2025 Shore Conference Girls Soccer Watchlist: Defenders

Shore Sports Insider 2025 Girls Soccer Watchlist

 

Defenders:

 

Layla Barbosa, Sr., Howell

When Barbosa went down with an injury last season, the Rebels felt the void she left on the field. Coach Miguel Arroyo had to change his line-up around to solidify the backline. Barbosa returns healthy and will look to lead Howell to their fourth straight Shore Conference Tournament semifinal and make their third trip in four years to the finals. 

 

Emma Christensen, Sr., Central

A starter since her freshman season, Christensen has been one of the top defenders in the Shore Conference throughout her career. Her ability to control the way the backline enabled Central to record 11 shutouts and make it to the South Jersey Group 4 final. Her height also makes her dangerous in the box on corner kicks. 

 

Maria DeGregorio, Sr., Middletown South *

DeGregorio has played an important role on defense for Middletown South since her freshman year. She has helped the Eagles reach the sectional final all three years, being an anchor on the backline. Last season, DeGregorio played an important role guiding freshman goalie Julianna Fiore early in the season and helping her learn the style of defense they play. Unfortunately, DeGregorio will be missing her final season as an Eagle due to injury.   

 

Olivia Dolan, So., Brick Twp

Dolan was one of the few bright spots for Brick Township who only won four games last season. The Dragons were a young team last season with only three seniors and Dolan was one of several freshmen to help the team. Her athletic ability allowed her to help Brick on offense from the defensive end of the field and she finished with three goals on the season and was named to the SSI All-Freshmen team.  

 

Ella Dworzanski, Jr., Toms River East

Dworzanski played her rookie season at forward before making the move to defense last year during the season. Her speed gives the Raiders an advantage if they decide to use her on the attack. She finished last season with three goals and five assists. Dworzanski can help solidify the backline after 4-year starter and All-Shore defender Grace Crowley graduated

 

Olivia Forlenza, Jr., Toms River North

Forlenza earned the starting job at center back as a freshman and her ability to lead the backline as a sophomore allowed TRN to move Jordyn Brown to midfield to help with the offense. The Mariners have graduated a lot of talent since her rookie season and will rely on her strength and strong leg even more to keep opponents out of the box this season. 

 

Harmony Glover, Jr., Jackson

Glover turned into one of the leaders last year on the Jaguars backline as a sophomore. Her ability to control the center of the defense was one reason Jackson Memorial went on to win the Central Jersey Group 3 title last year. Expect Glover to develop into one of the premier defenders in the Shore Conference this season. 

 

Grace Greene, Jr., Trinity Hall

Greene is one of the best lock down defenders in the Shore Conference. Her ability to shadow opposing teams top scorers is one reason Trinity Hall made it to the South Jersey Non-Public A final for the first time. Greene also can help the Monarchs on the offensive end, as she finished with 5 goals and 2 assists last season. 

 

Grace Holobinko, Sr., Wall

Holobinko had big shoes to fill when Aileen Carr graduated after leading Wall to back-to-back Group 2 finals. The Merrimack commit quickly became one of the leaders on the defensive side of the field and helped develop the chemistry with Madalyn Peterson, who was a first year starter in the net. Holobinko will be looked up to as a leader on and off the field with the Crimson Knights graduating several important players in June.

 

Isabella Huttner, Sr., Marlboro

Huttner gives Marlboro options to use different formations with her ability to play all over the field. The Siena commit makes an impact whether she is on the backline or midfield. Opponents will have a hard time scoring when she is on the backline while Jordyn Bauer is in goal. 

 

Reese Keane, Sr., Brick Memorial

If there was one player who deserved to be on the All-Shore teams the last two years but missed out, it is Reese Keane. Keane always gets the toughest assignments and played an important role in Brick Memorial’s Central Jersey Group 3 title run by shutting down opposing teams’ scorers. Keane, who played outside back her first couple of seasons, will control the middle of the Mustangs defense this year.  

 

Lynsey McGovern, Sr., Lacey

McGovern led a backline that helped Lacey win 18 games last season and advance into the SCT semifinal round. With the Lions graduating over 80% of their scoring, McGovern will be relied on even more this season if Lacey cannot replace all of their scoring. 

 

Kaitlyn Ng, Jr., Holmdel 

Ng has made an impact for the Hornets since her rookie season. She played an important role on the backline to help Holmdel go from five wins her freshman year to ten wins last year. The Cornell commit will be one of the leaders on the field this year as Holmdel looks to continue to build from last season and go deeper in the postseason.

 

Constantina Papadakis, Sr., Manalapan

Papadakis had an important role last year for Manalapan with Kasey Resker graduating and a new goalie coming in. With no seniors on the roster last season, she became one of the leaders on the field and helped Manalapan reach the Central Jersey Group 4 final for the third straight season. The Wagner commit will look to lead Manalapan to the CJG4 title game again, but with a different result. Manalapan fell in a shootout to Monroe last season and lost to Freehold Township the two prior years.

 

Samantha Price, Jr., Manasquan

Price has played an important role in Manasquan’s rise up the ranks in the Shore Conference over the last few seasons. As a freshman, she played a critical role on defense to help the Warriors reach their first SCT semifinal. Last year, she also became more involved on offense as she registered 1 goal and 6 assists.