ECNL Florida: Texas Goalkeepers Ready to Shine

<p>Teams competing in the ECNL Girls League are set to get on the field for the first time in 2026 this weekend, when the league hosts a national event in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.</p>   <p>The Premier Sports Campus facility is set to welcome 230 teams from all over the country, which will compete between Saturday and Sunday in the U16, U17 and U18-19 divisions, with each of them playing three times over the weekend.</p>   <p>Despite the start of the high school season in Texas, nine teams from the Lone Star State will make the trip to Florida, with [program_tooltip program_id='283317' first='[program_tooltip program_id='280767' first='DKSC' last='']' last=''], [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'], Solar SC and Sting Royal being represented in both the U16 and U17 age groups and the [program_tooltip program_id='283311' first='Dallas' last='Texans'] sending their U17 team.</p>   <p>Some of the top players in the state will be in action in the event, and we'll point out some who could be poised for excellent showings in the days leading up to it. Today, we look into the goalkeepers:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Barrett is the goalkeeper of the Solar SC U16 team that will play La Roca FC, FC Pride Eilte and Eclipse Select SC in Florida. The number one goalkeeper in our Class of 2028 State Rankings, she's a US Youth National Team regular and has the complete package to stand out in the position. Standing at 5'10", she has excellent length and uses it very well between the posts, paired with superior reflexes and a solid technical game that has no holes. Incredibly consistent and productive under pressure, Barrett also plays well with her feet, contributing to the team's buildup.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/camilleb_keeper/status/2008199968226693165 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Ta plays up with the [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U17 team that will be challenged by Richmond United, LV Heat Surf and Penn Fusion SA this weekend. Another goalkeeper with US Youth National Team pedigree, she's typically one of the team's standouts with her strong play between the posts. Ta is an elite shot-stopper who not only makes difficult saves but also rarely gives up rebounds or allows second chances for opponents. She's one of the best in the business when it comes to claiming crosses, reading the ball trajectory accurately and navigating the penalty box smoothly to get to it. Ta can be an offensive weapon, too, initiating quick transition plays with intelligent throws after making stops.</p>    <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=mC5mMiE3B50 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Pike is one of the goalkeepers of Sting Royal U17 and will be with them for the matches against VDA, SLSG Navy and Gretna Elite Academy. She's very tough between the posts, combining superior technical skills and a determined mindset that will give her the energy to do whatever it takes to keep the ball out of the goal. Pike's reflexes are truly elite and allow her to make impressive stops in short-distance shots. She also distributes the ball well out of the back and is often involved in the team's buildup.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Finleypike09gk/status/1998587872677347556?s=20 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Torres is one of the options in goal for the DKSC U17 team that will have matches against Minnesota Thunder, SUSA FC and Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals in the event. She's very quick to get to the ground and is extremely difficult to beat in close range or 1v1 plays. Despite not being very tall, Torres also does well in the air, being very precise with her actions to get to the ball. The goalkeeper is comfortable on the ball and can connect passes out of the back even when under pressure.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTdU44NByFU </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Hurst is part of the [program_tooltip program_id='283311' first='Dallas' last='Texans'] U17 team that's scheduled to meet Sporting Blue Valley, Beach FC and FL Premier FC in Lakewood Ranch. She has solid athleticism and does a great job of using every drop of it to make stops in goal, getting to difficult shots in the corners. Hurst dominates the penalty box in crosses and is very quick to react between the posts, strongly challenging opposing attacking players. She also stands out with her distribution, quickly identifying the best option and getting the ball to her teammates with her feet or hands.</p>    <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=ENNEd1473zE </div></figure>

Teams competing in the ECNL Girls League are set to get on the field for the first time in 2026 this weekend, when the league hosts a national event in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.