Girls soccer preview: Picking the favorites, top contenders and sleepers in 6A, 5A SIC

Treasure Valley teams captured all four state tournament trophies in Idaho’s top girls soccer classification last season. The order was not expected with Owyhee rising to the top . But it continued to prove the road to a state title runs through the Boise metro area.

A new season kicked off Friday bringing two major changes. First, Idaho now calls its top division 6A. And second, Bishop Kelly, the state’s most decorated girls soccer program this century, opted to join it.

So who starts the season as favorites and what potential dark horses loom? We surveyed all 19 coaches in the new 6A and 5A Southern Idaho Conference to find out.

6A SIC

1. BOISE

Last season: 17-1-1, 11-0-0 5A SIC

Coach: Ali Leonard, first season

Players to watch: Kunie Hirai, sr., F; Maizy Kluksdal, sr., M; Nolyn Cromie, sr., D

Outlook: The Brave fell a penalty kick short of an undefeated season and a sweep of the conference, district and state championships last season. Boise may have lost a generational talent, Sammy Smith, to Stanford and a prolific goal scorer, Marisol Stosich, to Mountain View. But it still starts the season as the heavy favorite for more hardware with nine returning starters, including three Division I commits in Hirai ( Utah State ), Kluksdal ( Washington State ) and Cromie ( Idaho State ). Forward Grace Hatch and defender Avery Singer provide two more returning first-team all-state selections , giving Boise plenty of weapons to contend for more championships.

2. ROCKY MOUNTAIN

Last season: 8-7-2, 5-4-2 5A SIC

Coach: Eric Simmonsen, first season

Players to watch: Campbell Wilson, jr., M/F; Bea Levi, sr., GK; Andi Hilton, sr., W; Maddie Jakobson, jr., D/M

Outlook: The only coach in program history, Donal Kaehler, retired in the offseason . But the Grizzlies found a big-name replacement in Simmonsen, the director of the Boise Timbers-Thorns club and a state title winner at Timberline in 1999. Five starters return looking to reestablish Rocky Mountain as a powerhouse after the Grizzlies missed state for just the second time in program history. That group includes five college commits who will make up a strong and deep attacking front. The largest boost comes with the return of Wilson. She was the SIC’s leading scorer (24 goals, eight assists) as a freshman but missed last season with an injury.

3. EAGLE

Last season: 13-5-1, 8-2-1 5A SIC

Coach: Tristen Spooner, third season

Players to watch: Naomi Hilbig, sr., M/F; Brooklyn Baird, sr., M; Lauren Lindley, so., W; Kylie Loucks, sr., D

Outlook: A young Mustangs squad surprised many by bringing home a third-place trophy from state last year. Now Eagle returns nine starters, including five committed to or with college offers, looking to chase another trophy. That group includes three starters along the back line that only gave up 11 goals in 19 games. It also includes the team’s leader in goals (Hilbig) and assists (Baird). Both were first-team all-conference picks and should make the Mustangs more potent going forward this fall.

4. OWYHEE

Last season: 16-4-1, 8-2-1 5A SIC

Coach: Madison Graham, second season

Players to watch: Ashlyn Fuss, sr., GK; Lauren Chatterton, so., D; Alexis Aguirre, sr., D

Outlook: The third-year program captured the state title last season as Cinderella, winning back-to-back shootouts in the semifinals and finals after needing to win a play-in game just to make it to state. But Owyhee won’t sneak up on anyone this fall with five returning starters, including a second-team all-state goalkeeper and two defenders from a unit that surrendered just 11 goals. Three starters are also back in the midfield, but Owyhee starts the season looking for a bona fide goal scorer as Naomi Kessler now suits up for Idaho .

5. TIMBERLINE

Last season: 14-5-2, 9-1-1 5A SIC

Coach: Jarreth Chan, fourth season

Players to watch: Jade Vachek, sr., D; Francesca Truax, sr., D; Mackenzie Hildebrand, jr., D; Maya Atkinson, so., M

Outlook: The Wolves fell a shootout short of the district title last season. Now Timberline hits the reset button after four all-state selections graduated and left the Wolves with just four seniors. The Wolves still bring back six starters, including the bulk of their back line. Vachek leads the group as a physical anchor committed to Point Loma, the reigning NCAA Division II national champ. Atkinson (six goals) takes the reins of the attack as a heady player who’s dangerous with the ball. But with 11 underclassmen, including six freshmen, on the roster, expect some early growing pains.

