ECNL Florida: Best performances from the 08 age group
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The ECNL National Event in Florida wrapped up on Tuesday. The PrepSoccer on site scout had car issues so we have provided some coverage from the event through video scouting from the three-day event. Below are the players who stood…
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Continue ReadingThe ECNL National Event in Florida wrapped up on Tuesday. The PrepSoccer on site scout had car issues so we have provided some coverage from the event through video scouting from the three-day event.
Below are the players who stood out from game film from the 2008 age groups.
Maggie Blosser, FC Stars 08 Blue – Blosser was excellent for Stars against Sting Austin. She operated as the defensive midfielder for her side. She was seemingly always in the right spot and controlled the game with her tactical knowledge. On the ball, she was calm under pressure. She played one or two-touch for the most part and did well in picking out teammates.
Emmy O’Donnell , FC Stars 08 Blue – O’Donnell is a versatile player and I saw her play at outside back as well as in center midfield. She immediately stood out in the game against Sting Austin. She can really do everything. In the open field, O’Donnell is tough to contain. Her long-distance runner speed really shined
Isabella Duenas Isabella Duenas 5'3" | M Beachside | 2026 FL , Florida Elite SA 08 – Duenas had an impressive game against La Roca. The attacking midfielder did well at pulling the strings for her side. She played with her head up and played key passes to create chances too. Duenas was a standout in the midfield.
Kyra Swart Kyra Swart F State FL , Florida Elite SA 08 – Swart is a winger/forward on the Florida Elite ECNL team. She is a dual-sport star and it was obvious immediately from game film at the ECNL National Event. Swart has track speed – elite track speed too. She is a full speed pressing winger who can play as center forward too. She was excellent against La Roca. She is more than just a speedy player. She has good vision too. She created chances for her teammates with her passing.
Logan Griffin, Florida Elite SA 08 – Griffin played as the left center back for Florida Elite ECNL. She was always in the right spot at the right time for her team. She did well in the tackle when needed and looked calm on the ball while under pressure. Griffin is a young 2008 and should be one to watch for the future.
Avery Fisher Avery Fisher 5'4" | M John T Hoggard | 2026 State NC , Wilmington Hammerheads 08 – Fisher was a standout from Hammerheads in the win against Connecticut FC. Her obvious contributions came on corner kick delivery as she hit an excellent set piece. She was instrumental in the center of the field for her side early on in the game as she pulled the strings and made key passes.
Kieran Bradley Kieran Bradley 5'7" | F Ashley | 2026 State NC , Wilmington Hammerheads 08 – Bradley was also excellent in the win over Connecticut FC. She finished the game with a pair of goals. The attacker was obviously a key player at the event for her finishing. I thought she always showed excellent skill on the ball. She was nimble with her footwork and able to get around defenders with ease. She can play on the wing or in the center. Bradley looks to be a top 2026 from the region.
Ava Stephens Ava Stephens 5'4" | M Jacksonville | 2026 NC , Wilmington Hammerheads 08 – With the style of play from Hammerheads, there is often a lot of pressure on the defensive midfielders to stop the counter. Stephens was exceptional in this regard in the win over Connecticut FC. It was easy to hear her coach sing her praise as she made countless game-defining tackles to erase the attack of the opposition. Riley Morrow was also outstanding for Hammerheads in this same aspect of the game. The two defensive midfielders were incredibly valuable to the team.
Zoey Kulas Zoey Kulas D NC , Wilmington Hammerheads 08 – Kulas had a strong outing against Connecticut FC. She was great in 1v1 duels and closed off her side from the attack. She did well on the ball and found the winger with accurate passing. Center backs Caidy Nelson Caidy Nelson M NC and Chloe Stanley Chloe Stanley F NC were also standouts for Hammerheads.
Abby Graul Abby Graul 5'8" | M Carroll | 2026 State TX , Sting Dallas Black 08 – Graul might have had one of the best performances I’ve seen at the youth level this season during the first 20 minutes of the win over Bethesda. She did not lose the ball once – not a single bad touch, misplayed pass, or drop in concentration. She capped the display with a 20-yard shot that rattled the net for the opening tally of the game. Graul is going to be a name to know from this group as the 2026 recruiting window starts to appear on the horizon.
