Elite Friendlies Class of 2022 standouts
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Each August, the Elite Friendlies in Texas brings together girls soccer club teams from every significant league for a weekend of competition (ECNL, GA, NPL, FDL, ECRL, LHGCL) . More than 190 teams participated in this year’s event. Here are the Class of 2022 standouts, provided by sources at the site and team contacts:
M Yiselle Bernal Yiselle Bernal M TX , Dallas Texans U19 ECRL Red — Great finishing. She netted a hat trick and was the team’s top scorer from the weekend.
GK Grace Crowe, FC Dallas U19 — Crowe earned two shutouts on the weekend with an outstanding performance against Sting 05 ECNL making 11 saves. The 5-foot-10 keeper has steady hands, great at shot-blocking, brave in traffic, and has outstanding distribution. Graduated in May from a New Jersey high school, Crowe moved to Dallas during COVID to play for FC Dallas.
LB Ellie Geoffroy Ellie Geoffroy D OK , OK Energy FC 03/04 ECNL — Oklahoma commit was physically dominant in both 03/04 ECNL games, providing not just great defensive work but was arguably the team’s most attacking player over the weekend.
F Ashton Griffin Ashton Griffin F TX , Dallas Texans U19 ECRL Red — Constant movement and pressure up top.
M/D Lexi Johnson Lexi Johnson D TX , Solar 03 — Great work ethic leader in assists (with six) in two games.
M/CB Sydney Martin Sydney Martin D Grapevine | 2022 TX , DKSC 04 — Dominant in the air, creating multiple opportunities to score (unfinished by forwards) in each game; physical presence in the midfield, making it difficult to counter attack, versatility this weekend playing center back in the first game in addition to holding mid and attacking offensively from that position.
F Alexis Neal Alexis Neal F TX , Dallas Texans U19 ECRL Red — Created scoring opportunities using foot speed, vision, and finishing skills. She has committed to Texas State.
F Tatum Tallal Tatum Tallal F TX , Forward, FC Dallas U19 — Notched three goals on the weekend. Tallal consistently beat players with her speed and technical ability creating scoring opportunities all weekend. She is a threat up top for any opponent because she can beat a player 1v1 as well as combining to create her own opportunities.
F/M Denisse Quintanilla Denisse Quintanilla M TX , Solar 03 — Great field awareness and leading scorer with seven goals in two games.
M Jaynie Rust Jaynie Rust M TX , FC Dallas U19 — The standout midfielder held down the midfield with her physical presence and dominance in the air. Rust’s play-making ability controlled the tempo in both games.
CB Kalea Willis Kalea Willis D TX , Dallas Texans U19 ECRL Red — Driving momentum forward with aggressive advancement from the back.
CB Claire Yaney Claire Yaney D Coppell High School | 2022 TX , Dallas Texans U19 ECRL Red — Fantastic field awareness and leadership from the backline.