Girls Academy Playoffs Preview: 2010 Quarterfinals

The Girls Academy quarterfinals kick off on Thursday from Virginia. The 2010 games will be the nightcap with all four games kicking off at 8 pm from the River City Sportsplex.   Prior to the start of the action, check out the players and matchups to know from the games.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tophat Gold vs. West Florida Flames </h2>   Preview: Tophat Gold is the favorite to win it all in this age group. The Georgia club won the Girls Academy Champions Cup earlier this year and will be looking to double up in Virginia. They were convincing in Group Stage with 10 goals scored and only one conceded. Tophat is blessed with some of the top talent in the country in nearly every spot on the field. The results this season have backed up any hyperbole about the squad as a whole and the players individually. The lone goal Tophat conceded in California came on a header off a corner kick. It could be the lone weakness.   These teams are conference rivals. Tophat won the two meetings this season 3-2 and 4-0. Those games occurred in October and November, respectively. The current iteration of the teams feels different, which should be an encouraging sign for West Florida Flames. They rolled through Group Play with three shutouts. The defense will need to raise the level even more to stop the Tophat attack. However, there are some reasons for optimism. The strength of Flames in the attack with the pace and quick counter could expose some weaknesses in Tophat. Mia Accola and Jenah Amireh will be the key figures in the attack. Norah Gulliford is the one to watch in the midfield to slow down the Tophat side and quickly spring the counter.   Players to Watch:    York is the key for Tophat if West Florida decides to sit back in this game. She can break down the opposition with her passing just as well as she can beat it off the dribble. Her ability to win the duel makes her a top talent in this age group.     West Florida Flames is going to need the whole roster to be out their best on the day to knock off the Tophat. The defense will be the focus though. Cherenfant and fellow center back Sydney Kachurak were very good in the Group Stage. They will need to be smart with their positioning and organized to keep the Tophat attack away from goal.    Prediction: Tophat Gold 2-0 West Florida Flames   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Galaxy SC vs. Michigan Jaguars</h2>   Preview: Galaxy made their mark on the season with a strong defense and a punishing attack. The statistic reveal the dominance the club displayed throughout the campaign. Perhaps overlooked was the tactical nuance and dedication of the players to evolve and develop the game plan over the year. The Galaxy attack loves to use the wide players to cut inside and create opportunities from unique 2v1 situations. They're a fun to scout in this age group.   Michigan Jaguars won their Group with a 2-0-1 record. They play a pretty open style of the game. They are flying up and down the field, which can be fun to watch, but will make life pretty diffcult against a ruthless attack like Galaxy. Jaguars strength is in the transition. Defender McKenzie Frank had a strong game at left center back in the opening 2-2 draw against Spokane Shadow. She is an excellent passer and very comfortable with the ball at her feet. She can break open the opposition with those elite traits. Lily Albertson is capable of making jaw-dropping saves to frustrate the opposition.   Players to Watch:    The previous mentioned attacking brilliance from Galaxy comes from a few players, but Stone was exception during the Group Stage. She was one of the best performers from the 2010 age group and her showing against RNY was certainly a high point. Stone could be the key to Galaxy's success in Virginia.     Jaguars looked their best in California when Collins was in control of the game. She's a physical defensive midfielder who will get into the tackle and commit fouls when needed. Collins needs to enforce against Galaxy. She should be the most active player on the field in terms of drawing the whistle. She has all the talent to be the best player on the field in this game.    Prediction: Galaxy 2-0 Michigan Jaguars   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fram SC vs. SJEB </h2>   Preview: Fram SC took out the Champions Cup finalist, HTX, in the Group Stage. Now, the Southern California side has their eyes on the first Girls Academy National Championship for the club. They are fully capable of beating any team in this age group. They have an elite attack, skillful midfield, determined defense, and super shot-stopper. The components are there for a team that could roll through the competition in Virginia.   SJEB bounced back from an opening-day in the Group Stage to claim the top spot in the bracket and earn a trip to Virginia. The 3-2 win over Columbus United on the second day was the decisive result from the group. The New Jersey squad was one two teams to advance to the quarterfinals without a player invited to the National Talent ID. There quite a few worthy candidates on the squad including one mentioned below.   Players to Watch:    Dunn made quite a few fans during her play in the GA Playoffs. The winger earned a spot in the National Talent ID event. She won't be playing there as she is hoping to lead her team to a deeper run in the postseason. Dunn is an athletic winger who thrives in 1v1 situations. She can punish the defense with her pace. Daniela Rodriguez and Carissa Pelcastre are two talented midfielders to set the table for Dunn.     Brownlee was excellent in California for her side. She is a game-breaking talent and has the tools to go toe-to-toe with Fram star Brielle Dunn. She seems to up her level when she is faced with a challenging opponent. She was effective in every game for SJEB. She keeps close control of the ball and cuts on a dime. She is a top finisher too. Brownlee could be the one to end up as the leading scorer at the event.    Prediction: Fram 3-2 SJEB   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">South Valley SC vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283706' first='NEFC' last=''] Red </h2>   Preview: The small Bakersfield, California club is in the quarterfinals of the Girls Academy playoffs, which is a huge accomplishment for the team and club. Alyssa Avila and Micah Ward are the names to know from the team. They were both included in the Girls Academy National Talent ID, but they won't be playing in that event as they look to take down [program_tooltip program_id='283706' first='NEFC' last=''] Red in Thursday night's matchup. South Valley's defense was part of the story in the Group Stage with only two goals conceded in the three games. They will be in the spotlight again in Virginia.   [program_tooltip program_id='283706' first='NEFC' last=''] survived a difficult group to advance to Richmond. The squad will face yet another challenge against South Valley in the quarterfinal round. The strength of the team is in the defense. [player_tooltip player_id='275281' first='Dahlia' last='Cryan'], the left back, is one of the best outside backs in the Girls Academy 2010 age group. Goalkeeper Julia Bradley is one of the best in her position as well.   Players to Watch:    Adams scored the equalizer against Broomfield Soccer Club on the final day of Group Play in California, which clinched their spot in Virginia. The tall midfielder does a bit of everything. It's a major reason why this team goes as Adams goes.     Bradley is a major reason why [program_tooltip program_id='283706' first='NEFC' last=''] is in Richmond. She made save after save in the first half against [program_tooltip program_id='283295' first='City' last='SC']. It was an constant pressure and she rose to the occasion. The City team was excellent on the day, but Bradley was just better. She has the quality in goal to earn a result for her team even when they are outmatched.    Prediction: [program_tooltip program_id='287540' first='South' last='[program_tooltip program_id='283511' first='Valley' last='Surf']'] 1-0 [program_tooltip program_id='283706' first='NEFC' last='']

The Girls Academy quarterfinals kick off on Thursday from Virginia. The 2010 games will be the nightcap with all four games kicking off at 8 pm from the River City Sportsplex.