Greatest Girls High School Soccer Players of All Time

Some of America's greatest girls high school soccer players became household names.

When it comes to high school sports in the U.S., few can match girls soccer when it comes to sheer growth and popularity. It’s a testament to the power of a sport that doesn’t have a history for girls that goes back more than 30 to 40 years.

Thanks to the greatness of the female players who have come to define the sport at the high school level, college level, pro level and, of course, the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT), we know these players and their careers by heart. They’ve become household names from a sport that only continues to grow exponentially.

The greatest women’s soccer players of all time in the U.S. got their start playing for their high schools and local club teams. So, let’s take a look at the greatest girls high school soccer players of all time, with the caveat that no player can come from the same state.

Alabama: Tara Katz, Forward

Kate Luffman / Tennessee Athletics

Born: Jan. 3, 2001

High school: Montgomery Academy (Montgomery, Alabama)

Graduation year: 2019

College: Tennessee

Career highlights: Four-time Class 4A/5A state champion (2016-19), three-time Class 4A/5A State Tournament MVP (2016, 2018, 2019), four-time Class 4A/5A All-State (2016-19), Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year (2019)

Bottom line: Tara Katz led Montgomery Academy to four consecutive state championships and was named MVP of the state tournament three times. She capped her career by being named Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year and finished with 223 career goals — as a senior, she had 66 goals and 28 assists.

Katz, who is just 5-foot-2, played college soccer for the University of Tennessee.

California: Julie Foudy, Midfielder

Kevordk Djansezian / AP Photo

Born: Jan. 23, 1971 (San Diego, California)

High school: Mission Viejo High School (Mission Viejo, California)

Graduation year: 1989

College: Stanford

Career highlights: Two-time Women’s World Cup champion (1991, 1999), two-time Olympic gold medalist (1996, 2004), two-time Parade High School All-American (1988, 1989), Los Angeles Times Girls Soccer Player of the Decade (1980s), three-time Southern California High School Player of the Year (1987-89)

Bottom line: No state in the U.S. has produced more women’s soccer talent than California, and Mission Viejo’s Julie Foudy somehow stands above the rest — keep in mind she was playing on the U.S. Women’s National Team when she was 16 years old.

At Mission Viejo, Foudy was a two-time All-American, three-time Southern California Player of the Year and Los Angeles Times Player of the Decade for the 1980s.

At Stanford, Foudy was a four-time All-American and named Soccer America Player of the Year in 1991, which was the same year she led the USWNT to a championship at the first Women’s World Cup.

Foudy played on the USWNT for 18 seasons, spending 14 as its team captain. She won another World Cup in 1999 and a pair of Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2004.

Colorado: Mallory Swanson, Forward

Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP Photo

Born: April 29, 1998 (Littleton, Colorado)

High school: Mountain Vista High School (Highlands Ranch, Colorado)

Graduation year: 2016

College: None

Career highlights: Women’s World Cup champion (2019), Gatorade National Player of the Year (2015), Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year (2015), two-time CONCACAF Women’s Championship winner (2018, 2022), U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year (2015), NWSL Best XI (2022)

Bottom line: Mountain Vista’s Mallory Swanson represented a new approach to prep soccer stars moving to the next level — after being named Gatorade National Player of the Year, she put off enrolling in college until January 2017 and then ultimately decided to go pro instead of playing for UCLA.

Swanson has been on the USWNT since 2016, with 32 goals in 88 appearances, including a Women’s World Cup championship in 2019 but missed the 2023 Women’s World Cup with an injury.

Connecticut: Kristine Lilly, Forward/Midfielder

Paul Battaglia / AP Photo

Born: July 22, 1971 (New York, New York)

High school: Wilton High School (Wilton, Connecticut)

Graduation year: 1989

College: North Carolina

Career highlights: Two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion (1991, 1999), two-time Olympic gold medalist (1996, 2004), four-time NCAA National Champion (1989-92), two-time CIAC state champion (1985, 1986), Herman Trophy (1991)

Bottom line: Kristine Lilly led Wilton High to back-to-back state championships in 1985 and 1986 before she joined the USWNT in 1987 while she was still in high school. At the University of North Carolina, she won four consecutive NCAA championships and was named National Player of the Year as a junior in 1991.

