ECNL Girls National Finals: 07 Defenders to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All roads lead to Richmond, Virginia for each of these players as the ECNL Girls National Finals kick off next week. This group of young ladies will be aiming to hold their own and steel their nerve in defense to help their team lift the trophy and become ECNL National Champions in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26927"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6684621ae92ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Wisconsin commit leads her FC Dallas squad into the quarterfinal round boasting the best defensive performance of any of the remaining Elite 8 squads, helping record two shutouts and allowing only two goals in four matches in Seattle. Gilmore is going to be the stalwart for this Dallas backline and her efforts will go a long way in determining her squads fate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["27303"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6684621ae936c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arreola offers another facet to the FC Dallas squad, operating on the wing to help on on both sides of the ball and transitioning seamlessly from defense to attack and vice versa. Her speed and combination abilities will translate into effective play and success for FC Dallas should she play to the level she is capable. She was another large part of the best defense going into the best defense going into this round, so expect a strong effort from her and her teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["23578"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6684621ae93b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coffman will have her hands full against a scrappy Indy Eleven side going into the Elite 8 round. The Kansas State commit will have the unenviable task of holding off a potent attacking frontline that averaged two goals per match in Seattle and knows how to create opportunities. KC Athletics were up and down in their own right, posting a shutout and one goal performance in two matches, but allowing four between their other two games. Coffman will be an integral part as to which defensive line shows up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["145162"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6684621ae93fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kruer will be doing much the same as her KC counterpart in trying to hold off a strong attack and allow her team to control the match. The Michigan State commit leads a backline that allowed at least one goal in every match, but every match they allowed only one goal in, they won. The Indy center back might just prefer to keep that streak alive if it means her team ends the weekend with a trophy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["22360"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6684621ae9441"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The other half of the Indy Eleven backline at centerback, Marlin will be looking to shut down the KC Athletics front line and control the game as she was able to do at times in Seattle. Look for her to be the jab to her teammates' right hook defensive play as they look to advance to the the semis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["25745"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6684621ae9485"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brandt will try to make the most of this weekend, serving up offensive chances for a strong Penn Fusion frontline while also denying attacks down the flank from opposing wingers. The two way wingback can physically impose herself on opponents, and that's going to be crucial taking on the attackers of Slammers FC HB Koge. A tight matchup could be decided with one moment on the wing, so look for Brandt to be involved if that moment comes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->