Who is North Jersey's best girls soccer player ever? VOTE!

Who is the best girls soccer player from North Jersey?

>Let the debate begin.

>As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY Sports will celebrate the 250 greatest American sports figures of all time. Alongside that national recognition, the USA TODAY Network will spotlight the roots of the country’s sports culture: the high school athletes and sports figures who shaped communities.

>These are our selections for the girls soccer players who defined North Jersey. The players (listed in alphabetical order) were all standout players at the high school level before moving on to even greater heights at the collegiate and professional levels.

>We even saved a spot for you to write-in a candidate that we may have overlooked or that you feel strongly about.

Jean Brawn, Indian Hills (Class of 1981)Brawn was one of North Jersey’s earliest scoring phenoms, setting a then‑county record with 86 career goals despite playing only three varsity seasons because Indian Hills didn’t launch a girls program until her sophomore year. She led the state with 47 goals as a senior and collected 27 assists to push the Braves to the overall state championship in the first year the NJSIAA ran the tournament. That season, Brawn was selected to the inaugural All‑American girls soccer team.

Morgan Busacca, Northern Highlands (Class of 2016)Busacca was a steady outside back during one of the most dominant stretches in state history. The Upper Saddle River native led the Highlanders to three Group 3 titles, three county crowns and a 91‑2‑2 record. She was named North Jersey Player of the Year as a senior after bolstering a defense that allowed six goals in 48 games over her last two seasons.

Nickolette Driesse, Wayne Hills (Class of 2013)Driesse excelled in the midfield for Wayne Hills, totaling 88 goals and 41 assists while guiding the Patriots to two Passaic County titles. She trained with the U.S. U‑18 national team and helped Wayne Hills post a 63‑11‑5 record during her four‑year run. Now an assistant coach at NYU, Driesse captured national championships as a player at Penn State and Florida State.

Wendy Hartwig, Ridgewood (Class of 1994)Hartwig emerged as one of the most dangerous scorers of the early ’90s, delivering Ridgewood its first county championship as a senior. Although she lost most of her junior season to a knee injury, she still piled up a school‑record 110 goals to go with 49 assists. She was twice selected to the Parade Magazine All‑America team and later earned a place on The Record’s All‑Century squad.

Nikki Krzysik, Clifton (Class of 2005)Krzysik transformed Clifton from a program that had never reached the state tournament into a perennial contender, collecting three county titles and a sectional crown. She graduated with school records of 51 goals and 35 assists even after missing much of her senior year to train with the U.S. U‑19 national team. The All‑American midfielder was later named North Jersey’s Player of the Decade for the 2000s.

Erin Lautermilch, Glen Rock (Class of 1998)Lautermilch was the defensive backbone of a Glen Rock dynasty, helping the Panthers share three state titles from her sophomore year on. A three‑time All‑State selection, Lautermilch started at sweeper all four years on a program that combined to go 78-7-7. She continued her playing days at Elon.

Lizzie Reed, Ramapo (Class of 2003)Reed was a three-time All-State player who became one of the most decorated stars under legendary coach Paul Heenehan. She tallied 120 goals and 53 assists between time at midfield and forward while lifting Ramapo to four sectional titles and a county crown. Reed trained with U.S. youth national teams and later won a national championship at Notre Dame.

Clare Shea, Northern Highlands (Class of 2014)Shea never lost a match from her sophomore season on, piling up 80 goals and 23 assists from the midfield as the Highlanders shattered the state record for consecutive wins. She closed her high school career with a third state title on the way to being named the NSCAA National Player of the Year. She went on to play at Army West Point.

Stephanie Smith, Ramapo (Class of 1999)Smith powered Ramapo to a staggering 94‑3‑2 record during her four years and rewrote the school’s scoring records with 165 goals. She erupted for 58 goals as a senior as the Raiders secured their third straight county and Group 3 championships. Smith is still North Jersey’s all‑time leading scorer and ranks among the top in state history.

Marisa Suarez, Immaculate Heart (Class of 2002)Suarez was a four‑year starter in goal who backstopped IHA to its first two state titles and first two county championships. She proved to be nearly unbeatable, earning 45 shutouts and career win-loss record of 88‑5. The Carlstadt native made the All-State team three times.

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