6. MOUNTAIN VIEW

Last season: 13-7-1, 5-5-1 5A SIC

Coach: Gene Corson, second season

Players to watch: Marisol Stosich, jr., F; Zoey Jones, jr., M/F; Eleni Corson, sr., D/M; Averie Green, jr., D

Outlook: Eight starters already returned from a young Mavericks squad fresh off the state consolation title . But Mountain View received a shot in the arm when Stosich moved into its boundaries, bringing an elite goal scorer to a team needing to replace its top two scorers. Stosich racked up 45 career goals in her first two high school seasons at Boise and Thunder Ridge. She then made her debut with Guatemala’s senior national team in April, and she committed to Utah Valley earlier this month. Add her to an already loaded lineup featuring a second-team all-state midfielder (Jones) and a four-year starter at outside back (Corson), and Mountain View could quickly upset the league’s traditional pecking order.

7. BISHOP KELLY

Last season: 18-1-2, 12-0-0 4A SIC

Coach: Dawn Hill, fourth season

Players to watch: Taylor Deitzel, sr., M/F; Sarah Colwell, sr., D; Kate Jaques, jr., M; Kenzie Hill, so., M/F

Outlook: The Knights voluntarily return to the state’s top classification after 15 straight district titles and with 10 state championships under their belt, a record in the IHSAA era that already includes one banner in the top division. Eight starters return looking to prove BK belongs among the state’s best, including four all-state selections . Hill (20 goals, 12 assists) and Deitzel (12 goals, nine assists) headline a potent attack that turns to Jaques (15 assists) to unlock defenses. Caitlin Staats provides another weapon after transferring from Highland, and Colwell leads three of four returning defenders.

8. CENTENNIAL

Last season: 6-11-3, 2-6-3 5A SIC

Coach: Alyssa Wolf, second season

Players to watch: Belle Wright, sr., M; Jada Miller, sr., F; Lily Simpson, jr., GK; Presley Fitzsimmons, sr., M

Outlook: The Patriots finished 10th in the league standings last year before mounting an underdog run to state . Now Centennial returns nine starters, including its entire midfield, looking to build off that late-season form. Wright (13 goals, five assists) leads that group as a Washington State commit . She’ll work with Fitzimmons, a crafty distributor, to find Miller (six goals, three assists) up top and form a potent attack. But Centennial must first replace three defenders and shore up its defense for another long postseason run.

9. BORAH

Last season: 6-9-0, 4-7-0 5A SIC

Coach: Jeff Schatz, third season

Players to watch: Katie McCabe, sr., D; Stella Goretoy, jr., F; Adee Carter, so., M

Outlook: The Lions’ leader in goals each of the past four seasons now suits up at Northwest Nazarene. That creates plenty of opportunities for eight returning starters looking to lead Borah into the district tournament for the first time since 2020. Schatz said Borah will need to spread out the scoring among several options. But a stronger back line that saw two freshmen snatch starting roles last fall will buy Borah time until it finds reliable scorers.

10. KUNA

Last season: 7-7-4, 2-5-4 5A SIC

Coach: Dave Rider, third season

Players to watch: Lily Lowe, jr., M; Jadalynn Ramos, sr., M; Ashley Wolfe, sr., D; Lilah Murray, sr., D

Outlook: The Kavemen enter a new era after losing six starters, including two college-bound players, to graduation. But five starters still return as they hunt for a second state tournament berth in Idaho’s top division. Ramos (10 goals, 11 assists) remains a weapon on set pieces and Lowe (six goals, seven assists) provides a steady hand as Kuna builds around its experienced midfield. Rider said Kuna identified several key pieces during tryouts. But a host of young players will need to grow into varsity roles quickly.

11. CAPITAL

Last season: 3-12-0, 1-10-0 5A SIC

Coach: Lauren Croy, fifth season

Players to watch: Ellie Mauzerall, sr., M; Argelia Saldana Rodriguez, so., D; Reese Frogley, so., F; Arli Botkin, jr.; D/M/F

Outlook: A third straight three-win season showed continuing signs of improvement for the Eagles. Only four starters return as Capital looks to take the next step. But an influx of club players gives the Eagles a talent boost to start the year. Mauzerall will headline the group again, directing traffic in the midfield as last year’s leading scorer. Frogley and Saldana Rodriguez also proved themselves as freshmen a year ago, pointing to bright signs in the future.

12. RIDGEVUE

Last season: 4-14-1, 2-9-1 4A SIC

Coach: Cristian Hernandez, first season

Players to watch: Danielle Hensley, jr., D; Bianca Urquijo, sr., D/M; Nurah Hajro, jr., F

Outlook: The 8-year-old program never made it to state or posted a winning record in the old 4A classification. But increasing enrollment pushed the Warhawks up to the state’s top division. Hernandez inherits a young squad looking to prove itself. Hajro’s pace and speed will cause problems up top. And the defense ought to be much improved with Hensley and Urquijo back as leaders.

