TopHat 2008's play shutdown defense

The TopHat 2008 Girls Academy team had quite the showing at the GA playoffs in Riverside County, California last week during group play. They sit atop Group C, taking nine points out of a possible nine. And as impressive as it was that they scored 10 goals in the three matches, what is even more impressive is the one goal allowed in three. The defense is a big reason that TopHat performed well in the group stages of these playoffs and why they are one of the best U16 GA teams in the country.   Annemarie Adefisan, Outside Defender   Adefisan is an outside back who provides a lot of speed and likes to get forward. A well-balanced outside defender who takes pride at both ends, she is a great attacker and a great 1v1 defender. She has the speed and the endurance to make long runs when building out of the back, and really delivers excellent crosses into the area. Prior to playing outside back, she played defense centrally would has allowed her to remain sound in her defensive principles and understanding her defensive responsibilities.   [player_tooltip player_id='150782' first='Brynna' last='Burrus'], Outside Defender   Burrus, like Adefisan, is an outside back with a lot of speed, likes to get forward, but is very good in defending 1v1's. She reads attacking players well, positions herself correctly and is a physical defender who uses her body. She tracks back excellently and supports the other defenders. She is used to being on the outside, having played as a wide forward before, so she is comfortable with the ball, is good in 1v1 situations and operates well in tight spaces. She is ideal as an outside back in terms of helping build out of the back. She dribbles down the line well and creates opportunities for her teammates.   [player_tooltip player_id='110946' first='Kassey' last='Dzenis'], Central Defender   Dzenis is a physical center back who plays very strongly in the air. She raises up well to head away long balls, set pieces into the box and corner kicks. She is acquitting herself well in her first year as a center back, having been a No. 6 before. And because of her midfield experience, she is very good with the ball at her feet and distributes well. Playing multiple positions has also greatly improved her soccer IQ. She is a great communicator, as she remains positive and also shares relevant information.   [player_tooltip player_id='20975' first='Alexia-Mae' last='Goodman'], Keeper   Goodman does what you want a keeper to do, which is stopping shots, handling the ball well but she does many other great things that not every keeper does. She is very brave off of her line, showing no fear and no hesitation. She handles the ball well and distributes well, showing great footwork. She's also a great leader, acting as such on the pitch and off. Goodman is very quick and explosive, and she is good in 1v1 situations because of her reaction time. She stays composed, reads the attacker well and reacts to what she sees, including making quick decisions in covering up the ball if the attacker's touch is heavy. She has good height, so she can cover most shots including getting much better at tipping the ball over.   [player_tooltip player_id='113945' first='Jordynn' last='Gunn'], Defender   Gunn can play both central defender or on the outside. She plays on the right side, as either the No. 2 or No. 3, and no matter which position she's at, she likes to get into the attack. She is very good technically, showing a good range of passing and shows a great comfort on the ball. She is getting better and better as an offensive threat when playing the outside back spot, as she has become a very good passer of the ball from wide positions. Defensively, she reads the game very well and shows anticipation. She is a good athlete, she is fast and she combines this with the ability to time her tackles very well in 1v1 situations as well as being strong in the air.   [player_tooltip player_id='107138' first='Kennedy' last='Kelly'], Central Defender   Kelly is a center back who is incredibly athletic. She shows how athletic she is with her foot skills as she can possess the ball, and she remains quite calm when on the ball. She is highly technical, and can use both feet. She shows off her technical skills when she shows her passing range, as she can break lines by playing a ball short on the floor or put an accurate ball over the top. In addition, Kelly is a vocal leader on the pitch and has a high soccer IQ.   Addison Winter, Outside Defender   Winter fits the TopHat outside back mold perfectly as this 2008 team likes wide defenders who can get up and down the touch line. She is excellent when it comes to combination play, combining with a midfielder who plays a diagonal ball that Winter can cross. She transitioned from the center back position, and has become so much better with the ball in terms of distribution and switching the ball through the attack and around the back line. As a defender, she is physical and uses her body well in 1v1 situations. She is tough to get around as she either wins the ball or shuts the attacker down. She is a good communicator and works very well with her teammates.

The TopHat 2008 Girls Academy team had quite the showing at the GA playoffs in Riverside County, California last week during group play. They sit atop Group C, taking nine points out of a possible nine. And as impressive as it was that they scored 10 goals in the three matches, what is even more impressive is the one goal allowed in three. The defense is a big reason that TopHat performed well in the group stages of these playoffs and why they are one of the best U16 GA teams in the country.