Standouts at ECNL New Jersey Showcase: Defenders

Players Development Academy hosted a girls ECNL showcase over Memorial Day Weekend in Somerset, N.J. I was able to watch several games at the Morningside Farm and PDA Complex on the Saturday. Here’s a look at some of the defenders that stood out to me at the event. <h2>U17</h2> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="44575" first="Faith" last="Leyba"], Defender, Utah Royals U17</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Faith was very active on the back line as a center back against FC Bucks when they were pushing forward to try and find a way back into the game. It wasn’t always easy defending on a waterlogged pitch, but Faith got the job done. </span> [caption id="attachment_46973" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-46973 size-medium" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/6N4A9318-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="21485" first="Kearstyn" last="Gladden"]</em>[/caption]<b>[player_tooltip player_id="21485" first="Kearstyn" last="Gladden"], Defender, United Futbol Academy U17</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gladden’s pace both in going forward and in recovery stood out as well as her strength fighting off attackers in a 2-1 win for United Futbol over Match Fit Academy. </span> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="18709" first="Claire" last="Stephens"], Defender, Utah Royals U17</b><b> </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stephens, a left back, deserves a shout out for just how busy she was trying to hold down a clean sheet for the Royals in their 2-0 win over FC Bucks. She did well to clear her lines on multiple occasions but most importantly did what needed to be done; she repeatedly did the safe and right thing, which isn’t always easy when under pressure on a wet surface.</span> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="19305" first="Danielle" last="Lynch"], Defender, LAFC So Cal U17</b><b> </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lynch was on the ball plenty in the game against Minnesota Thunder and showed a lot of poise cutting down chances for Minnesota and starting the attack the other way. She also picked her moments well to push forward. </span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18897" first="Elaheh" last="Sims"], Defender, De Anza Force U17</strong> It wasn’t the best of days for the Force in their 3-0 loss to the Surf but I noticed Sims for her calm presence and ability to lead on the back line. She also covered a lot of ground, looked to pass through the lines and took several restarts in the game. <h2>U16</h2> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27270" first="Sydnee" last="Smith"], Defender, Challenge SC U16</strong> Playing in a messy game against Heat FC that Challenge SC won 5-2, Smith impressed with her recovery speed and her ability to push forward into the attack on the left flank. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="21003" first="Annarose" last="Wheatle"], Defender, Tampa Bay United U16</strong> Wheatle showed a combination of quickness and strength playing as a wingback for Tampa Bay United in their 2-1 win over Slammers FC. <h2>U15</h2> [caption id="attachment_46971" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/6N4A9432-scaled-crop-1805x1185-1654526766.jpg"><img class="wp-image-46971 size-medium" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/6N4A9432-scaled-crop-1805x1185-1654526766-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="24866" first="Keira" last="Taylor"]</em>[/caption]<b>[player_tooltip player_id="24866" first="Keira" last="Taylor"], Defender, NC Courage U15 </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Taylor helped anchor a Courage back line in the game I saw them play against Penn Fusion that was under a great deal of pressure, but her positioning and play blocking shots and deny chances helped keep Penn Fusion off the scoresheet. </span> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="25812" first="Helena" last="Walker"], Defender, Pittsburgh Riverhounds U15</b><b> </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Walker stood out to me both in defending from the right back position and going forward, combining with the Riverhounds several attacking weapons in the final third. </span> <b>Elizabeth Semenac, Defender, Cleveland Force U15</b><b> </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Semenac anchored a Force back line that had plenty to do against a tough attacking Wilmington Hammerheads team. Her calmness clearing her lines, playing the ball out of danger and leading the defense was on display in an exciting 2-2 draw. </span>