ECNL Phoenix: Best Performances from the 2023 Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHOENIX, Arizona - The ECNL National Event in Phoenix was the last showcase for a number of players in the class of 2023. With early graduations quickly on the horizon, there is a quick exit from the club game upcoming. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were plenty of highlights from that class at the event. PrepSoccer was there throughout the weekend. Check out the best performances from the 2023 class (and one 2024 who is accidentally on this list). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ECNL Phoenix: Best Performances from the Class of 2023 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='19588' first='Joelle' last='Jung'], MVLA - Jung scored on a spectacular shot from over 30 yards out against Sporting Blue Valley. Jung is a talented midfielder who signed with Stanford last week. She is right-foot dominant but still so effective as a playmaker. She is one of the best passers from the class of 2023. Her cross led to a penalty kick, and then she punished the opposition with a long-range shot. Jung looked every bit the part of a big time addition for the Cardinal.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='22421' first='Sydney' last='Watts'], Sporting Blue Valley - It was a long day for Sporting Blue Valley, but Watts still made a good name for herself. She picked the pocket of a defender and then was off to the races with a great finish for the lone goal of the game for Sporting. Watts has breakaway pace even against elite defenders. Vanderbilt is adding a weapon in 2023 that should contribute immediately.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='19716' first='Kennedy' last='Schoennauer'], MVLA - The Utah commit had a strong showing for MVLA in the opening game. She has a great change of pace and does well in 1v1 duels on the wing. She had a nice finish with her left foot while cutting in from the right wing. Schoennauer is a top attacking talent from the wing. She should be an early contributor at Utah because she is competitive and offers quality in the final third.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='23228' first='Peighton' last='Northrup'], Michigan Hawks - Northrup made a couple of quality saves against Beach FC on Friday. She had a good diving save on a close shot from [player_tooltip player_id='18937' first='Mia' last='Minestrella']. She also made a good save on Leila Raad's shot. Northrup did well in securing the save and not allowing a rebound.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leilah Raad, Beach FC - The UC San Diego commit was impressive at outside back. She offered plenty in the attack. She is right footed but comfortable on either foot. She had a couple of key passes along with a long-range shot.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ella Freebury, Beach FC - The Houston commit had a strong showing in Phoenix. The Hawks did not press her because she was too good at picking out passes to break the defensive line. She hit a great pass over the defense with backspin.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='20484' first='Ella' last='Blake'], Real Colorado Athletico 04/05 - Blake had a great first half against FC Wisconsin. She seemed to always be in the right spots and make the correct decisions. She is still an uncommitted prospect from 2023. She is a center back who should be on the radar for programs in search for that position in that class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='20431' first='Ava' last='Todd'], Real Colorado Athletico 04/05 - Todd, the Kent State commit, was a dominant force in aerial duels. She did well in her defensive responsibilities as a center back. NAU commit [player_tooltip player_id='20647' first='Micala' last='Boex'] scored the goal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='33291' first='Jordan' last='Geis'], MVLA - Geis is a 2024, but I didn't realize that until after I published the 2024 list so the UCLA commit gets a special mention here. She is a terrific winger who had a strong showing with that talented MVLA squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='19969' first='Misaki' last='Kaneko'], MVLA - Kaneko does not have a publicly listed commitment as far as I can tell. The left back is definitely at the level of a top division I program recruit. She is terrific on the ball and an excellent 1v1 defender. She was a key part of an MVLA team that only conceded two goals in three games over the weekend. Kaneko's performance against Sporting Blue Valley was excellent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->