Defenders with Unlimited Potential in North Carolina’s 2027 Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Soccer 2027 rankings for North Carolina were released this week. Check out <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/north-carolina/rankings/girls/2027-rankings/">the rankings here</a>. Learn more about <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">our rankings process here</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out a scouting report on the defenders with high upside below. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["277441"],"_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-67927b98e0e50"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The center back for Charlotte Independence 09 ECNL was excellent during the recent ECNL event in Florida. Strong on the ball, confident in the duel, and exceptional with her passing, Wang stood out as one of the top defenders from that Showcase. She has the physical frame to dominate the game from the center back position with soccer smarts to back it up. Wang has shown the promise to be considered among the best center backs in this class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110428"],"_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-67927b98e0ee1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Moore is a center back on the NC Courage 08 ECNL team and plays as the left center back - but has the flexibility to slot in a different role if needed. Moore is a key part of the Courage team. She earns more touches of the ball than pretty much any field player in a normal game. The squad is dependent on her distribution and decision-making to play their style of play. She is a ball-dominant center back who thrives in a positional flexibility style of play. Moore's tactical intelligence makes her a top recruit from this class. Her recent play among a team with players who have verbally committed to top programs show that she is going to be a star at the next level as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["277450"],"_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-67927b98e0f4f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schilder is an outside back on the Charlotte Independence 09 ECNL team. Her play has been excellent lately especially with her tactical approach. Schilder is great at reading the game and anticipating how to cut out the cross. She had a number of plays in the recent games when she stopped the attack with her positioning. She could improve her first touch. She struggled with some awkward passes into her feet. When she has good control of the ball, she's a good passer and does well with linking up with the winger. Schilder's tactical brilliance is a bright spot of her game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["277524"],"_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-67927b98e0fb7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mueller is a defender on the NC Courage 08 ECNL team. She is capable of playing any spot in the back four - could also step into a defensive midfield role. Mueller is a fun player to scout. She's a pace-setting type of player. When she's on the ball, she will assess the options and determine if she wants to attack or put her foot on the ball and slow down the tempo. The change of dynamic approach was a key to the success recently for Courage in the ECNL event - and the tactically advanced approach makes her a standout compared to her peers. Her comfort on the ball and defensive skills combined with versatility make her a top recruit from this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["277440"],"_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-67927b98e101b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Levesque can play as a winger or an outside back for Charlotte Independence 09 ECNL. She has a future in either role, but I think there is more upside as an outside back. Levesque could be a top left back. She's quick, good on the ball, and shows good instincts as 1v1 defender. Thanks to her attacking prowess, she offers an excellent cross as well. Levesque's developed attacking skills makes an ideal candidate for wingback in the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["277454"],"_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-67927b98e107d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There are three very good center backs on the Charlotte Independence 09 ECNL side. Haddock is an accomplished player with accolades from high school and club. She is also part of the South Carolina ODP (she is included in our North Carolina rankings because our rankings are based on the location of the player's club team). Haddock is a standout at right center back: athletic, sharp tackler, and confident in the build-out. Haddock's ability to anticipate the pass and step in front of the forward is a strength of her game. She ends a lot of attacks with her interceptions. Haddock is a talent at center back and worth the scout's attention. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110373"],"_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-67927b98e10dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cochrane was one of the standouts from the ECNL event in Phoenix in 2024. The center back for the Hammerheads is an excellent defender. She is a good at using her body to dispossess attacking players. She reads the game well and intercepts the entry pass when the opportunity it there. Otherwise, she will take advantage of a bad touch to win possession for her side. Cochrane is an excellent defender and takes a lot of pride in that side of her game. She continues to impress with her commitment to shutting down the opposition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["24915"],"_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-67927b98e114f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stoter is a center back on the NC Fusion 09 ECNL team. She plays in the center of a back three. Stoter is a good defender in man-marking situations. She uses her arms to keep control of the forward. She's got a booming kick and created some chances with her delivery from set pieces for her side during recent games. Stoter has the physical profile to be an enticing prospect as a center back at the next level. Her game film shows that she has the defensive instincts to be a solid contributor at center back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->