August 12, 2026
Wisconsin senior Megan Cornell snags Lake Shore’s Defensive Player of the Year after leading a defense that helped Bavarian United SC record a no-loss regular season season and extended its unbeaten streak to 16 games with its last loss on June 3, 2025. Cornell secured four shutouts for the Bavarian en route to its second-place conference finish.
Texas Tech freshman Lauren Alvarez was named Defensive Player of the Year for the Lone Star Conference after helping FC Dallas Women go unbeaten in seven consecutive games, including two shutouts. Alvarez will kick off her collegiate career with the Red Raiders this Fall.
After picking up her third All-Conference Best XI selection in five seasons, Caroline Kelley earns her first Defensive Player of the Year award for the Gateway Division. Kelley’s defensive efforts helped FC Pride record its best goals against average in six seasons, while recording two shutouts. Kelley kicks off her senior season with IU Indy this Fall.
Team captain Itala Gemelli adds Heartland Division Defensive Player of the Year to her 2026 WPSL accolades after being named to All-Conference Best XI, All-Region, and All-National teams en route to capturing the WPSL Championship with Kansas City Current II. Gemelli helped Current II record a 0.6 goals against average and nine shutouts, which did not allow a single goal in postseason play. The former Alabama and Dayton defender recently signed a short term contract Kansas City Current’s first team.
High school defender Siena Sanchez led Minnesota Thunder to a Northern Conference title on the strength of six shutouts, allowing just three goals in eight games, to capture the Defensive Player of the Year for the Northern Conference.
