Girls Academy Finals - Quarterfinal Standouts

The Girls Academy Finals kicked off on July 10 at River City Sportsplex. The Richmond area has been in some sort of heat wave, and this extended weekend was not an exception. Players would have to deal with the elements to try and fight their way to the Championship game for their respective age group. Lets start coverage with some players that stood out in the quarterfinal round.    The standout from IMG academy had a strong performance against the eventual U17 Champs - Galaxy SC - in the quarters. Minor was great on 50/50 balls defensively, and very intelligent in the attacking part of the field. She changed pace very well to explode into dangerous areas and deliver crosses into the opposing box. She beat the first defender that confronted her in possession virtually every time she received the ball and showed a great work rate tracking back to win the ball. As the game went on, it seemed IMG depended more on her to get higher up the field and create those chances. They seemed one touch away from getting back into the game, but it never quite worked out as IMG went out 0-2.     [program_tooltip program_id='283738' first='SC' last='Del Sol']'s 2009s were powered by a strong attack in their 3-1 quarterfinal victory over St. Louis Development Academy. Fetter shows a great soccer IQ when connecting passes with teammates. Her accurate cross after an early set piece set up the first goal for Del Sol. They spent a long time on the attack in the first half, which is a great sign for the coaching staff. The movement and passing Fetter showed once they crossed midfield was great to see.     [player_tooltip player_id='284696' first='Addisyn' last='Stam'] was another reason why Del Sol cruised into the semifinals. Stam scored the first goal on a one touch finish in the box. She then assisted on the second goal after showing great touch and awareness receiving a long pass. She shows great strength on 50/50 challenges and a very strong motor. Full of confidence, Stam continued to deliver crosses into dangerous areas all half long.     [player_tooltip player_id='194375' first='Annabel' last='Abraham']'s pace stands out as soon as a ball is played out in front of her. Abraham picks out her spots to make runs forward very intelligently, staying onside and making sure her teammate with the ball has the time to play her. She also has very quick feet and control on the ball. She netted the third goal for [program_tooltip program_id='283738' first='SC' last='Del Sol'] in the quarters, bringing a long pass down behind the defense and finishing with precision. Annabel has a great understanding of how to use her speed to her advantage, changing pace in great situations.     [player_tooltip player_id='112568' first='Presley' last='Cason'] has a very good understanding of time and space when receiving the ball. She makes sure to draw a defender before playing a teammate, or carry the ball if no defender steps to her. Cason also maintains great spacing when she is moving without the ball. When her team is not in possession, she shows a strong engine and good pace, getting back into the midfield to pressure opponents and win the ball back.

The Girls Academy Finals kicked off on July 10 at River City Sportsplex. The Richmond area has been in some sort of heat wave, and this extended weekend was not an exception. Players would have to deal with the elements to try and fight their way to the Championship game for their respective age group. Lets start coverage with some players that stood out in the quarterfinal round.