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These are the top 10 defenders in Greater Cincinnati high school football
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These are the top 10 defenders in Greater Cincinnati high school football

As part of the Enquirer’s efforts to preview the 2024 high school football season, the Enquirer will be taking a look at the top players to watch this season. In addition to a previously published list of top seniors, midfielders and forwards, goalkeepers will be featured later this week.

Defenders don’t get the glory of scoring goals, but they do the heavy lifting of preventing them. They often work in obscurity, and while there are advanced metrics in professional soccer, at the secondary level, their primary stats are the number of goals their team allows.

Any good defender will tell you that limiting goals is a team effort, but here’s a list of the top 10 defenders to watch out for. The players are listed alphabetically by last name. Be sure to get involved by voting in a poll at the bottom of the story. The poll is open until noon on Monday, August 12.

Men’s football

Jacob Gagnon, East Central – The senior led a Trojans team that allowed just six goals all season and finished with a 17-2-1 record.

Donovan Gray, Cincinnati Country Day – The senior was a first-team all-Miami Valley Conference and district selection for the Nighthawks, who went 8-7-2.

Seth Kaiser, Eastern Lakota – The veteran helped a defense that allowed 31 goals and five shutouts as the Thunderhawks finished second in the Greater Miami Conference. He was named first team all-league.

Chris Maradiaga, Ryle – The senior led a Raiders defense that allowed 18 goals in 25 games, helping Ryle reach the Kentucky state semifinals. Ryle recorded 16 shutouts.

Gavin Money, Mason – The junior helped the Comets’ defense allow 27 goals and keep seven clean sheets, finishing third in the Greater Miami Conference. He was named to the league’s first team.

Adam Schwab, San Javier – The senior returns from a defense that allowed 1.1 goals per game and recorded seven shutouts, helping the Bombers to a 14-6-1 record and the DI regional finals.

Jake Snyder and Roger Bacon – The midfielder/defender was selected to the Miami Valley Conference First Team and the District. He scored two goals and added seven assists on offense.

Jose Stefano, Moeller – The junior is the only returning starter on the Crusaders’ backline, helping them set a state record with 23 consecutive shutouts and just two goals allowed in the 2023 season.

RJ Smith, Milford – The veteran helped the Eagles’ defense record five shutouts and a 10-7 record. He scored one goal and gave three assists on offense and was named to Cincinnati’s first-team All-Eastern Conference.

AJ Turkelson, Waynesville – The senior helped the Spartans reach the Division III state semifinals. He helped lead a defense that allowed 31 goals and recorded 11 shutouts. He scored two goals and had one assist on offense.

On the radar

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Women’s football

Makayla Berger, Beech wood – The senior helped the Tigers record five shutouts and allow 1.5 goals per game, and was named first-team all-region.

Anna Black, East Central – The veteran led the Trojans to a 17-2-1 record, allowing just 10 goals all season. She was selected to the league’s All-Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference All-Star team.

Braelyn Even, Badin – This talented all-around player plays center back for Cincinnati United Premier during the club season and was named to the United Soccer Coaches of America All-Great Lakes Region team. For the Rams, she scored 10 goals and 14 assists on offense while helping the team to nine shutouts and a 14-5-3 record that included the Greater Catholic League-Coed championships.

Kendall Tombs, Highlands – The veteran defender anchored the Bluebirds’ defensive line, which allowed less than a goal per game with a 17-3-3 record last season.

Hope Isenogle, Seton – The senior helped the Saints allow 27 goals and keep 10 clean sheets en route to the Division I state semifinals.

Aubree Labazzo, Lawrenceburg – The junior led a Tigers defense that allowed just 14 goals and finished with a 19-2-1 record on the season. She was the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference defensive player of the year.

Shelby Piepmeier, Harrison – The senior is the reigning Southwestern Ohio Conference Player of the Year after leading the Wildcats to a 13-4-1 record and the league title. She was a defender and also scored nine goals.

Bree Reder, Country Summit Day – She was a team captain this fall and led the SCD defensive line last season as a sophomore for the Silver Knights, who won the Ohio Division II state championship. Her 2023 accolades include All-American, first-team All-Ohio and All-Region, Southwest Ohio Player of the Year, as well as first-team league and all-district honors.

Corinne Westbrook, Madeira – The veteran helped the Amazons win the Cincinnati Hills League championship and post a 12-6-4 overall record. She led a defensive line that recorded 11 shutouts and was named first team all-CHL and all-district.

Haylie Yeazell, Eastern Lakota – The senior helped the Thunderhawks record eight shutouts and tallied two goals and two assists on offense. Lakota East finished fourth in the Greater Miami Conference, and Yeazell was named first team all-league and all-district.

On the radar

Kaelyn Alderman, Goshen; Alyvia CanhamMason; Sophie Ferguson, South Dearborn; Lizzie’s fightMilford; Annie KleemanSaint Ursula; Ella Lehmkuhl, Santa Cruz; Mady linen scarfOak Hills; Harlee MasonNew Richmond; Payton OberjohannSeton; Kelsey OffuttLawrenceburg; Isabella PetersHamilton; Kate RiedmillerDixie Heights; Amy WaliguraAnderson.

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