In a sport as complex as soccer, simply looking at the top scorers in a league or area is a silly way of determining who the best players truly are.
If the top scorer is also the leader in assists, it might be time to place that player securely in consideration for the best of the best.
And if that player plays anything like Northwestern Lehigh junior Sophia Schaffer, the answer becomes quite clear.
Schaffer checks all three of the boxes, and after another prolific statistical season of 57 goals and 37 assists, leading all players in the area in both categories, the University of Delaware commit is an obvious choice for The Morning Call’s 2025 girls soccer player of the year.
“It definitely means a lot. It’s really cool to be able to get these individual honors, but I think that it also reflects on our team this year,” Schaffer said. “I think that we had a really good group of girls with good chemistry and we also had an amazing coach this year as well. So, I think that’s ultimately what contributed to a bunch of my success.”
That level of humility is one of the many things Northwestern Lehigh coach Jordan Smith admired when discussing his star player who followed up Paige Bissell as the second consecutive Tiger to win the player of the year award.
“She’s more than just a player. She’s a gentle soul,” Northwestern Lehigh coach Jordan Smith said. “Her work ethic on a daily basis is what helps to contribute to just how good she is. One of my favorite things about her is that she’s coachable. I can be hard on her, and I don’t have to worry about her shutting down. If I need her to give more or be better, I can be real with her, and she takes that feedback and that motivates her.”
The Tigers, who expanded upon a perfect 28-0 season by winning their first 26 games of this season, setting a new state record for wins in a row (54), didn’t find themselves in many games that came down to the wire. They outscored opponents 170-10 during the season and only played three games that were decided by two goals or less.
Each time they needed their star player to step up, Schaffer rose to the occasion.
She scored the game-winning goal in overtime against Abington Heights, helping to cap a two-goal comeback in the final 10 minutes, and scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win in the district championship for the third consecutive season against Allentown Central Catholic. Schaffer also scored a pair of game-tying goals against Archbishop Wood in the state semifinal before her team lost in penalty kicks for their first loss since 2023.
These timely goals weren’t just a coincidence. They were the product of Schaffer’s mindset heading into her historic season.
“I think for me, something I can’t be afraid of is stepping up in those big moments and shying away from the spotlight. I think freshman year, I was a little bit more timid, and I didn’t really have any goals like that. Sophomore year, I do think that I stepped up more,” Schaffer said. “So, my goal coming into this year was just trying to be able to shine in those big moments and not let the pressure get to me. There’s so many great players that sometimes do let the pressure get to them and that was something I didn’t want to let happen this year.”
Even for a coach who is as composed and even-keeled on the sideline as anyone, Schaffer’s innate ability to consistently deliver provided Smith with even more comfort during tight contests.
“Something that makes her special is there’s no moment too big. She’s scoring in big games,” Smith said. “This is the third straight year she scored the long goal in a 1-0 district championship. She kind of picks her times, and that makes her super special because she’s composed in those big moments. Big games, little games, it doesn’t matter. She finds a way.”
Beyond elite speed, clutch plays, humility and so much more, Schaffer also possesses something that few top-level high school athletes still do: a loyalty to her high school program.
Too often, the appeal of club soccer or travel teams outweighs the high school season, and while Schaffer stars for one of the elite clubs in FC Delco, representing the Tigers holds a special place in her heart.
“I think it’s super important to show up during the summer league games and also the summer practices as well,” Schaffer said. “Just to kind of get adjusted to your team and start building that chemistry early. I’m going to continue to do that this year for my senior year.”
Schaffer will only continue to play at the highest level when she joins Emmaus junior Elizabeth Bender at the University of Delaware in the fall of 2027, which is the realization of a dream that goes way back for the future Blue Hen.
“I’ve been playing soccer, honestly, since I can remember,” Schaffer said. “It’s just something that’s always been in my life, and there wasn’t necessarily a time that I realized that I could play at the highest level. It was always something that was kind of embedded in my mind, and I did really want to do that and be able to play at a school where I can get a good education, but just being able to play soccer I love.”
After 199 goal contributions – 112 goals and 87 assists – in three years, Schaffer still has one more year to cement her legacy as not just one of the greatest local girls soccer players but also one of the state’s top all-time talents.
While this level of superhuman production would be a surprise to most, Smith identified early on that he had a special player and a special class of players ready to take the Tigers to the heights they are enjoying now.
“It was when I saw her play in eighth grade. I already knew,” Smith said on when he realized Schaffer’s talent. “The first time I had her and Kherington [Yezik], Dylan Ritter and Lexi Kercher, that group of now juniors, when I got a hold of them, I thought…wow. I had them when they were in eighth grade already playing on my varsity summer league team.
“I’ve known as soon as I saw her play for the very first time, before she even got to high school, and obviously, she’s made good on that word,” Smith said. “I actually remember texting her dad when she came to the eighth grade track clinic, and she did really well in that, and said, ‘Soccer isn’t going to be the only thing that she’s really good at.’”
Smith was right again as Schaffer now holds several school records in just two seasons of track and field, with Smith coaching her there as well, but there’s something different about her dominance on the soccer field.
Maybe it’s the fact that she scored 17 more goals than anyone else while also tallying the most assists. Maybe it’s the blazing speed and intelligent runs that allow her to score against the very best competition.
Or maybe it’s the fact that despite leading the area in total points for the second consecutive season, Schaffer still talks about her teammates and coaches far more than herself, despite having every reason to bask in her own greatness.
Regardless, her gratitude for those around her is a great example and evidence that her success in sports and in life is only getting started.
“I want to thank Kherington [Yezik]; she assisted me on so many of my goals this year, and I’m super thankful to have a teammate like her. She’s an amazing player and she definitely is a player that I owe a lot of my success to,” Schaffer said. “I also want to thank our seniors this year. They were amazing leaders, and they all embraced their roles and stepped up in those big moments. I’m so thankful for all of them.
“Liv [Reinhart] was able to get that 50 shutout milestone, which not a lot of keepers are able to do. Sofia [Sikora] was a great leader as well. When Marlyse got hurt, she adjusted to that center back position really well,” Schaffer continued. “Maddy Milks also stepped up big this year as well as Ava Snyder in the backline. I also want to thank coach Smith…I think a lot of us owe our success to him. I’m just so thankful to have him and our whole coaching staff. I’m super thankful for them all.”
Derek Bast is a freelance sports reporter who can be found on Twitter/X at @derek_bast or reached by email at derekbast11@gmail.com.
