ECNL St. Louis: PNW Players & Matches to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no rest when it comes to playing soccer at the highest levels! The High School season in the PNW wrapped up last month and the champions were crowned. Now the focus shifts to the club season. It is time for the top ECNL clubs to battle their local rivals and also display their talents against the best the nation has to offer throughout the ECNL showcase season. First up ... ECNL St. Louis!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The weather report in St. Louis looks to be a chilly one but that won't stop the hundreds of college coaches from lining the fields looking for their next collegiate stars. From NCAA Division 1 to NAIA, schools from around the country will be ready to watch these talented athletes showcase their skills. One of the most important aspects of talent evaluation is analyzing potential. Coaches will be checking in on athletes that are on their radar because of their impressive communication off the field, along with evaluating their gains and improvements on the field. This will be some players very first ECNL showcase, while others are considered salty veterans in this arena. Looking for athletes that have improved their game since initially being considered to have potential, will be the key focus for some coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Showcases are about just that ... showcasing your talent! The wins and losses are not the measure of success that will make or break a student athletes potential. It will be the passion, drive, skill and desire shown with every minute on the pitch that will catch the eyes of college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some players and matches to watch as ECNL St. Louis kicks off this today:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">XF Academy G09 ECNL v. Sting Royal G09 ECNL</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top teams from the Texas conference this season will take on the PNW powerhouse, XF Academy, in the 2009 age group on Thursday. The Sting will be taking their 8-game unbeaten streak up against a stout midfield and defense led by defender <strong>Sasha Thomas</strong> and midfielder <strong>Madison Deal</strong>. The Texas Conference boasts some of the best teams in the country and Sting Royal is in that conversation at every age group. Having players like <strong>Maren Brewster</strong> punishing defenses and <strong>Finley Pike</strong> in goal, will make for a long day for some opponents. XF Academy is no slouch and will be looking to impress in St. Louis. This will be XF's showcase opener and will set the stage for what should be a great season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Seattle United G09 ECNL v. PDA Blue G09 ECNL</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SU will take on PDA Blue in their second match of the showcase on Friday. Seattle United will be bringing their undefeated regular season record to the table against their North Atlantic Conference foe. United boasts a new GK in <strong>Devon Bankers</strong> who uses her size and strength to control games. The SU midfield and defense is comprised of stellar athletes like <strong>Madeline Maves</strong> and <strong>Mackenzie Hawkins</strong> who will make notable contributions throughout the match. The 2023 ECNL National Champion PDA Blue, will lean on <strong>Alyssa Hammoud</strong> to find the back of net early and often. This should be an epic match you do not want to miss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">XF Academy G06/07 ECNL v. SUSA FC G06/07 ECNL</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>XF boasts some of the toughest defensive players in the country led by center back <strong>Allyson Laccinole</strong>. UConn commit, <strong>Morgan Mooney</strong> and up and coming GK <strong>Jaiden O'Neill</strong> will be putting their best foot forward as they take on some great competition this weekend. SUSA will be starting their season versus XF and hoping to showcase their own top-notch defensive midfielder in <strong>Maddie Costelo</strong>. The High School All-American and Clemson Tiger commit will have her hands full against her midfield counterparts, <strong>Anna Babcock</strong> and <strong>Samantha Snorsky</strong>. This one should come down to who scores first.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Eastside FC G08 ECNL v. World Class FC G08 ECNL</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eastside will be matching up against WCFC in the 3rd match of the weekend. This could shake out to be a battle of the defenses. Eastside FC relies on <strong>Makenna Holub</strong> to be that strong presence in the middle while World Class has a stellar athlete in <strong>Ella Burkholder</strong> holding it down on their back line. The speedy and menacing <strong>Amiah Armstead</strong> could give WCFC fits but they hope to counter with their own offensive weapon in <strong>Mary Grusser</strong>. Plan on getting up early to catch this Saturday morning match!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Washington Premier G08 ECNL v. Concorde Fire Premier G08 ECNL</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chocked full of elite talent, this WP squad will be ready to battle in St. Louis. Looking to net one early, forwards <strong>Addyson Dickey</strong> and <strong>Ella Coates</strong> will be ones to watch in the attacking third. Concorde Fire GK <strong>Brooklyn Vann</strong> is a force in goal and will make her presence known with her superior range and sure hands. However, Washington Premier has you covered on defense too. The Sumner HS trifecta of <strong>Brooklyn Johnson</strong>, <strong>Caylee Brown </strong>and <strong>Kennedy Jackson </strong>have played their fair share of locked down defense. This game should set the tone for the rest of the showcase for both teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Seattle United G06/07 ECNL v. SLSG Navy G06/07 ECNL</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SLSG is staying close to home and flexing their undefeated 12-0-3 record in front of their hometown ECNL showcase crowd. Seattle United will have their hands full but are always up to the challenge. <strong>Alex Tay</strong>, the Stanford commit, will be doing her own flexing on the back line while forwards, <strong>Mia Draper-Kunz</strong> and <strong>Avery O'Donnell</strong> will be seeking golden opportunities to score. The SLSG superstar and 2024 Gatorade National Girls Soccer POTY, <strong>Madeline DiMaria</strong>, will be a problem. If she's away at the ECNL NSG then Saint Louis will not have to look very hard and can lean on collegiate talent such as <strong>Claire Nieroda</strong> or <strong>Caroline Orf</strong> to help secure wins. This is a must watch and will set SU on a very positive trajectory for the young season if they can pull off the upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Final Words:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There will be hundreds of coaches attending ECNL St. Louis this weekend! Make sure to communicate with them affectively through email, socials, texts and in person (Don't forget that your response may depend on your age!). Lastly, don't forget that you are not only representing yourself but also your team on the sidelines, pregame, post-game and at your hotels. Someone is always evaluating, make sure that your best self is seen!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Follow me on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepsoccerpnw?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==">@prepsoccerpnw</a> or on X: <a href="https://x.com/coldbrew25">@coldbrew25</a> for the latest rankings, news and articles about your favorite PNW High Schools, Club Teams and Athletes! Keep Grinding!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->