ECNL Girl's Quarter-Finals Recap

It was a hot one here in Richmond, Virginia high 80's to low 90's and very humid. The fields are in great shape and these girls played their hearts out today. There were a ton of goals from around the complex, it was difficult to keep up with all of it. Every couple of minutes there was a celebration coming from somewhere. The 2008 and 2009 age groups kicked off at 8am. While the 2010 Age group kicked off at 10 and the 2011's started their matches at 12pm. Here are some players who impressed at Striker Park today.    Huge snub from the most recent U15 National Team announcement. She was her usual colossal self at the back today. Her MVLA side picked up a 1-0 win and will Penn Fusion in the Semi-Final tomorrow.     She scored twice for the Courage today against Slammers. Including a goal that gave her side a surprise lead. Martinho is garnering a ton of attention from collegiate coaches. And the winger ends her season on a high.     Tough player, really gritty and difficult to play against. Very clean in possession and crafty on the dribble. The UNC commit battled until the very end against this monster that is Slammers HBK Koge in a 4-2 loss.     The Cal commit scored a great header off of an [player_tooltip player_id='19499' first='Ireland' last='Churchill'] set-piece. She was a menace with her press for the Courage back line and scored a vital second goal that put the Slammers up on their way to a 4-2 win.     Gwin equalized for Slammers and the future Arkansas Razorback was everywhere in midfield today. The mark of a great midfielder is making positive plays on both ends and limiting negative ones. Gwin did just that Slammers. Back at it tomorrow against a tough Sting side that beat last years finalists Crossfire 3-0.     Fry got on the scoresheet for Slammers and the future Tennessee Volunteer showed why she is headed to one of the best teams in the country. Fantastic performance from the winger. She was torturing Courage defenders on the dribble and getting in behind.     Pollmiller scored her sides only goal in a 1-1 tie against PDA. Her Real Colorado side went on to win in penalty kicks and will play the home side Virginia Development Academy tomorrow morning.     Scored her team's only goal and showed off her incredible technique. Her first touch was fantastic out of the air and she always had a plan before and after receiving the ball.     This Michigan Hawks team is an impressive side. Fife is extremely fast, running channels and getting on the end of balls that get played in behind the opposition back line. Excellent technique and very comfortable weaving through traffic on the dribble. She scored an excellent goal to put her side in the lead.     This Hawks team has another star on their front line in Ernst. She scored a good goal and combined well with Fife to wreak havoc for the VDA back line.     Had a very good game for PDA against Real Colorado. In a game that turned very physical Foye was thriving. Jockeying for position and setting the tone defensively. Played some great balls over the top and showed her speed a handful of times beating attackers to the ball even if they had a lead on her before the ball was played. The Maryland Terapins got themselves a good one.     This girl can flat out ball. Amazing athlete and excellent soccer player. Rare combination of speed and skill. Her VDA side came out victorious in a fantastic 3-3 draw against a very strong Michigan Hawks side. She is going to be a very sought after player from Power 4 schools.     Zuniga is such a fun watch she just moves different then other girls. She has such fast feet and command of the ball. She never seems phased by defenders even if there are 2 or 3 around her.     She stole the show today. Was the best player on the field with a ton of players whom I think will have long successful careers. She scored a good goal and set another one up to help her team advance to the Semi-Finals in a 3-1 comeback win against MVLA.     Had a really strong game for Legends in this one. Scored a great goal and showed her quality on the ball. Went toe to toe defensively against an amazing MVLA midfield.     Nguyễn scored MVLA's only goal in this game. Despite the disappointing loss Nguyen was a bright spot for MVLA playing very well.     Martin saved the day for Legends in this game. MVLA were up 1-0 and were awarded a penalty in the second half. Martin made an unbelievable save on a well struck pen to her left. Her team equalized two minutes later clearly energized by her play. She was good off her line and made a handful of other vital saves to keep her side in the lead.     Wins every header and never hides from the ball. As the game was going south for MVLA Perry never lost her head and battled until the very end. Making positive play after positive play for her team.     Huff was the star girl for [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] in their Quarter-Final triumph. She scored a great free kick and dished out a smooth assist. She was strong in the tackle and calm in possession. Top player that is continuing to impress.     Very technical player who finds gaps on the right wing and takes on players with a plethora of moves. She was vital in her teams 2-0 win today against FC Stars.     Curry is a problem for defenders. She is tall, fast, strong and has high energy. She scored a good goal and created chance after chance for her Union side.     She was the difference for her Solar side in this one. The Striker showed off her blinding pace in open space and on the dribble on numerous occasions in this game. She scored and looks poised to be this tournaments breakout star.     Mini Naomi Girma. She is an absolute force to be reckoned with and would get my vote for top 2030 defender in the country. She is so smooth on the ball and I didn't see anyone beat her in a foot race. She has tremendous feel for the game and always seems to be a step ahead.     Molina was a big reason why So Cal Blues had an emphatic 4-0 win against Eagles today. She was excellent on the ball and scored a cracking free kick.     Ndana kept the possibility of an undefeated season alive by scoring both goals for her Michigan Hawks team on their way to a 2-0 win. She has a great athletic profile that can take her very far in this game.     Really fluid mover and physically dominant center back. Was a big reason why the Hawks kept the clean sheet and are headed into the Semis tomorrow.     Taylor is a player with a lot of potential. She has great technique, is an elite athlete and has a high motor. The captain scored twice for her defending champion San Diego Surf Side.     Outstanding player, excellent with her back to goal and exceptional in her link up play. She can create space on the dribble very well and her first touch rarely let her down. This Surf side really know how to play together.

It was a hot one here in Richmond, Virginia high 80's to low 90's and very humid. The fields are in great shape and these girls played their hearts out today. There were a ton of goals from around the complex, it was difficult to keep up with all of it. Every couple of minutes there was a celebration coming from somewhere. The 2008 and 2009 age groups kicked off at 8am. While the 2010 Age group kicked off at 10 and the 2011's started their matches at 12pm. Here are some players who impressed at Striker Park today.