All three divisions in the DODEA European girls soccer scene look eerily similar heading into the 2025 campaign.

Last year’s champions — Ramstein in Division I, Naples in Division II and AFNORTH in Division III — lost a lot of talent. Yet all three schools bring back enough that they still are considered favorites to repeat — or in the Wildcats’ case, go for a third-straight title.

And in all three tiers, rivals just as easily could spoil their parties.

In Division I, Stuttgart, last year’s runner-up, has plenty of questions but also could be there at the end, while Kaiserslautern, Lakenheath and Wiesbaden are waiting in the wings.

In Division II, Vicenza is hungry after losing in the final and brings back its All-European central defense. A few others could make some noise if they could find goal scorers.

Then, in Division III, Sigonella always is in contention, while upstart Ansbach has one of the largest groups of returners in Europe.

All will be clear after the European championships May 19-22 in the Kaiserslautern Military Community.

Here’s a team-by-team look based off responses from coaches:

Division I

Kaiserslautern

The scheduling gods haven’t been kind to the Raiders. They open their season against the top two teams from last spring — Ramstein on Thursday and then Stuttgart on Saturday.

Yet Maggie Phillips, stepping into the head-coaching position after two years as an assistant, said her girls will be ready for those challenges as well as improving upon their third-place finish last spring.

Kaiserslautern will turn to the leadership of its two captains, senior Georgia Rawcliffe and Ryann Phillips. Both midfielders made the all-tournament and All-Europe second teams.

Also returning are seniors Ava Gin, Sydney Hodge, Tinuke Robert and Mikayla Dela Cruz; juniors Marisol Baltazar, Audrey Patterson, Addison Dawson, Jada Hollis and Kristine Svendsen; and sophomore Addison Stotz.

Junior Hannah Pratt transferred from Vicenza. Sophomore MaiLinh Guckeyson and freshmen Sophie Pezel, Claire Coss, Layla Fleishman and twins Lola and Bailey Wesseler make up the rest of the roster.

Lakenheath

Coach Andrew Smith is setting high expectations for his Lancers after taking fifth last spring.

Sure, the back line is going to be brand new, but the midfield and attack are expected to be strengths.

Senior co-captains Peyton Caranta and Zey Vargas lead the team from the midfield. Sophomore winger Megan Smith paced the team in goals last year and will team up with junior striker Hannah Mallorca up top.

Sophomore Taylor Gager Clark is back as the team’s shot stopper.

Smith will pair “exciting” freshman Jessica Vogt with Caranta and Vargas in the midfield. Freshman Leila Olmos plays left wing, and sophomore transfer Alice Moore is expected to carve out a role.

The rest of the new players have a focus on defense. Sophomore center backs Yulianna Petrich and Anabella Potenzone move up from the JV squad. Freshman Kaliana Carson also lines up at center back, sophomore Kaysie Hendricks can line up in midfield and defense and senior Lizzy Petrich came out to the squad this season.

Ramstein

The Royals may have lost their entire defense from their championship squad, but coach Frances Watson has seen enough in the preseason to believe her team will compete for a European title yet again.

Ramstein brings back a key piece in sharpshooter Claire Boynton. The senior scored by the bucketfuls last season en route to all-tournament and first-team All-European honors.

Fellow senior Kyndra Brown comes back after a second-team All-Europe selection as a defensive midfielder.

Other returners are sophomore Bailey Bennett in goal, senior left back Abigail Bennett, Grayen Canady, junior midfielders Olivia Davis and Isabelle Donkin, Chloe Dorado, sophomore left winger Kayla Groat, senior center back Nailya McLeish, Alejandra Munera, sophomore right winger Audrey Singer and Ava Smith.

New to the varsity team are Stella Alderink, Kylie Ascherl, Claire Larsen, Reese Monson and Aviella Pope.

Stuttgart

Coach John Bowman has a struggle on his hands, trying to figure out the team’s entire defense between the back line and goalkeeper.

The Panthers do bring back a pair with postseason honors elsewhere on the field. Senior midfielder Eva Eaton not only made the all-tournament team but also first-team All-Europe. Junior attacker Regan Stewart earned a spot on the Division I all-tournament team.

Senior Clara Thompson will play a role, while sophomores Maddie Fleming and Sienna Ingle are expected to pick up more of the offensive load.

Vilseck

First-year coach John Switala is looking for improvement for the Falcons, who didn’t win a single league game last season.

Switala said he anticipates the team to be more competitive this spring.

He has a handful of returners, but many are new to the sport.

Wiesbaden

Coach Tabitha Wildermuth’s charges took a step forward during the regular season before falling to fourth in the tournament.

The Wiesbaden mentor isn’t focused too much on taking the next step and contending for a European crown — not at least in the beginning of the season. She said she hopes the Warriors hit their stride late.

