The Next Generation: 2031s Already Making Statements

The amount of talent in the Class of 2031 is impressive. These rising 8th graders have had an incredibly impactful summer, and many have taken notice of their talent. With high-scoring attackers, dominating draw specialists, and lockdown defenders, these standout players are the future of the game.    Daphne Hoverman's height is the first thing you notice. She takes the draw and is a very strong self-taker. She is shifty in her dodges and has a great on-the-run shot. Her vision for feeding is equally as strong. She is a solid 1v1 defender and is establishing herself as an impressive true 2-way midfielder in the Class of 2031.     Ava Pittman could be one of the next true draw specialists. She is multifaceted in her style. She reads the opponent and circle situations and adjusts accordingly. Top teams in the country will change draw takers against her to try to find some success. In addition to her draw taking, Pittman is a lethal feeder with a team-first mentality, giving her teammates non-verbal cues when she has the ball. She has a variety of shot selections that she is proficient in and rides hard. She is a player who can take a game over.     As an incoming 8th grader, it is hard to find a truly dominant goalie. Diefendorf checks all the boxes. She understands her body positioning and angles well. She chases shots and comes out of the crease when the ball is on the ground. She's not afraid to pick up an open cutter. Diefendorf proactively communicates and looks for the quick clear to get the momentum going the other direction. She is captivating to watch already, even at this young age.     Addison Kuhl is a momentum changer. She rides very hard and prides herself on the turnovers she causes. She is calculated with her decision making. She has a strong placed shot and finishes well. If the game is on the line, she's a player with grit and consistency to help pull out a win.     Giuliana Mancini is a well-rounded midfielder. She is confident pressuring out on defense and often intimidates the ball carrier. Offensively, she understands when to tuck her stick, drives with confidence, and is not scared of contact in the 8-meter. She is very athletic and transitions the ball well.     Eliza Austin's athleticism is the first thing you notice when watching her. She has great speed and grittiness, both on the draw circle and transitionally. She has great body position and plays on hands to cause turnovers. Pair all of that with a great on-the-run shot, and it truly shows what kind of 2-way midfielder she is.     Davi Markus is a high-IQ offensive player. She sets up the timing for her drives and dodges perfectly. She seamlessly dodges the slide after beating her own defender and places shots without sacrificing power. Markus is an offensively well-rounded player.     Grace Walker is a defender who can do it all. She plays lockdown 1v1 defense and is incredible at recovering when the offensive player gets the first step. She is very intimidating when pressuring out. She communicates well with her defensive unit and often proactively tells others what is coming. She is a superior athlete and is a large part of the transitional game for her team as well as dominating defensively.     Mae Lackovic is a very intelligent player. She has great communication in defending two-man games. She is calculated and smart with finding open girls in transition versus when she should run it herself. In addition, she has an insanely explosive first step and understands the timing behind cutting to set herself up for the perfect scoring opportunity.

The amount of talent in the Class of 2031 is impressive. These rising 8th graders have had an incredibly impactful summer, and many have taken notice of their talent. With high-scoring attackers, dominating draw specialists, and lockdown defenders, these standout players are the future of the game.