Lilly became one of the most respected players in USWNT history, where she made 354 appearances and scored 130 goals in 14 years, winning two Women’s World Cup titles and two Olympic gold medals. Lilly made one of the more memorable plays in World Cup history in the 1999 finals against China when she cleared a ball that had gotten past goalkeeper Brianna Scurry and was headed into the net to save the game, which the U.S. eventually won in a penalty-kick shootout.

Florida: Ashlyn Harris, Goalkeeper

Bob Levey / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 19, 1985 (Satellite Beach, Florida)

High school: Satellite High School (Satellite Beach, Florida)

Graduation year: 2004

College: North Carolina

Career highlights: Two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion (2015, 2019), Gatorade National Player of the Year (2004), Florida Gatorade Player of the Year (2004), two-time Class 3A state champion (2002, 2003), four-time Parade High School All-American (2001-04), Parade High School Player of the Year (2004), WPS champion (2011), two-time CONCACAF Women’s Championship winner (2014, 2018), NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year (2016), NWSL Best XI (2016), WPS Goalkeeper of the Year (2011), WPS Best XI (2011)

Bottom line: Satellite Beach High’s Ashlyn Harris became the first National Gatorade Player of the Year from Florida in 2004, capping a career in which she won back-to-back Class 3A state championships in 2002 and 2003, a four-time Parade All-American, and posted 50 shutouts for her career.

While Harris graduated from high school in 2004, she didn’t get to actually play college soccer for powerhouse North Carolina until 2006, due to training commitments with the U.S. Women’s National U-19 Team and back-to-back ACL tears in 2005 and 2006. Once healthy, Harris helped lead the Tar Heels to three national championships. Harris played eight years for the USWNT from 2013 to 2020, winning two Women’s World Cup championships.

Georgia: Morgan Gautrat, Midfielder

Chicago Red Stars midfielder Morgan Gautrat

Jeff Dean / AP Photo

Born: Feb. 26, 1993 (St. Simons, Georgia)

High school: Frederica Academy (St. Simons, Georgia)

Graduation year: 2011

College: Virginia

Career highlights: Two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion (2015, 2019), National Gatorade Player of the Year (2011), Gatorade National Female Athlete of the Year (2011), two-time Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year (2010, 2011), two-time Parade All-American (2010, 2011), Soccer America National Freshman of the Year (2011), three-time NCAA All-American (2011, 2013, 2014), ACC Freshman of the Year (2011), four-time All-ACC (2011-14), ACC Tournament MVP (2012), two-time MAC Herman Trophy Winner (2013, 2014)

Bottom line: Morgan Gautrat led Frederica Academy to four consecutive state titles and became the first player from Georgia to be named National Gatorade Player of the Year in 2011 — she was also an All-State basketball player at Frederica.

Gautrat ended her prep career with 186 goals and 95 assists and also became the first soccer player named Gatorade National Female Athlete of the Year. Gautrat was the National Freshman of the Year at Virginia in 2011 and then won the MAC Herman Trophy as the National Player of the Year in 2013 and 2014.

Gautrate was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NWSL Draft by the Houston Dash and has been a member of the USWNT since 2013, helping her country win a pair of Women’s World Cup championships in 2015 and 2019.

Illinois: Rachel Quon, Defender

Harvardton / Wikimedia Commons

Born: May 21, 1991 (Los Angeles, California)

High school: Lake Forest High School (Lake Forest, Illinois)

Graduation year: 2009

College: Stanford

Career highlights: National Gatorade Player of the Year (2009), Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year (2009), Parade High School All-American (2009), four-time All-Pac-12 (2009-12), NCAA National Champion (2011)

Bottom line: Rachel Quon skipped her junior season at Lake Forest High but returned as a senior to score 15 goals and dish out 10 assists to lead her team to a regional championship and the Class 3A sectionals. Quon was named National Gatorade Player of the Year in 2009.

