Joanie Hirst won the 2029 midfielder MVP at the 2026 Kane Rize. Hirst is really good at 1v1 defense. A true 2-way midfielder who is explosive. The Capital midfielder is quickly gaining traction as one of the better players in the Class of 2029.

Joanie Hirst is a name I’ve mentioned before, and for good reason. The two-way midfielder from Virginia made some jaw-dropping plays at Monday’s KANE Rize. Hirst is a fiery offensive initiator who attacks from the top and gets to the cage with authority, coming at defenders like a heat-seeking missile. She is just as dangerous off the ball, working the crease and using her athleticism to establish position and create high-percentage scoring opportunities down low. With her back to the cage, she loves to finish in style over the shoulder or with a twizzler, showing off her creativity in tight spaces. Hirst is truly ambidextrous and was lethal with both hands Monday. Her ability on the defensive end only adds to her impressive profile. She is a gritty defender who makes a living hunting down back checks in transition.

The sophomore midfielder from Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School (D.C.) is a 2-way middie who does a ton of damage on offense. Hirst is a good offensive initiator. She can kickstart an offense with her high and wide dodges, which will either draw slides and move the defense, or she will score. The Capital middie has explosive movements in her game. She is really dangerous when she dodges from up top and gets down the right alley. Hirst is good in the 2-man game. She sets good picks. She is 2-handed and scores with both hands. Good off-ball cuts; timing is exquisite. The best part: there is room for growth; a high-ceiling player.

A two-way midfielder from Vienna, Virginia, Joanie Hirst has a lot of flair and pop in her game. She is a spark plug offensively, with quick feet and a lethal set of dodges in her back pocket. She can get to and score from all parts of the field and can add some flair with a BTB or over the shoulder when the moment calls for it. It is especially fun to watch her on defense in transition. She hunts down back checks and has become nearly automatic at taking back possession on the come-from-behind. She does a nice job of swiping away from the body when an opponent’s stick is out of the sphere and keeping it clean in the process. When she is chasing down an opponent from behind, you can almost guarantee she will come up with it and head the other way in a hurry. Hirst is a player with an extraordinarily high ceiling.