Wisconsin Soccer Central

As a sophomore last season, Josee Stiever was named the top prep girls soccer player in the Milwaukee area.

This year, the Cedarburg midfielder has been recognized on a larger level.

Stiever, who has helped lead the Bulldogs to an unbeaten season so far, is the Gatorade Wisconsin Player of the Year.

"Stiever is the engine for Cedarburg," Glendale Nicolet coach Tony Quintero said in a news release. "She has multiple tools and she brings a lot of speed and tenacity to the game. She's a very smart player."

The 5-foot-6 Stiever, who has verbally committed to Minnesota for the 2013 season, had eight goals and six assists in 15 matches for the Bulldogs (14-0-1) heading into Thursday.

She also has a 3.73 grade-point average, volunteers serving meals to the homeless and coaches youth sports teams.

Stiever is the third junior to claim the award in its 15-year history and the first since Brookfield Central midfielder Marti Desjarlais in 2004. Two players have been honored as sophomores – Madison West forward Jenny Kundert and Whitefish Bay midfielder Gillian Hatch, the first two winners in 1998 and '99.

GATORADE WISCONSIN GIRLS PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

1998: F Jenny Kundert, so., Madison West
1999: M Gillian Hatch, so., Whitefish Bay
2000: M Leslie Osborne, jr., Waukesha Catholic Catholic Memorial
2001: M Leslie Osborne, sr., Waukesha Catholic Catholic Memorial
2002: GK Kate Taylor, sr., Milwaukee University School
2003: M-F Heather Ferron, sr., Brookfield Central
2004: M Marti Desjarlais, jr., Brookfield Central
2005: M Marti Desjarlais, sr., Brookfield Central
2006: M Kelly Wepking, sr., Kenosha Tremper
2007: M Jennifer Baumann, sr., Waukesha Catholic Memorial
2008: F Laurel Ragalie, sr., Kenosha Bradford
2009: M Taylor Madigan, sr., Waunakee
2010: M-F Alex Melin, sr., Verona
2011: F Morgan LaPlant, sr., Madison La Follette
2012: M Josee Stiever, jr., Cedarburg

• Cedarburg rose two spots to No. 35 in this week's ESPNHS Powerade 50, while Waunakee climbed nine places to No. 37. The Bulldogs (13-0-1 coming into the week) and Warriors (19-0-2) are the top two teams in the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association Division 1 state poll.