Local Stars Shine Bright: ECNL Girls Ready for National Playoffs

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/06/ECNL_header.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-289295" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='276467' first='Nami' last='Walsh'] | [player_tooltip player_id='112231' first='Emerson' last='Stroberg'] | [player_tooltip player_id='112226' first='Gabriella' last='Connor'] from [program_tooltip program_id='283395' first='Legends' last='FC'] SD</figcaption></figure>   San Diego has been selected as the host city for the 2025 ECNL Girls National Playoffs! America's Finest City will welcome thousands of players, coaches, and families to North County next week, all with one purpose: to find out who's going to be National Champions! That coveted title holds bragging rights for the club and players for a lifetime! Along with players and coaches, college scouts from across the country will also be making their way to SoCal, trying to find those future pieces to round out their collegiate programs.   The ECNL Girls Playoffs are the most exciting part of the season, and there will not be a dull moment in Del Mar! But for San Diego soccer fans, this tournament holds special significance. Some of the area's brightest young talents will be competing on home soil, with family, friends, and local college coaches watching from the sidelines. Here are the local players to keep your eyes on as they look to make their mark on the national stage:    Position: Outside Back | Class: 2026 | Age Group: U17   When college recruiters talk about [player_tooltip player_id='112515' first='Amaya' last='Peterson'], one word comes up repeatedly: speed. The Chula Vista native has turned heads all season with her ability to cover massive amounts of ground as an outside back for [program_tooltip program_id='283443' first='Rebels' last='SC']. But it's not just her pace that makes Peterson special - it's how she weaponizes that speed in both phases of the game.   Peterson's versatility allows her to excel on either flank, but her real magic happens when Rebels transitions from defense to attack. She has an uncanny ability to time her overlapping runs perfectly, often catching opposing teams off-guard as she bombs forward from her defensive position. Her technical ability at full sprint is what separates her from other pace merchants - Peterson can deliver dangerous crosses while running at top speed or cut inside to create shooting opportunities.   What makes Peterson truly dangerous is her relentless attacking mentality from the outside back position. She doesn't just defend and distribute - she actively hunts down opportunities to join the attack and create numerical advantages in the final third. Her ability to "walk down" opposing wingers and fullbacks with her combination of speed and technical skill has become a signature of Rebel's strategy.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/06/3067683870427799970.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-289304" /></figure>   Peterson was an integral part of the Francis Parkers defense that made a strong CIF playoff run this past high school season, showcasing her defensive reliability alongside her attacking prowess. Playing in front of her hometown crowd, with Division I programs from coast to coast tracking her development, Peterson is ready to show why she's considered one of the most dynamic outside backs in the country.   "Amaya changes games," says one Pac-12 scout who's been tracking her all season. "She can shut down an attack defensively and then create a goal on the other end two minutes later. That kind of impact from the outside back position is rare."     Position: Wingback/Center back | Class: 2027    At 5'7", [player_tooltip player_id='112231' first='Emerson' last='Stroberg'] brings a rare combination of athleticism and tactical intelligence to the wingback position for Del Mar Sharks ECNL. The Eastlake High standout has made a name for herself as one of the most dominant defensive players in San Diego, using a lethal mix of speed and body positioning to completely neutralize opposing wingers.   What makes Stroberg special is her ability to read attacking movements before they develop. She doesn't just react to what wingers are doing - she anticipates their next move and uses her positioning to cut off passing lanes and force them into uncomfortable situations. When that tactical approach is combined with her pace, opposing attackers often find themselves frustrated and ineffective.   Stroberg comes with serious playoff pedigree, having been instrumental in Eastlake's shocking deep run in the Open Division playoffs this past high school season. Her performances brought plenty of "shock value" to fans watching the defensive position, turning what many consider the less glamorous side of the game into must-watch soccer. Her passion for the game is infectious and shows in every sprint, tackle, and defensive recovery.   The versatility factor makes Stroberg even more valuable to Del Mar Sharks. While she's devastating as a wingback, her speed allows her to slide into the center back position when needed, providing additional pace in the heart of the defense. Don't be surprised to see the coaching staff utilize this flexibility during crucial tournament matches.   Emerson is just fun to watch, she plays with a passion that's contagious, and she has this ability to make defending look exciting.     Position: Holding Midfielder | Class: 2027    [player_tooltip player_id='147292' first='Ava' last='Galvan'] is redefining what it means to be a holding midfielder. While most players in her position focus solely on breaking up play and distributing to teammates, Galvan has established herself among the league's top scorers despite operating from a defensive midfield role. This remarkable offensive production against elite ECNL competition hints at a tactical understanding and technical ceiling that separates her from conventional defensive midfielders.   What immediately stands out about Galvan's game is her ability to identify goalkeeper vulnerabilities from distance and exploit them with stunning precision. Galvan has developed an exceptional long-range striking ability that isn't merely about power but calculated placement. She converts what most players would view as low-percentage opportunities into genuine scoring threats, keeping opposing defenses honest even when she's 25 yards from goal.   I expect to see Ava be the difference maker in one or more of the games this coming weekend, maybe sealing the deal with a long range, jaw dropping shot. I have seen it enough times to know it is always there just waiting to be unleashed.  She sneaks through central channels to create numerical advantages, a lot of opponents struggle to track and BANG… ball is in the back of the net.   Ava is special because she sees opportunities that other players don't even know exist. She sees the game two plays ahead of everyone else. She's going to be special at the next level.     Position: Forward | Class: 2027    Nami has been the talk of San Diego soccer circles all season, and for good reason. The forward from Torrey Pines has been absolutely clinical in front of goal for Legends FS SD, helping her team with elite scoring in ECNL play. What makes Walsh special isn't just her goal-scoring ability, but her soccer IQ and versatility. She can play anywhere across the front line and has the technical ability to drop deep and create for her teammates.   Playing in front of her home crowd at the Polo Fields, Walsh will have extra motivation to put on a show. USC, UCLA, and San Diego State have all been regular fixtures at Legends training sessions this spring, with Walsh being a primary target. Her combination of pace, finishing ability, and work rate makes her a perfect fit for the high-intensity college game.   Nami has that rare combination of technical skill and competitive fire. She elevates her game in big moments, which is exactly what you want to see at this level.     Position: Forward/Midfielder | Class: 2027    [player_tooltip player_id='112226' first='Gabriella' last='Connor'] operates like a maestro in the middle third, orchestrating ball movement through central channels with the kind of vision that makes college scouts take notice. The Granite Hills High standout has built her reputation on being the architect of Legends attacking play, threading passes that others simply don't see and creating scoring opportunities for her teammates with surgical precision.   What sets Connor apart from traditional attacking midfielders is her exceptional field vision and distribution quality. She possesses that rare ability to receive the ball under pressure, scan the field, and deliver the perfect weighted pass to unlock compact defenses. Her technical proficiency in tight spaces allows her to maintain possession while drawing multiple defenders, creating numerical advantages for her teammates in dangerous areas.   While Connor has made her name as a playmaker and assist provider, she's certainly not shy when it comes to finding the back of the net herself. Her goal-scoring ability adds another dimension to her game, keeping defenders honest and preventing them from focusing solely on stopping her distribution. This dual threat makes her incredibly difficult to game-plan against.   Connor's positional flexibility between the forward and midfield lines gives her coaching staff tactical options that most players can't provide. Her work rate and pressing intensity in the attacking third demonstrates the modern player's understanding that defending starts from the front. Her ability to drop deep to collect the ball and then drive forward through central channels has become a trademark of her play.   Gabriella sees the game at a different speed, she has that special quality where she makes everyone around her better. Those are the players who transform programs at the next level.    ECNL Playoff Coverage:   Prep Soccer will be in person covering the 2025 ECNL Girls Playoffs with daily articles, social media posts and photos! Follow @macImag3 on Instagram and @prepsoccerca for all of your 2025 ECNL Girls Playoff coverage! Feel free to DM me if there is a game or athlete that is “must see”. Good Luck and Show Out!