Impact players at GA Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is hard to narrow down the field, with all the talent on display at the Girls Academy Playoffs in Norco, CA. There have been great showings in the first couple of days, and here are seven players who are showing well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ava Collier, Defender, Nationals SC, Michigan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collier has been a standout for the Nationals so far, looking locked in as a defender as she has been switched on, staying organized and playing very hard-nosed defense. She also contributed a goal on day one with a cheeky long distance chip that tucked in under the post and over the keeper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='105514' first='Liliana' last='Cruz'], Central Midfielder, FC United, Illinois</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cruz has been a maestro in the GA playoffs for FC United, pulling all the strings in the midfield. She has known when to calm things down, when to push as she reads the game really well. She makes smart decisions and delivers precise passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lily Jeakle, Forward, Nationals SC, Michigan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jeakle had a great start to the GA Playoffs, scoring a goal and having an assist on day one and she has shown great athleticism and speed. She has been able to get past outside defenders, and draw more defenders her way, creating space in the middle of the pitch for her teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='156988' first='Emily' last='McKee'], Forward, Beadling SC, Pennsylvania</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKee is a 2027 grad playing on the 2008 team and she has been a very active and disruptive force up top. She has been pressuring defenders, working hard in chasing down every ball and continuing to make runs and make herself available to her teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nicole Nguyen, Forward, PA Classics, Pennsylvania</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nguyen is a very active, athletic and quick player. She has been featuring as a No. 11, but she can also tuck into the midfield and essentially be another attacking midfielder. She has been showing great pace and change of direction, acting as an important cog in the attacking machine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reilly Novak, Forward, FC United, Illinois</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Novak has been great as a wide player for FC United so far, not just scoring two goals on the opening day, but continuing to push and pressure defenders. She has shown speed, and has really deceptive quickness and fluid movements. Getting the ball out wide to her has certainly been a priority.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pearl Wicks, Forward, Spokane Sounders, Washington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wicks has shown to be a difference-making player so far, showing terrific athleticism and ability. She's lightning fast on the outside as she has been playing the No. 7 role, but she wants to make an impact. So if she is not getting service into wide areas, then she has been tracking back to get the ball so that she can use her creativity to help her team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->