Peabody's Hayley Dowd is expected to have another big season. She's one of the top players in Eastern Massachusetts. (Barry Chin / Globe file)

By Mary Pavlu, Globe Correspondent

Here are some of the top girls soccer players you should be watching this fall from Eastern Massachusetts, by position:

Forwards

- Concord-Carlisle senior Andrea O’Brien won the Dual County League MVP award twice in a row as well as being named a Globe All-Scholastic. She scored 37 goals and added 10 assists for the Patriots last fall and has committed to play for Boston College in 2013.

- Peabody senior Hayley Dowd brought her team to the Division 1 state title, scoring 41 goals. She was named the coaches EMass D-1 Player of the Year as well as Northeastern Conference MVP. She already possesses Peabody’s scoring record of 121 goals and 45 assists. She has committed to play for Boston College in 2013.

- Senior Lauren Berman led the Canton Bulldogs to the Division 2 state finals and was awarded with Hockomock League MVP and All-New England team honors. She also runs track and has committed to play soccer in Maryland.

- Winchester senior Megan Henessey was named a coaches EMas, Middlesex League first-teamer, and to the MIAA all-state team. She scored three goals and had eight assists for the Sachems last season, and plans to play lacrosse for Harvard.

- Weston senior Maddie Linde had 10 goals and 11 assists last season, making her second in the Dual County League in scoring. She was also a first-team all-star in the DCL.

Midfielders

- Stoneham had a great record last season, and senior Morgan Havican is a key part of the team’s success. She was also a 2011 Middlesex League girls soccer all-star.

- Winsor junior Delancey King led her team in scoring last season with 19 goals and 5 assists (as only a sophomore.) She assisted her team in winning the league title and became an Eastern Independent League all-star for the second time. She is also a top swimmer for Winsor.

- Weston senior Sarah Peters was chosen to represent the Lower New England region in girls soccer. Last season, Peters was well known for her speed as well as being one of the best headers. She is also a top player for Weston’s lacrosse team.

- Senior Holly Niemiec played a key role in the success of Wilmington’s soccer team last season winning the Middlesex league crown. This summer she played for the New England Futbol Club Elite, winning the U17 Mass State Campionship in June, and went on to regionals in Lancaster, Pa.

- Stoneham senior Amanda Mohammadi was a leader on the field last season, a key player who often had the ball at her feet. She is also a 2011 Middlesex League Girls Soccer All Star.

Defenders

- Concord-Carlisle's senior Michaela Haller has been cited as a strong defender for the Patriots, and is also a goalie for the Patriots' hockey team.

- Junior Allie Barrett has also been a player to watch on defense, as well as a strong player for Concord-Carlisle’s lacrosse team.

- As only a freshman last season, Olivia Allison was a strong defender for Medford, which helped her become a 2011 All-Star. Now a sophomore, Allison is a player to watch this season.

- Senior Katherine Zavez is a lead defender for Winchester, as well as a 2011 Middlesex League girls soccer all-star. She is captain and has been part of the Division 1 varsity team since her freshman year.

- Thanks to Wilmington junior Kelly Hartsough’s strong foot on defense, the Wildcats' varsity girls soccer team won the Middlesex League Small championship title last season. She is also a top runner on Wilmington’s track team.

Goalies

- Senior Mimi Borkan allowed only nine goals in 21 games last season, providing a .43 goals against average. She led the Medfield Warriors to a 16-1-4 record and won the Tri-Valley League championship. She played for the coaches EMass all-state team and was honored with TVL MVP.

- Katie Sia, senior keeper for Lincoln-Sudbury, had 12 shutouts for the Warriors last season, which helped earn her place on the Dual County League All-Star team. She ended the season with a .48 goals against average, only allowing six goals. She was also part of the coaches EMass all-star team.

- Junior Alissa Duffey was a key factor in Weston’s Division 3 state final win against Sutton last season, only allowing one goal. She was also named a 2011 first-team all-star in the Dual County League.

- While Norwell fell to Dover-Sherborn in the Division 3 South section finals, the Clippers got there with the strong help of senior Bridget Conway. For her senior year, she’s looking for revenge.

- Chelmsford's Brianna Raymond was the Merrimack Valley conference goalkeeper of the year and is entering her senior year.

Mary Pavlu can be reached at mary.pavlu@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryPavlu.