New Jersey keepers, defenders keep it on lock

When talking to players and coaches about the seven players featured here, leadership, being vocal and keeping the team organized are character traits that were mentioned. They also boast athletic ability to help play the ball forward as today's game calls for defenders and keepers to have solid ball skills and distribution.   [player_tooltip player_id='171890' first='Sophia' last='Barresi'], Defender, NJ Crush, Class of 2026   Barresi is a versatile defender, with the ability to play centrally or out wide. The rising junior attends Bayonne High and plays club for NJ Crush. She has the innate ability to score on set pieces, as she reads the game well and shows great response to those instincts, allowing her to get on the end of the ball. She also is great about sending balls into the box and handing out assists. She's very technical as she can use both feet and has good recognition of the moment when it's time to attack. She shows good passing range when it's time to move the ball forward and effectively switches the point of attack. She is calm on the ball, and does not back down when challenged or pressured. As a defender, she is excellent at helping the back line maintain shape and composure. She earned many accolades for Bayonne and has been a key player there since she was a freshman.   [player_tooltip player_id='23835' first='Amanda' last='Bialek'], Outside Defender, Match Fit Academy, Class of 2027   Bialek is a prodigious rising sophomore from Clarkstown North High and plays club at Match Fit Academy for the 2008 ECNL team, where she features as an outside back. She played center back for her school and earned multiple accolades including All-Section, All-League and All-County. Her biggest strength is her work rate. She never quits and has a motor for days. She is very fast and athletic, and because of her natural ability she is comfortable on either side. She will take on a team's fastest wide forward and shut them down. She has a strong leg and takes free kicks and corners. In addition to that, she trains very hard and regularly, working extremely hard to improve her all-around game. She has focused on improving her touch and foot work and to continue to get even faster.   Lily Cognato, Centra Defender, PDA South, Class of 2026   Cognato attends Rutgers Prep, where she is a rising junior, and plays club for PDA South. She is a central defender who has excellent 1v1 defending skills and is an excellent tackler. She is a force in the air as well, winning headers regularly. She is great at taking set pieces and can take shots on goal from range. She has excellent passing ability as she can deliver a precise ball, whether it be short, medium or long. She is technical as well and has a great first touch.   Chase Lee, Keeper, Princeton Soccer Academy, Class of 2027   Lee is a keeper for the Princeton Soccer Academy and is a rising sophomore at Manalapan High. She shows great reactions to shots, even at close distance, showing the athleticism to move quickly and make tough saves. She is excellent with her footwork, distributes well and reads the game quickly and at a high level. She is also mentally strong, and is proving to be a very good communicator.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/image2-crop-844x555-1718293876.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-180104" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Samuka @ballbandars</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='143834' first='Sandra' last='O'Neill'], Central Defender, PDA Blue, Class of 2027   O'Neill is a player that has taken the bull by the horns in terms of becoming the best player she can be. She plays high school at Rutgers Prep, where she is a rising sophomore, and plays club with PDA Blue. She is a central defender with great foot skills, showing off her progressive passing ability, sending long balls and driving the ball forward with total intent. She displays great passing vision which allows her to break lines, or play an over the top ball to a forward. She is a team captain, and is always working hard to communicate positively and maintain good energy as well as keeping her defense organized and keeping shape maintained. Her physical skills are impressive as well. She is very fast, and has confidence in this speed as breakaways end when they meet her. Her biggest strengths as a defender are her one-touch defense, her awareness, positioning and overall anticipation.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/IMG_9724-crop-936x615-1718221537.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-179784" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Elizabeth Swafford</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='24118' first='Lauren' last='Swafford'], Keeper, PDA South, Class of 2025   Swafford is a rising senior at Moorestown High and she already has her college situation sorted as she is committed to Rutgers. She plays club for the PDA South team and has earned her spot for club and school because of the myriad of ways she demonstrates her excellence. For starters, she shows great distribution, with accuracy even when she plays the ball long. She is explosive and athletic, showing incredible fast twitch when diving for a ball. She's quick laterally, making it hard to get the ball past her and she shows bravery, courage and command on crosses and corner kicks into the box. She handles shots well, and does not spill them and her reaction to saves from close range is improving a ton. The leadership aspect is great too, as she communicates well, and gives great direction.   [player_tooltip player_id='24060' first='Julia' last='Zaldarriaga'], Keeper, PDA Blue, Class of 2027   This rising sophomore keeper plays at Princeton High and plays club for PDA's Blue 2008 ECNL team. Zaldarriaga is a competitor, who shows the will and desire to win. She shows the ability to make big saves and come through in big moments. She also has great foot skills and distributes the ball exceptionally. She is a very agile and athletic keeper, one who is aggressive and competitive. She is growing into a leadership role and is very communicative.

When talking to players and coaches about the seven players featured here, leadership, being vocal and keeping the team organized are character traits that were mentioned. They also boast athletic ability to help play the ball forward as today's game calls for defenders and keepers to have solid ball skills and distribution.