ECNL PHX Standouts: 2026 Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHOENIX, Arizona - The ECNL National Event from the Reach 11 Sports Complex wrapped up on Sunday. The gorgeous weather from the weekend allowed some of the best defenders to really put on a performance. PrepSoccer highlights some of the best performances from the defenders in the 2026 class at the event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DEFENDERS</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kennedy Brown, SUSA FC 08 - Brown was a standout at center back for SUSA. She stood out for her quality on the ball. She struck the ball cleanly and hit her passes with pace. She was also a key piece of the defense that recorded a shutout victory in the opener. Francesca Curatolo was also very good at center back for SUSA.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='25537' first='Calista' last='Everson'], Portland Thorns 08 - Everson stood out for her play at center back for the Thorns. She was competitive and battled for her side. She did well in adjusting her level to be an option for a drop pass for her side.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bianca Willis, Slammers FC 08 - Willis was a breakout star on the day for me. She is a top center back. She showed the physical tools to be a star in that role. She also has the soccer smarts to shutdown top attackers. Willis is a name to know from this class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jenna Haggard, Slammers FC 08 - Haggard showed a really good two-way game against Sting Austin. She did well as the left back for her side.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Olivia Rubinich, Penn Fusion 08 - Rubinich was a standout for the Penn Fusion side against Legends. She did well in 1v1 duels as a center back. She had a clever move where she positioned her body to open up more space for the attacker when in possession. She would quickly toe poke the ball away when a player tried to take the space with a big touch. She also used her body well. She is a very intelligent defender.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='82545' first='Juliet' last='Haras'], Legends FC 08 - Haras did well in anticipating when to step. The center back had a number of clean tackles for her team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112422' first='Sydney' last='Beaumont'], Utah Royals AZ 08 - Beaumont scored on a penalty kick the lone goal of the game against Sting Dallas Royal on Friday. The center back impressed me with her pace. It seemed like she made up ground in a blink of an eye. She did well in helping her side to the shutout victory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112420' first='Brooklyn' last='Albright'], Utah Royals AZ 08 - Albright had an excellent game as a two-way weapon on the wing. The right back showed a good engine to get up and down the pitch. She also showed good vision with her cutting passes that split defenders.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112782' first='Tailynn' last='Moore'], Sting Dallas Royal 08 - Moore was a bright spot for the Sting defense. Fiercely competitive and always in the mix. She did well leading her side.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='18996' first='Adelaide' last='Wilhelm'], De Anza Force - Wilheim made a clutch block in the game against Ohio Premier on Friday.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='87932' first='Reese' last='L']iner, Sting Dallas Black 08 - Liner was just too good for the competition on the weekend. The left center back doesn't make mistakes. She should be getting more looks at the Youth National Team level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='25104' first='Alexis' last='Smith'], Ohio Premier 07 - Smith is a shutdown outside back. She is exceptional in 1v1 marking and winning the tackle when man-marking a player on the wing. She got forward a couple of times and added some crosses and key passes against Portland Thorns.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zoey Lavezzi, Crossfire Premier 08 - The whole Crossfire defense deserves credit for the performance against Slammers Koge. They were exceptional in that game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mackenzie Hildebrand, Boise Thorns 08 - Hildebrand was excellent at right back for Boise. She flew up and down the touch line - staying involved and engaged on both sides of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->