13. MERIDIAN

Last season: 1-13-0, 0-11-0 5A SIC

Coach: Derek Wimpee, fifth season

Players to watch: Hallie Corder, jr., M; Mylee McCoy, so., M/F; Taya Ramierez, jr., D; Olivia Jayne, jr., W

Outlook: The Warriors have struggled in recent years, going winless in their last 47 conference games (0-42-5). But a young squad returns nine starters looking to change the perception of the program. McCoy sits atop the formation as a dangerous scoring option after proving herself as a freshman. A strong center midfield led by Corder will work with a new winger, Jayne, to feed McCoy and give Meridian multiple attacking options.

5A SIC

1. VALLIVUE

Last season: 14-7-0, 10-2-0 4A SIC

Coach: Mariah Castillo, fourth season

Players to watch: Alina Hernandez, sr., M/F; Amanda Soto, jr., M/F; Hailey Upson, sr., D; Jenna Seals, jr., W

Outlook: The district runner-up the past three years starts as the preseason favorite with Bishop Kelly’s elevation to 6A. It’s not hard to see why as the Falcons bring back seven starters, four first-team all-conference selections and three all-state picks . Hernandez, a Boise State commit , forms the backbone of an attack that returns most of its 83 goals from a year ago. Soto remains a crafty striker with a nose for goal, Seals is a burner on the wing, and Upson knows how to move up and unlock dug-in defenses. But Vallivue will need to replace several key members of its midfield and defense, potentially opening the door for a new challenger.

2. MIDDLETON

Last season: 6-7-1, 4-6-1 5A SIC

Coach: Adam Fullmer, first season

Players to watch: Megan Stewart, so., GK; Addie McCallister, sr., W/F; Elsie Wyatt, sr., W; Tyliegh Quarders, sr., W

Outlook: Idaho’s reclassification cycle sends the Vikings down a level after holding their own in the top division, posting a 13-15-3 in two seasons. That leaves the Vikings with six hardened returning starters, including the bulk of their front line and midfield. McCallister and Wyatt headline that group as four-year starters expected to regularly find the back of the net. But a new coach and three new starters on defense could lead to an early-season learning curve.

3. CALDWELL

Last season: 7-6-4, 5-4-3 4A SIC

Coach: Katelyn Benavidez-Schulte, fourth season

Players to watch: Anastasia Lopez, sr., M; Grace Sams, sr., D; Ruby Balderaz, so., M

Outlook: The Cougars return nearly their entire starting lineup seeking to step into the league’s power vacuum. Sams, a first-team all-conference selection , serves as a captain and a rock-solid presence at center back, and Lopez remains the centerpiece of the midfield. Caldwell also returns its top scorer from a year ago in Balderaz. But more players will need to step up and hit the back of the net to challenge for a state berth.

4. COLUMBIA

Last season: 10-10-1, 6-5-1 4A SIC

Coach: Max Hulet, second season

Players to watch: Maddie Lowe, sr., D; Cadyn Kenyon, jr., F; Courtney Klotthor, jr., M

Outlook: After finishing sixth out of seven teams in last year’s preseason rankings , the Wildcats surprised everyone and fell one win shy of a state tournament. Now they bring back seven starters looking for that breakthrough. Hulet, the reigning league coach of the year , said to expect Columbia to rely on its defense and spring timely counter attacks. Lowe serves as a weapon out of the back to restart, and even join, the offense, while Kenyon provides a burner at the top of the formation. But he cautioned that a young roster still needs time to adjust to the varsity level.

5. SKYVIEW

Last season: 4-13-0, 3-9-0 4A SIC

Coach: Sam Lungren, fourth season

Players to watch: Brianna Perez, sr., M; Maddy Cantrell, jr., D; Naylei Rodriguez, sr., F; Bristol Guy, fr., M

Outlook: The Hawks pick up right where they left off a year ago with 11 returning starters and zero graduated seniors. All that experience has Skyview eyeing its first state berth since 2017. Cantrell leads the way as a three-year starter at center back who gives everyone in front of her confidence. Perez will continue to distribute in the midfield, and a talented freshman class led by Guy provides hope for the future. But Skyview will need to find a way to score more goals after burying a league-low 19 last fall.

6. NAMPA

Last season: 0-12-0 (independent)

Coach: Cassandra Carr, third season

Players to watch: Ruthanne Fischer, jr., M; McKenna Schaffer, so., D; Lexie Smith, so., GK;

Outlook: The Bulldogs limped through two seasons in the state’s top division, posting a 1-26-0 record, including a winless season as an independent program. Now Nampa drops down a level with seven returning starters looking to reverse the program’s fortunes. Fischer remains a leader in the midfield entering her third season as a starter and captain, and Schaffer returns to anchor the defense. Carr said communication, teamwork and pace have all improved. But varsity experience still remains in short supply.