NORTHEASTERN WISCONSIN – After capturing the 2026 North Eastern Conference girls soccer championship, the Freedom Irish were heavily represented on the league’s All-Conference teams, including earning the conference’s top defensive honor.
Senior goalkeeper Sophia Johnson was named the North Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year after anchoring one of the league’s top defenses. Johnson also earned First Team All-Conference recognition, capping off an outstanding senior season between the posts.
Freedom placed three players on the First Team, led by Johnson and senior forward Adria Ponschock, who was a unanimous selection. Sophomore forward Ava Calhoon also earned First Team honors after helping lead the Irish attack throughout the season.
The conference champions continued to be recognized on the Second Team as junior midfielder Elle Lezotte, sophomore defender Clara Conrad, and senior defender Riley Bobusch all received all-conference honors.
Freedom’s depth was also evident in the honorable mention selections. Junior defenders Brooklyn Gulmire and Calli Manteuffel were both recognized for their contributions to the Irish’s conference championship season.
While Freedom dominated the all-conference selections, Luxemburg-Casco’s Emi Kuhn was named Offensive Player of the Year. The senior forward was also a unanimous First Team selection after another standout season for the Spartans.
Other area players earning First Team honors included Waupaca senior Taylor Kling, a unanimous selection at forward, and teammate Ava Widdel, who earned recognition at midfield. Wrightstown was represented by Claire Theunis, Danica Bartolazzi, and Natalie McDonald on the First Team.
The full list can be seen below.
Conference Champion – Freedom
Offensive Player of the Year – Emi Kuhn- Luxemburg-Casco
Defensive Player of the Year – Sophia Johnson- Freedom
First Team All Conference( # = Unanimous)
- Lucy Olson – Denmark – SO – Forward
- Emma Abel – Denmark – JR – Midfield
- Sophia Johnson – Freedom – SR – Goalkeeper
- Adria Ponschock # – Freedom – SR – Forward
- Ava Calhoon – Freedom – SO – Forward
- Emi Kuhn # – Luxemburg-Casco – SR – Midfield/Forward
- Aaliyah Wallace – Luxemburg-Casco – SO – Forward
- Alana Mrotek – Luxemburg-Casco – SR – Defender
- Taylor Kling # – Waupaca – SR – Forward
- Ava Widdel – Waupaca – SR – Midfield
- Claire Theunis – Wrightstown – JR – Forward
Second Team All Conference
- Hayden Miller – Clintonville – JR – Forward
- Hannah Wester – Clintonville – SR – Goalkeeper
- Elle Lezotte – Freedom – JR – Midfield
- Clara Conrad – Freedom – SO – Defender
- Riley Bobusch – Freedom – SR – Defender
- Violet Rugg – Little Chute – JR – Defender/Forward
- Claire VandenBush – Luxemburg-Casco – SR – Defender
- Laila Williams – Marinette – SR – Defender
- Delaney Menor – Marinette – SO – Midfield/Forward
- Ashtyn Smith – Waupaca – FR – Goalkeeper
- Olivia Kneer – Waupaca – JR – Defender
- Danica Bartolazzi – Wrightstown – FR – Forward
- Natalie McDonald – Wrightstown – JR – Midfield
Honorable Mention
- Sierra Brandenburg – Clintonville – SR – Midfield
- Amelia Gonzalez – Denmark – SO – Midfield
- Maddie Hummel – Denmark – SR – Defender
- Autumn LaPalm – Denmark – SR – Midfield/Defender
- Alisen Jensen – Denmark – FR – Midfield/Forward
- Brooklyn Gulmire – Freedom – JR – Defender
- Calli Manteuffel – Freedom – JR – Defender
- Lilah McGregor – Little Chute – SO – Goalkeeper
- Kilee Barbiaux – Luxemburg-Casco – JR – Midfield
- Brianna Bretl – Marinette – SO – Defender
- Sophia Henrickson – Marinette – SO – Midfield
- Kerrigan O’Connell – Waupaca – SO – Defender
- Ava Krueger – Wrightstown – SR – Goalkeeper
- Valentina Johnson – Wrightstown – FR – Defender
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