ECNL Florida: PNW Matchup and Player Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Showcase season is in full swing and only a handful of teams are making the long trek to Florida from Washington State this time around. Some PNW clubs have made the decision that the 3,000-mile trip is not the ideal situation for them and their players. ECNL Texas and ECNL Phoenix are right around the corner, and they are much less taxing for some local teams to travel too. The PNW clubs that did decide to travel to Florida will be playing some tough competition in relatively mild temperatures and weather conditions. Should make for some great matches!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are only five more ECNL showcases left before Nationals this year. Every showcase is an athlete's opportunity to make a name for themselves that will ultimately get them on a coach's radar or set in motion the process of signing with a college program. Either way, these showcases are the 'real deal'!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To all the athletes attending ECNL Florida this weekend, good luck and get after it!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some matches and players to watch when ECNL Florida kicks off tomorrow at the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, Florida:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Eastside FC G06/07 ECNL v. Ohio Elite Soccer Academy (OESA) G06/07 ECNL</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be the first match for both these squads in Florida. Eastside FC and Ohio Elite SA are coming off two losses to start the season and will be looking to get back on the winning track in Florida. This Eastside team boasts some star quality in the Seattle University commit, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='28214' first='Jaelyn' last='Byeman']</strong>, and Cal Lutheran commit, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275907' first='Emily' last='Broel']</strong>. Among these 2025 commits are numerous 2026 athletes that are coming off big time High School seasons and are ready to make that final push for a college roster spot. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139928' first='Alexa' last='Campos']</strong> plays in a dangerous forward/midfield position that OESA will have to contain. Along with<strong> Byeman</strong> on the back line, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='140261' first='Ella' last='Benders']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='276715' first='Kora' last='Hulst']</strong> provide stability to a stout defense that does not tend to give up big plays. OESA has historically been a front runner in the Ohio Valley Conference and has some great talent on their roster. The list of players that will be playing at the next level is expansive, but Eastside FC will need to focus on a few athletes specifically. <strong>Kendal Erbach</strong> is a talented dual sport athlete that locks down her area and will make it difficult on EFC. Her future college teammate at Ohio University, <strong>Kiley Bruce</strong>, will be in the attacking 3rd looking to score early and often.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Information</strong>: 1/11/25 @ 4pm on Field #8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Washington Premier G08 ECNL v. Michigan Hawks Magic G08 ECNL</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final match of the weekend for Washington Premier should be a good one for them. The Michigan Hawks Magic team has had a tough ECNL season and WP is just getting started with their season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='62675' first='Ella' last='Coates']</strong> is one to watch in Florida this weekend. She is a powerful forward with the skill and technique to match. Michigan's defenders will have to be on point to stop her. When you combine Ella with her speedy striking mate, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='28241' first='Karin' last='Heikkila']</strong>, even the best of teams will struggle to manage this combination. Add in the defensive talents of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275329' first='Caylee' last='Brown']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='23088' first='Brynn' last='Fitch']</strong> (ex-Michigan Hawk) and Goalkeeper <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='28272' first='Kennedy' last='Jackson']</strong>, opposing teams do not have much room for success. Michigan is not without its stars. <strong>Maya Orlowsky</strong>, the Central Michigan commit, and <strong>Serena Hua</strong> help lead the team in the midfield. The Michigan Hawks will need to bring their 'A' game in the final match of the showcase if they are going to put WP on their heels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Information</strong>: 1/13/25 @ 8am on Field #9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">PacNW SC G06/07 ECNL v. FC Pride Elite G06/07 ECNL</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PacNW SC will be taking on FC Pride Elite on Monday for their showcase finale. PacNW will be bringing their undefeated season to Florida and will be hoping that they will be leaving in the same way. PacNW has a stacked roster full of elite athletes this season. There are plenty of Division 1 commits on the team as well as uncommitted college level talent, that will be looking to shine and find their future home! FC Pride will need to contain the attacking prowess of the University of San Diego commit, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='28149' first='Elise' last='Miller']</strong>, if they want to keep the scoreline in check. Along with Elise, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='230738' first='Syleena' last='Hogan']</strong> (Gonzaga) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275917' first='Olivia' last='Sides']</strong> (Creighton) are tough to suppress in transition and can be a problem for opposing defenses. Uncommitted star midfielder <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='271309' first='Harper' last='Curnutt']</strong>, and Goalkeeper <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='121248' first='Blayklyn' last='Warner']</strong> (Portland), can be gamechangers on the pitch and they may be the keys to PacNW's success in this showcase. FC Pride has their own defensive playmakers in GK <strong>Annah Wasiak</strong> (Indiana State) and Defender <strong>Sadie Black</strong> (Eastern Illinois) that PacNW will have to navigate if they want to come out on top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Information</strong>: 1/13/25 @ 8am on Field #17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Washington Premier G09 ECNL v. Orlando City G09 ECNL</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only G09 team from the PNW to make the trip is the skillful Washington Premier squad. In their second match of the showcase, WP will be taking on the battle tested Orlando City side. Washington Premier is coming off a two loss December against some great Oregon competition but will be looking to start 2025 off right with a great ECNL showcase. Look for many WP players to stand out in this match and garner attention from college coaches on the sidelines. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='111457' first='Finley' last='Kern']</strong> will be one to keep your eye on as she solidifies her spot as a must watch attacker. Another player who has eyes to score is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='111467' first='Kaihea' last='Irene Tuifua']</strong>. She is coming off a stellar High School season where she scored 30 goals for her team. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='111469' first='Alezandra' last='White']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='111459' first='Leila' last='Mooring']</strong> round out a robust defense for WP that will be difficult for opposing forwards to score on. Orlando has been grinding out their season and they are coming into the showcase with a 5-game unbeaten streak. Goalkeeper <strong>Taylor Deaver</strong> has shown skill and talent in goal for Orlando City and will be one to watch moving forward. This should be a great early morning match to start off a great Sunday of soccer matches!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Information</strong>: 1/12/25 @ 8am on Field #1</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 Florida 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 -->