ECNL Girls Phoenix: Five Forwards to Watch
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The ECNL Girls League is hosting its third National Event of the season this coming weekend, in Phoenix, Arizona, where teams from the U16, U17 and U18-19 age groups will compete and have the opportunity to showcase their skills for…
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Continue ReadingThe ECNL Girls League is hosting its third National Event of the season this coming weekend, in Phoenix, Arizona, where teams from the U16, U17 and U18-19 age groups will compete and have the opportunity to showcase their skills for three days, from Friday to Sunday.
As many as 166 teams from several different states will make the trip to Arizona and in their squads will be some of the most talented prospects in the country.
As we preview the event, we’re highlighting five players of each position that should be on your radar and these forwards will be scoring threats anytime they are on the field:
Ngulefac and her GSA G08 team will battle with Michigan Hawks Magic, Beach FC and FC Wisconsin while in Arizona. She’s a very fast, yet physical player, who can be used as a winger or in a more central position. On either spot, she’ll make good use of her pace to beat defenders. Two things that make Ngulefac hard to stop are her ability to time her runs off the ball extremely well and how she gets to shield it from defenders with her body. Ngulefac is also a strong finisher, which makes of her a lethal player when closer to goal.
Pollmiller’s team Pride SC G08 will play against SLSG Green MO, Pateadores and Beach FC in the event. She typically plays as a right winger but has the freedom to go anywhere in the final third and her movement often disorganizes opposing backlines. Pollmiller is relentless on the field and puts a lot of pressure on defenders by never standing still and always moving to the ball. She’s also a solid finisher, who can score goals from close range.
The schedule of DiMaria and her SLSG Navy G08 team in Phoenix includes matches against Concorde Fire Platinum, Solar SC and Legends FC. The team’s No. 10, she’s very skilled on the ball and is involved in most of their chance-creation. DiMaria typically starts on the left, where she has more room to beat opponents off the dribble, but often drifts inside, where her playmaking can make a bigger impact. She’s very smooth on the ball and quick with her actions and can also score at a good rate around and inside the penalty box.
Cunningham and her new team Classics Elite G07 will meet Liverpool FC IA Michigan, Marin FC and Alabama FC while in Arizona. After standing out among the 08s last season, she’s playing up now and continues to be a strong offensive player. Cunnigham is very fast and does a great job of making herself available for her teammates, be it to get the ball to her feet or passes behind the backline. She uses her body well to shield the ball and is very direct, pushing it towards the goal. Cunnigham is a very good finisher, but also likes to use her skills to create to her teammates.
Highlights
Belanger and her Dallas Texans G06/05 team will face Pateadores, Eagles SC and Utah Royals FC-AZ over the weekend in Arizona. The physical striker will lead the line for her team, operating as a target forward and getting on the end of long balls every time the Texans need to play direct. An excellent finisher, she has a lot of power in her left foot and can score from inside or outside the penalty box and is also strong in the air. Very intelligent and unselfish, Belanger also works as a facilitator to her teammates, taking part in give-and-gos and combination plays through the middle.