Best XI named from ECNL Conference Cup

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The inaugural ECNL Girls Conference Cup wrapped up last week from Southern California. The event brought together the best of the best from the national-league among elite clubs. The Central Team ended up as Champions from the event. [player_tooltip player_id='23525' first='Madeline' last='DiMaria'] led the way for the team in scoring with three goals in the semifinal and a goal and an assist in the final. DiMaria earned a spot on the Best XI for the event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a scouting report on a few players from the Best XI from the event. Check out the full recap of the event at the bottom. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["145222"],"_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":"McNeal is one of the top goalkeepers in her class and has been identified by US Soccer scouts as a top prospect on the international level. The SLSG Navy goalkeeper lived up to the hype at this event. She is a special talent in a lot of regards, but one of the elements of her game that really stands out compared to her peers is her confidence with the ball at her feet. There was a moment during an ECNL playoff game this summer when she caught a ball with her hands, scanned the field for options, rolled the ball to her feet. At this point, every player on the opposition is expecting her to go short to the center back who has space. She saw a winger free over 60 yards away. She effortlessly hit the ball to the exact perfect spot. You don't see that often on the youth fields, especially at the 09 level. McNeal has a long way to go, but she is definitely one to watch on that journey.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["19737"],"_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":"Rocha is a star defender for San Juan SC 08. The center back is an difficult matchup every week for ECNL forwards in Northern California. What Rocha does really well is being physical at the point of contact. She does not shy away from tackles and when she is into the battle, she stays in an athletic position so she can easily move laterally and have balance to poke the ball away from the attacker. The strong technical foundation as a 1v1 defender shows up on tape and makes it clear that she is going to be one to watch for a long time. Rocha had a stellar week at the Conference Cup.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64daa68e8c8fa"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwCNU-7WJGU","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwCNU-7WJGU </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["145226"],"_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":"Rubinstein is a talented midfielder from New York who could play as either a No. 8 or a No. 6. She has a really well-rounded game. She can do everything. From her ability to win tackles in the open field to her vision in the passing, Rubinstein has the tools to be a top midfielder in her class. She impressed during the ECNL playoffs with her ability to protect the back four for her side. She did a great job controlling where the game was played with her knack for winning the second ball and then quickly finding her teammates with one-touch passes. Rubinstein impressed once again at the Conference Cup.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["145233"],"_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":"Work is another standout center midfielder. She is one of those players who makes a number of impactful plays that don't show up in any meaningful way in the box score. Her off-ball positioning is a strong point of her game. She is always moving with a purpose. She is a good defender 1v1 but she often does the work beforehand so she can stop chances from happening by beating her mark to the ball. On the ball, she is comfortable on either foot and a very good passer. Work looks to be one of the top prospects from her state in the class.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64dab2db746d2"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After two days of high level competition between 90 of the top ECNL Girls athletes from around the country at the ECNL Girls Conference Cup, four teams remained standing with an opportunity to lift the inaugural ECNL Girls Conference Cup trophy at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center in California.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams Central, Northwest, North, and Southwest advanced as the top four teams out of group play and faced off in a four team bracket for the Conference Cup Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first semifinal game, the Central took on the Northwest with both teams looking to claim a spot in the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite a number of good chances, both sides remained scoreless throughout the first half of the game. It didn't take long for the Central to breakthrough in the second half though.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just moments into the second half, [player_tooltip player_id='23525' first='Madeline' last='DiMaria'] (SLSG Navy) fired home the opening goal to put the Central on top 1-0. DiMaria proceeded to add in two more goals in the second half, giving her a hat trick for the game, and sending the Central into the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second semifinal, the North and Southwest played to a scoreless draw during regulation and the game went to penalty kicks to decide who would be taking on the Central in the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the penalty kick shootout, North goalkeeper Julia Zaldarriaga (PDA Blue) made two key saves to help propel the North into the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the championship game, DiMaria continued her offensive show for the Central team. DiMaria scored the first goal of the game to put the Central on top, before providing a great assist to Reese Canada (Michigan Hawks) for the second goal of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Central was able to hold onto their 2-0 advantage the rest of the way and lifted the inaugural Conference Cup Championship trophy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following the championship game, the Best XI throughout the entire week were recognized for their standout performances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Best XI was selected by the technical staff at the ECNL Girls Conference Cup and is listed below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ECNL Girls Conference Cup Best XI</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='145222' first='Ella' last='McNeal'] (SLSG Navy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='58773' first='MacKenzie' last='Stearns'] (So Cal Blues SC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='82594' first='Kylee' last='Rocha'] (San Juan SC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>London Young (Solar SC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eloise Rubinstein (SUSA FC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lilia Work (Racing Louisville Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reese Canada (Michigan Hawks)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riley Kennedy (NC Courage)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='23525' first='Madeline' last='DiMaria'] (SLSG Navy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chloe Sadler (La Roca)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='20055' first='Peyton' last='Marinos'] (So Cal Blues SC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->