Preview of High School Impact Players C/O 2027 – Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school winter soccer season is right around the corner, and I will be featuring a series of upcoming and current high school impact players. In this edition, Arizona high school players are the focus. All of these players have actively played year-round soccer, with a few of them playing multiple sports as well. The goal is to eventually get a state Gatorade Player of the Year from this series in a year or two. All of the players but one are uncommitted at this time. Some should be making their decisions soon. The talent level is definitely there, but we'll have to wait and see if it pans out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting off with the players who received recognition at the club level. The [program_tooltip program_id='283510' first='Utah' last='Royals FC-AZ'] ECNL G09 team had an outstanding run at the National Playoffs They made it to the Elite Eight and eventually lost to the eventual champions, MVLA Gunners. In a previous article, I made the prediction that whoever won that match would go on to win it all. Although it worked out in MVLA's favor, the Royals put up a great fight and almost sent the match to PK's.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With that recent success and something to prove during the upcoming high school season, [player_tooltip player_id='112158' first='Kate' last='Edrington'], [player_tooltip player_id='112163' first='Raegan' last='Pool'], and [player_tooltip player_id='112160' first='Sophie' last='Grindall'] will be major contributors to their high school teams' success. Some teams are contenders for league, regional, and state championships. It's going to be awesome seeing their journey at this level. Some may say that scouts only attend ECNL or ECRL matches, but believe me when I say good teams and really good players get looks at the high school levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112158' first='Kate' last='Edrington'] is a defender at Mountain Ridge High School, AZ. She is the #7 ranked defender in the state. Her team was ranked #13 in AZ with a 12-4-1 overall record last season. She played a major part in her club team's run throughout the qualification stages as well as during the ECNL playoffs to get her team within striking distance of a Natty! Expectations are high as she prepares for her Junior year and as she looks to be locking in on top level Division 1 school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1962376552827719839","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1962376552827719839 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNmH4zfyU8D/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNmH4zfyU8D/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112163' first='Raegan' last='Pool'] is a forward at Sandra Day O'Connor High School, AZ. She is the #1 ranked forward in the state. Her team was ranked 22nd in AZ with a 7-8-2 overall record last season. Reagan is looking forward to a highly successful scoring run and to helping her team get to the next level. While covering her ECNL matches last season, it's safe to say that she is back and ready to prove that she can be a leading scorer in the league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1962379295013380569","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1962379295013380569 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJLkfnVu-yM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">https://www.instagram.com/p/DJLkfnVu-yM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112160' first='Sophie' last='Grindall'] is a midfielder at Notre Dame Prep High School, AZ.&nbsp; She is the #8 ranked Mid in the state.&nbsp; Her high school team won a State Championship in the 2023-2024 season.&nbsp; They are looking to get back to that level and make another run at the championship. Grindall played a huge part in the Utah Royals run at the National Playoffs, her ability to find open players in the attacking third helped her team advance to the Elite Eight. She can deliver crisp passes and track back on defense. She will be aiming to get her high school team back to 2nd championship in two years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112160"],"_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-68b5463addad3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is the #8 ranked Mid in the state.&nbsp; Her high school team won a State Championship in the 2023-2024 season.&nbsp; They are looking to get back to that level and make another run at the championship. Grindall played a huge part in the Utah Royals run at the National Playoffs, her ability to find open players in the attacking third helped her team advance to the Elite Eight. She can deliver crisp passes and track back on defense. She will be aiming to get her high school team back to 2nd championship in two years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1962382659394600971"> https://x.