ECNL Playoffs – 08 Standouts from the opening day

<!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>USE PROMO CODE JR30 for a discount on your first subscription </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>REDMOND, Washington </strong>- The ECNL National Playoffs kicked off on Saturday from the 60 Acres Park. The weather was nearly perfect with a cloud cover providing a relief from the sun and ideal temperature for soccer. The fields seemed to play a little slow, but the longer grass should provide the durability for a venue that is going to endure hundreds of games over the next few days. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2008 and 2007 Champions League teams were in the spotlight on Saturday. The sidelines were packed with college scouts from all over the country as well as a growing number of scouts for professional clubs, a recent development in the past year or two as that pathway has become more feasible for the elite player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out the players who stood out from the games I caught on Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111255' first='Stella' last='Monberg'], MVLA 08 - Monberg scored a nifty goal on a flicked header in the win over Wilmington Hammerheads. She was active and constantly engaged in creating chances for her side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111251' first='Maggie' last='Currie'], MVLA 08 - Currie showed that she can be in an impactful player in either the wing role or through the center as an attacking midfielder. It felt like Currie was providing the key pass constantly on Saturday. Her vision and anticipation revealed a player who is fully equipped to star at the next level. And when she wasn't she was dribbling at defenders with pace. [player_tooltip player_id='83596' first='Lewa' last='White'] was also outstanding for MVLA. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caidy Nelson, Wilmington Hammerheads 08 - I loved the way Nelson battled. There is a fearless, confident nature to her game that translates big time to in-person scouting. She takes on every challenge. I thought she used her body well and showed good technique when handling 1v1 duels as a center back. I think scouts will look to pair her with a aerial dominant center back at the next level and create the perfect partnership. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Avery Fisher, Wilmington Hammerheads 08 - Fisher is always dangerous and it feels impossible to stop her for a full game. She didn't see a ton of the ball in the first half against MVLA, but she created two chances out of nothing basically when she did get on the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morgan Landry, Solar 08 - Landry scored a nice goal in the second half in the win over Tampa Bay United. She looked way better than her current ranking. Clever on the ball, good finisher, and quick burst to play out of tight spaces, Landry looks to have the tools to be a key contributor during this postseason run for Solar. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordan Hill, Solar 08 - Hill scored a goal in the second half for Solar that was a good representation for her as a player. Never in a hurry, always under control, and lethal around the goal. Hill showed why she is one of the best in this age group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='82439' first='Giulianna' last='Vargas'], Legends 08 - Vargas made a couple of great diving saves late in the 1-1 draw against Eclipse. The result-saving efforts were decisive as Legends earned a point from the opener. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mekenzie Rogers, Eclipse Select 08 - Rogers looked dynamic on the ball. The close control, skillful dribbling, and quick change of pace made life difficult on the Legends midfielders. The left-footed playmaker showed that she can create chances against the best competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brianna Gutierrez, Eclipse Select 08 - Gutierrez's difference showed up when she was off the field. She was a standout in her ability to get onto the second ball. Legends started to see a better run of play when Gutierrez was off as her ball-winning ability was lost in the center of the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anabelle Egeland, Eclipse Select 08 - Egeland was dominant in the second half for Eclipse. Felt like she won every tackle, duel, and anything else she was involved in. Legends were forced to play around her to find success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caroline Kiesler, Eclipse Select 08 - Kiesler made some key interceptions for her side late in the game. She did well reading the game and getting into the right spot to cut out the pass. She also did well in retaining possession with her next pass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='82545' first='Juliet' last='Haras'], Legends 08 - Haras was the engine in the midfield for her side. She covered ground and influenced the game with her play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>Alannah Gonzales, Legends 08 - Gonzalez was unlucky not to grab the winning as she had a terrific rip with her right that went off the crossbar and the post, but stayed out of the goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111530' first='Ryan' last='Boehm'], XF Academy 08 - Boehm was one of the best on the day on Saturday. The winger showed off some impressive footwork on her assist on the opening goal in the win over VDA She danced along the end line and picked a perfect pass to [player_tooltip player_id='28400' first='Saleen' last='Koszorus'] for the goal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maya Engel, VDA 08 - Engel was a bright spot for VDA in the clash against XF Academy. She did well in aerial duels and was physical, and clean, in the tackle. Brenna Ford was also a standout for VDA defensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elena Millner, VDA 08 - Millner made some key plays in the first half to slow down the XF Academy attack. She had a terrific defensive play with a sliding block to stop a counter. The defensive midfielder was tasked with the challenge of slowing down one of the best attacks in the ECNL and she did admirably well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='83464' first='Cayden' last='Chowana-Bandhu'], Eagles 08 - I thought Chowana-Bandhu was the best player I saw in the 08 age group on Saturday. She scored twice late in the second half in the come-from-behind victory over NC Courage. After the two teams played to a scoreless draw during the ECNL Event in North Carolina, the same two teams gave us a seven-goal thriller with Chowana-Bandhu having a stellar performance. The way she strikes the ball is difference than most in this age group. She has nearly perfect technique and hammers the ball. She also moved back a line to help see out the victory after scoring twice. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->