GA Champions Cup: Best performances from the 2010s Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NORCO, California - The Girls Academy Champions Cup and Winter Showcase was held at the Silverlakes Sports Complex in Southern California this past week. The event featured teams in the U13 through U19 age groups.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2010 age group had only the Champions Cup teams in action. PrepSoccer was on hand for the event. Check out some of the individual standouts among defenders and goalkeepers from the games below. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Darlene Mendez, Fram 2010 - Fram recorded two shutouts during the three games at the event. Mendez, a center back, was outstanding in the win over Rush on Thursday. Smart about her position, clean in the tackle, and consistent in her passing, she was everything scouts want from a player in that position. Micah Ward was also very good for Fram. Goalkeeper Haven Bengino was also good during the event.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaylee Mallebranche, Tophat 10 GA Gold - Mallebranche was one of the best outside backs in the 2010 age group. The right back for Tophat is a great two-way player. She can shut down the winger just as well as she can offer something in the attack for her side. Tophat only conceded one goal in the three games from Norco. Anniston Grant was good at left back in the game against Cincinnati United Premier.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anna Richardson, Tophat 10 GA Gold - Richardson is a 2011 playing up an age group. She played as the left center back for the Tophat group. She is excellent on the ball defender. Smooth in her movement and always in control, Richardson was a bright spot of the dominant team performance from Tophat. Stella Cronan was also outstanding at center back. Jada Cosby was brilliant in goal.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='279202' first='Ivy' last='Wilkes'], CUP 10 - Wilkes was a bright spot of the CUP defense. She defended with intensity and kept her side in control of the game. She was excellent against Baltimore Armour. Bailey Retzsch was also a standout from the CUP defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Avery Clelan, Baltimore Armour 10 - Clelan had a moment in the game against Cincinnati United when she pulled off one of the cleanest slide tackles I've seen from a youth player. It was perfect technique and a great example of the type of player she is for her side. A tireless competitor, physically imposing, and unwilling to give up on a play, Clelan was part of the defense that recorded two shutouts from three games. Vivian Biggs and Allie Scott combined in goal for those two shutouts.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norah Cakounes, South Shore Select 10 - Cakounes and her center back partner (No. 8) were outstanding for South Shore Select throughout the event. They only let in two goals in the three games while securing three wins. They both had standout moments from the win on Saturday and they contained a powerful attack from the Ukrainian Nationals side.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May Cronin, Nationals Blue 10 - Cronin was a top center back from the event. She was a key part of a defense that only allowed one goal in three games. She is sharp in the tackle and reads the game well. She is also very good in possession and made good decisions. Her partnership with Kennedy Witmer at center back was really impressive and key for the successful showing at the event.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Addilyn Garman, City SC 10 - Garman and the City side did not concede a goal during the three games from the Champions Cup. German played in the center of the back three against TSJ FC Virginia on Saturday and she had a nearly perfect outing. The defender matched up well against some of the best attacking talent in the country.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Naomi Gillis, TSJ FC Virginia - Gillis is an outstanding defender and it's easy to see why US Soccer scouts rate her highly. She was really impressive in the game against City SC. She won the ball cleanly in tackles and did well in finding her teammates with passes to retain possession in transition. Gillis matched up well against the speedy and physical attacking threats from City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->