2026s That Stood Out at ECNL RL Virginia

Plenty of HS Juniors were also setting themselves apart from the rest of the players at ECNL RL Virginia. VA teams really are loaded in the class of 26. The Richmond Strikers 06/07 team has a ton of talent here, which has helped them maintain their undefeated mark in throughout the Fall season. Here are some of their players, and players from other teams, that stood out.    Alex Miller is rising in the ranks of 2026 Virginia center backs, and quickly. She followed up a great Spring season at Midlothian HS, which included a state semifinal run, by anchoring a back line on her Strikers team that gave up just 3 goals in 8 league games this Fall (6 clean sheets). Alex has great size, at 5' 9", which of course helps any center back on set pieces, balls into the box, etc. Alex is also very good with the ball at her feet. She shows the composure of a player that could play or has played in the midfield before. She is comfortable making one touch passes to get her team out of pressure, and splitting defenders with passes on the ground to connect to her midfield. Miller is capable of taking space with her dribble and breaking lines going forward, a rarity at her height. When she has time to pick her head up, she also delivers very accurate long balls up the field.     Alevia Colombell is another standout player, and captain, from this 06/07 Strikers team. She also won a region title last Spring, with Deep Run HS. Alevia can play outside back on both sides of the field, or in the midfield. Colombell has great defensive instincts to cut off passing lanes, and does a great job staying with attackers off the ball. Colombell is a tough, gritty player that makes strong tackles when necessary, and times her slide tackles very well, especially in emergency situations. Alevia is a very accurate passer, and has a really strong work rate. She links up with her midfield very well and seems to be able to cover the entire sideline every minute she is on the field.     Returning two-time All ECNL RL talent, Bailey Richardson, plays as an attacker for her FC Richmond club team, and as a right wingback for James River - both under coach Mac Phillips. Off the field, Bailey is an indoor track star (State champ and school record holder in the 4x400), and it shows on the field. Richardson has a ton of pace and she uses it to put the opposing team under pressure when they have the ball, as well as to fly by defenders when she has it. Her work rate fits in to the category of players that would be described as relentless. Richardson works as hard to win the ball back as she does to make a run to score a goal.     Like the 06/07 Strikers team, the 08s also sit atop the ECNL RL Virginia South standings at the close of the Fall season. The 2008s allowed a league best 4 goals, and Libbie Herndon has been a big part of that. Libbie is a great shot saver and has taken full control of the area during her games. Herndon does a great job of coming out to challenge balls played into the box and to close down the shooting angle in 1v1 situations. Libbie stepped in for her Midlothian HS team last Spring due to an injury, and ended up being selected as an RVA HS All-Star. The experience she gained as part of a region champion team has definitely helped her from a leadership standpoint.     Brooke Kondracki is a striker for the Richmond Kickers 08 Elite Red (ECNL RL) team and Manchester HS. Kondracki was selected as an RVA HS All-Star after last Spring, scoring dozens of goals since then for club and HS. Kondracki is a tall striker than can be used in a hold up role, but she also has plenty of speed to run by defenders. Brooke also shows various first touch moves when receiving the ball with her back to goal. All of them are geared to set up what separates her from others - shooting. She is a very strong finisher with well above average power on her shot.     Margaux Ciaverelli is Abigail Holmes center back partner on the Kickers 06/07 team. Margaux has good size and can also play as a right back. She shows a very high soccer IQ when linking up play to get her team on the attack. Ciaverelli is what could be classed as a ball playing center back, assuming the role of a deep lying midfielder when her team in possession. Margaux also has good instincts in the attacking part of the field and is a good threat on set pieces.     Natalie Critchlow is a versatile center back with a good mix of all-around skills. Natalie has the size to play as a center back with good speed to cover balls played in behind. Critchlow is a strong physical player and shows a work rate that is strong enough to play in the midfield or as an outside back as well.

Plenty of HS Juniors were also setting themselves apart from the rest of the players at ECNL RL Virginia. VA teams really are loaded in the class of 26. The Richmond Strikers 06/07 team has a ton of talent here, which has helped them maintain their undefeated mark in throughout the Fall season. Here are some of their players, and players from other teams, that stood out.