Madeline DiMaria of CorJesu Academy High School in Missouri made history this morning as the first freshman to win the Gatorade Girls National Player of the Year award. The rookie phenom recorded 30 goals and 21 assists to lead the Chargers to a 21-4 record and state championship.

In her interview with TopDrawerSoccer, DiMaria was quick to credit the environment and community of CorJesu as a central influence in her success.

“I owe it all to my friends, teammates, and coaches here at CorJesu. They really set it up and made it something that was even possible . . . It’s always been a goal to win a state championship, but this is another level, and I am just very grateful and honored that I could even be here today.”

It is the latest honor for the U.S. U15 national team star and her family of soccer royalty. DiMaria’s grandfather is in the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame, her father played in MLS and at Saint Louis, her mother played at CorJesu and is second in Division I Loyola-Chicago record books for career assists. Her older sister stars for the Missouri Tigers, and another brother is in the St. Louis SC MLS Next academy, committed to play at SLU in 2025.

DiMaria spoke highly of that familial support system and its impact on her young career. “They’ve always pushed me to be the best version of myself on and off the field. We’ve always played soccer in the backyard together, and I’ve grown up with them supporting me always.”

To conclude her summer, the No. 1 ranked recruit in the TDS 2027 class will take on the ECNL playoffs as a U14 player competing two years up with the St. Louis Scott Gallagher U16 team.

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