ECNL Playoffs – Champions League 2011 Best XI

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ECNL Playoffs Group Stage and Round of 16 games in 2011 age group wrapped up last week from San Diego. The eight teams that advanced head to Richmond next week for the chance to compete for the national championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is the Best XI from the performances in San Diego from the 2011 age group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["290417"],"_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-68700817b2822"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barber and her FC Stars squad advanced to Richmond after securing four wins in San Diego. Barber was impressive in goal with two shutouts from those four games. She has secure hands and plays with confidence. She is active off her line and does well with her distribution from her feet. She was a key reason for her team's success in the Playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finley Yankauskas-Flynn was also considered for the Best XI from FC Stars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["290419"],"_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-68700817b28c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">O'Brien impressed with her play during the ECNL event. She can play center back or outside back. She's an excellent 1v1 defender. She has good pace and covers a ton of distance with her long stride. She is a target on set pieces too. O'Brien was excellent in the win over South Shore.<br><br>Kai Bright was also considered for the Best XI from Concorde Fire Platinum. </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":"[player_tooltip player_id='290456' first='Giada' last='Lancellotti']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283476' first='Slammers' last='FC'] HB Koge 2011 ECNL","_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-68700817b2948"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The left center back for [program_tooltip program_id='283476' first='Slammers' last='FC'] HB Koge had a terrific showing in San Diego. Slammers Koge was unlucky not to advance to Richmond. They were one of the top teams in the age group but come up just short against Eclipse. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='290420' first='Hayleigh' last='Kennett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='280213' first='Marielle' last='Underwood'] were also considered for the Best XI from [program_tooltip program_id='283476' first='Slammers' last='FC'] HB Koge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["280222"],"_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-68700817b2994"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rodriguez was one of the standouts of the Solar squad. The center back helped the squad advance to the quarterfinals with only two goals conceded over the four games. Rodriguez was a bright spot in the Round of 16 with her distribution. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='295094' first='Erin' last='Gonzalez'], [player_tooltip player_id='295164' first='Faith' last='Staudenmyer'], and [player_tooltip player_id='280220' first='Sarah' last='Webb'] were also considered for the Best XI from Solar. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["280237"],"_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-686fc4de43074"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Crockett was my favorite player of the week in the 2011 age group. Crockett, the center back, was dominant in every facet of the game. She is a smart player who is always in the right spot. When she's out of position, she has elite recovery speed. Crockett also is an excellent passer. There's so much potential in her game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So Cal Blues, the top seed in this age group, rolled through the competition in San Diego thanks to a number of key contributions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='290422' first='Bonnie' last='Earl'], [player_tooltip player_id='290424' first='Hailey' last='Vang'], and [player_tooltip player_id='290426' first='Francoise' last='Van Zweeden'] were also considered for the Best XI from So Cal Blues.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["270098"],"_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-686fd8d8416dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lomeli was one of the top players of the event in the 2011. She was brilliant in the midfield for [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf']. She had countless interceptions. Her ability to quick spring the attack shined for [program_tooltip program_id='283646' first='FC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf']'] as she became the launching point of a number of goals. Lomeli has a bright future thanks to her soccer smarts and skill. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Izzy Zhou was also considered for the Best XI from [program_tooltip program_id='283646' first='FC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf']'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["290428"],"_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-68700817b2a72"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This isn't why Chowana made the Best XI, but I thought her penalty kick against [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] was really impressive. She hid any tell she might have about which way she was going to place the shot until the last second. It was clearly well-rehearsed and executed to perfection. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chowana made the Best XI because she was lethal in the final third in that game. She made so many key plays to either finish chances or create chances. Chowana was outstanding in the high pressure moments. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='290430' first='Aubrielle' last='Beck'] was also considered for the Best XI from Eagles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["290432"],"_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-68700817b2aed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Colamatteo is a big-time player. The mdifielder was one of the best of the week in San Diego. She stepped up in the big moments for her team with a couple of goals from the PK spot. She is a skillful dribbler who can take players on. She impressed with her ability to do a bit of everything and helped her team advance to the quarterfinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='290434' first='Cambria' last='Williams'] was also considered for the Best XI from Eclipse. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["280537"],"_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-686fc4de430d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nordstrom was one of the standouts from the [program_tooltip program_id='283497' first='Sting' last='Austin'] side that advanced to the Round of 16. She is a talented player who can pop up as a center forward or as an attacking midfielder. She is skillful on the ball and difficult to contain. She plays with a lot of energy and provides chances for her side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='295167' first='Elynn' last='McNabb'] and Avery Alley were also considered for the Best XI from [program_tooltip program_id='283497' first='Sting' last='Austin'] 2011. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["290436"],"_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-68700817b2b83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Surf attack scored 17 goals in four games during the Group Stage and Round of 16. Nimmagadda was the frontline of that attack. The center forward set the tone with her aggressive defending and relentless pressure. She was a clinical finisher when the opportunity arose. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='290438' first='Quinn' last='Seger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='290440' first='Ella' last='Vanstone'] were also considered for the Best XI from Surf. </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":"Zeena Ndana","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Michigan Hawks 2011 ECNL","_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-68700817b2bf8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ndana raises her level in the biggest moments of the game and that was especially apparent in the Round of 16 game against Real Colorado. She stepped up in the second half and provided the key plays for her side to clinch the win and advance to Richmond. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blakely Bickerstaff was also considered for the Best XI from Michigan Hawks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->