The Gatorade State Girls Soccer Players of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.
For a list of the other Gatorade State girls Soccer Players of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Kelly Maday
THE BASICS
School: New Trier (Winnetka, Ill.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward
Height: 5-foot-6
Athletic achievement: She has led the Trevians to a 20-3-1 record entering the Class 3A New Trier Regional tournament semifinals against Maine East High, scheduled for May 17. Maday has scored 13 goals and passed for 13 assists despite missing eight games with an ankle injury. A two-time Class 3A All-State selection, Maday and the Trevians are seeking their third straight Class 3A state championship. She enters the regional semis with 65 goals and 65 assists in her prep soccer career.
Academic excellence: Maday has maintained a weighted 3.53 GPA. S
Exemplary character: he has volunteered locally at a homeless shelter and as a youth soccer coach. She also serves as a junior board member of Misericordia, a home for people with developmental and physical disabilities in Chicago.
THE PRAISE
“Kelly Maday is an extremely talented player and you always need to know where she is on the field,” said Brett Clish, head coach of Niles West High. “She is dangerous because of her speed and touch with the ball. If she has a slight opening, she will take advantage of it.”
THE FUTURE: Maday has signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer on an athletic scholarship at the University of Illinois beginning this fall.