Wiesbaden does bring back a solid group of seniors in center back Hannah Buchheit, attacking midfielders Katie Shea and Maira Valdez, right winger Lillian Fuller and goalkeeper Meghan McConville. Juniors Eva Laurel Plucker (center back/right back) and Sara Priet (right back/central defensive midfielder) round out the returners.

Junior attacker Amanda Shea jumps up from the JV squad, as do junior wingers Lillian Lovern and Alexis Luneke. Bailey Foulk is expected to play at right back.

Sophomores Emily Arocan and Jocelyn Browne will see time at left back, while Browne can play center back, too. Sophomore Marlena Brown slots into defensive midfield and freshmen Addison Price and Krissia Alexa Sienes add to the attack at striker and attacking midfielder, respectively.

Division II

American Overseas School of Rome

Coach Daniel Zacaroli has set his sights high for the Falcons — to play May 22 as one of the top four teams in the division.

That would be an improvement over AOSR’s fifth-place finish in 2024.

To do that, the Falcons will lean on the play of junior central midfielder Silvia Goldman, who made the all-tournament team last spring. She is one of six returning starters — junior winger Zine Khan, junior center back Laila Lester, sophomore defenders Rhyanna Rispoli and Valentina Guida and sophomore forward Gloria Olivieri.

Other returners include senior winger Hannah Knudson, junior defenders Evelyn Campbell and Amit Kienan, sophomore wingers Arianna Reale and Charlotte Burges-Sims, sophomore forwards Rebecca Conchaud and Sara Morales, and goalkeepers Gwen Mowry and Rosalyn Flowers.

A pair of promising freshmen in Julia Gazulis and Gabriella Cioe will slot into the starting lineup in central midfield. And first-time goalkeeper Elisa Gaeta, a sophomore, joins the squad.

Aviano

The Saints struggled offensively last spring, scoring just six goals.

Coach Sarah Hartman anticipates her players greatly increasing that number in 2025, and because of that she is optimistic Aviano will improve upon its sixth-place finish.

Half of last year’s scoring is back with midfielder/forward Briley Trimble (two) and midfielder Ily Zamora (one).

Those two are part of a core of eight returners. Paige Rogers plays a key role in net after posting a 76% save percentage.

Others are midfielder/forward Danielle Bean, midfielder Mia Davila, defender/forward Emma Foulsham and defenders Luka Poulter and Nevaeh Zamora.

Bahrain

Speaking of scoring problems, the Falcons posted a negative-24 goal differential over nine matches in 2024 — only because they didn’t find the back of the net.

According to coach Chad Shyrock, it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Bahrain just couldn’t finish its chances. He said that will be the team’s biggest challenge this season as well.

To be more dynamic in the final third, the Falcons will turn to a mix of returning midfielders that includes sophomore Mitali Madan and junior Kena Aperauch, as well as sophomore newcomers Valerie and Zoe Abi-Habib (forward/winger) and Isabella May (forward/midfielder).

Defensively, Bahrain brings back a strong defensive core that allowed 2.67 goals per match. It starts with senior goalkeeper Jayda Miller, who made the all-tournament team. Sophomore Jade Courts and junior Janessa Brown provide leadership and stability in central defense, while senior Jasmin Courts and junior Jade Alghalib will bomb forward from their wingback positions to help in attack as well as handle their defensive duties.

New to the team are senior Jude Zareef (midfielder); juniors Noora Megahed (defender), Hanaah Oshin (forward/winger) and Hannah Lamb (midfielder); sophomores Maddie Barnard (midfielder), Gulalai Javed (midfielder), Sahar Guerouache (midfielder/defender) and Matilde Sousa (midfielder); and freshmen Ruby Williams (midfielder/defender), Sera St. Germain (midfielder) and Savanaah Oshin (forward/winger).

Black Forest Academy

The Falcons enter a rebuilding year under first-year coach Jack Willson.

Returning for BFA are midfielders India Atchley and Anna Yancey, goalkeeper Natalie Lawrence, defender Soo Lee and attacker Micah Gable. One newcomer expected to make an impact is midfielder Madi Williford.

Marymount

Phil Davis takes over a young Royal squad that he expects to surprise teams at the European championships.

Marymount brings back both goalkeepers from last year in senior Eleanore Celea and sophomore Feven Samson. The Royals also have depth in midfield with seniors Ella Ingsholt and Giorgia Gariglio and sophomore Rewina Haile.

Senior Farah Khalifa has experience in defense, while sophomore Reemee Mashidi played attacker. Other returners are junior Jamin Casaccia and sophomore Anastasia Napolitano and Aali Lodhi.

New to the team are freshmen Solaia Tamas, Katia Chen, Ann Nguyen, Olivia Ruiz, Maeva Wakiaga Madeline Cucchi, Sana Driss and Kim Jienn.

Naples

First-year coach Maria Oropallo calls Naples’ quest for another crown “reclaiming” instead of searching for a three-peat.

The Wildcats lost plenty of firepower from their last two championship squads, including from last year’s juggernaut that produced 63 goals.

