ECNL Boys National Finals: 09 Goalkeepers and Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All roads lead to Richmond, Virginia for each of these players as the ECNL Boys National Finals kick off Monday. This group of young men will be aiming to hold their own and steel their nerve in defense of goal to help their team lift the trophy and become ECNL National Champions in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":193214,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/sinada-crop-422x277-1720891182.jpg?w=421" alt="" class="wp-image-193214" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Prep Soccer</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pipeline SC B09</strong>: Noah Sinada and David Romero will try to keep the same number of clean sheets they did in San Diego (3), while Christopher Molina, Mason Friskey, and Jackson Boyd are among the stout defenders who put up a show of force in the National Playoffs. This group conceded only once during that tournament, and propelled the offense to quality showings with their ability to control the action in the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":193216,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/molina-crop-433x285-1720891266.jpg?w=432" alt="" class="wp-image-193216" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Prep Soccer</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rockford Raptors B09</strong>: Dustin Emmert and Kale Syzdek will look to improve their goals against count, however it can be said that they've operated well in tight games. That can also be extended toward the defense, with Saul Santana, Gabe Moore, and Matthew Perez leading the push to keep the opposition at bay long enough for the offense to do their job and find a way to victory, even if it isn't particularly ideal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":193208,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/knowles.jpg?w=633" alt="" class="wp-image-193208" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Prep Soccer</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>San Diego Surf B09</strong>: Caelan Knowles and [player_tooltip player_id='146595' first='William' last='Walker'] will hold down the fort for Surf in the back, the pair conceding just twice in group play, and their defense will look to improve on their performances as well, the opposition having to get past the likes of Luis-Melchor-Gallardo, Nicholas McKindley, and Roland Patton. The Round of 16 was a bit awkward for SD Surf, so they will aim to put in more predicatable performances like the ones they enjoyed in group play in order to survive and advance in Richmond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":193209,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/mckindley.jpg?w=627" alt="" class="wp-image-193209" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Prep Soccer</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->