From seniors to freshmen, the area high school scene was filled with top-tier girls soccer talent last season.
More of the same is anticipated this season when another group of skilled players is expected to grace WiscNews-area soccer teams and fields.
Sauk Prairie, which advanced to the WIAA state tournament last year, should have another solid team.
Here are top 2 players to know.
Sauk Prairie's Abby Hermsdorf was a first-team all-conference selection in the Badger West last season.
Addy Hermsdorf
School: Sauk Prairie
Grade: Senior
Position: Defender
Things to know: Hermsdorf helped lead Sauk Prairie, coached by Drew Kornish, to its second consecutive WIAA Division 2 state appearance last season. She was a first-team all-conference selection in the Badger West and an honorable-mention All-Area choice.
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Columbus' Reese Moorad is committed to play for Bethany Lutheran College.
Reese Moorad
School: Columbus
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward
Things to know: Moorad was an honorable-mention all-conference selection in the Capitol last season for the Cardinals. She has committed to Bethany Lutheran College.
Quotable: “Reese Moorad is skilled with the ball,” Columbus coach Gerald Jacobson said. “Great movement off the ball and is always looking to combine or score. A great leader.”
Erelyn Apel had 11 shutouts last year for Sauk Prairie.
Erelyn Apel
School: Sauk Prairie
Grade: Junior
Position: Goalkeeper
Things to know: Apel was a second-team all-conference choice in the Badger West last season for Sauk Prairie, which advanced to the Division 2 state tournament. She had 11 clean sheets and 18 goals permitted last year, said Sauk Prairie coach Drew Kornish, adding Apel is receiving interest from NCAA Division I mid-major schools.
Raegan Zastrow, Kaelyn Tatro and Lily Strong.
Kaelyn Tatro
School: Lodi
Grade: Senior
Position: Defender
Things to know: Tatro, a Viterbo commit, was a first-team all-conference selection in the Capitol last year for the Blue Devils, who advanced to the WIAA Division 4 sectional semifinal round.
Sydney Addink
School: Mauston
Grade: Senior
Position: Defender
Things to know: Addink has committed to play soccer at Northern Colorado University. She was a first-team all-conference selection for Mauston in the Mid-Western Wisconsin last year.
Sauk Prairie's Alexis Klemm was a second-team All-Badger West choice last year.
Alexis Klemm
School: Sauk Prairie
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfielder
Things to know: Klemm had 13 goals and 13 assists last season for the Eagles, who advanced to the Division 2 state tournament. She was a second-team all-conference selection in the Badger West.
Hustisford/Dodgeland's Riley Becker had four goals and 15 assists last season.
Riley Becker
School: Hustisford/Dodgeland
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfielder
Things to know: Becker was a first-team all-conference selection in the Flyway last season. She had four goals and 15 assists. The assists total led the conference, Hustisford/Dodgeland coach Otto Hopfinger said.
Baraboo's Caitlyn Frank was an honorable mention All-Badger West selection a year ago.
Caitlyn Frank
School: Baraboo
Grade: Junior
Position: Forward/midfielder
Things to know: Frank was an honorable-mention all-conference selection in the Badger West last season for the Thunderbirds.
Sauk Prairie sophomore McKayla Paukner runs away from Whitefish Bay sophomore Elise Leinweber during the first half of last year's WIAA Division 2 state semifinal at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee.
McKayla Paukner
School: Sauk Prairie
Grade: Junior
Position: Midfielder
Things to know: Paukner helped lead Sauk Prairie to a Division 2 state berth. She was a second-team all-conference selection in the Badger West for the Eagles, who placed third in league play. She scored seven goals and had 13 assists. She is receiving interest from NCAA Division I mid-major schools, Kornish said.
Portage/Poynette's Hadley Walter scored five goals last season.
Hadley Walters
School: Portage/Poynette
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward
Things to know: Walters had five goals and two assists last season for Portage/Poynette. Coach Dan Rolling believes Walters will be a key contributor on the attack this season in combination with her teammates.
Quotable: “Ellen Lofsjogard is a strong center mid, and the return of Emma McGlynn from an ACL (injury) should help up front as she is paired with Hadley Walters,” Rolling said.
Editor’s note: The WiscNews high school coverage area includes the following schools: Beaver Dam, Waupun, Columbus, Dodgeland, Horicon, Hustisford, Fall River, Randolph, Cambria-Friesland, Beaver Dam Wayland, Waupun Central Wisconsin Christian, Portage, Poynette, Pardeeville, Lodi, Sauk Prairie, Reedsburg, Baraboo, Wisconsin Dells, Wonewoc-Center and Mauston.
Photos: Sauk Prairie vs. DeForest, WIAA Division 2 girls soccer sectional semifinal
Sauk Prairie senior Katelyn Fishnick, left, kicks against DeForest during last week's sectional win. Fishnick is a UW-Green Bay commit.
DeForest junior Meta Fischer makes a diving save during the first half.
Sauk Prairie sophomore Addison Hermsdorf, front, and DeForest freshman Payton Flowers connect while going for a loose ball during the first half.
Sauk Prairie junior Alexis Klemm, left, sidesteps DeForest sophomore Karina Kuzdas before taking a shot on goal during a WIAA Division 2 sectional semifinal at Sauk Prairie Eagles Stadium.
DeForest senior Maya Pickhardt looks to dribble away from Sauk Prairie freshman McKenna Breunig during the first half.
