Rising Stars: Connecticut’s 2027 Class Targets National Spotlight

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prior to the release of the Prep Soccer 2027 National Rankings update, take a look at some of the players from Connecticut who are attracting attention at the national level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["288017"],"_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-6836251791bcd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Benson is a midfielder/defender on the [program_tooltip program_id='283304' first='Connecticut' last='FC'] 09 ECNL team. She was named All-State as a sophomore for her play with Mercy High School. She was also named to the ECNL First Team All-New England Conference. Benson was a prolific scorer for her high school this season. She was absolutely overpowering at the high school level. She had 28 goals and nine assists. Despite those lofty offensive stats, her most likely future is center back. The aerial dominance that has suited her well in the attack, also works as her best attribute in defense. She is a fighter. She battles in every duel and wins the ball thanks to her strength and smarts. Benson is going to be a top target for some schools and there should be a battle for her as one of the best all-around players in this class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110743"],"_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-6836251791c57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Girard is a midfielder on the Oakwood 08 Girls Academy team. She was All-State as a sophomore for her play with her high school, Simsbury. Girard is a right-footed attacking midfielder. There is position flexibility to her game. She is highly competitive and a good two-way player. She makes impactful players defensively with her pressure and tackling. Those defensive qualities could lead to a pretty good outside back. The other path for her at the next level would be as a super-sub to lead the pressing line and force the opposition into mistakes. She thrives in those transition moments. Girard has been a bright spot from the 2027 class, but might get overlooked at times as a 2008. She has a future at the college level given her defensive intensity and highly competitive mindset. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["288016"],"_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-6836251791cb3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Greisen is a forward on the [program_tooltip program_id='283304' first='Connecticut' last='FC'] 09 ECNL team. She was select to the ECNL National Selection Game for the upcoming event in North Carolina. She is one of the best finishers in the Northeast in this class. She is a right-footed center forward. She has the right mindset for a striker - selfish, driven, and competitive. Greisen is an opportunistic scorer who has proven her quality at both the club and high school level. She is a rare talent in this class. There aren't that many center forwards in this class, at a national level, with her level of finishing instincts. She should shine during the event North Carolina this week, which will be the perfect time as scouts amplify their efforts with the 2027 group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Zoe Melia","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Oakwood","_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-6836251791d52"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Melia is a midfielder on the Oakwood GA 09 team. She was part of the Girls Academy Northeast Talent ID event this year. She's also a member of the Puerto Rico U17 Women's Youth National Team. Melia displays excellent footwork, good skill, and vision. She possesses elite passing qualities. She routinely splits the opposition with her passing - utilizing both her right and left foot. She has quick feet and keeps close control of the ball. She can play out of pressure with those skills. Melia is a defensive midfielder at the club level. She has some qualities that suggest she could be an elite outside back as well. She is a great two-way player. Her international experience should help prepare her for the college level. She's shined bright against some of the best talent in the world. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Kyra Baun","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Oakwood GA 09","_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-6836251791dd6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baun is a midfielder on the Oakwood GA 09 team. She was part of the Girls Academy Northeast Talent ID event this year. She is a speedster. She plays as an attacking midfielder and often ends up on breakaways given her pace. Watching game film, it's clear that her pace will make her a contributor at the next level. Baun is an above average finisher - she has a great shot but the consistency of an elite finisher isn't there. She is right footed, but scores often with her left. Baun's top quality is the pace. She runs by defenders with the ball at her feet. There will be plenty of scouts interested in adding that gamebreaking quality to their squad from the 2027 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->