ECNL Playoffs: Stars from Saturday’s 09 showdowns

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SAN DIEGO, California - </strong>The ECNL Champions League playoffs in the 2009 age group continued on Saturday with the second day of group play. It was a decisive day in some groups and the passion was evident from the opening whistle. Below are the players who stood out from the games I saw.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='148491' first='Jillian' last='Hutchison'], AHFC 09 - Hutchison was everywhere in the game against [program_tooltip program_id='281812' first='KC' last='Athletics']. She showed off her unlimited supply of energy and unquenchable competitive drive as she helped lead her side to a 1-0 result.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='148753' first='Zoe' last='Lawless'], AHFC 09 - It took a remarkable effort from everyone on AHFC to secure the result against [program_tooltip program_id='281812' first='KC' last='Athletics']. Lawless was shutting down chance after chance in the 1-0 victory against some of the top talent in the country.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='147280' first='A'Rianna' last='Ellis'], San Diego Surf - Ellis carved up the opposition for an assist in the win over World Class on Saturday. Delightful skill and big moment instincts are the traits for the talented winger.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='144817' first='Brooke' last='S Volpp'], San Diego Surf - One of the top goalkeepers at the event, Volpp proved her quality with a shutout against World Class on Saturday. She is fully capable of making the best save of the day, but it's her footwork that really sets her apart from her peers. She's the start of the attack for Surf.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='109141' first='Addy' last='Randall'], Eclipse - Randall scored a great goal with her left foot in the 2-2 draw on Saturday. Iliana Hart had the assist on the tally. Randall's play was a highlight for Eclipse. She was the creative force for her side. She showed off her strength on the ball and withstood a number of tackles to keep possession for her squad.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='26605' first='Caroline' last='Swann'], Solar - The Solar 09 group was clicking on Saturday. They bossed the game against Michigan Hawks. The midfield group was excellent in their spacing and keeping the passing lanes open for Solar. Swann's ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball was certainly a standout for her side.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='147208' first='Maddie' last='Linville'], Eagles - Linville impressed with her ability on the set piece. She was also a constant threat on the wing.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111876' first='Maci' last='Tucker'], [program_tooltip program_id='283303' first='Concorde' last='Fire'] Platinum - Tucker was a blur whenever she touched the ball. She burst past players with the ball at her feet. She had the assist on the last second equalizer for her side. [player_tooltip player_id='111860' first='Reed' last='Tingley'] scored the goal.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111857' first='Lili' last='Roberts'], [program_tooltip program_id='283303' first='Concorde' last='Fire'] Platinum - Roberts impressed with her measured approach. She was deliberate with her actions. She was always in control and her play late in the game helped her side overcome the one-player deficit due to red card. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112186' first='Payton' last='Fraser'], [program_tooltip program_id='280776' first='Eagles' last='SC'] - Fraser was excellent at turning away the [program_tooltip program_id='283303' first='Concorde' last='Fire'] attack. Her center back partner [player_tooltip player_id='250664' first='Addison' last='Carr'] was also outstanding for Eagles.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='150089' first='Jacy' last='Hackler'], [program_tooltip program_id='281812' first='KC' last='Athletics'] - Hackler was a bright spot of the KC attack. Great first touch, strong, and can get her shot off quickly. She was denied a goal on the day, but the impact was still there.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='150128' first='Chloe' last='Guenther'], [program_tooltip program_id='281812' first='KC' last='Athletics'] - Guenther was a playmaker in the midfield for KC. She is an excellent passer and does well in her movement off the ball to get into spots to support her teammates.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='150131' first='Alyssa' last='Emo'], [program_tooltip program_id='281812' first='KC' last='Athletics'] - Emo was one of the standouts of the [program_tooltip program_id='281812' first='KC' last='Athletics'] defense. She had a strong first half.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112620' first='Theodora' last='Popovic'], AHFC - Popovic scored a nice goal in the second half, which ended up as the game-winner against [program_tooltip program_id='281812' first='KC' last='Athletics']. She was a threat with her pace and made an impact on both sides with her effort.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->