Perfect in Florida: 2010 Standouts Shine at ECNL National Event

ECNL Florida wrapped up on Monday from Lakewood Ranch. The first National Event of 2026 was a huge success with ideal weather and fields for some of the best teams in the country to showcase their abilities in front of hundreds of scouts.    Nine teams in the 2010 age group left the event with a perfect record from the three games. Below are some of the individual standouts from those teams.     [player_tooltip player_id='210620' first='Stephanie' last='Culbertson'], Solar - Culbertson was one of the key players in the midfield in the big win over La Roca. Her smooth dribbling and quick decisions on the ball held jump-start the attack in the first half.     [player_tooltip player_id='214141' first='Mattilyn' last='Gibson'], Solar - Gibson's pace of play (full speed) and ability in the press was key for the play. Gibson won the ball for her side in advantageous positions consistently. She's an elite difference-maker in the attack for her two-way play.     [player_tooltip player_id='167733' first='Hannah' last='Goncalves'], Solar - The former [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] standout was brilliant for Solar in this event. She is tactically advanced and finds those pockets of space to expose the opposition. Her play in the first half against La Roca was a good example of what she brings - from the finishing to the attention-drawing play that created chances for her teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='270111' first='Amina' last='Cook'] was really good at the defensive midfield role.     [player_tooltip player_id='278318' first='Logan' last='Lombard'], [program_tooltip program_id='283449' first='Richmond' last='United'] - Lombard had an excellent finish and composure in front of the goal in the win over FC Alliance. The high activity midfielder had a terrific showing in Florida for her squad.     Annie Toole, [program_tooltip program_id='283449' first='Richmond' last='United'] - Toole was one of the standouts of the Richmond defense. She was decisive in her commitment defensively and shut down the opposition numerous times. She finished the event being a key part of backline that only let in one goal in three games. [player_tooltip player_id='347419' first='Kylie' last='Simpkins'] was also outstanding for Richmond.     [player_tooltip player_id='339227' first='Abby' last='Rabideau'], [program_tooltip program_id='283449' first='Richmond' last='United'] - Rabbideau was one of the players that immediately stood out from the Richmond game against FC Alliance. She was always in the right spots and made quick decisions on the ball. The defensive midfielder dictated the pace of the game with her smart tactical play.     [player_tooltip player_id='318233' first='Maya' last='Pringle'], [program_tooltip program_id='283251' first='Atlanta' last='Fire'] - Pringle scored the final goal in the 4-0 win over FSA FC. She did more than just tally one in that game. She was authoritative in the center of the field with her sophisticated play. She's an excellent passer and provided the key pass for her side to generate a few chances. She was forceful in the duel and did well winning the ball cleanly in the middle of the field. She was one of the top performers from the event.     [player_tooltip player_id='318235' first='Caroline' last='Rivera Micheo'], [program_tooltip program_id='283251' first='Atlanta' last='Fire'] - Rivera Micheo cemented her spot on the standouts list with her play against FSA. She single-handedly stopped a counter attack off a corner kick. She chased down the opposition and pulled off a perfect slide tackle in the open field. After the outstanding defensive play, she provided an assist only seconds later when her side won possession and she picked out the center forward with a perfectly weighted pass. I loved the enthusiasm and tenacity she brought to her team. It set the tone.     [player_tooltip player_id='317558' first='Amara' last='Akoh'], [program_tooltip program_id='283251' first='Atlanta' last='Fire'] - Akoh and the [program_tooltip program_id='283251' first='Atlanta' last='Fire'] defense ended the event with only one goal conceded from the three games. The two shutouts showcased the quality of this event against stiff competition. Valeria Villar was the other star center back for this team. Harper Sams had a good showing at right back.     Payten Hart, [program_tooltip program_id='283251' first='Atlanta' last='Fire'] - Hart just seemed like an absolute nightmare to play against. She put her speed, strength, and scrappy play on full display for [program_tooltip program_id='283251' first='Atlanta' last='Fire']. The center forward was always around the ball in the box and efficient with her chances. She had a pair of goals early in the win over FSA. She's was quick to react - both to loose balls in the box, but also in the transition moments of the game when she could spring in behind the defense. She was very impressive as a center forward.     [player_tooltip player_id='318888' first='Saniya' last='Kilpatrick'], [program_tooltip program_id='283251' first='Atlanta' last='Fire'] - Kilpatrick was one of the best wingers of the event. The left winger has the skill and pace to beat any outside back. It felt like whenever the ball was at her feet, there was a chance her team was about to score.     [player_tooltip player_id='207254' first='Makenzy' last='Dixon'], [program_tooltip program_id='283358' first='GSA' last=''] - Dixon scored the opening goal against Nationals. She took advantage of a lapse or slip from the opposition and then showed off her poise in front of the goal with a nice cutback move on the final defender before slotting home the goal. She then had an assist on the next goal as she won the ball back for her side in the center of the field and slipped in a pass for a terrific finish from [player_tooltip player_id='186191' first='Nolyn' last='Herron'].     [player_tooltip player_id='186191' first='Nolyn' last='Herron'], [program_tooltip program_id='283358' first='GSA' last=''] - Herron was effective in the attack in every game for [program_tooltip program_id='283358' first='GSA' last='']. She was a major reason why the offense punched in 12 goals in three games. The forward makes great runs off the ball. She does an excellent job varying her runs on when to cut on the diagonal and when to get straight in behind. Her finishing was also exceptional. She had some great goals from finishes at tough angles.     [player_tooltip player_id='321689' first='Emily' last='Hoellrich'], [program_tooltip program_id='283358' first='GSA' last=''] - Hoellrich had a strong game against Nationals. The left back used her body well in duels and shut down the opposition with her play. She did well in keeping possession for her side and connected passes quickly to teammates.     Madelyn Lynch, World Class FC - Lynch was brilliant in the defensive midfield for World Class especially in her approach against XF Academy. She was quick with her decisions and strategic with her positioning. She controlled the game, and almost kept a strong XF side held away from goal.     Sophia Polizzi, World Class FC - Pollizzi was seemingly everywhere for her team against XF Academy. She popped up all over the field making key plays in the 2-1 win. She was terrific has a two-way player with her soccer smarts and effort.     Payton Galuski, FC Stars - Galuski, fresh off making history as the first girl to earn a spot on the boys All-State team in New York, was stellar for her club team in Florida. Her assist on the FC Stars equalizer against Fairfax VA Union was spectacular. She's one of the best in the country in the 2010 age group. Ashley Dimnaku was also a bright spot for FC Stars in the midfield.     Nina Clement, FC Stars - There is a lot asked of Clement from the center of the defense for FC Stars. She meets the challenge every time. She covers a lot of ground in the game for a center defender with her touch line to touch line play as well as her ability to patrol the center of the field. She was excellent against Fairfax VA Union. Lyla Manning also had a strong outing.     Molly Doherty, Select - Doherty impressed with her organization. She was active in the midfield with getting her teammates into the right spots. She did well with communication and identifying where to be to help her side. Select went through the event with three shutouts. Allison Shuster was awesome in the midfield for Select too.     Olivia Whelan, Select - The Select goalkeeper recorded three shutouts from three games. There were a lot of stellar performances that went into that perfect record, but the shot-stopper deserves a ton of credit with her consistent play from game-to-game. Norah Cakounes was another star of the Select defense.     Kate Grecsek, PDA White - Grescek, the captain of the squad, was excellent at center back for her club team. She made a number of key interceptions in the opening win over Colorado Rush. PDA White secured three shutouts from the event - and every game was close. Grecsek hardly put a foot wrong while in Florida.     Khloe Lamberson, OK Energy - Lamberson is listed as an outside back on her player profile, but she was playing center back in the game against Tampa Bay United. She looked comfortable there and stood out for her ability to shield players off the ball and her comfort in breaking the press with the ball at her feet. Bella Langford was also a bright spot of the OK Energy defense.     Gentry Fieker, OK Energy - Fieker's energy and pace of play stood out from the OK Energy game. She was buzzing and always putting her team in attacking positions. She had a number of key passes early in the game against Tampa Bay United.

ECNL Florida wrapped up on Monday from Lakewood Ranch. The first National Event of 2026 was a huge success with ideal weather and fields for some of the best teams in the country to showcase their abilities in front of hundreds of scouts.