U17 ECNL Elite 8 Preview/Predictions

Continuing with our preview and predictions for the upcoming ECNL National Championships we look at the U17 age group where 8 teams will be competing for 1 National Championship. There will be a new National Champion this year in this age group as last years winners Penn Fusion were upset in the round of 16 by PDA Blue on penalties in San Diego which makes them the team to beat in this bracket. Here's a breakdown of the day 1 matchups as well as predictions for what I think is to come next week in Virginia.   In the first game of the Quarters the Michigan Hawks are taking on the home team in this bracket [program_tooltip program_id='283515' first='Virginia' last='Development Academy'] ([program_tooltip program_id='283514' first='VDA' last='']). [program_tooltip program_id='283514' first='VDA' last=''] have a massive advantage over the rest of these teams as they don't have to travel very far for this one. [player_tooltip player_id='155296' first='Maya' last='Engel'], Audrey Mckeen, and Kyndal Schuler have all been in Youth National Team camps and are players that the Michigan Hawks need to be wary of in this matchup. On the other side for the Hawks have two Youth National Team players of their own in Reese Canada, and Alison Ernst. Another dangerous player to keep an eye on is the Northwestern commit Amber Weaver. My prediction is [program_tooltip program_id='283514' first='VDA' last=''] come out on top narrowly in this one 2-1.   In our second matchup we have Player Development Academy (PDA) taking on a loaded Real Colorado side. Both sides have division 1 talent up and down their rosters. PDA has Camille Banks (TCU), Sara Chrnelich (Georgetown), Elle Price (Kentucky), Paige Foye (Maryland), Alexa Lee (Columbia), among others. On the other hand we have essentially Real Colorado's entire squad playing at the next level somewhere. With Alexa Douglass (Santa Clara), Isla Eaton (Ohio St.), and Avery Brand (Oklahoma St.) of particular interest in this game. My prediction is another narrow victory with Real Colorado coming out on top 3-2 in this game.   In our third game we have XF Academy taking on Sting Black. XF is anchored by recent Stanford Commit and Youth National Goalkeeper Vienna Whipple who is going to be extremely difficult for Sting to beat. Youth National Team players Makenna Holub and Saleen Koszorus are also players to watch in this game for XF. Sting have an extremely balanced roster with talent on all levels. Elle Durham (Washington), Mimi Flanagan (Tennessee), Tyler Grimes (Oklahoma St.), Reese Elizabeth (Texas Tech), and Danielle Chaump (Kentucky) just to name a few to keep an eye on for Sting in this heavyweight battle for the Semi's. My prediction for this one is a 2-0 win for XF.   In our last matchup we have the mighty Slammers HBK taking on the NC Courage. Slammers are my favorites to win it all going into this as they seem to plow through anyone in their path. You can talk about every player on this roster as someone to watch. Of particular note [player_tooltip player_id='19499' first='Ireland' last='Churchill'] is on fire for Slammers, she scored 6 goals and provided 2 assists in San Diego in the group stage and round of 16 to help her side get this far. This team has two sets of twins who are extremely difficult to play against in Jada and [player_tooltip player_id='112411' first='Amaya' last='Faison'] who are both headed to Cal Berkeley and provide a matchup nightmare for any opponent. The other set to keep an eye on is Kai and [player_tooltip player_id='82520' first='Zoie' last='Fontenot'] whom are both headed to the University of Miami one is a striker and the other is a wing back whom are both very consistent performers. NC Courage are not going to be an easy opponent for Slammers to get through. They have two Youth National Team Players who are both headed to powerhouse UNC in Riley Kennedy and Cali O'Niell both of whom are outstanding players with professional futures. Eva Forster (Wake Forest) is another player to keep an eye on for this Courage side. Ultimately I think Slammers prevails 2-1.   Semi Finals:   [program_tooltip program_id='283514' first='VDA' last=''] 2-2 Real Colorado (Real wins on Pens)   XF 1-2 Slammers HBK   Final:   Real Colorado 1-3 Slammers HBK   Slammers HBK comes away with the silverware and their second ECNL National Championship in this cycle joining their U19's.

Continuing with our preview and predictions for the upcoming ECNL National Championships we look at the U17 age group where 8 teams will be competing for 1 National Championship. There will be a new National Champion this year in this age group as last years winners Penn Fusion were upset in the round of 16 by PDA Blue on penalties in San Diego which makes them the team to beat in this bracket. Here's a breakdown of the day 1 matchups as well as predictions for what I think is to come next week in Virginia.