Quon helped lead Stanford to a national championship in 2011 and was a four-time All-Pac 12 selection and four-time Pac-12 champion. Her senior class at Stanford went 94-4-4 for their careers, including a 50-0-1 record at home and a 40-0-0 record in Pac-12 play.

Quon played three seasons for the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL. While Quon played for the USWNT squads from U-15 through U-20, she chose to play for the Canadian National Team on the senior level — Quon’s father is Canadian — and appeared in four matches for Canada in 2014.

Indiana: Lauren Holliday, Forward/Midfielder

Andre Penner / AP Photo

Born: Sept. 30, 1987 (Indianapolis, Indiana)

High school: Ben Davis High School (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Graduation year: 2006

College: UCLA

Career highlights: Women’s World Cup champion (2015), two-time Olympic gold medalist (2008, 2012), Gatorade National Player of the Year (2006), Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year (2006), Parade High School All-American (2006), three-time NSCAA All-American (2004-06), two-time Indianapolis Star Metro Player of the Year (2004, 2006), NWSL Most Valuable Player (2013), FIFA Women’s World Cup All-Star Team (2011), two-time NWSL Best XI (2013, 2014), NWSL Golden Boot (2013), NWSL Championship Game MVP (2014), two-time NWSL champion (2014, 2015), four-time NCAA All-American (2006-09), Pac-10 Player of the Year (2007), U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year (2014)

Bottom line: Lauren Holiday earned every prep honor imaginable for Ben Davis High and capped her career by being named Gatorade National Player of the Year as a senior in 2006.

Holiday became the first UCLA player to earn All-American honors four times and was named Pac-10 Player of the Year in 2007. Holiday also set UCLA records for points (173) and game-winning goals (28).

Holiday played for the USWNT from 2007 to 2015, winning two Olympic gold medals and a Women’s World Cup championship in 2015. She also won two NWSL championships with FC Kansas City in 2014 and 2015 and was the NWSL MVP in 2014.

Maryland: Christine Nairn, Midfielder

Gregory Bull / AP Photo

Born: Sept. 25, 1990 (Annapolis, Maryland)

High school: Archbishop Spalding High School (Severn, Maryland)

Graduation year: 2008

College: Penn State

Career highlights: Three-time Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year (2005-07), three-time Washington Post Player of the Year (2005-07), four-time Parade High School All-American (2004-07), three-time NSCAA High School All-American (2005-08), two-time NCAA All-American (2010, 2011), three-time All-Big Ten (2009-11), Big Ten Freshman of the Year (2009), Big Ten Midfielder of the Year (2012)

Bottom line: Christine Nairn was one of the most celebrated prep athletes in Maryland history at Archbishop Spalding High, where she was a four-time Parade All-American and earned Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year honors three times.

Nairn went on to star at Penn State, where she was a three-time All-Big Ten selection and two-time All-American. Once a captain of the U.S. Women’s National Team U-20 squad, Nairn made two appearances for the USWNT in 2009 before playing 13 years of professional soccer in Australia and the U.S.

Massachusetts: Sam Mewis, Midfielder

Ellen Ozier / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 9, 1992 (Weymouth, Massachusetts)

High school: Whitman-Hanson Regional High School (Hanson, Massachusetts)

Graduation year: 2011

College: UCLA

Career highlights: FIFA Women’s World Cup champion (2019), CONCACAF Women’s Champion (2018), two-time Parade High School All-American (2010, 2011), NSCAA High School National Player of the Year (2010), two-time Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year (2010, 2011), two-time Boston Globe Player of the Year (2010, 2011), NCAA National Champion (2013), three-time NWSL champion (2016, 2018, 2019), Women’s FA Cup champion (2020), U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year (2020), NWSL Best XI (2017), FA WSL PFA Team of the Year (2021), Honda Sports Award (2015), four-time All-Pac-12 (2011-14), Pac-12 Player of the Year (2014)

Bottom line: Sam Mewis scored 77 goals during her time at Whitman-Hanson High, where she was a two-time Parade All-American, two-time Boston Globe Player of the Year and two-time Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year.

