Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Last year the soccer talent was as strong in the Your Prep Sports area as it was in any place in the state.

All-state picks, division I talent and record holders like Regan Steigleder and Emma Cooper of West High, Grace Brown of City High, Josie Durr of Solon and Clear Creek Amana’s Hannah Bormann all ranked among the state’s best.

Those players are all making an impact at the college level but there is still plenty of talent remaining in the area.

Here is a list of five players to keep an eye on as the girls soccer season gets underway.

Naomi Meurice

Junior, City High

A starter since game one of her freshman season, Meurice has earned a reputation as one of the top keepers in the state.

Meurice was named the Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division keeper of the year last season allowing 13 goals while making 81 saves.

She helped City High post nine shutouts in 18 matches a year ago while reaching the Class 3A regional final.

Megan Tucker

Senior, Solon

For the past two seasons Tucker played a key role in helping current Iowa freshman Josie Durr lead the state in scoring.

Tucker has 19 assists over the past two seasons, leading the Spartans in assists each of the past two seasons.

The senior midfielder was a first-team all-WAMAC East Division pick a year ago when she had one goal and a team-high 14 assists.

Rachel Olson

Junior, West High

After playing in the shadow of two of the state’s best in Regan Steigleder and Emma Cooper last season Olson expects to step into a starring role this spring.

Olson was a second team all-division pick in the Mississippi Valley’s Mississippi division a year ago when she ranked behind only Steigleder and Cooper on the West High roster with eight goals as a sophomore.

A dangerous midfielder, Olson had five assists to go with her eight goals.

Lauren Gaarde

Senior, Regina

Gaarde exploded for a career-high 19 goals and six assists from her midfield spot last season leading the Regals in goals and ranking second on the team in assists.  

The senior midfielder had four goals and three assists in three regional wins to help Regina reach the state tournament for the sixth consecutive season.

Carolina Herrera

Senior, Clear Creek Amana

A four-year starter, Herrera will be looked to as a leader on and off the field for a young Clear Creek Amana squad.

Herrera ranked second on the team with seven assists last season, helping departed senior Hannah Bormann role up 28 goals.

It is a safe bet that the senior midfielder improves on the one goal she scored a season ago as she becomes an even bigger piece of the Clipper attack.