Best Defensive Units in the Girls Academy’s Midwest Conference entering 2024

As we enter 2024, SoccerWire checks back in on the Girls Academy’s Midwest Conference with a look at some of the top defensive units.

In a conference that produced multiple teams that advanced deep in the  GA National Playoffs last season, strong defense has a proven track record of helping teams compete at the highest levels in the league.

Here are some of the top performing units from teams from across the GA Midwest Conference in the U15-U19 age groups.

SC Wave 09: The Wave started the season strong, winning their first two matches by a combined score of 5-1. Across the entire fall season, their steady defensive work was key to the run to the top of the Midwest Conference (8-1-1, 25 points), earning four shutouts. Defenders MaKayla Flath and Tya Troskey alongside  goalkeeper Vada Goss were all selected recently to the GA Midwest Talent ID Showcase for their strong work in the defensive third this season.

Off to a great start with my @2009WaveGA team! We went 2-0 this weekend against @SNFC09RL and @VSA_Rush. I’m glad to have contributed a header goal off of a great penalty kick from my teammate @SydneyHewuse5. pic.twitter.com/1V4E75gnIS

— MaKayla Flath (@MaKayla_Flath13) August 28, 2023

Galaxy SC 09: Held Conference opponents to a .75 Goals Against average, the lowest among all teams in the Midwest 09 age group. Despite this being their inaugural season in the GA, Galaxy showed that they were more than up for the task, shutting out VSA Rush in their opener (2-0), going on to allow just seven goals in ten games.

Galaxy SC 08: At the U16 level, Galaxy have surged out to the top of the Midwest, allowing just three goals during the fall season en route to earning an undefeated record (10-0-0, 30 points). Defenders Jessie Terada and Eleaanor Kane have work together effectively at limiting their opponent’s opportunities in front of goal and spotting each other when one has to make a challenge.

Sporting Nebraska 08: Joined the GA this past summer and grinded out multiple strong results to end their fall campaign, winning their last seven matches. During that stretch, Sporting allowed just six goals and earned a tough 1-0 shutout win over Kansas Rush. Defenders Elle Leece, Kamryn Wray, and Eleanor Coughlin have led a backline that have faced considerable pressure against some of the top attacking teams in the GA and have excelled.

SC Wave 08: Ripped off three shutouts against Sporting Nebraska (4-0), VSA Rush (5-0), and Kansas Rush (5-0) to start their 2023-2024 season. Goalkeeper Savannah Mittlestaedt has worked effectively alongside her defensive line mates to limit opponent’s opportunities inside of the eighteen yard box, earning five clean sheets.

SC Wave 07: Finished off the fall season with a five game unbeaten run in Conference play (4-0-1, 13 points), allowing just two goals and hold a Goal Differential of +26. The defense, led by SoccerWire Featured Player Elsa Maurer holds a Goals Against average .4, which is the lowest among all U17 Midwest teams. Maurer and her fellow defenders Rhyan Hood, Madelynn Arthur, Brylie Walos, Eily Duffy, and Megan Grater are also coming off of a strong Champions Cup run in which they shut out Florida United (2-0) and held off City SC (2-1). Two-way players like newcomer Libby Magnone have helped SC Wave control possession throughout the season.

Galaxy SC 07: Blanked Kansas Rush twice (3-0 and 2-0), while shutting out Central Illinois United (2-0) down the stretch to end their fall season on a 5-1-4 record. Galaxy SC’s defense were highly effective at grinding out results, getting key points against VSA Rush and Sporting Nebraska (both 2-2 scorelines) to start the season. Captain Grier Isaacson , a 2025 Ball State verbal commit, has steadied the team when under pressure making key clears and helping her teammates make small adjustments during games.

Salvo SC 07: Just started their 2023-2024 season (as opposed to the rest of the Midwest, Salvo and Tonka Fusion Elite do not start their season until the winter), but have already put the rest of the Conference on notice, winning their first three matches (3-0 over Central Illinois United, and 2-1 against Sporting Nebraska FC and Kansas Rush)  while conceding just once. Their defense is anchored by center-back Olivia Halunen, who was integral to Salvo making the National Playoffs last season and is coming off of a high school campaign in which she led Woodbury to their first Eastern Conference Championship since 2014.

SC Wave 05/06: Went undefeated in Champions Cup play (2-0-1, 5 points), ending Group C with a 5-0 shutout win over Silicon Valley SA. In conference play (8-1-1, 25 points) , their defense has particularly been on point, allowing just five goals in nine matches. Defensive midfielder/centerback Sarah Stadler, who has committed to LSU in 2024, leads a defensive unit that are sporting a .5 Goals Against average.

Kansas Rush 05/06: Earned six shutouts in conference action, including a critical 1-0 win over SC Wave in November. Rush is highly effective at absorbing pressure from opponents and immediately turning them into counter-attacking opportunities. Defenders Brooke Belleheumer (2024 commit to Northwest Missouri State), Jessica Russo, Gabi Armenta, Ava Patterson (2025 verbal commit to Kansas State), Grace Klemp (2024 commit to Rochkhurst University), Chloe Dilibeck (2024 commit to Kansas State), and Paige Berry (2024 commit to Maryville) work together effectively to plug any gaps along the backline and control possession in the defensive third. Goalkeepers Sian Karani, who is a 2024 commit to St. Louis, and Lexi Porter, a 2025 verbal commit to Graceland, have formed a difficult 1-2 combination between the posts for Rush.