Mewis went on to help lead UCLA to a national championship in 2013 and was named Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2014. Mewis has been on the USWNT since 2014, winning a Women’s World Cup championship in 2019.

Michigan: Lindsay Tarpley, Forward

Luca Bruno / AP Photo

Born: Sept. 22, 1983 (Madison, Wisconsin)

High school: Portage Central High School (Portage, Michigan)

Graduation year: 2002

College: North Carolina

Career highlights: Division 2 state champion (2000), four-time Division 2 All-State (1999-2002), Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year (2002), two-time Parade High School All-American (2001, 2002), two-time Olympic gold medalist (2004, 2008), four-time All-ACC (2002-05), ACC Freshman of the Year (2002), NCAA National Freshman of the Year (2002), NCAA National Champion (2003), ACC Player of the Year (2003), NCAA Player of the Year (2003), NCAA All-American (2003)

Bottom line: Lindsay Tarpley led Portage Central High to an undefeated season and state championship in 2000 and capped her prep career as the Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year in 2002 and a two-time Parade All-American.

Tarpley was named National Freshman of the Year at North Carolina in 2002 and helped lead the Tar Heels to a national championship in 2003 when she was also named National Player of the Year. Tarpley went on to win two Olympic gold medals with the USWNT and also played for the team in the 2007 Women’s World Cup.

Minnesota: Holly Manthei, Midfielder/Forward

HollyManthei / Twitter

Born: Feb. 8, 1976 (Edina, Minnesota)

High school: Burnsville High School (Burnsville, Minnesota)

Graduation year: 1994

College: Notre Dame

Career highlights: Two-time MSHSL state champion (1992, 1993), three-time MSHSL All-State (1992-94), Parade High School All-American (1994), NCAA National Champion (1995), four-time NCAA All-American (1994-97)

Bottom line: Burnsville High’s Holly Manthei won four state championships in three different sports — two in soccer, one in basketball and one in the 300-meter hurdles. Manthei’s signature sport was soccer, as she was a three-time All-State pick and earned Parade All-American honors in 1994.

Manthei was a four-time All-American at Notre Dame and led the Irish to the 1995 national championship. She also led the nation in assists her first three college seasons, and in 1996, her 44 assists set the national single-season record. Manthei left Notre Dame with the NCAA career record for assists (129) and the NCAA career record for postseason assists (nine).

Manthei played 21 matches for the USWNT in 1995 and 1996 and was part of the team that took third place at the 1995 Women’s World Cup.

Missouri: Becky Sauerbrunn, Center Back

Don Ryan / AP Photo

Born: June 6, 1985 (St. Louis, Missouri)

High school: Ladue Horton Watkins High School (Ladue, Missouri)

Graduation year: 2003

College: Virginia

Career highlights: Two-time Women’s World Cup champion (2015, 2019), Olympic gold medalist (2012), Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year (2003), two-time Parade All-American (2002, 2003), three-time NWSL champion (2014, 2015, 2022), four-time CONCACAF Women’s Championship winner (2010, 2014, 2018, 2022), ACC Player of the Year (2007), ACC Freshman of the Year (2003), four-time All-ACC (2003, 2005-07), three-time NCAA All-American (2003, 2006, 2007), four-time NWSL Defender of the Year (2013, 2014, 2015, 2019), seven-time NWSL Best XI (2013-19)

Bottom line: Becky Sauerbrunn was a three-sport star at Ladue High in soccer, volleyball and basketball, but her future was on the soccer pitch, where she was a two-time Parade All-American and named Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior.

In college, Sauerbrunn starred at Virginia, where she was a three-time All-American and ACC Player of the Year as a senior. Sauerbrunn has been a member of the USWNT since 2008, where she’s won two Women’s World Cup championships and an Olympic gold medal in 2012.

Ladue High now plays its games on Becky Sauerbrunn Field.

