ECNL G10 – 9 Goals scored in competitive rivalry match

<p>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</p>   <p>It was another gorgeous day in San Jose, California, for Week #4 Spring ECNL soccer matchups. With my first match of the day, [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] G10 took on the [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] G10 at the Kathleen MacDonald High School Soccer Field. It was a cool 54 degrees around game time, but the sun was out, and the high-scoring match was about to light fires under the spectators' seats. As for me, I enjoyed every minute of that match.</p>   <p>Both teams are top-level club teams, as Surf came in at 2nd place with a record of 12-3-3 and Force was in 6th place at 8-7-2.  Some would 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 an exciting match with awesome goals, tough defensive stops, and all-around great technical skills. Both teams played a previous match and Surf came out ahead with a 4-1 win in October.  Thus, Force would be the team needing a win as they need to end strong down the stretch if they have any hopes of getting to the playoffs. Surf has the more high-powered offense with 62 goals on the season, and Force has 32. This Bay Area rivalry is definitely what inspires players to elevate themselves and their teams to perform at peak levels.</p>   <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/1911087433493696585 </div></figure>   <p>Both teams are following in the footsteps of their senior teams, G07, G08, and G09, which feature teams with high-level college commits. Unfortunately, college coaches are not able to contact players until June 15th of their sophomore year of college. They'll have to wait another year or two with some of the players on the rosters, but it doesn't mean that they can't get a head start at evaluating future Division 1, Division 2, and Youth National players.</p>   <p>The first goal of the match came at the 20-minute mark of the first half. Both teams started to make adjustments and find pockets in their oppositions attacking third. [player_tooltip player_id='284645' first='Kensyn' last='Laird'] (2028) opened up the scoring by making a cut, then she turned on the afterburners to get by a defender before going far post with a left-footed rocket shot.</p>   <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/1912351424857751677 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">She opened up the scoring by making a cut, then she turned on the afterburners to get by a defender before going far post with a left-footed rocket shot. She has the ability to make quick turns and has speed to get around the defense. She is also good at finding open pockets to receive passes and make decisive runs on goal. She plays club soccer for [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] ECNL G10.</p>    <p>Surf's second goal of the half was scored by Grace Kochman (2029). She received a perfect through pass and slipped between the defense before she went near-post to put Surf up 2-0.</p>   <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/1912353470465917338 </div></figure>   <p>Force got its first goal during the first half by Kylee Fore (2028). A textbook corner kick to a player heading it down to Fore, who finished the play by tapping it in with a first touch.</p>   <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/1912356156074521034 </div></figure>   <p>The half ended at 2-1 Surf. The second half was about to heat up as we were about to see a doubling of scores. Yes, if 3 goals were not enough, 6 more spectacular goals were on tap. Force's second goal by [player_tooltip player_id='272428' first='Sophia' last='Rodrigues'] (2028) was a hard-earned goal to tie the match at 2-2. High pressure got the ball to Sophia's feet, and she didn't hesitate as she placed the ball just below the crossbar and above the goalkeeper's hands.</p>   <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/1912357797632843867 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">High pressure got the ball to Sophia's feet and she didn't hesitate to drive it right below the crossbar to tie the game. Her second goal was a hard-earned goal to tie the match at 2-2. High pressure got the ball to Sophia's feet, and she didn't hesitate as she placed the ball just below the crossbar and above the goalkeeper's hands. She plays club soccer for [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] ECNL G10.</p>    <p>It didn't take long for Surf to respond as [player_tooltip player_id='262616' first='Aris' last='Yu'] (2028) showed some superb moves by slicing through the defense before firing a rocket to the far netting. She went by at least four defenders, with the last 2 near the 18, before ripping a left-footed shot. This is my 4th match evaluating Aris, and she seems to be getting better each time she's on the pitch. It was great to see her play in the midfield, as she is usually at the LB position.</p>   <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/1912360166194049354 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">She showed some superb moves by slicing through the defense before firing a rocket to the far netting. She went by at least four defenders, with the last 2 near the 18, before ripping a left-footed shot. This is my 4th match evaluating Aris, and she seems to be getting better each time she's on the pitch. It was great to see her play in the midfield, as she is usually at the LB position.</p>    <p>Surf's 4th goal or assist by [player_tooltip player_id='111108' first='Allie' last='Huff'] made it 4-2. The reason it is one or the other is that some might say it could be an own goal by Force, but with the great effort by Huff, she should be credited for this goal, as she worked hard for it as she slipped between the defense on the left wing before angling towards the goalkeeper. The near collision caused a defender to run the ball to the back netting.