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<p>The Girls Academy Playoffs wrapped up earlier this week from Norco, California. The event featured the top 36 teams in the 2012 age group who qualified during their successful play from the regular season. Following a week of competition, eight teams advanced to play in Richmond, Virginia next month for a shot at the championship. </p>
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<p>While only eight teams moved on, there were plenty of other performances from players on teams that did not make the next round that deserve the spotlight. Below is the Best XI from the event among the teams that didn't advance from California. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Mattern was excellent in goal for her squad. She made some great saves and helped record a shutout in the opening game. She was involved in the action with her activity off the line and organizing of the backline. Kennedy Hatcher, Madison McGinnis, and Mariah Rock were also standouts for Coppermine. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Powell was one of the top center backs at the event. She had a number of great games despite the results for her side. She was particularly important and valuable in the close battle against City SC. It felt like she was constantly stopping attacks from the opposition. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700"> Olsen was a key player for the West Florida defense that only allowed two goals during the event. Olsen and the Flames defense were effective in shutting down the opposition with their effort and commitment. Olsen's 1v1 defending was excellent. She stopped some of the best forwards in the country with her 1v1 ability. Victoria Rivera was also a standout for [program_tooltip program_id='283764' first='West' last='Florida Flames'].</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700"> Kaiser had a strong Playoffs at the center of the Lou Fusz defense. She was a mainstay for her side and did well when called upon to shutdown the opposition. Katherine Bringas, Izzy Kaiser, Liberty Fields, and Stella Bayer were also standouts for Lou Fusz. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Meiners had a strong showing at center back for her squad during the event. She was a top player in the battle against Indy Premier. The defender also managed to be a threat in the attack with her set piece service. Giabella Guidugli and Gabby Goertemoeller were also standouts in the defense for Kings Hammer.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Keogh was a two-way player who made a mark on both sides of the field. The left-footed defender was excellent in helping her backline shutdown the opposition. In the attack, she provided excellent service including creating chances off corner kicks. She also score a great goal on a free kick that was a game-winner for her side. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">The midfielder from Rhode Island Surf left her mark in Norco. She was a dominant force for her side. She won tackles, connected passes, and got involved in the attack. She was also great on set pieces and provided chances with her service. Isabella Martinelli and Taylor DeVerna were also standouts for Rhode Island. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Rahschulte is an attacking midfielder with an impressive motor. She covered a ton of ground in Norco. She painted the whole field every game. She did well getting into the box and finishing off chances - or just creating enough chaos to make a goal scoring chance for a teammate. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Spurlock was a joy to watch at the event. She's a crafty player with excellent skill on the ball. She peppered the opposing goal with efforts in every game. She knows how to create space and quickly get off a shot. She scored a wonderful goal with her left foot. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Bacon scored a hat trick in the win over Tophat. She was unstoppable in that game. She was also unstoppable throughout the playoffs. She was such a force in the center of the field for Elmbrook. She's dynamic on the ball and showed excellent technique in her ball striking ability from the run of play. Bacon was a breakout star of the event. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Vogel had some stellar highlights from the playoffs. Her goal against City SC White in the Round of 16 game was one of them. She is just a handful for the opposition. Skillful, strong, and an excellent finisher, she showed the qualities that makes her one of the top prospects in this age group. To demonstrate how tricky it is to defend her, she scored three goals with her left foot and one goal with her right foot during the event. There is no weak foot in her game. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">The Utah Celtic forward was a constant threat against the top defenders in the Girls Academy. She's a skillful player with excellent quality on the ball. She created chances on her own and also provided chances to teammates. Betsy Mark was also a standout for the Utah Celtic attack. </p>
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<p></p>
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