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Meet the Top 15 girls soccer players to watch in Butler County ahead of 2024 PIAA season

Karns City's Phoebe Brandon (15) fights for position with Ruby Smith of Brockway in their Distract 9 Class 1A girls soccer championship game vs. Brockway on Nov. 2, 2023, at DuBois. Butler Eagle file photo

Freshmen are often relegated to junior varsity teams. If they do see varsity time, it usually comes in a limited capacity.

Camryn Woods and Phoebe Brandon weren't the usual freshmen. Both played significant roles at forward last year for the girls soccer teams at Freeport and Karns City, respectively.

Woods led the Yellowjackets with 28 goals and 13 assists, was named All-WPIAL and helped the team to its first section title since 2017.

"She definitely has a goal-scorer's mentality," said first-year Freeport coach Steve Kukic, who was impressed with what he saw on game film from 2023. "She strikes the ball well and plays for a high-level club team (Pittsburgh Riverhounds) outside of high school.

"We expect to be pretty deep on that end of the field and should be able to take some pressure off of her."

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Brandon tallied 20 goals and added seven assists, earning Upper Allegheny Valley Soccer League Rookie of the Year honors in the process. She netted the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Brockway in the District 9 Class A championship game.

A position switch helped Brandon blossom on the field.

"In the eighth grade, we had her playing as a defensive midfielder," KC coach Tracy Dailey said. "She was struggling a bit, and we moved her into space and she did well. We thought, 'Hey, maybe she's a forward.' We moved her there and she's taken advantage of the opportunity."

Brandon is part of a Gremlin squad Dailey hopes can "hit the ground running," the coach said. "We are a young team, but one with experience."

Woods and Brandon are two players to watch as teams prepare for the 2024 season. Here is the complete list:

Phoebe Brandon, so. F, Karns City

Had 20 goals and seven assists as a freshman. Was league's Rookie of the Year.

Hanna Dailey, jr. MF, Karns City

Has tallied 35 goals and 36 assists over the last two seasons. All-League player with great vision.

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Ashlee Libby, jr. F., Seneca Valley

Was All-WPIAL last year after registering 18 goals and six assists.

Samantha Liput, sr. F, Freeport

Scored 14 goals and had five assists as a junior. Has a rocket for a right foot and the knack for being in the right place at the right time.

Julia Lishia, sr. D, Mars

A versatile defender who can start the attack and distribute the ball well. A University of Richmond commit.

Peyton Los, jr. MF, Freeport

Tallied eight goals and nine assists last year to earn All-WPIAL honors. Leader of the team with a great work ethic.

Karly Majeski, jr. MF, Seneca Valley
Seneca Valley's Karly Majeski (18) jumps with Butler's Jessica Mohney to get possession of the ball during a game in 2022 at Art Bernardi Stadium. Butler Eagle file photo

Scored 10 goals and added eight assists last year to earn All-WPIAL honors.

Trinity McFarland, jr. D, Karns City

Possesses shutdown defensive skills. Earned All-League honors in 2023.

Lauren Mealie, sr. MF, North Catholic

Big and strong player with a nose for the net. Scored 12 goals as a junior.

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Brynn Ramsey, sr. F/MF, Mars

A very athletic playmaker who scored seven goals and added 10 assists last year. Is a Duquesne University recruit.

Simone Sharpless, jr. MF, North Catholic

Possesses versatile skills that make her the team's best all-around player. Had 27 goals and 11 assists last year.

Emma Slusser, sr. D, Knoch
Knoch's Emma Slusser (6) has a near miss on goal during a corner kick against Freeport on Oct. 11, 2023, at Knoch Stadium in Saxonburg. Butler Eagle file photo

Has rare goal-scoring ability for an outside back. Scored six goals and added eight assists as a junior.

Maya Turner, sr. D, Slippery Rock
Slippery Rock’s Maya Turner (20) vs. Knoch in 2023. Butler Eagle file photo

Makes smart decisions and is very adept at clearing the ball. Was named All-Region as a junior.

Cecelia Wolford, jr. F, Butler
Butler's Cecelia Wolford (3) moves the ball down the field in a game in 2023 vs. Seneca Valley at Butler. Butler Eagle file photo

Causes havoc with opposing defenses. Projected as team's top scoring threat.

Camryn Woods, so. F, Freeport
Freeport's Camryn Woods (22) plays the ball during a game against Knoch on Sept. 18, 2023, in Sarver. Butler Eagle file photo

Totaled 28 goals and 13 assists as a freshman. Played for a U.S. Olympic Development Program team last spring.

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