In May, New Trier’s Emma Weaver was named to the inaugural Allstate All-American high school soccer team, which honors the 250 best high school players in the country. She was one of only two Illinois players to make the team.

Weaver followed that up in June, when she was dubbed the Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year after leading New Trier Girls Soccer to a 3rd-place finish in the state.

“I was so honored to be named All-American,” said Weaver, who had 33 goals and 13 assists as a forward last season. “To be considered one of the best high school players in America is unreal to me. I am blessed to even be recognized as one of the best in this state but to be player of the year was such an amazing honor. I wouldn’t have done it without the help of my incredible teammates and of course coaches at New Trier.”

Weaver credits the team’s closeness as a reason for her success.

“[NTGS] is such a special family to be a part of… having such an encouraging team makes playing soccer so much fun. My teammates are like sisters to me. I can talk to [the coaches] about my day and not just soccer. I wouldn’t be the player I am today without the constant support I have from teammates cheering me on and making those passes that put me in front of the goal,” said Weaver.

Weaver’s three older siblings, all D1 athletes and former New Trier standouts, have strongly influenced her love for sports. Her brother Logan, a 2019 New Trier graduate, now plays soccer at Northwestern. Her sister Jessica played soccer at DePaul. And her sister Claire is a senior field hockey player at Villanova.

“My older siblings have definitely influenced me as a soccer player,” said Weaver. “I would attend all of their games when I was younger because I just loved watching soccer. I can confidently say that my siblings bring out the most competitive side of me. Logan and I would go outside and play 1v1 in our backyard for hours… it didn’t matter if it was muddy or rainy. To be able to follow in [my siblings’] footsteps means the world to me.”

Weaver herself committed to play soccer at Villanova back during her freshman year. Having lived in Pennsylvania as a kid, and knowing the school through Claire, she believes the school is a perfect fit.

“I was looking for a highly competitive soccer school, but more importantly strong academics as well,” said Weaver. “I was very confident in my decision. Although it was early, I knew right away after meeting with the coaches and some of the players that I would fit right in. The soccer environment was perfect and the school itself is beautiful. I was able to visit the school a lot

more because of [Claire] being there. I’ve met all the recruits for my class and am so anxious to represent such a good school overall.”

This coming spring, Weaver aims to step up as a leader and role model for her senior season. Already one of the top players since her freshman year, she will take on a bigger responsibility without departed players such as Lily Conley and Meghan Dwyer.

“It’s time for me to step up and become a role model for the underclassmen, just like I had when I was younger,” said Weaver. I can’t wait to be back on the field… it’s special to play for a school like New Trier.”

Weaver is New Trier’s third Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year, following Kelly Maday in 2016 and Kayanne Gummersall in 2006.

Along with her soccer prowess, Weaver is one of the captains of Green Team, New Trier’s electrifying student section.

“I love representing New Trier sports because of the impact NTGS has had on me,” said Weaver. “It has been a lot of fun already this past Friday at the football game [a 20-10 win over Lyons Township]. My favorite part about the role is how we all go to each other’s games and cheer everyone on. There’s great energy with a big student section and it definitely makes me more pumped for my games.”