Players who are new to the 2026 rankings

These seven players have bided their times and had fantastic showings in the 2023 portion of the calendar last season and finished strongly in 2024. They were recognized for their efforts, they really pop as players and they join the top players in the class of 2026 in California.   [player_tooltip player_id='112379' first='Brianna' last='Bogar'], Beach FC, Central Defender   Bogar earned ECNL All-Conference honors for a very good Beach FC team and she was a key contributor as a center back. She moved up to No. 45 and I was very impressed with watching her film. She sees angles well, knowing where she needs to be when she tracks back in order to not get beat. Her understanding of this allows her to cut off attackers who seem to be running free. She has long strides and makes up ground quickly and is really good about getting her body in the way of shots and crosses. She is very comfortable with the ball and can help build an attack as you can see her beat defenders and create space, she can play the ball on the floor and she delivers a nice over the top ball as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='198176' first='Emery' last='Copeland'], Keeper, Albion SC   Copeland comes in at No. 138 and is a keeper that has very good size, and is incredibly athletic and mobile in addition to having that size. She is tall and long and can cover her posts well horizontally and covers the bar vertically, but she is so athletic she can get down low quickly, too. She comes out fast when an attacker is in on goal and really closes out, and she is brave on balls played into the box. One thing I liked when watching her film was how she would subtly adjust her position to the play in front of her. She was named ECNL All-Conference.   [player_tooltip player_id='112291' first='Lauren' last='Gatien'], Attacking Midfielder, Eagles SC   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/08/Laura-Gatien-crop-1639x1076-1724690811.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-218231"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Jose Martinez</figcaption></figure>   Gatien comes in to the rankings at No. 70 after having an ECNL All-Conference season for Eagles SC. She is an impressive midfielder, who has great instincts for the game. She knows when and where to play the ball and she does a great job of controlling her body and the ball while surveying her options. She can drive at defenders, she can play a pretty ball and then continue on and often times she makes a play out of nothing that just opens everything up. She will press high and win the ball, using her long frame and athleticism to step in passing lanes or dispossess a defender who takes too much time or a touch too many.   [player_tooltip player_id='19821' first='MacKenzie' last='Gwin'], Forward/Midfielder, SoCal Blues   The ability to turn defenders and carry down the field is very impressive, and her ability to continue carrying, to weave in and out of traffic is truly something special to see. She moved into the rankings at 76 because of her ability to to change direction, to change pace as she displayed true agility and a stop and go like few possess. She can also finish, with either foot, she's an excellent free kick taker and she can play more advanced 1-2 soccer as well. She was named ECNL All-Conference.   [player_tooltip player_id='112383' first='Kaya' last='Herndon'], Central Midfielder, Beach FC   Herndon earned ECNL All-Conference honors and moved into the rankings at No. 85. She is a do-it-all, box-to-box No. 8 who displays all of the skills. She moves well off the ball, she presents herself well and can play within the structure of being available, but she is free to express herself as she does like to show off her fantastic foot skills. She can move in and out of traffic, play a very nice ball to a runner and she is not afraid to be physical, play defense and make challenges to win the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='187356' first='Kieana' last='Smith'], Forward, San Diego Surf   Smith comes into the rankings at 55, and she's fun to watch because she's just faster than everyone else. She can beat defenders down the pitch and if the ball is played well, she doesn't even have to take a touch as she can just hit it one-time and score. She's incredibly accurate, placing the ball where she wants, whether into the roof or slotting it home, when she hits it. She can score with either foot but to watch her make a run, angle slightly left and then drive it with her left foot to the far post is a sight to see. She was named ECNL All-Conference.   [player_tooltip player_id='112476' first='Mia' last='York'], Attacking Midfielder/Forward, LAFC   York jumps into the rankings at No. 68 and watching her film, I was very impressed, and one thing in particular was really fun to watch. When she's playing as a No. 10, her ability to be more physical than the defensive midfielder, win that battle and then either carry the ball down the pitch or make a perfect pass between the center backs was fun to watch. She's fun to watch deliver passes across the face of goal or send corners in from the No. 11 spot when she's playing out wide. I also like how she puts her boot through the ball when she goes for goal. She was named ECNL All-Conference.

These seven players have bided their times and had fantastic showings in the 2023 portion of the calendar last season and finished strongly in 2024. They were recognized for their efforts, they really pop as players and they join the top players in the class of 2026 in California.