ST. LOUIS — Cor Jesu Academy freshman Maddie DiMaria was named the 2023-24 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year.
The award celebrates the nation's top high school athletes for excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community, a press release said.
DiMaria was the first player to be chosen from Cor Jesu and the first freshman to win the award.
The forward and midfielder led the Cor Jesu Chargers to a 21-4 record and the Class 3 Missouri State Championship this past season. She recorded 30 goals and 21 assists, two goals and one assist coming in the championship win over Rockwood Summit High.
"Maddie DiMaria’s historic freshman season was a perfect example of what makes her such a special talent. Ruthlessly efficient on the attack and fiercely competitive, she did what her team needed in order to win, supplying goals, assists and everything else to help her side hang a state championship banner," National Analyst for PrepSoccer.com J.R. Eskllson said. "DiMaria’s play frustrated opposing coaches as she was always a step or three ahead of the competition. Driven to improve her game, DiMaria showcased goal-scoring ability with her left foot this season that made many question which one was her dominant side. She was utterly unstoppable on the pitch.”
DiMaria is also a member of the U.S. Soccer Under-15 Women's National Team and is ranked by PrepSoccer.com as the nation's No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2027.
She is a member of the school's choir, Green Team Club and has served as a Cor Jesu Shadow Guide for prospective students. DiMaria has also volunteered with Christian Action Reaching Everyone and the Special Needs Soccer Association.
She has maintained an unweighted 4.18 GPA and will begin her sophomore year of high school this fall, the release said.
Click here to learn more about Maddie DiMaria and the Gatorade National Player of the Year Awards.