Mikaela Valentine Mikaela Valentine 5'3" | D South Grand Prairie | 2026 TX , Sting Dallas Black 08 – Among the new names to me on Sting, Valentine impressed me the most. She is a forward on in our player database, but she was playing outside back. She was excellent in that role. Quick to close down space and unrelenting in her defensive pursuit. Valentine has the tools to be a top player in that role.
Reese Liner Reese Liner null | D Highland Park | 2026 State #49 Nation TX , Sting Dallas Black 08 – Liner was once against dominant in all facets of the game for her club side. The center back helped lead the defense to three wins with only three goals conceded against top competition. She also scored for her team as she is truly one of the best two-way threats in the ECNL.
Ainsley Washburn Ainsley Washburn 5'8" | GK Prosper Walnut Grove | 2026 TX , FC Dallas 08 – Washburn made some outstanding saves in the opening day win for FC Dallas. She was extremely impressive with her blocks as she showed incredibly strength to keep a few shots out with just an outstretched hand. Washburn also impressed with her side-to-side mobility on crosses and tracking the shot off the cross. The FC Dallas keeper gave up two goals in three games.
Lauren Alvarez Lauren Alvarez F State #63 Nation TX , FC Dallas 08 – Alvarez does a lot of things that do not show in the score sheet. Her open field tackling is among the best in the age group. She is clean with her slide tackles and displayed perfect technique in FC Dallas’ opening win. Her play in the midfield sets the tone for her side. She also offers quality in the attack as she can hit a shot with accuracy from distance.
Halley Jewell, FC Dallas 08 – HJ impressed me with her play in the opening day result for FC Dallas. She is a high-energy attacking option. The forward was always on the front foot and creating chances either on the dribble, off the ball with her movement, or with her unrelenting pressure. Her quality also shined in the final touch as she made no mistake when she had a chance on goal with a free header in the victory.
Ava Garvin Ava Garvin 5'6" | D Panther Creek | 2026 State TX , FC Dallas 08 – Garvin and the FC Dallas defense had a strong showing at the event. The center back had a couple of key tackles to shut down attacks. Keira Floyd Keira Floyd D Guyer | 2026 State TX , Brooklyn Hubbard, and Leah Edler Leah Edler 5'8" | M Walnut Grove | 2027 TX were also bright spots of the FC Dallas defense.
Ava Brochon, FC Delco 08 – FC Delco did not concede a goal at the event, which should be attributed to the effort and commitment from the whole team. Brochon was in goal for all three games and definitely deserves the spotlight. Beyond the results, she stood out for her comfort off the line. She was excellent against FC Wisconsin in tricky wind conditions. Brochon is a player to watch from the goalkeeper position in the 2026 class.
Sofia Goetter Sofia Goetter M Mid Valley | 2026 State #79 Nation PA , FC Delco 08 – Goetter impressed with her versatility. She made an impact at forward and in the midfield in the win against FC Wisconsin as Delco closed out the event with a perfect 3-0 record. Karina Goetter was a standout in the defense for FC Delco.
Alison Ernst Alison Ernst F MI , Michigan Hawks 08 – Ernst scored a wonder goal on a free kick against SUSA FC on Monday. She is a difference-maker in the final third. She provides that bit of magic from the left wing that can break open the game.
Charlotte McMurtrie Charlotte McMurtrie F MI , Michigan Hawks 08 – McMurtie is a player on the rapid rise this season. She was outstanding during the event in Phoenix. Her performance against SUSA showed that she is among the best attacking midfielders in the country. An elite combination of speed of play and passing, McMurtrie was an unstoppable force for her team. Nina Laba Nina Laba D State MI and Addie Fife Addie Fife F Skyline | 2027 #9 Nation MI were also outstanding for Hawks.
Gianna Camporeale Gianna Camporeale F NJ , Match Fit Academy 08 – Camporeale was a standout in the attack for Match Fit. She can play as a center forward or support striker. She has quick feet and speed to get past the defense. She hits a good cross with her right foot when she drifts out wide. Her combination play through the center is another strong point of her game that she showed during the event in Florida. Camporeale is one of the captains on the Match Fit 08 team.
Maddie DiMaria, SLSG Navy 08 – DiMaria led the SLSG attack during a busy event. The top attacker from 2027 had seven goals and three assists for her team in three games. Quite the output against some of the best defenders in club soccer.