ECNL CL Playoffs: Monday's Best from the 08s

USE PROMO CODE JR30 for a discount on your first subscription   REDMOND, Washington - The ECNL Champions League playoffs in the 08 age group continued on Monday with the second game of group play. The favorites started to emerge as teams battled for top spots in their groups with eyes toward advancing to the next stage of the competition.   Check out the players who stood out from the games Prep Soccer saw on Monday.   Ashley May, San Diego Surf 08 - A thunderous strike was the highlight of May's game against FC Dallas. The talented midfielder scored a goal in the opening half for Surf and had a pretty stellar game overall as her side cruised to a 4-0 victory.   Pearl Cecil, San Diego Surf 08 - Cecil at center back looks like the right fit for this iteration of the Surf squad. She was pinging the ball around the pitch on Monday.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/JosieBiehl-Main.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-184091"/></figure>   Josie Biehl, San Diego Surf 08 - Biehl did have to come with a save or two in the victory on Monday. She showed that she is fully locked in when her number is called as she went through long stretches without any action and then came up with a big save late. Biehl's communication with her teammates is great. She does well with clear feedback and helps organize the defense off the ball. Her distribution was among the best I saw from a goalkeeper on Monday.   Presley Williams, San Diego Surf 08 - Williams is in incredible form right now. Every time she touches the field, it feels like she is going to score a goal. She delivered on that on Monday - and likely will continue to deliver on that. The aspect of her game that stood out was the timing of her runs. She gets to where the ball will be first and makes no doubt about her finishing when she has those opportunities.   Marley Adams, San Diego Surf 08 - Adams was highly effective on the wing. It seemed like she was always getting off a great cross. Her assist to Williams was a high point of the Surf day. It was a team goal that started with Biehl and ended in the back of the net. Jaiden Rodriguez and Mia Villalpando were also outstanding for Surf.   Paige Foye, PDA 08 - Foye was one of the players of the Day for me. The PDA defender had the answer for every challenge that NVA threw at her. The PDA shutout streak extended through a second game thanks in part to her stellar play.   Camille Banks, PDA 08 - Banks capitalized on a mistake in the defense to nab an opening goal for her side. She showed good instincts and anticipation on the goal. She has a great first touch and always plays under control.   Olivia Racioppi, PDA 08 - Racioppi had a stellar outing. I think this is my first time seeing her play in person and she certainly left an impression. A versatile attacking talent who can go on the wing and win the duel or slot inside and slice the opponent with her passing, Racioppi was firing on all cylinders on Monday.   Darien Vita, NVA 08 - Vita threatened the shutout streak for PDA. She had a free kick hit off the crossbar. She also missed just hit on a shot from the run of play. The defense midfielder had some good moments in the game.   Elise Ernest, NVA 08 - Ernest has game-breaking abilities from the center forward position. Lightning quick and decisive with her actions. Ernest is making a name of herself at these playoffs.   Elle Price, PDA 08 - Price did a really good job controlling the center of the field. The most you can ask of a holding midfielder is to protect the back four and keep the ball moving for your side. Price did that and much more on Monday. She was the key piece for the PDA midfield. She was everywhere and shut down the opposition.   Alexa Lee, PDA 08 - The left back was really good. She had a stellar two-way game and showcased her quality against elite competition.   Kate Kemmerley, Penn Fusion 08 - The dynamic Penn Fusion attack was once again on display. Penn Fusion has 11 goals in two games so far. They are lightning quick with their movement and ruthlessly efficient. I thought Kemmerley was outstanding on Monday. She was involved in all the key moves and showcased a well-rounded game from a forward.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/TalynGuthrie-MAIN.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-184094"/></figure>   Ava Pascarella, Penn Fusion 08 - Pascarella is one of those players who could play any position on the field. She is a very smart player who dribbled through the opposition at one point on Monday and then saw out the result while playing outside back at the end of the game.   Talyn Guthrie, Eclipse Select 08 - Guthrie was a non-stop threat for Eclipse. The high work rate forward did well whenever the ball was near her. She forced the play in her favor with her determined play.   Shea Krakowski, Eclipse Select 08 - Krakowski had a terrific finish on a late game for Eclipse. The midfielder was a bright spot for her side. Mekenzie Rogers provided the assist on the goal.   Olivia Rubinich, Penn Fusion 08 - Rubinich did well for her side in the win over Eclipse. I liked the way she handled the pressure and kept the onslaught from Eclipse away from goal for the most part. Noelle Clabaugh and Elayna Kocher were also standouts for Penn Fusion.   Elizabeth Philllips, Michigan Hawks 08 - Phillips controlled the game in the win over Wilmington Hammerheads on Monday. She had a good understanding of when to put her foot on the ball and make the opposition chase the ball rather than force it forward. She was outstanding in every facet of the game as she protected the defense for another shutout victory.   Charlotte McMurtrie, Michigan Hawks 08 - McMurtrie is a fun player to watch. She is dynamic on the ball with close control and quick feet.   Vanessa Pastrana, Beach FC 08 - Pastrana recently updated her highlight reel, but she may want to do it again after today's game. Pastrana nabbed the game-winner as she hit a rocket on a rope into the top corner.   Kaya Herndon, Beach FC 08 - Felt like Herndon did a bit of everything on Monday. She had a couple of dazzling dribbling displays, but she also got stuck in on tackles and won a few aerial duels.   Mary Rodarte, Washington Premier 08 - Rodarte scored the game for Washington Premier. It was an effort play as she didn't quit on a long ball and played a brilliant touch to get it past the keeper for the goal.   Reese Liner, Sting Dallas Black 08 - Sting Dallas Black logged a second shutout at the event. Liner showed great leadership for her side in the 5-0 win over Connecticut FC. She also scored a goal for her side.   Leah Simpson, Sting Dallas Black 08 - Simpson was a bright spot at the end of the first half for Sting. She had the opposition begging for the half time whistle as she kept poking and prying at the opposing defense with her relentless dribbling displays.   Clare Nemsick, Connecticut FC 08 - Nemsick had a busy day, but she handled it well. She battled hard in the first half and kept Sting at bay for a long as possible. Julia Wheeler was another standout for CFC.

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