</p>   <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/1912361568681226448 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">The reason it is one or the other is that some might say it could be an own goal by Force, but with the great effort by Huff, she should be credited for this goal, as she worked hard for it as she slipped between the defense on the left wing before angling towards the goalkeeper. The near collision caused a defender to run the ball to the back netting. This my second match seeing Huff in action. She always gives maximum effort and it shows on both ends of the field. Her ability make hard challenges and distribute quick and precise passes is the reason she is ranked #37 in the nation and #15 in CA. She plays club soccer for [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] ECNL G10.</p>    <p>Force answered back with a second goal by [player_tooltip player_id='272428' first='Sophia' last='Rodrigues'] to cut the score to one (4-3). She received a nice through ball, which put her in a 1v1 with the keeper. As the goalkeeper came out, Sophia slid the ball past her, but unfortunately a collision occurred. After a few minutes, both players were ok to continue the match.</p>   <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/1912364084902916198 </div></figure>   <p>Just as it seemed that Force was about to make a comeback and tie the match, Surf put up two more goals to shut the door. Goal #5 for Surf was scored by Isabelle “Izzy" Lee (2028). She made a perfectly timed run and header between 2 defenders as a corner kick was served directly towards her path. She went up high to strike the ball and get it past the goalkeeper, who was momentarily stunned by that spectacular shot.</p>   <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/1912701683613991014 </div></figure>   <p>The last goal for Surf was by [player_tooltip player_id='206664' first='Lynn' last='Byun'], who I've also covered 3 times prior to this match in high school and in club competition. She scored on a nice one-touch finish as the ball was being knocked around the penalty area. Byun struck it just inside the 18 with a placed shot to make it 6-3 Surf. At Saint Francis, she was a starter for most of the matches, and I covered her team's 1-0 win over Archbishop Mitty in the Division 1 CCS Final. Lynn got the lone goal to help her team secure their second title of the season, as they previously won the WCAL league championship. To top it off, Saint Francis also won the D1 NorCal title over rival Mitty.</p>   <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/1912369344492851365 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">The last goal for Surf was by [player_tooltip player_id='206664' first='Lynn' last='Byun'], who I've also covered 3 times prior to this match in high school and in club competition. She scored on a nice one-touch finish as the ball was being knocked around the penalty area. Byun struck it just inside the 18 with a placed shot to make it 6-3 Surf. At Saint Francis, she was a starter for most of the matches, and I covered her team's 1-0 win over Archbishop Mitty in the Division 1 CCS Final. Lynn got the lone goal to help her team secure their second title of the season, as they previously won the WCAL league championship. She plays club soccer for [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] ECNL G10.</p>    <p>Other standouts for Force were [player_tooltip player_id='276651' first='Audrey' last='Wang'] and Neirah Hafis. Both midfielders made great passes to set up their attack and hustled back on defense to slow down the high-powered Surf attack. They are key elements to the success of their team and they will definitely bounce back and help their team make a run to the playoffs.</p>   <p>Other key players on the Surf side were Addison "Addi" Bruni and [player_tooltip player_id='202683' first='Jayla' last='Swindle']. Bruni played well in the LB position and made key stops on the wing. She has good passing skills and can push up if needed. Swindle just came back from the U.S. U15 ODP matches in Costa Rica. She has played non-top soccer throughout the season and she always puts her teams first as had an awesome freshman high school season as she won the league player of the year award while scoring 46 goals.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">She played well in the LB position and made key stops on the wing. Her ability to step into lanes caused the offense to push out to the channels where Bruni showed good recovery speed to cut off runs. She also has good passing skills and can push up if needed. She plays club soccer for [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] ECNL G11.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">She provided quick passes to players making diagonal runs to the box. Her vision and calm presence in the middle allowed the Surf attack to be patient and find open pockets. She also just came back from the U.S. U15 ODP matches in Costa Rica. Jayla has played nonstop soccer throughout the year, and she always puts her teams first. She had an awesome freshman high school season, as she was the league player of the year while scoring 46 goals. Jayla is ranked as the 24th player in the state and 9th in position.</p>    <p>Both teams showed great sportsmanship and battled to the end. Who knows, if Force can make a run with the last 9 games of the season, we might be in for round 3. I really enjoy covering both teams, as they are from top-notch programs and both exemplify true competitive nature with a touch of class.</p>   <p>If you are interested in signing up with Prep Soccer, USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription.</p>   <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/1901345676673610217 </div></figure>   <p></p>

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