ECNL G08 – 2nd & 3rd place with High-Powered offenses collide

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was another gorgeous day in San Jose, California, for Week #4 Spring ECNL soccer matchups. With my second match of the day, De Ana Force G08 took on the [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] G08 at the Kathleen MacDonald High School Soccer Field. &nbsp; Although the sun was out, it was a slightly warm 60 degrees for most of the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams are top-level club teams, as Force came in at 2nd place with a record of 10-4-3 and Surf in 3rd place at 11-5-4. It is safe to say that this is a crucial match with playoff implications on the line. I've covered both teams previously, and I knew the parents and fans would be in store for some beautiful goals, tough defensive stops, and all-around great technical skills. Both Force and Surf have high-powered offenses with 37 and 38 goals on the season. This competitive match is a rematch of a 2-2 draw earlier in October. While speaking with a parent from the Force side, he mentioned that many of the players on the Surf side were once Force players. This rivalry is definitely what propels teams and players to elevate themselves and their teams to perform at high levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Force G08 team is stacked with high-level college commits. At least 8 players on this squad have made their commitments to a Division 1 soccer program, and a few more are probably going to make their decisions soon. If I were a college team scout, I would definitely be looking at some of the players on both the Force and Surf sides. The talent level on both sides is off the charts. Also, I wanted to note that the Surf team did not have all of their players available for this match, but nevertheless, they were going to compete against some of their best friends.<br><br>Right off the bat, Force came out strong. Their first goal came in the first minute of play. #3 [player_tooltip player_id='82602' first='Abby' last='Nelson'] (2027) scored a half-volley shot from a perfect chip pass from #38 [player_tooltip player_id='82617' first='Fiona' last='McCormick'] (2026) - The buildup was also great as it started from their backline. Both teams made great runs at goal, but it was the defensive lines on both sides that kept the scoring low in the first half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911286842777092456","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911286842777092456 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just before the half ended, Force got its 2nd goal as #88 [player_tooltip player_id='111249' first='Elsa' last='Wallway'] (2027) scored off a deflected shot by #3 [player_tooltip player_id='82602' first='Abby' last='Nelson'] (2027). A nice chip pass from #12 [player_tooltip player_id='82656' first='Lauryn' last='Fleshman'] (2026) got things started as she got it over the top of the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911316111486034359","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911316111486034359 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the second half, it was pretty much the same as the teams demonstrated great ball movement and made great decisions as to when and where to start their attacks. The quality of play was phenomenal, and I'm willing to bet that the college team scouts on hand were impressed as well. In the 18th minute of the 2nd half, #9 [player_tooltip player_id='19876' first='Malia' last='Harding'] (2026) scored Force's 3rd goal after winning a 50/50 challenge and splitting two defenders before slipping it past the goalkeeper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911317146891862115">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911317146891862115</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Surf finally gets on the board at the 23rd minute mark of the 2nd half, as #42 Ella Cochon (2027) scored off a perfect corner kick. She made a well-timed run, and her header was pretty much unstoppable going low right corner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911293653580144762">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911293653580144762</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Force put the icing on the cake with their 4th goal coming in the closing minutes of the match. #24 [player_tooltip player_id='20094' first='Ren' last='Tsunehara'] (2026) won a 50/50 challenge outside the 18 and ran past 2 defenders before slipping it past the goalkeeper. Her ability to take on the last few defenders showed maximum effort with this hard-earned goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911295629260890455">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911295629260890455</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other standouts for Force on defense were defensive backs [player_tooltip player_id='82656' first='Lauryn' last='Fleshman'], a Cal commit, and [player_tooltip player_id='82736' first='Sophia' last='Canepa'], a Kansas commit. They made critical stops on defense and propelled counterattacks with quality long passes to the attacking third. The midfield play was also a huge part of their success, as [player_tooltip player_id='82617' first='Fiona' last='McCormick'] and [player_tooltip player_id='20128' first='Sahaana' last='Potti'], both Pepperdine commits, were "playing end-to-end," and their quick and dynamic style kept putting their offense in high-percentage scoring positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The main standout from Surf was [player_tooltip player_id='99198' first='Savannah' last='Leifried'] (2027). She primarily played in the midfield position, but her presence in all areas on the pitch left a mark. Savannah is one of the best players in her age group, and she has proven to play up with the 07's when needed. She is ranked by Prep Soccer as #10 in CA and #6 in position. She showed grit and determination as her team "weathered the storm" against a high-powered Force team. This match could serve many purposes, as both teams are in contention for the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911496776890392837">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911496776890392837</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["99198"],"_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-67fc1f29539e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She primarily played in the midfield position, but her presence in all areas on the pitch left a mark. Precise passing, anticipating attacking lanes on defense, and thinking one to two steps ahead are her strengths. Savannah is one of the best players in her age group, and she has proven to play up with the 07's when needed. She is ranked by Prep Soccer as #10 in CA and #6 in position. She showed grit and determination as her team “weathered the storm” against a high-powered Force team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other standouts from the Surf side were goalkeeper Arya Jamkhandi, forward [player_tooltip player_id='111243' first='Parisa' last='Abedi'], a Hawaii commit, and midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='272244' first='Kate' last='Nunes'], the Cal Poly commit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arya Jamkhandi - GK - Great Saves</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911502596336132182">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911502596336132182</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Arya Jamkhandi","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Saint Francis","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] ECNL G08","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67fc1c572b1d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She made some incredible saves in the match. Her leaping one handed save pushed the ball out wide as she moved off her line to cut off the angle. She showed no fear when taking on players in 1v1's. Her length and skills gives her range in covering most areas of the goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111243' first='Parisa' last='Abedi'] (2026) made strong plays on the wing and delivered quick and decisive attacks on goal. Her quick and deliberate ball movements helped get the offense going - She is a Hawaii commit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911499378268987434">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911499378268987434</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111243"],"_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-67fc1c572b245"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She made strong plays on the wing and delivered quick and decisive attacks on goal. Her quick and deliberate ball movements helped get the offense going. Her strengths are in creating space on the wing for overlapping and diagonal runs and finding players in open pockets - She is a Hawaii commit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='272244' first='Kate' last='Nunes'] - Cal Poly commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911501221959278937">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1911501221959278937</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["272244"],"_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-67fc1c572b290"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Made excellent serves, precise passes, and created scoring opportunities in the attacking third. She can move up and down the channels quickly and find open players. Although she plays on the left wing, she can move to the center and deliver clean through passes to angled runners attacking the box. Kate is a Cal Poly commit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Discount Code for first time subscribers: Use code almasin30 for 30% off subscription.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1901345676673610217">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1901345676673610217</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->