Nevada: Zakiya Bywaters, Midfielder

UCLA Women’s Soccer / Facebook

Born: July 24, 1991 (Las Vegas, Nevada)

High school: Rancho High School (Las Vegas, Nevada)

Graduation year: 2009

College: UCLA

Career highlights: Parade High School All-American (2009), Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year (2008), four-time All-Pac-12 (2009-12), Pac-12 Player of the Year (2012), NCAA All-American (2012)

Bottom line: Rancho High’s Zakiya Bywaters was a Parade All-American and named Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior before going on to star at UCLA. In college, Bywaters was just as good for the Bruins, making the All-Pac-12 team all four years and earning Pac-12 Player of the Year honors as a senior.

Bywaters was selected No. 1 overall by the Chicago Red Stars in the 2013 NWSL Draft, but injuries derailed her career, and she was done playing soccer after the 2015 season.

New Hampshire: Morgan Andrews, Midfielder

Tony Avelar / AP Photo

Born: March 25, 1995 (Milford, New Hampshire)

High school: Milford High School (Milford, New Hampshire)

Graduation year: 2013

Colleges: Notre Dame/USC

Career highlights: Two-time Gatorade National Player of the Year (2012, 2013), three-time New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year (2011-13), Division II state champion (2012), New Hampshire Union Leader Female Athlete of the Year (2013), NSCAA National Player of the Year (2012), two-time All-ACC (2013, 2014), ACC Freshman of the Year (2013), two-time All-Pac-12 (2015, 2016), NCAA All-American (2016), NCAA National Champion (2016)

Bottom line: The only two-time Gatorade National Player of the Year award winner is Milford High’s Morgan Andrews, who won the award in 2012 and 2013. Andrews finished her prep career with 114 goals, including 31 goals and 18 assists as she led Milford to its first state title as a senior.

Andrews was a two-time All-ACC pick as a freshman and sophomore at Notre Dame before she transferred to USC for her final two seasons and helped lead the Trojans to a national championship as a senior in 2016. Andrews was selected No. 3 overall in the 2017 NWSL Draft by the Boston Breakers and played professionally for four seasons, including two in Australia.

New Jersey: Heather O’Reilly, Midfielder

Bill Kostroun / AP Photo

Born: Jan. 2, 1985 (East Brunswick, New Jersey)

High school: East Brunswick High School (East Brunswick, N.J.)

Graduation year: 2003

College: North Carolina

Career highlights: Women’s World Cup champion (2015), three-time Olympic gold medalist (2004, 2008, 2012), Gatorade National Player of the Year (2003), two-time New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year (2002, 2003), Parade National Player of the Year (2003), Parade High School All-American (2003), Group IV state champion (2001), Honda Sports Award (2007), two-time NCAA National Champion (2003, 2006), WPS champion (2009), three-time NWSL champion (2015, 2018, 2019), FA WSL Cup (2018), WPS All-Star (2010), WPS Championship Game MVP (2009), Soccer America Player of the Year (2006), ACC Offensive Player of the Year (2006), two-time NCAA College Cup MVP (2003, 2006)

Bottom line: Heather O’Reilly is one of the greatest winners in women’s soccer history — first with leading East Brunswick High to a state championship, followed by two national titles at North Carolina, and then three Olympic gold medals and a Women’s World Cup title with the USWNT.

Oh … O’Reilly has also won WPS and NWSL championships on the pro level in the U.S. along with championships in European pro leagues.

New York: Abby Wambach, Forward

Diether Endlicher / AP Photo

Born: June 2, 1980 (Rochester, New York)

High school: Our Lady of Mercy High School (Brighton, New York)

Graduation year: 1998

College: Florida

Career highlights: Parade High School All-American (1998), Umbro National High School Player of the Year (1998), NSCAA National High School Player of the Year (1998), New York Gatorade Player of the Year (1997), NCAA National Champion (1998), four-time SEC champion (1998-2001), SEC Freshman of the Year (1998), four-time All-SEC (1998-2001), two-time SEC Player of the Year (2000, 2001), two-time SEC Tournament MVP (20001, 2001), three-time NCAA All-American (1999-2001), two-time NCAA Final Four (1998, 2001), University of Florida Athletics Hall of Fame, six-time U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year (2003, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013), WUSA Rookie of the Year (2002), FIFA World Player of the Year (2012), FIFA Women’s World Cup champion (2015), two-time Olympic gold medalist (2004, 2012), FIFA Women’s World Cup Bronze Boot (2011), FIFA Women’s World Cup Silver Ball (2011), AP Female Athlete of the Year (2011)

Bottom line: One of the greatest women’s soccer players of all time, Abby Wambach first gained fame as a high school star at Our Lady of Mercy High, where she scored a staggering 142 goals in her career and became one of the nation’s top high school players.