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1962382659394600971</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up are players who may have had some coverage at the ECNL or high school level, but they are definitely worthy of getting looks as they plan to make huge contributions to their high school teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='164732' first='Tatum' last='Gowdy'] is a GK for Red Mountain High School, AZ. Last season Red Mountain was the 2nd place team in the league (4-1) and 9-6 overall. Gowdy's club team is the [program_tooltip program_id='283245' first='Arizona' last='Arsenal'], ECRL G09. She intends to make her defense stronger and make a run at the league title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["164732"],"_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-68b5463addb39"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is a GK for Red Mountain High School, AZ. Last season Red Mountain was the 2nd place team in the league (4-1) and 9-6 overall. Gowdy's club team is the [program_tooltip program_id='283245' first='Arizona' last='Arsenal'], ECRL G09. She intends to make her defense stronger and make a run at the league title. With her in the goal and and a improved defense, they are ready to take their team to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1962365587675603106","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1962365587675603106 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- 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":"Sayler Smith","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"Coconino","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='281477' first='Phoenix' last='Rising ECNL'] G09","_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-68b5463addc1a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is a forward for Coconino High School, AZ. She scored a total of 30 goals and 18 assists during her freshman and sophomore years. The Phoenix Rising forward is looking to increase her scoring total and help her team make a run at the league and conference titles. Last season the Panthers were 2nd place in league play and had an overall record of 13-5-1 for a 48th rank in AZ. She is a Northern Arizona Commit—Go Astrojacks!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>Sayler Smith is a forward for Coconino High School, AZ. She scored a total of 30 goals and 18 assists during her freshman and sophomore years. The Phoenix Rising forward is looking to increase her scoring total and help her team make a run at the league and conference titles. Last season the Panthers were 2nd place in league play and had an overall record of 13-5-1 for a 48th rank in AZ. She is a Northern Arizona Commit—Go Astrojacks!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1962372203779166302","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1962372203779166302 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112248"],"_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-68b5463addc70"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"> She is a forward for Boulder Creek High School, AZ. She scored a total of 40 goals and 16 assists during her freshman and sophomore years and is ready to take it to another level. The [program_tooltip program_id='281477' first='Phoenix' last='Rising ECNL'] G09 player is aiming for a league title and a run at the state title. They had an overall record of 17-3 and were ranked #4 in AZ last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112248' first='Xaida' last='Ford'] is a forward for Boulder Creek High School, AZ. She scored a total of 40 goals and 16 assists during her freshman and sophomore years and is ready to take it to another level. The [program_tooltip program_id='281477' first='Phoenix' last='Rising ECNL'] G09 player is aiming for a league title and a run at the state title. They had an overall record of 17-3 and were ranked #4 in AZ last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1962369839638761554","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1962369839638761554 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112233"],"_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-68b5463addcb8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is a midfielder for Perry High School, AZ. Last season Perry was the 3rd place team in the league (2-2) and 13-7 overall. Ankerbauer, the [program_tooltip program_id='283245' first='Arizona' last='Arsenal'] ECRL G09 player, plans to make contributions to her team and aim for a 1st or 2nd place finish in league play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112233' first='Reegan' last='Ankenbauer'] is a midfielder for Perry High School, AZ. Last season Perry was the 3rd place team in the league (2-2) and 13-7 overall. Ankerbauer, the [program_tooltip program_id='283245' first='Arizona' last='Arsenal'] ECRL G09 player, plans to make contributions to her team and aim for a 1st or 2nd place finish in league play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1962373848076271717","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1962373848076271717 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284584"],"_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-68b5463addcfb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is a forward for Pinnacle High School, AZ. The [program_tooltip program_id='281477' first='Phoenix' last='Rising ECNL'] G09 player scored 6 goals and 2 assists last year. She was on the all-conference team in the 2024 ECRL. Weinzetl is poised to make major contributions by scoring and pushing her team to another run at a state championship, as they were the runner-up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='284584' first='Brooke' last='Weinzetl'] is a forward for Pinnacle High School, AZ. The [program_tooltip program_id='281477' first='Phoenix' last='Rising ECNL'] G09 player scored 6 goals and 2 assists last year. She was on the all-conference team in the 2024 ECRL. Weinzetl is poised to make major contributions by scoring and pushing her team to another run at a state championship, as they were the runner-up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1962384719238271444","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1962384719238271444 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->