Nineteen of those goals were scored by players returning this season. Junior winger Emerson Shorey recorded 13 goals, senior midfielder Jazmin Miranda chipped in four and junior midfielder Emma Heavey had two.

Senior Ava Williams also returns at striker to help fill the void left by VaNae Filer, while junior Noya Dillard is expected to play at goalkeeper.

A host of newcomers already have the coach excited. Seniors Keliah Mattivi and Ariyana Pablo lead that group. Juniors Madison Klimis and Audrey Pounds boost the upperclassmen count to nine.

Madison’s sister, Abigail Klimis, is part of a sophomore group that includes Melodee Hodosky, Audrey Matera and Addison Jolly. Freshmen who could make their marks on the team are Amalia Selph, Sophie Garcia, Lexi Fegette and Mia Randazzo.

Vicenza

The Cougars are looking to take the next step after falling to Naples in the final. In fact, coach Philip Paniagua said his players have circled their regular-season matches against the Wildcats this season, after they handed Vicenza its lone two losses on the season.

Leading the way are first-team All-European and all-tournament honorees in seniors Avonlea Sparling and Dariadna Lopez-Nieves, both in defense. Senior forward Maya Fitch, senior midfielders Julia Rudy and Keira Mukai and sophomore forward Natalia Lopez also are back.

New to the team are Lexie Pollard, Jenina Smith, Kelsie Torgesen, Allie Torgesen, Emily Vallejo-Rodriguez, Yareli Telles, Selma Morgan, Trishauna Lewis and Yamitlernys Silva-Vasquez.

Division III

AFNORTH

The Lions won their first European title in decades last year, but if they wish to repeat, they will have to do so without many of the stars who helped them to glory.

Coach Christy Wise has five coming back — two each in attack and midfield and one in defense. She said AFNORTH has high hopes after seeing the leadership from those returners teaching their new teammates the game.

Ansbach

Coach Rene Lovallo said the goals this season are to be more competitive and collect more wins than last year.

All-tournament goalkeeper Kennedy Lange headlines a large group of returners. Included in that list are defenders Victoria Ortiz and Oli Cormier; midfielders Abi Castillo, Madi Cobbett, Connie Mundo, Emilia Tollefson and Busi Ndleleni; and forward Zoey Pulley.

New to the team are senior Emma Gross; juniors Mya Henderson and Avery McDougall; sophomores Marga Marzan and Cloe Sutherland; and freshmen Bailey Eickmeyer, Savannah Lindquist, Brighton Powell, Zoey Stubbs and Sonora Tollefson.

Brussels

Coach Charlotte Geehreng called her team young. Yet with nine returners, the Brigands are expecting to build off last year’s third-place finish.

Leading the way is second-team All-European goalkeeper Lucia Martinez, who’s back for her final season. Also coming back are senior midfielder Kate Baird; junior strikers Adrianne Chezik, Emilie Isaacson and Nino Kapanadze; sophomore defenders Sonia Desir and Taegan Muller; and sophomore midfielders Braya Forrest and Grace Swan.

New are seniors Nora Gibbons and Madi Hales; juniors Arianna Harrison and Chrysoula Karakonstanti; sophomores Madina Abduganieva, Oydin Abdukarimova and Arina Parvan; and freshmen Nohelani Alo, Irelynn Harvey, Ana Postic, Alyssa Rogers and Anastsija Vailevska.

Sigonella

Coach Andy Reardon expects the Jaguars to be competitive once again despite most veterans being underclassmen.

Whether that leads Sigonella back to the top after losing the final in 2024 depends on if the leadership can bring the newcomers along.

Two all-tournament selections in senior striker Charlize Caro and junior Madison Hoy combined for 14 goals and nine assists last season, and they are back. Caro also received first-team All-European honors.

Other veterans are junior Raegan Cayce and sophomores Meghan Nguyen, Claire Martinsen, Arabella Jones, Erica Avila and Aubri D’Hondt.

Joining the squad this year are seniors Katie Balbo, Gigi Gehring, Nea Hedenstrom and Ashlynn Frangella; junior Victoria Calleja; sophomore Patrycja Kaczmarek; and freshmen Katelyn Holman and Summer Planitz.

Spangdahlem

The Sentinel program is revived after playing with the boys as a coed team.

Four players — junior central midfielder Lexi Lauer, junior right forward Aniya Robinson, junior center back Lauren Weyland and senior right wing back Lena Maassen — were a part that experience and will play a key role this season. Lauer will wear the captain’s armband, while Robinson is the team’s assistant captain.

Joining the team are two transfers in juniors Kylie McVey and Rebecca Tremel. The rest on the roster — Emma Barnes, Kristianne Colley, Yelena Dungca, Embry Zugelda, Alexis Nunez, Cadence Tucker, Bellah Sanchez, Amaya Hutchinson, Makayla Atkin, Leilah Mullen and Trinity Williams — are all freshmen.

K-town Sports

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