ECNL Girls Texas Cup Champions: Solar SC 09

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ten days ago, before last weekend's ECNL Girls event in Phoenix, the best teams in the Texas Conference headed to Dallas for the first edition of the Texas Cup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The recently created event featured the top four teams in each age group of the Texas Conference Cup and rewarded the champions with a spot in the ECNL Playoffs, in June.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a deeper look into some of the teams that triumphed in Dallas and secured a spot in the playoffs:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Solar SC 09</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dallas' Solar SC 09 were dominant in the 09s division, winning both of their matches without conceding goals - they topped OK Energy FC 4-0 in the semifinals and defeated FC Dallas 2-0 in the final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/CzVpAr4OeY1/","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/CzVpAr4OeY1/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112571"],"_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":"A new addition with Solar this season, Martin played in the final, against FC Dallas, earning an important clean sheet that helped her team take the title. She's a very solid shot-stopper, who has the privilege of playing behind a strong backline, but is always ready to make plays and keep the ball away from the goal. Martin, who got to play with the 06s earlier this season, is very explosive when going for the ball and doesn't try to overcomplicate things, avoiding unforced errors Another interesting skill she brings to the table is her passing, which helps Solar keep possession and eventually break lines.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654d0addb9503"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/CwDZxJhgvrV/","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/CwDZxJhgvrV/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112573"],"_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":"Typically used as a left back, Shimmick was recently in a camp with the US U15 National Team. She's a very complete and well-rounded player, who gets to contribute on both sides of the ball. Shimmick plays hard on defense and uses her excellent tackling and great positioning to shut down wingers. She's also talented going forward, dribbling in tight spaces and displaying good quality with both feet to make plays, pass and cross the ball. In the Texas Cup, she assisted in one of Solar's goals in the semifinal.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654d0addb956a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["147175"],"_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":"Andries was also part of the US U15 Training camp and is another key player in Solar's system. She can play anywhere in midfield and even in the backline and is very productive on both sides of the ball. Andries is excellent at anticipating plays and times her tackles extremely well, which helps her make clean plays to win possession. She also plays a big role in possession not only because of her passing ability but also because of her advanced understanding of when to push the tempo and when to build up more methodically, moving the ball around and looking for gaps.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654d0addb95b9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112575"],"_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":"A physical and skilled attacker, Young can play several different roles offensive for Solar. She's very technical and can make moves in tight spaces, but also uses her body well to shield the ball and keep opponents away. Young is an excellent finisher and is also very strong in the air, but can also drop deeper to get on the ball and make plays and even be used in wider positions thanks to her pace. She scored one of the team's goals in the semifinal against OK Energy FC.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654d0addb9601"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112553"],"_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":"One of the top prospects in Texas, Aguilar is a threat playing in the wings for Solar. She stepped up in the most critical moment of the tournament in Dallas, getting a goal and an assist in the final against a strong FC Dallas team. Gigi is excellent with the ball and uses her first touch very well to get an early advantage over defenders. She has a very high soccer IQ and makes great decisions under pressure in no time. Aguilar is really great at creating chances for her teammates with her direct play and unselfish play, but will also step up and score goals in big moments.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654d0addb964a"} /-->