ECNL Phoenix – Day 2 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top-level players from three different age groups were on hand to put on a show.</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>The Day 2 matchups featured some really good teams making a name for themselves or fringe teams trying to make it to the national playoffs. Some take for granted the midway point in the season, as the three matches at this event could propel their squad into playoff contention. Yet, at the same time, some teams who came in red hot might have hit a roadblock, but adjustments can still be made in the next month or two to get them where they want to be. This article also features some college commits and some nationally ranked players as well as top 40 state players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>One the first match of Day 2, I was trying to get a glimpse of the up-and-coming talent from the G2011 teams.&nbsp; Eagles FC and Utah Avalanche played to a 1-1 draw. Standouts for the Eagles' side were [player_tooltip player_id='295115' first='Presley' last='Walker'] (2030) and [player_tooltip player_id='280231' first='Ariana' last='Urbina'] (2029). Presley stood out on the defensive side by making clean tackles and cutting off players on the channels, while Ariana stamped her name as a speedy forward with high-level skills to break through a defensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At a 10:00 am match, the [program_tooltip program_id='283425' first='[program_tooltip program_id='283424' first='Pateadores' last='']' last=''] and Sting Black played at a fast pace, with a lot of speed on both sides of the pitch. [player_tooltip player_id='269740' first='Anne' last='Marie Ashley'] of the [program_tooltip program_id='283425' first='[program_tooltip program_id='283424' first='Pateadores' last='']' last=''] showed her strength in the backline and her ability to lead her team during transitions and positioning players to make stops on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cynthia Rios of Sting Black ECNL scored the team's second goal of the match. She was quick at times and got a goal by being patient during the buildup and making a well-timed run to get into a high-percentage scoring position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last group of players were from the G2009 matchup featuring highly ranked [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] (13-3-3) vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283510' first='Utah' last='Royals FC-AZ']. It was a highly competitive match with the Royals trying to find the spark which got them into the national playoffs and making a run to the round of 16. Standouts for Surf were [player_tooltip player_id='111092' first='Emi' last='Lo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='146349' first='Francesca' last='Johnson'] who both had a goal apiece. Also, [player_tooltip player_id='112243' first='Maryn' last='Pratt'] was the goal scorer for the Royals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Featured Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='280231' first='Ariana' last='Urbina'] - 2029 - [program_tooltip program_id='280776' first='Eagles' last='SC'] ECNL G2011- Forward/Defender - WL for nation, #53 in CA and #17 in position</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id='295115' first='Presley' last='Walker'] - 2030 - [program_tooltip program_id='280776' first='Eagles' last='SC'] ECNL G2011 - Defender/Forward - WL for CA and WL for position</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='269740' first='Anne' last='Marie Ashley'] - 2029 - [program_tooltip program_id='283425' first='[program_tooltip program_id='283424' first='Pateadores' last='']' last=''] ECNL G2010 - Midfielder/Defender WL for CA and WL for position</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Cynthia Rios - 2028 - Sting Black ECNL G2010 - Forward/Midfielder - WL for nation</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. [player_tooltip player_id='111092' first='Emi' last='Lo'] - 2027 - [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] ECNL G2010 - Midfielder - #109 in CA and #44 in position - Brown Commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. [player_tooltip player_id='146349' first='Francesca' last='Johnson'] - [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] ECNL G2010 - Forward/Midfielder - #210 in nation, #39 in CA, and #11 in position - Duke Commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='112243' first='Maryn' last='Pratt'] - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='283510' first='Utah' last='Royals FC-AZ'] ECNL G2009 - #163 in the nation, #1 in AZ, and #1 in position</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player Evaluations:&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='280231' first='Ariana' last='Urbina'] - 2029 - [program_tooltip program_id='280776' first='Eagles' last='SC'] ECNL G2011- Forward/Defender - WL for nation, #53 in CA and #17 in position</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["280231"],"_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-69cb6831a537a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ariana stamped her name as a speedy forward with high-level skills to break through a defensive line. She was able to get a past the defense on a clean through pass to the left side. The goalkeeper came out to make a challenge, but Ariana slide it past her with a left footed shot which had just enough room to squeeze by the GK and front post for a perfectly place timing shot. Her ability to provide pressure up top also kept the defense on their toes and every time she received a pass along the channel, she had the ability to get past the defense to make quality runs on goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ariana's Highlights: Goal against Utah Avalanche</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2037913107222393088?s=20","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/2037913107222393088?