ECNL National Event AZ – U17 Preview
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The fifth ECNL National Event of the 2021/2022 season kicks off on Saturday from Arizona. There are 162 teams from the U15, U16, and U17 age groups headed to the Reach 11 Complex for the three-day event. PrepSoccer will be…
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Continue ReadingThe fifth ECNL National Event of the 2021/2022 season kicks off on Saturday from Arizona. There are 162 teams from the U15, U16, and U17 age groups headed to the Reach 11 Complex for the three-day event.
PrepSoccer will be on hand throughout the weekend. Check back on the site for exclusive coverage from ECNL AZ. And follow PrepSoccer on instagram for photos from the event.
With 50 teams in the U17 age group attending the event, this will be one of the most scouted showcases of the team. Among those 50 teams, there are some favorites from the national championship and some teams that been on a hot run recently.
The Favorites
PDA Blue (NJ)
Overall Record: 3-3
Opponents: De Anza Force, Slammers FC HB Koge, San Diego Surf
Commits: Olivia Russomanno Olivia Russomanno F State NJ (Rutgers), Reagan Schubach Reagan Schubach F Hunterdon Central (NJ) | 2023 State NJ (Florida), Gabriela Gil Gabriela Gil M NJ (Rutgers), Rebecca Kessler Rebecca Kessler GK Scotch Plains-Fanwood (NJ) | 2023 NJ (Binghamton), Alyssa Martinez Alyssa Martinez F Westfield (NJ) | 2023 State NJ (Rutgers), Tehya Scheuten Tehya Scheuten M NJ (Rutgers), Stella Tapia Stella Tapia D Montclair (NJ) | 2023 State NJ (Michigan), Melina Rebimbas Melina Rebimbas F Rutgers Prep (NJ) | 2023 State #3 Nation NJ (North Carolina)
PDA Blue (NJ) is riding a three-game winning streak heading into the weekend. The challenge ahead is daunting with games against three California sides in De Anza Force, Slammers FC HB Koge, and San Diego Surf. U.S. U17 Women’s National Team forward Melina Rebimbas Melina Rebimbas F Rutgers Prep (NJ) | 2023 State #3 Nation NJ leads the attack for PDA. The North Carolina commit has speed, skill, and power. She is going to be one player that the defense has to account for whenever she is on the field. Rebimbas will be out for the first game as she was named to the National Selection Game roster. There is some top talent in the class of 2024 on the roster too, so college coaches will be buzzing around the sideline of the PDA games.
Crossfire Premier (WA)
Overall Record: 13-4-1
Opponents: Heat FC, San Diego Surf, PDA White
Commits: Cameron Bourne Cameron Bourne null | F Archbishop Murphy (WA) | 2023 #143 Nation WA (Oregon), Sara Rodgers Sara Rodgers M WA (Idaho)
Crossfire Premier has not conceded a goal since February. With games on the schedule against Heat FC, San Diego Surf, and PDA White, that shutout streak might be tested in Phoenix. One player to watch on Crossfire Premier 05 is left center Kah’Vayli Miller Kah’Vayli Miller D #138 Nation WA . She is a left-footed defender who tackles hard and can pass with accuracy over distance. She is a day-one starter at the college level.
MVLA (CA-N)
Overall Record: 12-2
Opponents: Phoenix Rising, Slammers FC, FC Bucks
Commits: Kennedy Schoennauer Kennedy Schoennauer M Lincoln (CA) | 2023 State #85 Nation CA (Utah), Marlee Cavitt Marlee Cavitt D #153 Nation CA (Portland)
MVLA, one of the top clubs in Northern California and the ECNL, is sitting in the No. 4 spot in the ECNL Champions League standings in the U17 age group heading into the weekend. MVLA, 12-2 on the season, faces Phoenix Rising, Slammers FC, and FC Bucks during the three-day event. Forward/midfielder Charlotte Kohler Charlotte Kohler M St. Francis-Mountain View (CA) | 2024 State #17 Nation CA is a name many scouts have circled from the class of 2024. She is a two-way player who recently made the U.S. U17 Women’s National Team. She has potential to play a few different spots at the next from winger to right midfield. She is skillful on the ball and a good fit for a possession-dominant style of player. Midfield teammate Kennedy Schoennauer Kennedy Schoennauer M Lincoln (CA) | 2023 State #85 Nation CA is another one to watch on this MVLA squad. The attacking mid has been in unstoppable form recently. At the high school level, she scored 36 goals in 22 games for Lincoln High School (San Jose, California). That hot streak carried over to the club level as she netted four goals in the win over Davis Legacy last weekend. Since returning to ECNL play after the high school season, she has nine goals and two assists in five games. Schoennauer is as dangerous of a player on the ball as anyone in the league. She makes charging runs through the center with the ball at her feet. She has excellent technique in striking the ball on the move so defenders have to play close to have a chance to block a shot from anywhere inside of 30 yards to goal.
