15 girls Class of 2028 players to know for June 15

Payton Galuski committed to Penn State. (SH Photos)

Everything changes on June 15.

For the Class of 2028, it’s the first day Division 1 coaches can officially contact recruits — turning years of showcase performances, highlight reels and evaluations into real conversations.

The biggest strength of New England’s girls’ Class of 2028 is its depth. Multiple players have starred at the ECNL, Girls Academy and high school levels, garnering all-star recognition. Others have impressed internationally with youth national teams.

With recruiting about to open, plenty of local names generated buzz throughout the club and high school season and are poised to draw significant Division 1 interest.

Here are 15 Class of 2028 girls’ players to know.

Alexa Barajas

Forward | Club: Rhode Island Surf | High School: North Kingstown (R.I)

Despite tearing her ACL in March, Barajas remains one of the class’s most prized recruits. She scored 29 goals last fall, leading North Kingstown to the Rhode Island Division 1 title, and was called up to Mexico’s U-17 team before the injury. A spark plug on the ball, she’s a constant threat in the final third and an elite finisher with either foot.

Phoebe Catlin

Midfield | Club: Scorpions SC | High School: Thayer

Catlin opened the club season with a highlight left-footed goal at ECNL Florida and didn’t slow down. She became a key piece in the Scorpions’ 2010 midfield by winning balls aggressively, turning play upfield and connecting passes to forwards.

Catherine Chow

Midfield | Club: Scorpions SC | High School: Hopkinton (Mass.)

Chow’s ability to navigate tight spaces makes her a unique playmaker. She’s got a strong feel for the game, excellent footwork, and cerebral passing skills. This season, Chow split time between attacking and defensive midfield for the Scorpions 2009 team and started for Nicaragua at the U-17 Concacaf Qualifiers in Costa Rica.

Dahlia Cryan

Defense | Club: NEFC | High School: Bishop Feehan (Mass.)

Regarded as one of Girls Academy’s best defenders, Cryan is calm and composed against attackers, standing out as a 1v1 defender and ball-winner. She anchored NEFC’s 2010 Red team to a third-place finish last summer at the GA Finals and earned National ID honors.

Ashley Dimnaku

Midfield | Club: FC Stars Blue | High School: Phillips Andover

Following a New England Conference all-star season with Scorpions, Dimnaku quickly became a stabilizing force in the midfield for FC Stars Blue. Her ability to win back possession and defend with physicality helped the league champions allow just eight goals in 16 games.

Celia Frisoli

Forward | Club: Select SC | High School: Dexter Southfield

A frontrunner for New England Conference Player of the Year, Frisoli moves differently from everyone else on the field — a step faster, a tad quicker, more technical. She will be one of the top talents available when the window opens after helping Select’s 2009 team qualify for the Champions League.

Payton Galuski

Midfield | Club: FC Stars Blue | High School: Waterford-Halfmoon (N.Y.)

After making headlines by earning a spot on the New York boys’ all-state team last fall, Galuski enters the recruiting period with momentum. The all-star last week at ECNL North Carolina is an elite creator who fueled FC Stars Blue to a second straight Champions League bid.

Sam Horvat

Defense | Club: Select SC | High School: Dexter Southfield

Horvat is hard to miss. The speedy center back is all over the back line. She closes ground quickly, defends instinctively and is comfortable in possession, making her a versatile piece on Select’s 2010 team.

Ella Mullin

Midfield | Club: FC Stars Blue | High School: Mohonasen (N.Y.)

Strong and sturdy, Mullin is a true two-way midfielder who wins balls defensively and helps unlock attacks with her range, vision and technical ability. She’s a two-time U.S. Youth National Team camp invite and a reigning ECNL New England Conference all-star.

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Catherine Kilmartin

Defense | Club: FC Stars White | High School: Concord-Carlisle (Mass.)

Few regional defenders have stood out more on the national club scene than Kilmartin. At 5-foot-7, she dominates aerial duels and uses her size and strength to constantly win 1v1 battles. Kilmartin also has a track record of winning — having helped Concord-Carlisle reach the MIAA semifinals last fall and playing a big role in FC Stars White’s turnaround this spring.

Peighton Nash

Midfield/Defense | Club: Connecticut FC | High School: Foran (Conn.)

Nash is a jack of all trades. During the high school season, she recorded 14 goals and 13 assists at midfield to help Foran capture the CIAC Class M state title. During club season, Nash shifted to center back due to injuries. Her ability to read plays and lock down in isolated matchups there fueled CFC’s 2010 team to a postseason berth.

Georgie Stephenson

Forward | Club: Seacoast United | High School: Miss Porter’s

After earning All-American honors last fall for Maine state champion Bangor, Stephenson has transferred to Miss Porter’s and will be a top attacking threat this fall for the reigning NEPSAC Class A champions. She’s a dynamic goal-scorer, highlighted by her four-goal performance in the Maine Class A state semifinals and game-winner in the championship match.

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Grace Sullivan

Midfield | Club: NEFC | High School: Wellesley (Mass.)

Sullivan contributed as a freshman during Wellesley’s march to the MIAA title and has developed into a program pillar at center back. Her competitiveness and motor help her thrive in isolated matchups against top strikers. At NEFC, Sullivan was New England’s only player selected to the Girls Academy Generation adidas Cup All-Star team in March.

Sara Wicker

Forward | Club: Connecticut FC | High School: St. Joseph (Conn.)

During a breakout spring season, the 5-foot-9 Wicker stood out at national showcases in Arizona and North Carolina. Wicker’s speed and creativity allow her to stretch defenses and beat defenders on the wing, where her powerful shot and improved playmaking ability stand out.

Kylah Wood

Forward | Club: Connecticut FC | High School: South Windsor (Conn.)

Wood is an explosive attacker who goes right at defenders and beats them with technicality and physicality. She’s also one of the best finishers in the class, as evidenced by her hat trick against East Meadow to close out the regular season. Wood was one of two underclassmen from the CIAC named to the All-New England team last fall.