Every girls soccer team wants to hoist a Gold Ball, but only five will get to do so when the state championships are decided Nov. 8.

There are high expectations for each region’s top seed, but they will be challenged in the postseason. At this point, all the details matter and close games can swing in an instant.

Here are some players that can make those game-changing plays over the next two weeks.

Julianna Allen, Mt. Ararat senior midfielder: Well-known as a scorer, Allen has improved her facilitating tremendously this season, which has helped the third-seeded Eagles average 5.4 goals per game against A North opponents.

Lucy Belesca, Yarmouth junior defender: The Clippers’ athletic center back has helped the B South second seed post 10 shutouts in 14 games, including eight against regional opponents.

Celia Bergdahl, Maranacook senior midfielder: A veteran starter with lots of C South playoff experience, Bergdahl scored the winning goal for the top-seeded Black Bears in the MVC championship game against Mt. Abram.

Shay Charsky, Scarborough senior defender: Charsky is central to the Red Storm’s defensive spine as the A South top seed and three-time defending regional champion allowed just four goals in 2025.

Chloe Fox, Medomak Valley senior goalkeeper: Fox and the top-seeded Panthers (12-0-2) come into the B North playoff picture on a five-game shutout streak and have only allowed six goals all season.

Lydia Herrick, Skowhegan sophomore forward: A team-high 17 goals from Herrick helped the River Hawks to a historic season as the No. 5 seed in B North. She scored and assisted in the preliminary-round win over No. 12 Cony.

Neve Ledbetter, Windham senior midfielder: Ledbetter has seven goals in eight games against the remaining A South playoff teams this season. The No. 3-seeded Eagles will rely on her speed and shot creation.

Noelle Mallory, Cape Elizabeth senior forward: The undefeated Capers will not be an easy out as the B South top seed, especially if Mallory, the program’s all-time leading goal scorer, continues to finish strong at the net and draw defenders from her high-scoring teammates.

Jordan Nash, North Yarmouth Academy senior goalkeeper: The defending state champion is 6-0 against Class C South opponents and Nash has only allowed three goals in those matches for the No. 2 seed.

Aubrey Swift, Richmond sophomore wing: Swift closed the last four games of the season with 10 goals. The No. 2 seeded Bobcats (14-0) scored 71 goals against 8-person South opponents.