ECNL Phoenix: Six Texas Players to Watch
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The final round of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) high school soccer playoffs, the Regional Tournaments will draw most of the attention in the sport in the state of Texas this weekend, but players from the Lone Star State will…
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Continue ReadingThe final round of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) high school soccer playoffs, the Regional Tournaments will draw most of the attention in the sport in the state of Texas this weekend, but players from the Lone Star State will also be competing with their club teams from Friday to Sunday.
The ECNL Girls League is hosting another National Event this weekend, this time in Arizona, with 286 teams set to take the field in the U12-U17 age groups in venues in Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Some Texas teams will make the trip to Arizona, with the Lone Star State sending four U15 (Challenge SC, Sting Austin, Sting Dallas Black and Sting Dallas Royal), one U16 (Sting Dallas Royal) and one U17 (Sting Dallas Royal) sides to compete in the event.
Here is one player from each of those teams who deserve your attention this weekend:
Feliciano and her Challenge SC G09 team are set to face Kings Hammer SC, Pleasanton Rage and De Anza Force this week in Phoenix. A pacey and skilled winger, she typically plays on the left for them and is constantly involved with their chance creation. Feliciano is very fast and does a very good job of exploring the space behind opposing outside backs with runs on and off the ball. She’s also a goal-scoring threat herself, displaying great presence and positioning inside the penalty box and the ability to finish with precision from mid-range distance.
Kate Pieczonka
Kate Pieczonka
Pieczonka’s Sting Austin G09 side will go against Eagles SC, LAFC SoCal and FC Stars White in this weekend’s event. A new addition to the team coming from Lonestar SC, she slotted in nicely at right back and has been contributing with her solid game. Pieczonka is extremely solid defensively with her ability to make interceptions and win 1v1 duels. She’s not one to push forward very often, but is capable of supporting the team’s offensive with her intelligent passing in the buildup.
Flores will be in goal for Sting Dallas Black G09 in their matches against Utah Avalanche, Kings Hammer SC and Scorpions SC. She is one of the top goalkeepers in the state in her age group and gives her team tremendous defensive solidness with her play between the posts. Flores is always well-positioned in goal and is very explosive, which allows her to effectively react to unexpected plays. She’s very technical and intelligent and always times her moves extremely well when she has to leave the goal to make stops and collect crosses, avoiding errors.
Highlights
Pistorius will be a key player for Sting Dallas Royal G09 in their matches against Placer United, Heat FC and PacNW SC in Phoenix. An outside back with excellent offensive skills, she’s one of the team’s main attacking options with her ability to progress the ball on the field. Pistorius makes very good runs with and without the ball and is very well-versed around the penalty box and she crosses and shoots with great precision. She can play on both outside back positions and is capable of keeping a high level of intensity during entire matches.
Seeley will be with Sting Dallas Royal G08 when they face Heat FC, La Breakers FC and Phoenix Rising during the event. She recently joined the club coming from DKSC and added another interesting option for the team. She likes to play on the left, where she can use her dribbling ability to beat defenders and bring the ball inside to her preferred right foot. Seeley is a tall player and uses her body well to shield the ball from opponents and also finishes well from distance with either foot.
Dowdle and her Sting Dallas Royal G07 team are scheduled to face Washington Premier, PacNW SC and San Diego Surf this weekend. She typically plays left back for them and manages to heavily impact the game on both sides of the ball for them there. Dowdle plays with great energy and is a player with excellent defensive instincts as she makes several interceptions and also thrives by understanding when to step up and put pressure on opponents to win the ball back. A right-footed player on the left, she’s also very productive offensively, pushing the ball forward with great efficiency and bringing it inside to send through balls or finish from distance.