5 girls soccer stars from the Madison/WiscNews area (2024)

A corner kick for the McFarland girls soccer team is a dangerous weapon.

“It’s a game-changer for you,” McFarland coach T.J. DiPrizio said.

Spartans senior Elise Freeman, taking the corner kick, demonstrated that in the opening minutes against Reedsburg on Friday night in McFarland.

She delivered a corner kick into the box and senior Ava Dean headed it home for a 1-0 lead after only 3 minutes, 27 seconds. It was part of a connection the two have established through years playing high school and club soccer together.

“Those headers wouldn’t happen if the corner kicks weren’t in the same spot every time,” Dean said about Freeman’s accuracy.

Freeman also scored two goals for McFarland, ranked third this week in Division 3 — the first on a penalty kick at 52:59.

“After taking a couple (penalty kicks) last year and then this year, it has helped build up my confidence taking them now,” Freeman said.

The second goal was a shot from in front at 55:59. She said she turned a defender who had been on her back, then fired her shot.

Freeman plans to study exercise science at UW-La Crosse in hopes of becoming a physical therapist and she might play club soccer.

“You can see the confidence she has in soccer,” said Dean, who scored two goals against Reedsburg. “She is so talented. It’s insane.”

Waupun’s Ava Ewert turns in big effort

Waupun junior Ava Ewert scored three goals and had an assist in a 6-1 victory over Columbus on May 16.

Ewert scored in the 31st, 54th and 61st minutes and added an assist on a goal by Liv Fitch at the 57:02 mark.

“Ava has been a productive part-time starter with more starts coming in the second half of the season,” Waupun coach Joshua Fitch said. “I’ve moved her around between forward and midfield due to her foot talent, but finding her a permanent spot is important as playoffs approach.”

Fitch said one of Ewert’s goals against Columbus “can only be described as a professional level goal.” She received a high, floating cross at the edge of the penalty area and drove it into the net.

“As Ava arrived, she shot an absolute stunner on a full volley,” Fitch said. “I’ve been coaching high school girls for 16 years and have never seen a shot driven so well on full volley from that distance.”

Fitch is eager to see what’s in store for Ewert.

“Ava is a quiet, hard-working student and player,” he said. “She has the versatility and skill set to play any field position, though she is most effective in the attack. I believe her best soccer still lies ahead and I look forward to having one more year with her in 2025.”

Alyssa Thomas scores, passes for Waunakee

Depending on the opposition’s defensive approach, Waunakee senior midfielder Alyssa Thomas either looks to pass or seeks to score.

Thomas, who’s committed to Wright State women's soccer, assisted on the game’s first two goals — by seniors Charli Smith and Hadley Frost — in Waunakee’s 4-0 victory over Verona in 85-degree heat Saturday.

“She has a really good vision of the field,” said Warriors coach Andy Moll, whose team was ranked third in Division 1. “She’s great at finding little openings.”

Thomas, a second-team coaches' All-State choice last year, scored three goals in 12 minutes playing time in a 10-0 victory over Fort Atkinson last week and had two goals in a 2-0 win over Germantown on Friday.

“Sometimes, when I’m being doubled, we move me outside so I can be isolated one-on-one to serve balls in,” she said. “A lot of times, Sophie (Schnaubelt) and I are combining. (Friday), she had two assists to me, so it switches on and off. With Charli on the wing, with her speed getting around people to cross it in, that has been huge for us to finish.”

Eily Duffy boosts Verona’s attack

Verona junior outside midfielder Eily Duffy scored the lone goal in the Wildcats’ 1-0 victory over Madison Memorial and had four assists in an 8-0 victory over Janesville Parker last week.

Duffy, off an assist from sophom*ore Ella McGinnis, broke free on a run and scored at the 64:28 mark against Memorial.

“McGinnis had a great ball,” Duffy said. “That was a beauty ball. I kept composure, I saw where the keeper was and from there I tried to find the spot that was open. As a team, we held our line that day. How we got that free play was through great, hard work.”

Freshman Noelle Rauwolf and Duffy have been among the top point collectors for the Wildcats.

“She’s been playing great soccer,” Verona coach Jen Faulkner said about Duffy. “She sees the field well, is a good combination player. She’s a great communicator. She’s a leader on our team.”

Defender Belle Dehner soars for Silver Eagles

Monona Grove senior Belle Dehner opened the scoring with a blast from 25 yards Saturday, propelling the Silver Eagles to a 6-1 victory over Milton.

“The ball rolled to me,” she said. “I fake-turned to go to the right and I turned to my left and I got around the ball with my right foot. And it whizzed in.”

Dehner also scored in Monona Grove’s 4-1 loss to Madison Edgewood on May 16, driving a shot from 25 to 30 yards.

“I can shoot from distance,” she said. “That’s my strong suit.”

Dehner, who has committed to Quincy University (Illinois) women's soccer and plans to study biochemistry and Spanish, is a versatile player. She plays outside back in club but said she has played center midfield, center back, outside midfield and outside forward for Monona Grove.

“I like it a lot,” she said about playing different positions. “I like to help in various places on the field. On the defensive aspect, I like being at my usual position (outside back), but I also like to score goals.”

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