23s are ready to shine in the Magnolia State (Part 1 of 2)

Mississippi High School soccer is approaching the end of its season with the playoffs starting this week, which means club soccer is right around the corner and this class of 23s will be looking to put their stamp on the recruiting trail this summer. This is a loaded class of talent from top to bottom.  Athletes such as [player_tooltip player_id="39274" first="Abby" last="Badurak"] (Gulfport HS; University of Southern Miss verbal commit), [player_tooltip player_id="23343" first="Mary" last="Frances Symmes"] (Gulfport HS; ECNL Birmingham, NC State verbal commit) and [player_tooltip player_id="39295" first="Briley" last="Ross"] (Lewisburg HS; Futsal Escola; Bethel University commit) highlight this deep class of 23s. Listed below are the top players for the Class of 2023 (Part 1 of 2) <strong>(Position, Name, School/Club)</strong> M <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="39273" first="Haylie" last="Alvarez"]</strong>, St. Patrick Catholic/Gulf Coast United – Box to box athlete that plays with a lot of energy. Versatile enough to play multiple positions on the pitch. Passes and defends at a high level F <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="39274" first="Abby" last="Badurak"]</strong>, Gulfport/South Mississippi SC – Skillful athlete with size and strength.  Her overall field awareness always makes her a threat on the pitch. Goals can come in bunches. MF/F<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="39275" first="Addie" last="Grace Barnard"]</strong>, Florence/MS Rush – Barnard is a goal scorer! Currently with 41 goals in her high school career. She is a threat when the ball is in the air, scoring on headers with ease at times. D/M <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="39276" first="Bree" last="Butler"]</strong>, St. Aloysius/ MS Rush United U17 Premier – This crafty defender will impress you on the pitch. She is a solid defender that distributes the ball well which makes her an asset on any buildup play out the back. D <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="39277" first="Kelsey" last="Clay"]</strong>, Jackson Prep/ECNL Birmingham- This multi-sport athlete defends at a high level. High school and club have her competing at the highest level. She has the know-how to perform at various positions on the pitch and is a threat when seen at the top of the pitch. FB<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="39278" first="Azlyn" last="Dawson"]</strong>, West Jones HS –Multi-sport athlete that balances success on the pitch and the gym. Azlyn is a speedy player that likes to apply pressure out wide D <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="39279" first="Chloe" last="Ezell"]</strong>, Ocean Springs/Gulf Coast United – This crafty defender is versatile and able to aid within the attack.  With a high skill set, Ezell is able to defend and disperse balls that put immediate danger on opponents F<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="39280" first="Bailee" last="Fairley"]</strong>, West Lauderdale/ECNL Birmingham – Fairley is a natural goal scorer with over 80 career goals. This athlete is one to follow not just through high school but with her ECNL Birmingham squad as well. Size speed and a strong leg make Fairley a well-rounded athlete on the attack. D/FB<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="39281" first="Jade" last="Fleming"]</strong>, Germantown/MS Rush – Multi-sport athlete that uses her height and size against opposing teams.  She is skillful enough to distribute balls in behind on the attack from the out wide position. M/F <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="39282" first="Christina" last="Guzman"]</strong>, Florence/MS Rush 04 Premier – Highly talented midfielder that utilizes her field awareness to apply pressure on opposing teams.  With over 30 goals in her career, she is also able to find the back of the net at any given time. MF/F<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="39283" first="Kaylee" last="Harrison"],</strong> West Lauderdale/Alliance Futbol Club – Harrison is starting to shine for a historically rich soccer program. Currently with 17 goals, Harrison can take defenders on 1v1 but also use her speed to get in behind. MF <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="39284" first="Ella" last="Jeffcoat"],</strong> West Jones/Hattiesburg FC – Jeffcoat has great field awareness and can get her teammates involved early and often.  She is also able to score goals when needed from inside and around the 18. CB/LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="33105" first="Laylah" last="Johnson"]</strong>, Gulfport/South Mississippi SC - Versatile player, playing multiple positions to include, both left and right back. Proficient in using both her left and right foot while in the attack. F/MF<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="39286" first="Kira" last="Leflore"]</strong>, St. Andrews/MS Rush – Strong athlete that is capable to play with her back to goal. She can play off teammates to set herself up to score goals when needed. Gifted skill set makes her a talent to keep an eye on. MF <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="39287" first="Lily" last="Lyle"]</strong>, Northwest Rankin/MS Rush Premier 04 – Highly competitive athlete that can defend well, which allows her to be a presence on the attack. Skillful player that can distribute making her teammates become more successful.