NXT LVL: Day 1 Standouts, Best XI

The NXT LVL Invitational is bringing together 42 top boys programs from 13 states and one from Canada for a weekend of competition in Colonie, N.Y. Each day a new set of teams join the event. Therefore, each day is an opportunity to learn more about how teams stack up and the players who make the difference. Each day PrepSoccer.net will list the top performers capped with a Best XI for the day. <strong>DAY 1</strong> <strong>WHAT WE LEARNED: </strong> <ul> <li>The rise of residential academies was very apparent Friday night at the NXT LVL Showcase, Longtime residential program Darlington School (Ga.) made the trip to New York to play alongside the likes of Northwood School (N.Y.), Combine Academy (N.C.), RMPUS (Canada) and perennial NEPSAC power South Kent (Conn.), which is making the move to a year-round program. College coaches from as far away as Santa Clara and Loyola Marymount were in attendance for Friday's matches with a focus on the residential programs. As far as on the field, South Kent seems to be in midseason form, at least in the attacking third. South Kent's match with Immaculate Heart Central (N.Y.) was a display of pressure, turnover, South Kent chance -- one after one -- in a 6-2 route. Northwood edged Darlington 1-0 while Combine Academy and RMPUS played to a 1-1 draw, showing those four programs are all on pretty equal footing.</li> </ul> <strong>Friday's Top Performers</strong> <strong>GK Ethan Baker, Erie Cathedral Prep (Pa.), Sr.:</strong> Baker came up big in the few times it was required in Cathedral's 5-0 win. <strong>GK Leon Brody, Northwood School (N.Y.), Jr.:</strong> Brody, a Canadian playing for Northwood, came up with one big-time save to preserve Northwood's 1-0 win over Darlington. <strong>M Lucas Caggiano, RMPUS (Canada), Sr.:</strong> A left-sided player, Caggiano was very effective on the left wing Friday night. He also can play left back. He assisted RMPUS' goal in a 1-1 draw. <strong>M [player_tooltip player_id='13660' first='Kelvin' last='Da Costa'], South Kent School (Conn.), Jr.:</strong> Only a junior, Da Costa played a key defensive role for South Kent on Friday. <strong>M Manny Duran, Darlington School (Ga.), Sr.:</strong> Duran was Darlington's biggest offensive threat Friday, placing several shots on frame and one hitting the post. He was Combine's most dangerous player Friday. <strong>GK Samir Erasmus, Combine Academy (N.C.), Sr.:</strong> The senior from Aruba had a solid performance to keep Combine in a draw with RMPUS. <strong>DM: Will Evans, Darlington School (Ga.), Jr.:</strong> Evans, a defensive mid, really shut down Northwood's attack. He battles hard and is a true No. 6. <strong>M Nico Gallegos, Combine Academy (N.C.), Post-Grad:</strong> He is sharp, technical and commands attention. However, that ended up being the problem for him Friday. He was frequently fouled and found it hard to develop any rhythm during the match. Still, it is evident he's a top-flight talent. <strong>F Elie Hamissou Dodo Amadou, RMPUS (Canada), Sr.:</strong> An exceptional athlete, he put defenders under a lot of pressure. He was RMPUS' top player Friday night. <strong>F [player_tooltip player_id='58859' first='Noah' last='Handzel'], Erie Cathedral Prep (Pa.), Jr.:</strong> Handzel had a breakout performance last year at NXT LVL as a sophomore. He scored a goal and was buzzing all around the goal Friday night. <strong>F [player_tooltip player_id='58982' first='Danny' last='Istambouli'], South Kent School (Conn.), Sr</strong>.: Istambouli was the MVP of Friday night, leading a dynamic offensive attack and scoring three goals. He set the tempo for the night and showed great finishing ability. <strong>D [player_tooltip player_id='59938' first='Noah' last='Leddel'], Northwood School (N.Y.), Sr.:</strong> Leddel anchored the back as Northwood shut out Darlington School. <strong>D/M [player_tooltip player_id='48821' first='Ishmael' last='Mensah'], South Kent School (Conn.), Jr.:</strong> Another star from Ghana now playing in the U.S. Mensah set the tone defensively. <strong>M [player_tooltip player_id='148822' first='Sachiel' last='Ming'], Northwood School (N.Y.), Sr.:</strong> Ming is a box-to-box midfielder and worked all night. <strong>M Chris Morphy, Erie Cathedral Prep (Pa.), Sr.:</strong> Morphy delivered his best performance of the season. He was very aware on the field, drove the offense and also made defensive commitments, as well. He was all over the field. <strong>F Leyson Mosquera Losada, Northwood School (N.Y.), Sr.:</strong> A native of Colombia, Losada is a major college prospect. He makes great decisions all the time. He's dangerous and smart. <strong>M Jose Noriega, Combine Academy (N.C.), Sr.:</strong> A native of Venezuela, Noriega provided the offensive spark for Combine Academy, picking up for Gallegos. Noriega was Combine's top performer Friday night. <strong>GK Leonardo Parraga, RMPUS (Canada), Sr.:</strong> A native of Brazil, he was active in keeping the RMPUS defensive organize. He's a strong, vocal leader. <strong>D Ely Salinas, Darlington School (Ga.), Sr.:</strong> A high academic student, Salinas also is a solid center back. He kept Darlington organized and made plays to keep the match close. <strong>FRIDAY'S BEST XI</strong> GK: Leon Brody, Northwood School (N.Y.), Jr. D: [player_tooltip player_id='59938' first='Noah' last='Leddel'], Northwood School (N.Y.), Sr. D/M [player_tooltip player_id='48821' first='Ishmael' last='Mensah'], South Kent School (Conn.), Jr. DM: Will Evans, Darlington School (Ga.), Jr. M: Lucas Caggiano, RMPUS (Canada), Sr. M: Manny Duran, Darlington School (Ga.), Sr. M: Chris Morphy, Erie Cathedral Prep (Pa.), Sr. M: Jose Noriega, Combine Academy (N.C.), Sr. F: Elie Hamissou Dodo Amadou, RMPUS (Canada), Sr. F: [player_tooltip player_id='58982' first='Danny' last='Istambouli'], South Kent School (Conn.), Sr. F: Leyson Mosquera Losada, Northwood School (N.Y.), Sr.