New Talent Spotlight: Six Additions to Illinois’ 2029 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Soccer state rankings for Illinois will be updated this week. Prior to the release of the new rankings, check out some of the new names to the rankings below. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["340092"],"_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-6a175b49c4025"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Crowley is not a new name but she is a new addition to the rankings. The talented player officially joined [program_tooltip program_id='282581' first='Chicago' last='Inter ECNL'] this month. She plays high school soccer in Indiana, but plays her club soccer in Illinois so she is included in the Illinois ranking. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crowley has been part of multiple US Soccer Talent ID events in the past. She's named Honorable Mention All-State as a freshman - along with countless other awards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crowley earns the multiple position moniker, but center back is likely her spot for the next level. She's an elite athlete with a booming right leg. There's a lot of similarities in her game to Julie Ertz. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crowley has the talent and competitiveness to raise the level of Chicago Inter during the next campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["377127"],"_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-6a175b49c40d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gripp is a defender on the Galaxy SC 2011 GA team. She can play as a center back or an outside back. She was part of the Girls Academy Talent ID event this year for the Midwest East region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gripp impressed with her play at Girls Academy Showcase events. She's an excellent defender. She's also capable of playing any spot across the backline and offers the flexibility for the squad to shift into a back three when she's on the field. She has elite recovery speed with her long strides. She reads the game well and gets into passing lanes off the ball - her positioning on crosses has been a strong point of her game this season with a couple of key blocks per game. She also offers a long throw-in for her side, which is a big asset. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gripp could improve on her first touch and composure on the ball. She's shown the potential to get into the attack with the ball at her feet. She just needs to unlock that part of her game more consistently to reach the next level in her game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["377194"],"_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-6a175b49c415d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dzhokova is a center midfielder on the [program_tooltip program_id='283346' first='FC' last='United'] 2011 GA team. She was part of the 2026 Girls Academy Midwest-East Talent ID event. She was also called into the Bulgaria Youth National Team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She is a box-to-box midfielder who has been excellent this season in the Girls Academy. She covers ground, makes quick decisions on the ball, and influences the game with her tactical smarts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dzhokova has been a key player for the [program_tooltip program_id='283346' first='FC' last='United'] squad and deserves the spotlight heading into the postseason events. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["290217"],"_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-6a175b49c41d8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hortillosa is a midfielder on the [program_tooltip program_id='283630' first='Chicago' last='[program_tooltip program_id='283346' first='FC' last='United']'] 2010 Girls Academy team. She's fresh off a stellar freshman season with her high school team. She was a leader on the pitch with her play. She was everywhere and fearless in the duel. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hortillosa's ability to win the ball in the tackle, run 40 yards with it on her foot, and then place a shot into the upper corner of the net sets her apart. She has a competitive drive that's going to make her one of the top talents in the state for a long time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["316271"],"_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-6a175b49c4264"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elliott is a midfielder on the Chicago Inter 2011 ECNL team. She previoulsy played in the Girls Academy for Central Illinois United. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elliott's arrival in the ECNL has been seemless. She has a good engine and covers ground. She plays in the attacking midfield role and does well with limited touches. She checks her shoulder before receiving the ball and shows good composure under pressure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elliott is a bright prospect worth highlighting from the Illinois freshman group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["316280"],"_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-6a175b49c42f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stenstrom is a versatile player on the [program_tooltip program_id='283453' first='Rockford' last='Raptors'] 2011 ECNL team. She can play pretty much any spot on the field. She played in a more advanced role for her high school team. I was impressed with her play at left back during ECNL Showcase events this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stenstrom is a good 1v1 defender. She has the quickness to jump into passing lanes and intercept passes. She has a good read on the game with her experience playing in different positions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stenstrom has put together a solid outing for her squad in the competitive ECNL conference. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->