New NorCal ECNL Names Debuting in 2027 Rankings

<p>The Prep Soccer 2027 state rankings for California will be released this week. Prior to the release of the new rankings, take a look at some of the new names from Northern California's ECNL teams who are making their debut in this rankings update.  </p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Yasutake is a midfielder on the San Juan 09 ECNL team. She is one of the highest ranked new players to the California rankings. She plays as the defensive midfielder for her club team. She has the versatility to play as an outside back if needed - she's an excellent open-field defender. Yasutake's best attributes shine in the center of the field. She can control the pace of play as well as disrupt the opposition. Yasutake has been outstanding this season for her club team. She's not a player who jumps out immediately from game film, but the more you watch the more you appreciate her game. She checks her shoulders constantly. She plays quickly and makes good decisions on the ball. Yasutake has the quality to shine at the next level. She has been one of the key players to the successful San Juan season. </p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW18UaZi-Lk </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Freitas is a left back on the San Juan ECNL 09 team. She is left footed, strong, and fast. Freitas is an excellent 1v1 defender. The way she uses her body in the duel and the strength she shows to hold the opposition off the ball gives a glimpse to her potential for the college level. She has good footwork when dribbling and does well in retaining possession for her side. She's excellent at stepping on the ball with her change-of-pace move and relying on teammates to break pressure. Freitas is one of the starting defenders on the San Juan squad, which finished the season with only two losses. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Kearney is a forward on the [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] 09 ECNL team. She can play as the center forward or on the wing. She is also part of the [program_tooltip program_id='287623' first='Cal' last='North ODP'] team. The [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] has a plethora of attacking talent so they are always rotating the forwards. Kearney is a smooth dribbler who is capable of beating multiple defenders off the dribble. She is right footed. She gets after defenders in a hurry. Kearney has a strong shot and buries her shots from outside of the box consistently. The Bay Area forward has the quality to influence the game at the highest level of the club game. </p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spC7C-lMeUk </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Sommerhalter is a midfielder on the Mustang SC 09 ECNL team. She is also part of the [program_tooltip program_id='287623' first='Cal' last='North ODP'] team. She is a defensive midfielder for her club team. She is a well-rounded player and a leader. She has a good first touch that sets her up for quick play. She is good with either foot on the pass. Sommerhalter can ping a pass over distance with consistency and accuracy with either foot. Watching the Mustang game film shows how valuable she is to her team as she is always in the right spot to support her teammates. Sommerhalter's success with club, ODP, and high school showcases her versatility and ability to raise her game depending on what her team needs from her. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Phillips is a box-to-box midfielder with an unstoppable engine. She covers a ton of ground in the game. She is a runner in a smart way. Phillips impressed during recent ECNL events with her creativity. She is good at using her body to shield the ball and making it difficult on the defender to get a touch when she has the opposition on her back. She draws fouls with the strength she shows on the ball, and also her quick feet. Phillips could probably play a variety of positions as well considering her high activity style and skill. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Faulkner is a center forward on the Mustang SC 09 ECNL team. She plays as a target forward. She's good in the hold-up play. She uses her height to her advantage and pins defenders on her back so she can link up with her teammates. She is strong on the ball and has a good first touch. Her game shows best when she can play quick passes through the center channel, but she's equally capable of springing the attack out wide with a ball over the top. Faulkner has the physical tools and soccer smarts to be a Division I striker in the future. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Combs is a defender on the [program_tooltip program_id='283433' first='Placer' last='United'] 09 ECNL team. She plays center back. She is five-foot-10. She offers a rare combination of size and skill. She has the composure on the ball to play in the midfield as well. Considering her defensive instincts, her highest ceiling is likely at center back. She reads the game well and organizes for her side. She was brilliant during the ODP event in Arizona this year, which featured many of the top ranked prospects in the region. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">North is a forward on the [program_tooltip program_id='283467' first='Santa' last='Rosa United'] 09 ECNL team. She was a standout during the high school playoffs for Windsor. She is a winger who is physical in her approach. Defenders bounce off of her on the wing. She had some standout performances for [program_tooltip program_id='287623' first='Cal' last='North ODP'] as well recently. North's ability to win the 1v1 battle on the wing makes her a difference-maker among the forwards in this class. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Scarborough is a winger on the [program_tooltip program_id='283312' first='Davis' last='Legacy']. She also plays for [program_tooltip program_id='287623' first='Cal' last='North ODP']. She is a multi-sport athlete (basketball, flag football, and track). Scarborough brings a competitive drive to the wing for her club side. She is a two-way player and a willing defender. There are some raw aspects to her game that show the potential. She's already making an impact in ECNL and could raise her game even more from here. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Wallway is a winger on the [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] 08 ECNL team. She is another one of the top ranked new entrants to our rankings with this update. She's been profiled a few times recently on the site for her play with her club team. She was also outstanding during the ECNL Playoffs last summer. She's been part of US Soccer Talent ID events in the past. Wallway is looking for a top academic school for the next level, and she should have her pick of institutes. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Willard is a player who has been on Prep Soccer's radar for some time. She enjoyed a stellar championship season at the high school level that showed what she is capable of in terms of leading a winning team. Willard has been a bit overlooked from the club game. Her ECNL team plays in a very difficult conference and results haven't gone their way this season. This is an individual assessment though, and there is no denying her talent. A left-footed attacking talent who can score in a variety of ways. She has the physical profile and skills to play at a very high level at the Division I level. </p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKcVCgdfG6s </div></figure>   <p></p>   <p></p>

The Prep Soccer 2027 state rankings for California will be released this week. Prior to the release of the new rankings, take a look at some of the new names from Northern California's ECNL teams who are making their debut in this rankings update.