Standouts from the ECNL NJ National Selection Game
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The last ECNL National Selection Game of the 2022/2023 club season was held over the weekend. The event in New Jersey was an ideal time for scouting opportunities as college coaches had a last look at some of the top…
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Continue ReadingThe last ECNL National Selection Game of the 2022/2023 club season was held over the weekend. The event in New Jersey was an ideal time for scouting opportunities as college coaches had a last look at some of the top prospects from the 2025 class prior to the opening of that recruiting period starting in a couple weeks.
The ECNL NJ National Selection Game featured a number of players ranked highly in our national rankings plus some surprising new names to be added in the future.
Hutton had some outrageous moments in the first half. The North Carolina recruit was supposed to be one of the top players on the field and she delivered. Her goal midway through the opening half when she chipped the keeper from a long-range effort was a perfect example of the kind of quality Hutton offers and her potential for the next level.
Pachan played as the defensive midfielder for Team East in the National Selection Game. She was outstanding in all facets of the game and really dictated where the game was played and controlled the direction of play. She showed early on that she has a good first touch and earned the trust of her teammates with her ability to control the ball under pressure. She did well in her decision-making, and letting her teammates shine in the attack. Pachan, frankly, outplayed some players in this game with multiple youth national team call-ups. She showed she is international level quality – and it’s been obvious from some time she’s deserved that spotlight.
Halpern answered any questions about her current level with her performance on Saturday. She was inches away from a multi-goal, multi-assist first half. She scored from the spot for the opening goal for her side. The tall center midfielder is still one of the most dominant players in the ECNL.
Highlights
Proctor was outstanding in the first half for Team East. She made a number of good saves from diving efforts to tips over the bar. She made good decisions in her distribution too. Her save on the breakaway with 10 minutes left in the opening half was impressive for a variety of reasons – the timing of when to come off the line, the technique in when to go in for the tackle, and how she forced the attacking player wide. And to best that, she safely secured the corner kick in her hands as well. Proctor probably raised her stock the most from this game.
McGrew definitely made a difference when she was on the field. The winger was active and electric with the ball. She drew the foul for the penalty kick for Team West in the first half. She created the corner kick for the second goal. There weren’t many players as impactful as McGrew in this game.
Highlights
Helfrich did not get much service in the first half but she made the most of her chances. She battled against the center backs and endured fouls (and some missed calls). It seemed like she moved back to a more attacking midfield role in the second half. Her contribution will be marked by the spectacular goal early in the half, but the latter half also showed how influential she can be as a playmaker through the center rather than the point of the attack.
Mathelus is definitely a name for the future. The 2027 winger had a few standout moments from the game. The potential from the Scorpions star is enticing. She has the quality to drop a defender with a move with either foot. She is great at running at defenders and putting them on the back foot with her close control and nimble footwork. Matheus is one to know for the future.