NW Elite 2007’s poised for breakout

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With two matches remaining, the Northwest Elite FC Girls 2007 ECNL team is in the running for a spot in the Showcase Cup playoffs. The team will need to get some points on the road against two very good teams from Utah, the Utah Avalanche and La Roca FC, but the fact that NW Elite is in this position is very impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When coach Angelo Sabblah took on this team, he knew there would be a learning curve. It was his first season coaching ECNL with the club, and there was a lot of changeover in terms of roster as the 2007 team was looking for players that fit the culture. With a lot of new faces, and a team-driven initiative to share minutes in order for everyone to earn trust and to be assessed, this figured to be a rebuilding year so the fact they are in the race for a playoff spot says a lot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We've put in a more wholistic program, one where players are encouraged to achieve in all areas of life," Sabblah said. "There were some changes to the roster and the players are learning to trust the system. We are definitely inexperienced, and it has cost us in some matches, but the learning curve has been excellent. We are making great progress and we just need to start being a little more consistent."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team initiated the idea to share minutes, with the understanding that once the personnel and system were in place, it would be merit based going into next season. Because of that, and with the talent on this roster, it could very well be an excellent season for this NW Elite team when the Club seasons resumes for 2023/2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":133701,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Zoe.png?w=864" alt="" class="wp-image-133701" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: NW Elite</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='50499' first='Zoe' last='E. Anderson'], Keeper, Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson is completely team first. As discussed above, the team's focus this year was to give equal minutes and assess what they had and go for a top five spot in the next ECNL season. Anderson, who is a top keeper in the Northwest and one of the best in her class in the country, was splitting minutes and did not complain. She put the team first. Anderson is the kind of player that works hard during her keeper training, but works hard outside of that as she will ask what the team is doing in terms of more training. Anderson is focused, driven and ambitious. From a skills perspective she is strong, physical and brave as she is not afraid to come out for a ball or challenge a ball in the air. She positions herself well and she has very strong hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":133706,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Katrin-Garrity.png?w=792" alt="" class="wp-image-133706" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: NW Elite</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Katrin Garrity, Central Defender, Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garrity is a tall, strong center back who is built exactly like you want your center back to be built. She has a very athletic frame. She is also very quick and agile as she moves well, recovers quickly and positions herself well. Her biggest attribute is her fearlessness. She is a very aggressive player and is not afraid to make a challenge, even against the biggest player on the pitch. She is also really improving in terms of her skills on the ball. She has Division I prospect written all over her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":133707,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Kiera-Grant.png?w=792" alt="" class="wp-image-133707" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: NW Elite</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='144890' first='Kiera' last='Grant'], Central Defender, Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grant is a leader and a captain for this 2007 team and she has the ability to blend in with any group, which earns her respect and deference from her teammates. She is approachable, she leads by example and is also a very vocal leader. She is an all-around center back as she is not afraid to make a challenge, goes up for headers, makes brave tackles and she covers a lot of ground. She is very composed on the ball and can play the longer pass as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":134180,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Bridgette-Hollifield.png?w=1001" alt="" class="wp-image-134180" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: NW Elite</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bridgette Hollifield, Forward, Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hollifield was first team All-State in Washington out of Kalama High last Fall, scoring 40 goals to set a school record. She is a very quick and skillful player with a very good understanding of space, which allows her to take full advantage of her technical abilities. She's a constant threat to the the fullback marking her, and it can be a different fullback depending on which side she is on. She can play the No. 7 or No. 11, and can also play up top. She uses her speed to frustrate defenders and once she creates space from them she can deliver an excellent ball into the area. What she also displays are very important leadership qualities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":133708,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Kylee-Jerome.png?w=792" alt="" class="wp-image-133708" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: NW Elite</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kylee Jerome, Attacking Midfielder, Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jerome comes from a family with soccer pedigree as her mom played at Asuza Pacific and her sister currently plays there as well. She is very dedicated as she makes the drive for training and matches all the way from Bend, OR to Portland. She plays mainly in the No. 10 spot, but can also play centrally. She is technically very good, shows a good understanding of the game. She asks probing questions as she tries to increase her understanding. She someone who understands space on the pitch and finds space to receive the ball or to cut off lines of supply for the opposition. She is an excellent striker of the ball, and even as a No. 10 she is not afraid to drop back to collect the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":133709,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Karsyn-Ross.png?w=1017" alt="" class="wp-image-133709" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: NW Elite</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Karsyn Ross, Central Midfielder, Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ross is a very cultured player with an ability to read the game and understands space. She has taken part in ODP and has a lot of experience under her belt. She just joined with NW Elite and is settling in nicely. She has a great attitude and the team has warmed up to her very quickly. She is a player that anticipates well, she has tremendous feet and a great engine. Ross strikes the ball well, she has good speed, she is dangerous in 1v1 situations and she distributes well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":133722,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Camryn-Schaan.png?w=792" alt="" class="wp-image-133722" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: NW Elite</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cameryn Schaan, Forward, Class of 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schaan is just a freshman, and she is a bit smaller in stature. But do not judge her based on that. She is a player that will create a headache for you all day long. She is constantly pestering and battling with defenders, using her upper body well to take on bigger players. She is hard to knock off the ball, but if someone does, Schaan pops right back up and goes back for more. She is extremely quick, she is deceptive with her movements and she is a very good finisher. She links up play well and despite her size can be used as a target striker. She can hold up play, she can facilitate and make runs off a ball she plays. She maneuvers well and has great feet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":133723,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Libby-Wise.png?w=792" alt="" class="wp-image-133723" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: NW Elite</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libby Wise, Holding Midfielder, Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wise is everything you want out of a No. 6. She's big, she's strong and she's smart. She keeps it very simple and she is instinctive. She knows how to occupy space early, she uses her body well to shield defenders and to get a foot on the other side of them and she turns well, using her excellent footwork. She retains the ball excellently, and Wise is quite good at switching play. She is the team's anchor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->