Slammers FC HB Koge (CA-S)
Overall Record: 13-2-2
Opponents: Davis Legacy, PDA Blue, De Anza Force
Commits: Ava Verplancke Ava Verplancke M State #34 Nation CA (Pepperdine), Reese Doherty Reese Doherty D Long Beach Wilson (CA) | 2023 State #71 Nation CA (California), Olivia Herrera Olivia Herrera GK CA (Arizona State), Maribel Flores Maribel Flores F State #27 Nation CA (Stanford), Angelina Moschetti Angelina Moschetti null | D Santa Margarita (CA) | 2023 CA (Colorado), Soleil Dimry (California), Jessica Ramirez Jessica Ramirez null | M Villa Park (CA) | 2023 CA (Arizona), Emily Miner Emily Miner D CA (Utah Valley), Malia McMahon Malia McMahon 4'0" | F CA (California)
Slammers FC HB Koge is the last team in the Champions League top five standings competing at the event in Arizona. Slammers FC HB Koge, previously LAFC Slammers, is a powerhouse in this age group and the reigning National Champions. Half of the roster has already given a verbal commitment to a Division I program with Cal landing a trio of them. The Southern California squad is difficult to break down defensively and has only let in more than one goal in three conference games this season. Scouts expect that stifling defense to lead them to a successful showing in Arizona.
On the Rise
Utah Royals FC – AZ
Overall Record: 8-4-7
Opponents: Penn Fusion, Pipeline SC, Connecticut FC
Commits: Hope Leyba Hope Leyba F Boulder Creek (AZ) | 2023 State #103 Nation AZ (Colorado), Faith Leyba (Colorado), Hannah Mulholland Hannah Mulholland F Hamilton | 2023 State AZ (Navy)
One of the local teams on the rise in ECNL play is the Utah Royals FC – AZ squad. They picked up a big win over San Diego Surf last weekend. The Arizona squad has been depleted due to injuries, but they fight for every result and have some of the top uncommitted talent in the class of 2023. Forward Larkin Thomason Larkin Thomason F Xavier College Preparatory | 2023 State AZ , who scored one of the goals against Surf, is a versatile prospect with the toolkit to play either on the wing or center forward. She has elite pace and would do well in a high-pressing system. Defensive midfielder Caroline Kessler and center back Eva Acker are pieces to add to the spine of a team. Claire Stephens Claire Stephens M AZ and Taea Eberhardt are standouts at outside back. Lexi Saveski and Ciara Ulrich-Power are top notch goalkeepers.
Internationals (OH)
Overall Record: 8-1-4
Opponents: Boise Thorns FC, Pleasanton Rage, Eagle SC
Commits: Victoria Safradin Victoria Safradin GK Eastlake North (OH) | 2023 #5 Nation OH (Virginia), Olivia Sipsock Olivia Sipsock F OH (Eastern Michigan)
Internationals are unbeaten since the first game of the season back in November. The Sionce the return from the winter break, the Ohio club has only conceded one goal in five games. U.S. U17 Women’s National Team goalkeeper Victoria Safradin Victoria Safradin GK Eastlake North (OH) | 2023 #5 Nation OH leads a stout defense that has this team climbing up the Champions League standings heading into the final months of the regular season.
Minnesota Thunder (MN)
Overall Record: 10-2-2
Opponents: Legends FC, Strikers FC, Pipeline SC
Commits: Jordan Hecht Jordan Hecht GK Rosemount | 2023 #80 Nation MN (Army), Rilyn Rintoul Rilyn Rintoul F Rosemount | 2023 MN (Kansas State), Ava Grate Ava Grate M MN (South Dakota State)
Since the start of the new calendar year, MTA is 6-1 in ECNL play, but faces the hardest challenge this weekend in Arizona. The team sits in fourth place in conference standings with only a couple of games left in the campaign. The challenge in Arizona will be getting a positive weekend out of a challenging slate of games. Legends have a deep squad with a couple of players capable of taking over the game. Strikers FC has a dynamic attack that has only been shutout twice this season. Pipeline’s defense has only let in one goal since they returned from winter break. Minnesota is getting a playoff-level test at a showcase event. The Thunder 05 group has the players to get nine points from the weekend, and a few uncommitted players looking to impress with the amount of college coaches in attendance.