Wambach led the University of Florida to its first NCAA national championship as a freshman in 1998 and back to the Final Four as a senior in 2021. Wambach scored one of the most famous goals in U.S. soccer history with her game-winning header against Brazil in the 2011 Women’s World Cup semifinal. She was named AP Female Athlete of the Year in 2011, FIFA World Player of the Year in 2012 and won a Women’s World Cup with the U.S. in 2015. Wambach’s 184 goals in international competition are still tops for the U.S.

North Carolina: Mollie Pathman, Forward/Midfielder

Duke Women’s Soccer / Facebook

Born: July 1, 1992 (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)

High school: Durham Academy (Durham, North Carolina)

Graduation year: 2010

College: Duke

Career highlights: Gatorade National Player of the Year (2010), two-time North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year (2009, 2010), two-time Parade High School All-American (2009, 2010), NCAA Freshman All-American (2010), three-time All-ACC (2011-13)

Bottom line: Mollie Pathman racked up 130 goals and 65 assists in her career at Durham Academy on the way to being named Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2010 along with being a two-time Parade High School All-American.

Pathman stayed home to play for Duke, where she was a three-time All-ACC selection. She was the No. 23 overall selection in the 2014 NWSL Draft and played three seasons of pro soccer for the Boston Breakers.

Ohio: Danielle Borgman, Defender

UNC Athletics

Born: April 25, 1980 (Cincinnati, Ohio)

High school: McAuley High School (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Graduation year: 1998

College: North Carolina

Career highlights: Parade High School All-American (1997), Parade National Forward of the Year (1997), USA Today High School All-American (1997), NCAA Freshman All-American (1998), two-time NCAA All-American (1999, 2000), NCAA National Champion (2000)

Bottom line: Danielle Borgman was named the best forward in the U.S. by Parade Magazine as well as a Parade All-American as a senior at McAuley High, where she was also named one of the top five recruits in the country by USA Today.

Borgman was a two-time All-American at North Carolina and helped lead the Tar Heels to a national championship in 2000. Borgman played briefly for the San Jose CyberRays in the WUSA.

Oregon: Tiffeny Milbrett, Forward

Tony Gutierrez / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 23, 1972 (Portland, Oregon)

High school: Hillsboro High School (Hillsboro, Oregon)

Graduation year: 1990

College: Portland

Career highlights: FIFA Women’s World Cup champion (1999), Olympic gold medalist (1996), three-time Oregonian Class 3A Player of the Year (1988-90), two-time Parade High School All-American (1989, 1990), NCAA Final Four (1994), three-time NCAA All-American (1992-94), two-time WCC Offensive Player of the Year (1992, 1994), Soccer American 1990s College Team of the Decade, Soccer American National Freshman of the Year (1990)

Bottom line: Tiffeny Milbrett was a three-sport star in basketball, track and field, and soccer at Hillsboro High, where she set the state single-season record with 54 goals, the state career record with 131 goals and was The Oregonian Class 3A Player of the Year three times. She also starred in college at the University of Portland, where her 103 goals were second in NCAA history and tied for fourth with 246 career points.

Milbrett scored the gold medal-winning goal for the U.S. in the 1996 Olympics and led the U.S. in goals during the 1999 Women’s World Cup on the way to a championship. She also squeezed in 17 seasons of professional soccer in Japan, Sweden, the U.S. and Canada in that time. What a player.

