Top level competition with National Playoffs on the line

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a beautiful day in Davis, California, for an ECNL G08 finale for Mustang SC, as Force played their final match against [program_tooltip program_id='283312' first='Davis' last='Legacy'] the following week. This was my first match of the day, as Force took on Mustang SC at Provident Field @ MSC. It was a rather cool 58 degrees around game time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] came in at 2nd place with a record of 14-5-3, and Mustang SC was in 4th place at 12-7-5. This game was a must-win for Mustang SC, for they would need the win in this match and for other things to fall into place. A loss would definitely close the door for any hopes of qualifying for the National Playoffs this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1923922206024925336","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/1923922206024925336 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams played a previous match in September, and Force had a commanding 5-0 win. Yet today, it was one of the most competitive ECNL matches I've covered this season, and the NorCal rivalry and playoff implications were definitely on the line.</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 Mustang SC.&nbsp; Although the Mustang SC players did not have a lot of players committed to colleges, the talent level on this team should get many looks, as their players can compete at both the D2 and D1 levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The match started off rather calm and conservative as both sides seemed to be content in possession play and making occasional long ball passes towards the goal. Near the end of the first half, I noticed a shift in both sides making more angled and diagonal runs towards the box. Both sides applied pressure in the opposite attacking third, and Force was able to get their first goal by [player_tooltip player_id='82617' first='Fiona' last='McCormick'], the Pepperdine commit (2026). [player_tooltip player_id='82594' first='Kylee' last='Rocha'], a Iowa commit (2026) passed the ball to McCormick just outside of the 18.&nbsp; She then cut the ball back to her strong side and made a beautiful chip shot goal over the goalkeeper to the far left corner netting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1927192800241635609","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/1927192800241635609 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The half ended with a 2-1 Force lead. In the second half, Force got their second goal in the opening 5 minutes by Iskra Micovic. Micovic received a one-touch pass from a midfielder, which started from a direct pass from [player_tooltip player_id='82736' first='Sophia' last='Canepa'], the Kansas commit (2026). The perfect sequence of pass, one-touch pass, and finish was a sight to see. Textbook triangle passing and finishing with minimum touches make it a beautiful game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1927195517370487095","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/1927195517370487095 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mustang SC turned up their attack in the second half, but the stellar goalkeeping play by second-half goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='111248' first='Tatiana' last='Musgrove'], the San Jose State commit, kept multiple Mustang SC goals off the board until the last 10 minutes of the match. Mustang's lone goal came off of a high-pressure win back. A midfielder jumped a pass in the attacking third and passed it to forward [player_tooltip player_id='19300' first='Dalia' last='Asad Halim'], who took it to the left corner of the 18 before chipping it over the goalkeeper. It was an excellent play on offense to bring the team to within one goal of tying the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1927200979306381567","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/1927200979306381567 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unfortunately, Force got their third goal in the closing minutes of the match as McCormick received a pass inside the box and made a cut past a defender before passing it to Sahaana Pottie, the other Pepperdine commit (2026). The chemistry between these two will transfer to the college scene, and their coaches will be lucky to have them. It was another display of precise passing and movement to set up the finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1927204048488309077","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/1927204048488309077 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standouts from the Mustang side were right winger [player_tooltip player_id='19123' first='Ashley' last='Dodson'], [player_tooltip player_id='83784' first='Inara' last='Inesi'], and [player_tooltip player_id='19300' first='Dalia' last='Asad Halim'], a University of San Francisco commit. All three players displayed great ball control and made passing combos to get their team in scoring range. They played hard throughout the match and always exhibited great sportsmanship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>Although Mustang SC came up just a bit short, the players and coaches should be very proud of their players.&nbsp; Hoping to cover more of this Mustang SC squad in the future, as they have many non-committed players deserving of playing at the Division 1 and D2 level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["19123"],"_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-68354f7355198"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She played primarily at the right wing position. She makes clean passes and finds players in open pockets. She has a really nice cut-back move that can cross players up. Her quick and decisive plays puts her offense in scoring position as she can quickly run up the line and make precise passes on both ends of the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["19300"],"_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-68354f7355205"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The University of San Francisco commit got Mustang SC's only goal of the match. She has good vision and she can close in quickly when applying high pressure. A midfielder mumped a pass in the attacking third and passed the ball off to Halim, who went to the left corner of the 18 before chipping the ball over the GK. Her strengths are in playing smart and physical on both ends of the field.</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":"Iskra Micovic","_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":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Alameda","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] ECNC 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-68354f73552b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scored Force's second goal of the match. A clean pass was made to a teammate in the attacking third who one-touched it to her. Micovic split two defenders before pushing the ball to her right side and slipped it past the oncoming GK trying to cut off her angle. Her ability to find open lanes and use her size in the attacking third allows her to get into high percentage scoring opportunities. She would be a great addition to any college team looking for a strong, smart, and technical player up top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111248"],"_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-683554ae0b46e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The San Jose State commit made multiple stops in the second half on a surging Mustang SC offense. She was fearless in taking on forwards in 1v1's and she showed her range in going up high and lateral. She is one the the best ECNL G08 goalkeepers with the least amount of recognition. She seems to be getting better and better each time I've covered her and her team's matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Player Spotlight: [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] GK - [player_tooltip player_id='111248' first='Tatiana' last='Musgrove'] - San Jose State commit (2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1927241792593748054","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/1927241792593748054 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you are interested in signing up with Prep Soccer, USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1901345676673610217","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/1901345676673610217 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->