge

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado girls soccer: Fort Collins-area players to watch this season