5 Top-Level Illinois Players You Should Get To Know – 2028/29’s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Eclipse SC ECNL G10 team competes without YNT Goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='246044' first='Olivia' last='Hasan'], yet worthy of the spotlight</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group of 2028 and 2029 players are some of the best players Illinois has to offer, and some have national rankings.&nbsp; Although they struggled at ECNL Florida due to having their #1 goalkeeper, one of the best in the nation, [player_tooltip player_id='246044' first='Olivia' last='Hasan'], fulfilling youth national team duties, these brave and competitive players are still worthy of the spotlight.&nbsp; These Fab Five players are “hidden gems” and “not to be overlooked come June 15th.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The five featured players were part of the G2010 team, which participated in the national playoffs last year, and they put on a good showing.  If all players are present for the upcoming February ECNL Dallas, I would expect them to make a good run at that tournament and recommend the college scouts to be there as well.  I will definitely be at one of their matches at the March ECNL Phoenix Showcase. Calling all scouts to go out and see these players, as you won't be disappointed. Top-level players competing with some of the best club teams in the nation for this competitive recruitment class should be “of the highest order.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>Featured Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #1 - </strong>&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249816' first='Sophia' last='Korovilas'] - Outside Back/Defensive Mid </strong>- 2028 - High School: Lake Zurich</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #2 - [player_tooltip player_id='153155' first='Danica' last='Meller'] </strong>- <strong>Midfield/Forward</strong> - 2028 - High School: Libertyville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #3 - [player_tooltip player_id='261444' first='Adelyn' last='Thomas'] </strong>- <strong>Forward/Midfielder</strong> - 2028 - High School: Lincoln-Way East</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #4 - [player_tooltip player_id='249806' first='Zoe' last='Chang'] </strong>- <strong>Defender/Midfielder</strong> - 2028 - High School: Lake Zurich</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #5 - [player_tooltip player_id='275906' first='Olivia' last='Hindson'] </strong>- <strong>Forward/Midfielder</strong> - 2029 - High School: Glenview (Glenbrook South)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player Evaluations</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #1 - </strong>&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249816' first='Sophia' last='Korovilas'] - Outside Back/Defensive Mid </strong>- 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["249816"],"_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-697837545d97a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She's a player that never quits and is known for toughness and never backing down.&nbsp; Sophia makes good decisions, plays consistently, and is a player her coaches can count on.&nbsp; While it's a team game, she allowed ZERO goals from her side during the 3 matches in Florida.&nbsp; Opposing teams need to adjust their plan of attack to get points on the board.&nbsp; Sophia's ability to make good decisions in clean tackles or strong challenges was where she stood out.&nbsp; In the match against Solar, she matched-up against one of the top offensive attacking players in the country and played locked-down defense.&nbsp; Again, no goals came from her side of the field.&nbsp; She's also a versatile player who can play as a defensive mid.&nbsp; Her improvements can be attributed to speed, agility, and strength training in the past year.&nbsp;<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sophia's Highlights:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6Hj34p-Bwo","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6Hj34p-Bwo </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #2 - [player_tooltip player_id='153155' first='Danica' last='Meller'] </strong>- <strong>Midfield/Forward</strong> - 2028 - High School: Libertyville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["153155"],"_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-697837545d9ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've previously featured Danica as a standout in her team's 4-2 win against Mustang SC at the last ECNL Phoenix.&nbsp; In that match, she recorded a brace and an assist.&nbsp; Meller is known for her ability to fire long-range shots while picking her spots.&nbsp; She has great vision and excels in the attacking third.&nbsp; As a playmaker or finisher, she operates comfortably around the 18 and finds open players making runs to the box while finding open pockets to dribble past defenders for close-range shots. As a freshman, she scored 18 goals and provided 5 assists.&nbsp; She's a top-level player who can body up, get up high, and finish with power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Danica's Highlights:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DRIJ2_njjY2/","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DRIJ2_njjY2/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #3 - [player_tooltip player_id='261444' first='Adelyn' last='Thomas'] </strong>- <strong>Forward/Midfielder</strong> - 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["261444"],"_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-697837545da3f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Prep soccer scouts noted her strengths in her work ethic and scoring ability.&nbsp; Her passing skills are rated high, and she makes combo passes with ease.&nbsp; In the attacking third, she creates scoring opportunities for her teammates by presenting options for the attack, even when marked.&nbsp; Adelyn is a player with exceptional speed and plays the game consistently and with confidence.&nbsp; She's definitely going to get a bunch of June 15th calls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Adelyn's Highlights:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DRaFnKuj27-/?hl=en","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DRaFnKuj27-/?hl=en </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #4 - [player_tooltip player_id='249806' first='Zoe' last='Chang'] </strong>- <strong>Defender/Midfielder</strong> - 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["249806"],"_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-697837545da9f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is known for being a versatile player who can play as a center back and center mid.&nbsp; Previously, she held the ranking of 11th in the North Suburban-Lake conference for goals scored.&nbsp; Zoe is noted as an established clutch performer, scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 win against Hersey.&nbsp; Her ability to make good decisions and provide technical skill sets makes her a player to look out for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zoe's Highlights:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DTgxqRNgeli/","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DTgxqRNgeli/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #5 - [player_tooltip player_id='275906' first='Olivia' last='Hindson'] </strong>- <strong>Forward/Midfielder</strong> - 2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275906"],"_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-697837545daef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of Prep Soccer's lead scouts ranked her as the top-rated attacking talent in the class of 2029.&nbsp; She has thus kept her #1 ranking and looks to be heading back to her dominating form from last season.&nbsp; As a multi-sport athlete, she has the speed to burn past defenders as she competes as a sprinter in the 60- and 100-meter dash.&nbsp; Olivia's punishing style of play can be attributed to strong vertical leaps and playing strong off the ball.&nbsp; Her ability to shake off defenders on her hip shows her impressive strength and power.&nbsp; She's a player who should get looks from youth national teams sooner rather than later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Olivia's Highlights:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/YSGOCBJimHA","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/YSGOCBJimHA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->