Girls ECNL Midwest Super Cup standouts

The inaugural ECNL Midwest Super Cup brought together the top players from Michigan Hawks, Indiana Fire, FC Pride, St. Louis Scott Gallagher, Ohio Elite, and Kings Hammer for some fast and furious competition.  These girls stood out above the rest. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22428" first="Natalie" last="Bain"]</strong> (Kings Hammer 03/04) was strong in the air throughout the weekend. The center back was a leader on the back line. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23405" first="Caroline" last="Birkel"]</strong> (SLSG 06) was extremely important with her build up play with her short and long range passing. She came up big on two 1v1 saves. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23496" first="Kinley" last="Brown"]</strong> (SLSG 03/04) was a constant threat to the Ohio back line in transition. She created some nice shots from distance, but also scored two nice goals from inside the box. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22270" first="Brianna" last="Buels"]</strong> (FC Pride 03/04) was threatening on the wing all game.  Her efforts were rewarded with the equalizing goal in the 2nd half vs SLSG. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23233" first="Reese" last="Canada"]</strong> (MI Hawks 08) didn’t look phased at all by playing against older competition. She seldom lost the ball and was able to create a number of scoring chances as an attacking midfielder. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23205" first="Maya" last="Carter"]</strong> (MI Hawks 04) scored multiple goals and and assists throughout the weekend.  Normally a center forward, Maya was used to add some steel in the midfield and helped regain possession on the press. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22329" first="Karsyn" last="Cherry"]</strong> (Indiana Fire 03/04) showed great leadership of her younger teammates vs a much older and experienced Michigan Hawks team. She encouraged her fellow defenders to keep pushing forward and persevering. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23435" first="Erin" last="Connolly"]</strong> (SLSG 03/04) was instrumental in her control and involvement on both sides of the ball. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23236" first="Regan" last="Dancer"]</strong> (MI Hawks 04) scored a glorious lob to open the scoring and was a threat all weekend on the wing. <strong>Emily Filburn</strong> (MI Hawks 07) was another younger player who did not look out of place. She won a fair share of aerial duals and tackles while being tidy and precise in possession. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22302" first="Emma" last="Johnson"]</strong> (Indiana Fire 07) may have been the youngest player on the field. That did not stop her from maintaining composure on the ball to help sustain possession connecting her team from the back to the front. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22393" first="Samantha" last="King"]</strong> (FC Pride 03/04 ) did a tremendous job picking off passes and winning balls in the midfield. She was a real catalyst in transition forward generate dangerous attacks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23556" first="Rebecca" last="Koenig"]</strong> (SLSG 06) made many attacking runs down the left side and created a few golden scoring opportunities with her wide service. She scored on an indirect free kick. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23493" first="Kiley" last="Kukan"]</strong> (SLSG 06) had the Ohio defenders under immense pressure throughout the game.  She was involved in all things good around the penalty box including a curling right footed goal outside of the 18. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23051" first="Alexandra" last="Mairn"]</strong> (MI Hawks 04) was steady all weekend at center back. She helped build the game competently by showing leadership and organization to the younger players around her. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22332" first="Kathleen" last="Phillips"]</strong> (Indiana Fire 03/04) made two very strong saves in the 2nd half vs SLSG to keep the score level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23447" first="Grace" last="Restovich"]</strong> (SLSG 06) along with her ability to control the tempo and rhythm in build up in the attack, she scored two goals and was involved in creating two others. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22298" first="Emily" last="Roper"]</strong> (Indiana Fire 03/04) helped ignite the press in the 2nd half vs SLSG. Her hold up play was crucial in sustaining possession in the attacking half.  She tallied the assist on the lone goal of the game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22423" first="Amanda" last="Schlueter"]</strong> (Kings Hammer 05) scored in both games. She was a nightmare for the opposing defenses creating numerous other scoring opportunities. <strong>Charlie Siria</strong> (Kings Hammer 08) playing predominately against players much older, controlled the midfield for Kings Hammer.  She made great connecting passes and was relentless at hunting the ball. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22324" first="Josie" last="Studley"]</strong> (Indiana Fire 06) had a motor that never stopped. Her work rate from start to finish was crucial in applying pressure that led to some great scoring opportunities. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23225" first="Olivia" last="Thomas"]</strong> (MI Hawks 05) is a nightmare matchup for most defenders. She was a vertical threat to score all weekend. <strong>Abby Unkraut</strong> (Kings Hammer 05) played a solid 90 minutes at center back vs SLSG. Her ability to make great tackles kept attackers at bay in and around the 18. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22367" first="Maryn" last="Weiger"]</strong> (FC Pride 03/04) made a spectacular PK save vs Michigan Hawks. She read shot taker perfectly and made the diving save with a strong bottom hand to her left side. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22304" first="Erika" last="Wells"]</strong> (FC Pride 05) handled a very challenging 1v1 task against a very talented Michigan Hawks winger. Her ability to break up play and relieve pressure was outstanding. &nbsp; &nbsp;