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id='295115' first='Presley' last='Walker'] - 2030 - [program_tooltip program_id='280776' first='Eagles' last='SC'] ECNL G2011 - Defender/Forward - WL for CA and WL for position</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["295115"],"_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-69cb6831a53ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She showed good technique when cutting off angles and shielding the ball from defenders. Presley made precise passes when pushing up on counterattacks and tracked back on defense to make clean tackles and key stops. Her technical skills, high soccer IQ, and poise under pressure is going to help her development into a top-level player. Presley was great at shutting down runners trying to test her speed on the wings. Even while playing up, she demonstrated her ability to use great instincts, play tenacious defense, and make the stops needed in critical moments. She was one of a few 8th graders to compete at a high level with 2011's.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Presley's Highlights: Defensive stops and technical skills against Utah Avalanche</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2038831823367942172?s=20","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/2038831823367942172?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='269740' first='Anne' last='Marie Ashley'] - 2029 - [program_tooltip program_id='283425' first='[program_tooltip program_id='283424' first='Pateadores' last='']' last=''] ECNL G2010 - Midfielder/Defender WL for CA and WL for position</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["269740"],"_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-69cb6831a543d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She primarily played as a 6 in this match. Her ability to win 50/50 challenges and use her size to her advantage are key elements towards her success on the backline. As a leader, she has the skills to breakdown the attack and verbally position players into the right spots to decrease scoring opportunities. While on the counterattack, she can quickly transition her team to the attacking third with long ball or strong through passes. The Cal South ODP 2025 champion has the size and skillsets to compete at the higher levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anne Marie's Highlights: Defensive stops and technical skills against Sting Black</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2038844700317319297?s=20","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/2038844700317319297?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Cynthia Rios - 2028 - Sting Black ECNL G2010 - Forward/Midfielder - WL for nation</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["317737"],"_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-69cb6831a5487"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She was patient during the buildup and scored easily with a well timed run to get into an open position and finding the right angle to get the ball past the GK. Cynthia also applied high pressure up top, while forcing the [program_tooltip program_id='283425' first='[program_tooltip program_id='283424' first='Pateadores' last='']' last=''] to make errors in the backline. She has a tremendous upside and I can't wait to see if her team can make it to the national playoffs or to see them in future ECNL events.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cynthia's Highlights: Goal against [program_tooltip program_id='283425' first='[program_tooltip program_id='283424' first='Pateadores' last='']' last='']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2038853145259122978?s=20","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/2038853145259122978?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. [player_tooltip player_id='111092' first='Emi' last='Lo'] - 2027 - [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] ECNL G2010 - Midfielder - #109 in CA and #44 in position - Brown Commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emi's Highlights: Goal against Utah Royals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2038016162630713657?s=20","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/2038016162630713657?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. [player_tooltip player_id='146349' first='Francesca' last='Johnson'] - 2027 - [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] ECNL G2010 - Forward/Midfielder - #210 in nation, #39 in CA, and #11 in position - Duke Commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Francesca's Highlights: Goal against Utah Royals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2038017703391478138?s=20","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/2038017703391478138?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='112243' first='Maryn' last='Pratt'] - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='283510' first='Utah' last='Royals FC-AZ'] ECNL G2009 - #163 in the nation, #1 in AZ, and #1 in position</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maryn's Highlights: Goal against [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2038004591502196764?s=20","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/2038004591502196764?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->