Rankings Analysis: Defenders shine from Virginia’s 2025 class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer state rankings for Virginia's 2025 class were released this week. Check out <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/05/updated-2025-virginia-girl-rankings-2/">the full list of rankings here</a>. Learn more about <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/04/behind-the-scenes-the-prepsoccer-national-rankings-2/">the PrepSoccer ranking process here.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a scouting report on a handful of players who appear in the rankings who are either currently defenders or project to be defenders at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["27783"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Left back. More of an attacking wing back - common for her to play in a much more advanced position so that she is pushing the opposing outside back and testing the offside line. Pace to get up and down the wing. Would like to see her demand the ball more. She can be even more impactful, but tends to defer at times to teammates. If Jenkins becomes a consistent threat in the final third, the potential is limitless.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["27673"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eCenter back. Center of the back three for the VA Union 07 ECNL team. Probably underrated in the initial ranking for this class. She is a versatile defender. She can be a center back who will organize the defense, but she also has the quality to be a shutdown 1v1 defender - a rare blend of the attributes, which makes her great at either role. She does have a tendency to chase either the mark or the ball and get caught out of position. She will need to improve on that tactical aspect of her decision-making for the next level when mistakes are costly. However, her versatility should get her on the field as a freshman for a top program.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["27792"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eSteen is listed as a 2/7 on her player profile, but I saw her play as a left center back. She is a standout in that role, but projects as a better outside back. She has elite recovery speed. Good in the tackle - can be a little cavalier and overly confident in slide tackles. Excellent on the ball skill for a center back, she is not afraid to dribble at players and force someone to step up and stop her. Steen is right-footed, but looks comfortable playing with either foot. She's been a breakout star for Loudoun during this campaign and deserves more of the spotlight. She has the potential to be a top player at defense for a division I program.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["42578"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eD'Andrea is a new addition to VDA as she is joining the club full-time in June, but has been added for the upcoming events. She was a decorated player and track athlete in Alabama. She is an outside back with skill and pace. She should be an immediate contributor and standout from the ECNL Mid-Atlantic region.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["124294"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eSaw her play as a left center back. Right-footed. Unique for the position in how calm she is on the ball. Quality on the ball to be a center midfielder - even at the next level. One of the most intriguing prospects in this class. Comes from outside of the notorious leagues, but has looked as good or better than her peers when playing against those clubs. McEntarfer is the type of player good scouts have already identified because of the quality she has shown in the past year for Virginia Rush and Rush National Team.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["27664"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eProphett plays the left center back for the Fairfax Brave 06 ECNL team. She is a consistent presence for her side. She is confident on the ball and a good distributor. She is right footed but can play out of pressure with either foot. She is a long-strider for the position and can go step for step with top center forwards. Prophett has the physical profile to be a starting center back at the college level.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6478b2df790d1"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->