ECNL Girls Finals U16 standouts

Here are some of the Day 2 standouts from the ECNL U16 girls playoffs on July 9: [caption id="attachment_49874" align="alignright" width="225"]<img class="wp-image-49874 size-medium" style="font-size: 1rem;" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/C80BAC5E-370C-40E8-9C8C-95D90C683858-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="26516" first="Ava" last="McDonald"][/caption]<strong>F [player_tooltip player_id="26516" first="Ava" last="McDonald"], FC Dallas 06 -</strong> Ava has great pace and the 1 v 1 skills to make her a dangerous striker. Scored both goals in FC Dallas's 2-0 victory over Ohio Premier. The first was a beautiful strike under the crossbar from just inside the 18 that the keeper had no chance to save. The second came in the waning minutes when Ohio Premier had everyone pushed into the attack (including the keeper) and she outraced everyone to pick up a clearance near the midfield stripe and dribbled the length of the pitch and knocked the ball into an empty net. <strong>K [player_tooltip player_id="25190" first="Grace" last="Barthel"], Ohio Premier 06 - </strong>A vocal keeper who communicates well with her back line. Has sure hands and plays well with the ball at her feet. Plays with confidence and does not shy away from physical play in her box. Made numerous quality saves going to ground. <strong>M [player_tooltip player_id="24203" first="Mikayla" last="Mandleur"], PDA 06 - </strong>Calm in the center of the pitch with the ball at her feet. Did very well distributing from her center defensive midfield spot keeping her head up and making the easy pass to open players throughout the match. Kept her head on a swivel looking for attackers to mark in the defensive end. Great technical ability, tactical awareness and just seemed to make good decisions throughout. <strong>D [player_tooltip player_id="25208" first="Julia" last="Belli"], Ohio Premier 06 - </strong>Had her hands full playing against two talented FC Dallas forwards but was up the challenge. Controlled the middle of the pitch from her center back position and has the physical ability to play against both fast and physical opponents. Outstanding technical ability, she can dribble up the middle of the pitch is comfortable in possession. Pushed up numerous times into the attack. [caption id="attachment_49875" align="alignright" width="225"]<img class="wp-image-49875 size-medium" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/2D78F45E-78EE-4092-8CD3-BBFC33EB8000-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="18924" first="Lily" last="Biddulph"][/caption]<strong>F [player_tooltip player_id="18924" first="Lily" last="Biddulph"], Slammers FC HB KOGE 06 - </strong>A speedy forward who attacks defenders 1 v 1. Great in the air and presents herself well as a target on balls into the box. Scored the first goal of the match Saturday on a great ball swung in from the right where she beat a defender in the air and headed into the back of the net. Also scored on her PK attempt with a calm powerful finish in her squad's shootout win over PDA. <strong>F [player_tooltip player_id="24047" first="Jordana" last="DeNegri"], PDA 06 -</strong> A very active forward who is constantly moving off the ball and looking for space. Was making diagonal runs looking to get in behind the back line. Goes to goal when in possession and looks to expose defenders with solid 1 v 1 skills <strong>D [player_tooltip player_id="49917" first="Lauren" last="Turner"], Slammers FC HB KOGE 06 - </strong>A speedy outside back who looks to get into the attack. Played wide and made numerous dribbles which resulted in quality/dangerous services into the box. A very versatile player who showed well on both ends of the pitch. Did well defending on the outside and forced attackers towards the inside where there was help. <strong>F [player_tooltip player_id="26332" first="Jaden" last="Thomas"], FC Dallas 06 - </strong>A powerful and physical forward who works well and connects with teammates. She has quick feet and outstanding dribbling skills in tight spaces. Looks to attack the goal first and then distribute when out of options. Wants the ball in the final third and puts in effort to get open.