The 2025 Ohio high school girls soccer season is in the books, and All-State teams are out.

Cleveland.com contacted girls soccer coaches across the state and asked them to fill out a survey requesting information about their top players.

We started by featuring the top forwards highlighted by coaches in those surveys, followed by the best midfielders and goalkeepers. Now it’s the best defenders’ turn.

If you are an Ohio high school girls soccer coach who did not receive the survey, email mswanson@advancelocal.com. At the bottom is a list of the All-State defenders in all divisions in 2025.

TOP DEFENDERS, AS HIGHLIGHTED BY COACHESGrace Bruewer, Amherst Steele, Senior

A four-year starter and team captain at center back, Bruewer scored three goals in 2025. An academic All-Ohio honoree, she’s “one of the reasons we’ve reached three straight district title games and a regional game for the first time in school history,” coach Gary Gonzalez said.

Kylie DeForde, Mayfield, Senior

DeForde anchored a back line that recorded 14 shutouts in 2025, setting the school record. Across her four years as a varsity starter, Mayfield posted a 47-17-10 record. “Kylie is the cornerstone of our defensive unit and one of the most accomplished defenders in the history of our program,” coach Ivica Miljak said.

Maggie Falknor, Vermilion, Freshman

Falknor started every game for Vermilion as a freshman, finishing with a goal and an assist. “As she continues to grow, she will be a force that will be tough to beat,” coach Katie Hayden said.

Kearsten Flory, Stow-Munroe Falls, Junior

An excellent 1v1 defender, Flory reads the game extremely well. She’s a “major reason for our six shutouts we had this year,” coach Dino McIntyre said.

Avery George, Bexley, Senior

A Louisville commit, George had five goals and three assists in 2025 playing center back. “Her 1v1 skills are outstanding,” coach Scott James said. “She is one of the best defenders that I have ever coached and most definitely the best leader that I have ever coached.”

Yashira “Ruby” Gonzalez, Riverside, Junior

Gonzalez plays fast and with no fear from her sweeper position. “There is no breakaway play that does not include her chasing down the offense — shoot early, because Ruby will run anyone down,” coach Jonathan Breech said.

Calli Jakacki, Kenston, Senior

Jakacki earned the role of team captain over the summer and didn’t disappoint, leading by example via determination, dedication and aggressive play at center back and defensive midfield. “Calli played a position that required physicality and mental toughness as she went against the best forwards and midfielders all season, and she won many battles,” coach Eric Sway said.

Leah Koester, Bowling Green, Junior

Koester scored two goals this season, both off corner kicks. She’s a center back who has a great soccer IQ and is strong in the air clearing crosses and corners out of the box. “She is physical and reads the forward pass well, which makes her hard to beat,” coach Erika Kimple said.

Kenna Nelson, Eastwood, Senior

Nelson rarely came off the field in 2025, dictating the Eastwood defense and setting the tempo on the back line. “She jump-started many attacking opportunities on outlets from the back, which led to several goals and goal-scoring opportunities this season,” coach Julie Cross said. “Kenna has the confidence to take opposing players on 1v1 and has the fitness to work up and down the length of the field for the duration of a game.”

Lexi Reyes, Anderson, Freshman

Reyes started at center back for Anderson and played a big part in the Raptors advancing to the state semifinals, losing to eventual state champion Anthony Wayne. “She gets better every time she plays,” coach Andy Boyd said.

Sophia Rondini, Brush, Senior

Rondini led the Brush defense for three years, playing sweeper and organizing the defense. She scored two goals in her final year of high school soccer.

Brylee Schermerhorn, Anthony Wayne, Senior

A naturally left-footed defender with an attacker’s mindset, Schermerhorn will be playing college soccer at Columbus State in Georgia in 2026. She’s “really good 1v1 and a great leader,” coach Lori Williams said.

Caitlyn Taylor, Medina, Senior

Taylor’s lockdown defending helped lead Medina to an unbeaten regular season and conference championship. She earned first-team conference and district honors.

Morgan Tingler, Sheridan, Junior

A center back who piles up steals and slide tackles, Tingler is a two-time MVP, three-time first-team MVL selection and MVL defensive player of the year. “She is like a heat-seeking missile — very durable, plays the whole game and hasn’t missed one in three years,” coach Jeremy Strong said.

2025 ALL-STATE DEFENDERSSally Altenberg, Oakwood DIII, Sr.Ava Barnesky, Northview (Sylvania) DII, Sr.Izzy Basalo, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy DIII, So.Chloe Bigham, Hudson DII, Sr.Ella Chapman, Athens DIII, Sr.Jordyn Copley, Firelands (Oberlin) DIV, Sr.Laney Condoleon, John F. Kennedy (Warren) DV, Jr.Braelyn Even, Badin (Hamilton) DIII, Sr.Olivia Gayhart, Findlay DI, Sr.Avery George, Bexley (Columbus) DIII, Sr.Peyton Grafe, Dover DIII, Sr.Lauren Hoog, St. Ursula Academy (Cincinnati) DII, Sr.Averie Hull, Mentor DI, Sr.Josie Hyden, Cincinnati Country Day DV, Jr.Anaya Jones, Upper Arlington DI, Sr.Britton Kibbey, Worthington Christian DIV, Sr.Julia King, Buckeye (Medina) DIII, Sr.Colbie Kinney, Celina DIII, Sr.Audri Lewis, Beavercreek DI, Jr.Mady Linenkugel, Oak Hills (Cincinnati) DI, Sr.Kinsey Lisko, Seminary (Poland) DIV, So.Allie McCauley, Indian Hill (Cincinnati) DIV, Jr.Jordyn Miller, Ursuline (Youngstown) DIII, Sr.Kaylee Morris, Bloom Carroll DIII, Jr.Mason Mueller, Madeira (Cincinnati) DV, Jr.Ava Pultz, GlenOak (Canton) DI, Sr.Savannah Recker, Ottawa-Glandorf DIV, Sr.Bree Reder, Summit Country Day (Cincinnati) DIV, Sr.Izzy Stokes, Badin (Hamilton) DIII, Sr.Lauren Vaughn, Seton (Cincinnati) DI, Jr.Ashtyn Wine, Clear Fork (Bellville) DIV, Sr.Madelynn Yost, McKinley (Niles) DIV, Jr.