Defending champ Northland Prep (17-2-1, 3-0 Central) is looking to make it seven titles in eight years this week, having won 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023, their only defeat a 1-nil loss to Chino Valley in 2021.

Led by sophomore Reece Kellar’s 35 goals, the No. 1-ranked Spartans are focused on getting healthy prior to the playoffs opening this week Tuesday with the play-in round.

“A week ago we had our senior captain and striker Virginia Vaughan return from an injury from early September and have had some other injuries that we are healing up from,” Northland Prep coach Michael Blair said.

Kellar ranks second in the state in scoring beyond only Blue Ridge's Myli Hamblin, who has 43.

The Spartans’ biggest competition is Show Low, who they beat 2-1 for the title a season ago. The two clubs have traded wins this fall, first a 4-2 victory for Northland Prep to open the season Aug. 27, then a 3-2 Show Low win Sept. 24.

“Both teams are playing well, shown by the top two rankings,” Blair said.

Northland Prep awaits the play-in round results, which are Tuesday, Oct. 29.

The Show Low girls soccer team is ranked No. 2 this season heading into the Fall Girls Soccer State Championships. The Cougars earned a bye and will play Thursday, Oct. 31. (Show Low Athletics/Courtesy)

SHOW LOW

With four players in double figures scoring this season, it appears No. 2-seeded Show Low (16-1-1, 5-0 East) is the best well-rounded club in the state, which will make the Cougars awfully difficult to defend this week as they chase their second state championship in program history (2011).

Top scorers Myla Heuett (16), Taylynn Butler (15), Raquel Wilson (14) and Sofie Ellis (13) will be tough for any team to stop, something coach Chris Ellis said is their focus.

“Our team thrives on balance and depth. Girls who don’t get a lot of credit or glory for what they are doing this year are Destiny Murphy, McKenna Judd and goalkeeper Naomi Tapia,” Ellis said. “What they do doesn’t show up in the stat line, but as a team we couldn’t be successful without the foundation and leadership they provide.”

Ellis continued… “Like in life, balance is the key to our run at a state title, both mentally and in our playing style. Fortunately, our girls don’t really care about stat lines, which is why we have four girls in the top 10 of scoring and assists at different points this season. They just want to win trophies.”

Show Low awaits the play-in round results, which are Tuesday, Oct. 29.

NOTES

In the fall state play-in round, No. 3 Payson (14-4, 3-1 Central) hosts No. 6 St. Johns (9-8, 3-3 East) on Tuesday, Oct. 29. The Longhorns beat the Redskins 3-1 to open the season Aug. 27. Official start time is 6 p.m. … No. 4 Snowflake (13-5-2, 4-2 East) hosts No. 5 Blue Ridge (12-7, 4-2 East) at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29. Yellow Jackets' standout Myli Hamblin leads all state scorers with 43 goals this fall.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on X at @AzPreps365Brian or on Facebook at @Five2MediaWorks. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.