The 2026 campaign was another successful one for Highland Park’s girls soccer team.
The Lady Scots returned to the playoffs yet again out of a talented District 12-5A and advanced to the area round of the postseason before bowing out against eventual state-finalist Prosper Walnut Grove.
Recently, members of HP’s squad were rewarded for their strong seasons with spots on the 12-5A all-district team, including four first-team selections and a superlative winner.
“I was really proud of the girls this year,” said Chad Hobbs, HP head coach. “We challenged ourselves early and throughout the season. We started the season playing Round Rock to a tie, and it wound up making the state final in 6A. And we had tough matches throughout district and were still able to make it to the playoffs.
“Facing Walnut Grove in the second round was tough, but we were right there with them. It was just an unfortunate draw, and the girls showed their talent and competitiveness with those results against some of the best teams in the state.”
HP’s superlative honor was achieved by sophomore Lauren Dyer, who was named Co-Comeback Player of the Year after returning from an ACL injury during her freshman season.
“To have to sit out a whole season and come back and play the way she did was impressive,” Hobbs said. “Especially when you consider it was her freshman year she missed. She played great at forward for us all season and was a big reason for our offensive success.”
Another key cog on the attack for HP was underclassman Londy Hutchinson, who earned first-team accolades.
HP’s leading scorer, Hutchinson was squarely in the mix for Newcomer of the Year as a freshman.
“She really came in and acclimated herself,” Hobbs said. “She scored a bunch of goals and helped create many others. Londy is just so calm on the ball. I was expecting her to have a big impact for us, but I don’t think I was expecting her to be that level of a scorer so soon.”
Additional first team members from HP were sophomores Wynn Ellis and Maiya Kay and junior Pearl Deskin.
After filling a void at right-back as a freshman, Ellis transitioned to her more natural position of center-back and thrived.
Kay, meanwhile, provided a high work rate and was the link between the back and front at midfield for the Lady Scots.
Deskin, a junior, was also a key midfielder and captain. She was critical to HP’s success due to her ability to play multiple positions.
“She brought increased energy and work rate and was an enforcer for us,” Hobbs said. “She moved around where we needed and really complimented Maiya in the midfield.”
Pearl’s sister, Maggie, earned all-district honors, making second team at midfield as a sophomore.
Senior goalie Taylor Cook and senior midfielder Whitney Gross were also named to the second team.
Rounding out the HP players on the squad with honorable mentions were senior forward Adeline Jacobs, sophomore forward Anna Heinrich, and freshman defender Saylor Stock.
“A lot of the players we had selected will be coming back for us,” Hobbs said. “We’re going to have another competitive group and it’s going to be an exciting year.”
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