Texas: Melissa Henderson, Forward/Midfielder

Houston Dash

Born: Aug. 23, 1989 (Dallas, Texas)

High school: Berkner High School (Richardson, Texas)

Graduation year: 2008

College: Notre Dame

Career highlights: NCAA National Champion (2010), National Gatorade Player of the Year (2007), Honda Sports Award (2011), two-time Parade High School All-American (2006, 2007)

Bottom line: Berkner High’s Melissa Henderson was the first junior named National Gatorade Player of the Year in 2007 — she was also named NCAA National Player of the Year at Notre Dame as a junior in 2011.

Henderson helped lead Notre Dame to a national championship in 2010 and was drafted No. 2 overall by the Boston Breakers in the 2012 WPS Draft, but the league folded shortly after. She played five seasons of professional soccer before retiring in 2017.

Utah: Kealia Watt, Midfielder/Forward

Koji Sasahara / AP Photo

Born: Jan. 31, 1992 (Draper, Utah)

High school: Alta High School (Sandy, Utah)

Graduation year: 2010

College: North Carolina

Career highlights: Four-time Class 5A state champion (2006-09), two-time Utah Gatorade Player of the Year (2008, 2009), three-time Class 5A MVP (2007-09), NSCAA National High School Player of the Year (2010), Parade High School All-American (2010), NCAA National Champion (2012), NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (2012)

Bottom line: Kealia Watt — formerly Kealia Ohai — isn’t just the greatest girls high school soccer player in Utah history but possibly the greatest high school athlete, period, to ever come out of the state.

Watt led Alta High to four consecutive Class 5A state championships from 2006 to 2009 and was also a two-time Utah Gatorade Player of the Year and three-time Class 5A Most Valuable Player. Watt played for NCAA powerhouse North Carolina, where she won a national championship in 2012 and was named NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Watt also played seven years in the NWSL.

Virginia: Mia Hamm, Forward/Midfielder

Armando Franca / AP Photo

Born: March 17, 1972 (Selma, Alabama)

High school: Lake Braddock Secondary School (Burke, Virginia)

Graduation year: 1989

College: North Carolina

Career highlights: Four-time NCAA National Champion (1989, 1990, 1992, 1993), two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion (1991, 1999), two-time Olympic gold medalist (1996, 2004), four-time NCAA All-American (1989, 1990, 1992, 1993), three-time ACC Player of the Year (1990, 1992, 1993), ACC 50th Anniversary Greatest Female Athlete, two-time FIFA World Player of the Year (2001, 2002)

Bottom line: Mia Hamm has a unique place on this list — she could have been classified as the greatest high school player ever out of Texas, where she played for Notre Dame Catholic High before transferring to Lake Braddock Secondary School, where she led them to a state championship in 1989.

Hamm, who joined the USWNT at 15 years old, won four national championships in college at North Carolina and then as a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist for the USWNT. Considered by some to be the greatest women’s soccer player of all time, Hamm was also named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002.

Washington: Hope Solo, Goalkeeper

Petr David Josek / AP Photo

Born: July 30, 1981 (Richland, Washington)

High school: Richland High School (Richland, Washington)

Graduation year: 1999

College: Washington

Career highlights: FIFA Women’s World Cup champion (2015), two-time Olympic gold medalist (2008, 2012), two-time Parade High School All-American (1998, 1999), four-time All-Pac-10 (1999-2002), three-time NCAA All-American (2000-02), Pac-10 Player of the Year (2002), two-time Women’s World Cup Golden Glove Award (2011, 2015)

Bottom line: Hope Solo was a soccer prodigy at Richland High, where she starred as a forward while also being one of the nation’s top goalkeepers for her youth and club teams. She led Richland to a state championship as a senior in 1999, set the conference record with 109 career goals and was a two-time Parade All-American.

In college, Solo became the greatest goalkeeper in Pac-10 history for her home-state University of Washington as a three-time All-American, four-time All-American and the first goalkeeper to be named Pac-10 Player of the Year.

Solo became one of the most famous athletes in the world during her time with the USWNT from 2000 to 2016, when she won two Olympic gold medals and played in three Women’s World Cups, bringing home a title in 2015 and earning the Women’s World Cup Golden Glove Award twice in 2011 and 2015.