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It started as a typical Tuesday morning for Maddie DiMaria.
The standout soccer star for Cor Jesu Academy (St. Louis, Missouri) had her morning workout with her father, then headed to Starbucks for her usual post-workout Iced Vanilla Latte.
Little did DiMaria know that her father was hiding a major secret from her. When she arrived on campus to pick up her ring for the third state title with the Chargers, something felt off to DiMaria.
It turns out she is in for a surprise announcement that she was named the 2025-26 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year.
"He kept it a total secret," DiMaria said of her father. "I had no idea until I saw my coach outside and then I checked my family's location, and I thought, 'That's weird.' And then I walked through the door and everyone was there."
DiMaria also received a surprise video call from Chicago Stars FC forward and 2014-15 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year Mallory Swanson.
"I was totally surprised this morning. I had no clue it was happening," DiMaria said. "I feel like I should have known because I won my freshman year. But I was completely shocked, totally excited, everyone coming down the stairs and seeing my teammates, my family and coaches, just the trophy itself.
"I think it was the most surreal feeling and I really can't put it into words, but it was the best surprise ever."
In her senior season, DiMaria led the Chargers to a perfect 25-0 record and a Class 4 state championship. It was the third state title of her illustrious high school career.
In her final season, she scored 67 goals and added 25 assists, which included a hat trick in the state championship game.
“Now that her high school career has ended, Maddie DiMaria’s accomplishments place her among the elite players to ever compete at this level,” Prep Soccer National Analyst JR Eskilson said. “There are plenty of superlatives to describe her game, but ‘fiercely competitive’ may be most fitting. Constantly surrounded by defenders, she never appeared frustrated by the attention but instead embraced the challenge. She became a more complete goal-scorer this season.
"The ruthless mentality in front of net was always present, but her ability to win aerial duels, finish through traffic and perfectly time her runs highlighted a new level to her game. She consistently delivered in the biggest moments.”
The 5-foot-7 forward was also the 2023-24 Gatorade National Soccer Player of the Year, a three-time Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year and a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-American selection. DiMaria helped Team USA win a Gold medal with the U-15 age group at the 2025 CONCACAF Championships.
"It's been the best three years of my life," DiMaria said. "Just such a cool opportunity to go out there, play soccer, develop both on and off of it, just have the most fun ever, win so much and lift those three state titles.
"It's the perfect end to a beautiful chapter," DiMaria added.
DiMaria heads to UNC ranked as the nation’s No. 1 recruit in her class by PrepSoccer and TopDrawerSoccer. She joins a Tar Heels program that has won 23 national titles, with the last coming in 2024.
She said it was a single visit last November that helped her lock in her decision to attend North Carolina.
"I went for a visit and honestly fell in love with it," DiMaria said. "The coaches are exactly what I am looking for, genuine, kind, but will also push you both on and off the field."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gatorade announces 2025-26 National Girls Soccer Player of the Year
Continue reading...
The standout soccer star for Cor Jesu Academy (St. Louis, Missouri) had her morning workout with her father, then headed to Starbucks for her usual post-workout Iced Vanilla Latte.
Little did DiMaria know that her father was hiding a major secret from her. When she arrived on campus to pick up her ring for the third state title with the Chargers, something felt off to DiMaria.
It turns out she is in for a surprise announcement that she was named the 2025-26 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year.
"He kept it a total secret," DiMaria said of her father. "I had no idea until I saw my coach outside and then I checked my family's location, and I thought, 'That's weird.' And then I walked through the door and everyone was there."
DiMaria also received a surprise video call from Chicago Stars FC forward and 2014-15 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year Mallory Swanson.
"I was totally surprised this morning. I had no clue it was happening," DiMaria said. "I feel like I should have known because I won my freshman year. But I was completely shocked, totally excited, everyone coming down the stairs and seeing my teammates, my family and coaches, just the trophy itself.
"I think it was the most surreal feeling and I really can't put it into words, but it was the best surprise ever."
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In her senior season, DiMaria led the Chargers to a perfect 25-0 record and a Class 4 state championship. It was the third state title of her illustrious high school career.
In her final season, she scored 67 goals and added 25 assists, which included a hat trick in the state championship game.
“Now that her high school career has ended, Maddie DiMaria’s accomplishments place her among the elite players to ever compete at this level,” Prep Soccer National Analyst JR Eskilson said. “There are plenty of superlatives to describe her game, but ‘fiercely competitive’ may be most fitting. Constantly surrounded by defenders, she never appeared frustrated by the attention but instead embraced the challenge. She became a more complete goal-scorer this season.
"The ruthless mentality in front of net was always present, but her ability to win aerial duels, finish through traffic and perfectly time her runs highlighted a new level to her game. She consistently delivered in the biggest moments.”
The 5-foot-7 forward was also the 2023-24 Gatorade National Soccer Player of the Year, a three-time Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year and a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-American selection. DiMaria helped Team USA win a Gold medal with the U-15 age group at the 2025 CONCACAF Championships.
"It's been the best three years of my life," DiMaria said. "Just such a cool opportunity to go out there, play soccer, develop both on and off of it, just have the most fun ever, win so much and lift those three state titles.
"It's the perfect end to a beautiful chapter," DiMaria added.
DiMaria heads to UNC ranked as the nation’s No. 1 recruit in her class by PrepSoccer and TopDrawerSoccer. She joins a Tar Heels program that has won 23 national titles, with the last coming in 2024.
She said it was a single visit last November that helped her lock in her decision to attend North Carolina.
"I went for a visit and honestly fell in love with it," DiMaria said. "The coaches are exactly what I am looking for, genuine, kind, but will also push you both on and off the field."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gatorade announces 2025-26 National Girls Soccer Player of the Year
Continue reading...
