ECNL Texas: Day 1 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ECNL Girls national event in Texas had a shortened, but intense start on Saturday, when only a fraction of the teams set to get on the field were able to compete due to the heavy rain that hit the Dallas area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The schedule for the first day of the showcase was updated the night before the start of the event due to the forecast, shortening matches to only one half. However, the action was stopped right before noon, when a heavy thunderstorm hit the area. A few hours later, the remaining matches were cancelled for safety reasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/02/ecnl-texas-day-1-photos-2/">ECNL Texas - Day 1 Photos </a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DUwNbnXj1-q/?img_index=1","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/DUwNbnXj1-q/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Soccer was at Beacon Park in the morning, and we were able to watch three matches in the 2009 age group before the action was halted. Despite the short time of play, some players were still able to deliver strong performances:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='283317' first='[program_tooltip program_id='280767' first='DKSC' last='']' last=''] G09 1 - 0 Oregon Surf G09</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- 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":"Brooklyn Gray","_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":"5'8u0022","_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":"Flower Mound","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283317' first='[program_tooltip program_id='280767' first='DKSC' last='']' last='']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6990fb6463786"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gray was arguably the most dangerous offensive player on her [program_tooltip program_id='283317' first='[program_tooltip program_id='280767' first='DKSC' last='']' last=''] team against Oregon Surf. She played different roles up front for them, playing more centrally and on the wing, and was very good at attacking the space behind the outside backs. Gray made nice runs out wide, using her dribbling skills and her ability to keep the ball close to her feet to beat opponents in space and get to the end line to cross it. She also did well when dropping a little bit deeper to get on the ball, doing a good job of creating space with her dribbling, and was very active when pressing opponents, forcing them to turn the ball over on some occasions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":350374,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0011_b18490.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-350374" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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":"Avery Petersen","_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":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Oregon Surf","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6990fb6463861"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Petersen had a good shift in midfield for Oregon Surf against [program_tooltip program_id='283317' first='[program_tooltip program_id='280767' first='DKSC' last='']' last='']. A central midfielder, she got on the ball a lot and showed calmness and intelligence to make good things with it, moving it efficiently and finding good solutions. Petersen was able to keep possession even when under pressure, playing quick, first-time passes or creating space to operate with smart moves. She was very active on and off the ball and gave her team a good rhythm in the center of the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":350376,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0014_3c516b.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-350376" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='283311' first='Dallas' last='Texans'] G09 3 - 1 Eastside FC G09</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- 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":"Isabel Carrington","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_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":"Ryan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283311' first='Dallas' last='Texans']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6990fb6463916"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carrington led the line for the [program_tooltip program_id='283311' first='Dallas' last='Texans'] against Eastside FC and had a big role in their victory. A tall and physical forward, she played with a lot of intensity and strongly challenged the opposing backline with her high-energy game. Carrington did well when working with her back to the goal, getting on the end of long passes and holding onto the ball, but also showed an interesting ability to dribble the ball forward through the center. She scored the team's second goal in a play in which she had to shoot twice and was also involved in their third goal. The forward also helped her team in defensive set pieces, using her height to clear crosses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":350394,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0055.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-350394" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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":"Lauren Tripp","_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":"5'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Kentlake","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Eastside FC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6990fb64639b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tripp showed great work rate and quality on the ball for Eastside FC against the [program_tooltip program_id='283311' first='Dallas' last='Texans']. A defensive midfielder, she anchored their game with a high-intensity performance and made an impact on both sides of the ball. Tripp did well in shielding her team's backline, as she won many duels in the center of the field and was also very quick to get to second balls and win possession. The defensive midfielder moved the ball quickly from one side to the other and also offered solid offensive support, stepping into the attacking half to attempt through balls and to finish chances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":350390,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0046_1ea25b.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-350390" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] RL G09 0 - 0 Utah Avalanche G09</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- 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":"Riley Pulley","_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":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lovejoy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6990fb6463a50"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pulley did well in a limited time at right back for [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] RL against Utah Avalanche. She did good defensive work for her team, dominating her zone and denying opponents the possibility of attempting passes in behind. Pulley was very present offensively, too, pushing forward every time she saw a chance and getting to the attacking half in no time. She also demonstrated good vision to deliver accurate passes down the line that found the winger in good spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111471"],"_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-6990fb6463abc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Badger worked well in midfield for Utah Avalanche, keeping her intensity level high and making good choices when on the ball. A box-to-box midfielder, she was very active defensively, stepping up to make plays in different areas of the field - she was very good with how well she timed her sliding tackles. Badger also took good care of the ball, delivering accurate passes, and had a couple of good runs on and off the ball on the right side of the attack to get into the box and make plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->