Wilson’s Elizabeth Estrada, Natalee Vicari highlight Berks list of soccer Players to Watch

Scanning through the list of top scorers in Berks girls soccer is a reminder of how young the league was last season.

All four county semifinalists, Wyomissing, Wilson, Daniel Boone and Conrad Weiser, received significant contributions from underclassmen.

Seven of the 12 All-Berks players are back and 10 double-digit goal scorers return.

Three underclassmen, Wyomissing’s Jenna and Maya Abousaab and Schuylkill Valley’s Tori Reali, have chosen not to play. Boone’s Nylah Cody is out for the season with a knee injury. She would have ranked among the league’s best finishers.

There’s still a ton of talent on the field. Here are some players to watch (listed in alphabetical order):

• Ella Ahner, Tulpehocken: All-division pick scored nine goals. Mackenzi Sowers, who had eight goals, also returns to give the Trojans a formidable one-two punch.

• Taylor Conroy, Kutztown: All-division midfielder scored a team-high 11 goals for the Berks IV champions. Senior has 16 goals in her career.

• Anna Dalesandro, Conrad Weiser: Received All-Berks recognition for her defense while matching the team high with eight goals. Put home free kicks in clutch moments.

• Sam Donahue, Wyomissing: All-Berks center back helped a defense that allowed 17 goals in 21 games, including two shutouts in the county playoffs.

• Elizabeth Estrada, Wilson: One of the best all-around talents in the county. Comfortable playing in the back, midfield or up front. An All-State pick who had 14 goals and eight assists.

• Lily Ferguson, Daniel Boone: All-division midfielder was one of 11 Berks players to score at least 12 goals to go with six assists for Berks II champion Blazers. Sophomore Maggie Holloway, who had 10 goals, and senior Gabby Fontana, seven goals, are also back.

• Araceli Gonzalez, Reading High: Top returning scorer for the Red Knights, who had a breakthrough spring that saw them reach the United X League championship game.

• Cadi Hoke, Wyomissing: All-Berks selection led the league with 17 assists. A game-changing presence in the midfield and a dangerous player on free kicks.

• Hannah Hurleman, Wyomissing: Entering her fourth season as a force in the attacking third. All-Berks forward has 42 career goals, including the OT winner against Northern Lebanon in the District 3 championship game last fall.

• Izzy Marshall, Wyomissing: One of the most prolific strikers in the league. Scored 19 goals, second-most behind Player of the Year Abby Doyle, on her way to being named All-Berks.

• Marina Messner, Exeter: Forward tied with midfielder Taylor Mentzer for the team lead with six goals. Both were all-division selections. 

• Sydney Ott, Kutztown: All-division midfielder collected 10 goals and four assists. Part of a loaded lineup that features Meaghan Dietrich, Caitlyn Lubak, Taylor Sleboda and Olivia Levengood.

• Leilah Sallee, Fleetwood: Four-year varsity player scored 12 goals in 12 games last season and has sent home 29 goals during her career. University of Delaware recruit. 

• Emily Savitz, Brandywine Heights: Senior was second on the team with eight goals. Bullets have a strong nucleus back, including all-division pick Ashley DeLong and Olivia Moyer, who scored 10 goals as a freshman.

• Lauren Sterner, Hamburg: All-division midfielder finished with three goals and three assists. Part of a good core of returnees that includes Isabelle Wilkes.

• Olivia Swartz, Gov. Mifflin: Four-year starter will team up with Jude Galvin and Maddie Geesaman to give the Mustangs a dynamic, senior-laden midfield.

• Natalee Vicari, Wilson: Four-year contributor to the perennial powerhouse Bulldogs. All-Berks forward delivered 13 goals and nine assists last season and has 36 goals in her career.