Eight Prep Players Make WPSL Teams of Season
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WPSL, one of the premier leagues in women’s soccer, wrapped up their season recently. Following the end of the campaign, the league announced Best XI at the national and conference level. There were eight players from the classes of 2024…
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Continue ReadingWPSL, one of the premier leagues in women’s soccer, wrapped up their season recently. Following the end of the campaign, the league announced Best XI at the national and conference level.
There were eight players from the classes of 2024 and 2025 who were selected to the Best XI at the conference level. This is usually a clear future indicator of success as these players impressed while playing against current college talent and some recently graduated college players.
Below is a brief scouting report on the players who made the list.
Schilling is a talented midfielder/forward. I don’t see a college commitment listed for her, but she should be a target for scouts looking for an impact player from the 2024 class. She is dynamic on the ball, excellent in ball striking, and clearly capable of being a difference-maker against college-level talent.
Ballard is a three-time Best XI selection (’19. ’21, and ’23). The defender is committed to Northern Arizona University. She looks like a day-one starter at the Division I level. She could play at either center back position. She has the physicality to battle against those bruising forwards. She also has the confidence on the ball to deal with those high-pressing speedy forwards. Ballard has all the tools to be a top player at the next level.
Borders, the Auburn commit, had an outstanding season at the high school level with 32 goals and 24 assists. The attacking midfielder really shines in the open field. She is a fluid runner with quick feet. When she escapes the first challenge in the open field, she opens up her stride and runs away from defenders. She does a bit of everything at the high school level – good in aerial duels, long throw-ins, vocal leader. Borders impressed at the WPSL level and looks to be one who should make an early impact at the Division I level.
Walick is the most noteworthy name on this list. The Colorado Rapids midfielder is the top prospect headed to Michigan in the 2024 class. She continues to impress at every level she plays at and the competitive drive she has shown to improve her craft makes it obvious why she is top recruit at the national level. Playing as the defensive midfielder, she did an excellent job helping the Rapids to a 12-1 record with the lone loss coming in the postseason. Walick’s soccer intelligence should make her an opening-day starter at the next level and probably puts her firmly in the conversation for a four-year type of all-conference talent.
Highlights
Yu is listed as a defender on the Best XI of the season roster, but I’ve only seen her play as a midfielder at the club level. She didn’t feature in the available game film from this season, so I’m not sure if her WPSL utilized her in the center back role or the outside back. It’s easy to see how she could be impactful in either role. Yu had an incredible season at the club level. She was dominant against Girls Academy competition. An ideal two-way player, Yu offers the bite defensively to pull off a clean slide tackle in the open field. She has the vision and smarts to provide the key pass in the right moment to be the decisive play in a tilt. And she has the engine to play the full game without her effort dropping at all.
Devey is one of the top talents in Utah in the 2025 class. She is a talented midfielder who is skillful with both feet. Devey’s main attribute is her creativity. Comfortable with either foot, she is not afraid to take on players on the dribble. She is a good finisher. Devey’s brilliance in the final third often makes her a standout at the club level, which translated to the WPSL this season. She is one of two 2025s to make these lists.
Highlights
Callanan is an outside back who is tough in the tackle and a weapon in the attack. She is a flyer on the wing. Her pace and skill on the ball set her apart from her peers in that regard. In the transition, she is great at catching the defense off-balance and exploiting the space provided to her. Callanan is an excellent find for San Diego and should be an early contributor. She is also part of the ODP Regional Team.
Highlights
Felt is a midfielder who is committed to Oregon State. She was a key player for the Westside Metros during the WPSL campaign. In the playoff game against OSA XF, Felt was involved in all five games for the winning side. She had two goals and three assists. Felt is a dominant player in the center of the field. Always in the right position, she cuts out outlet passes. In possession, she has excellent vision and slices apart the opposition with her passing. Felt announced her quality in ECNL, and shouted from the mountain top about her excellence during this WPSL season.