June 15th Gems – Elite ECNL Players from AZ – Part 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>As the temperatures start to rise, so do these top-level Arizona players as we get closer to June 15th.</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>As the June 15th date is rapidly sneaking up, it is essential for college coaches and scouts to get their list of top-level players on their recruiting agenda. In this feature, I will be covering top-level players from across Arizona. These players represent some of the best clubs in their state, with two players donning national rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most of these players recently competed with their teams at ECNL North Carolina. Some will even be contenders for the national playoffs in the next month. With the stakes this high, I'm sure scouts were on hand to see which players "stamped an impression" at the tourney. If that were not the case, maybe they'd get a second look, as they are definitely worthy of playing at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The players featured are some of the best technical players in their positions for their age group as well as positive team players, who can definitely offer the same qualities on a Division I or Division II program. Some of the players could be future youth national team call-ups. One thing is for sure: they are quality players who will make an impact on college programs looking for highly competitive players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Featured Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='284810' first='Sydney' last='Lewis'] - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='283245' first='Arizona' last='Arsenal'] SC 2009G ECNL - Forward&nbsp; - #2 in AZ, #1 in Position, and #62 in the Nation - High School: Casteel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='284803' first='Taylor' last='Russell'] - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='283245' first='Arizona' last='Arsenal'] SC - Midfielder - #7 in AZ, #3 in Position - High School: Highland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='284804' first='Layla' last='Deleon'] - 2028 - Phoenix Rising 2010G ECNL - Forward - #8 in AZ, #4 in Position - High School: Perry</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112162' first='Lucy' last='Panayi'] - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='283510' first='Utah' last='Royals FC-AZ'] 2009G ECNL - Midfielder- #12 in AZ, #6 in Position , and #139 in the Nation - High School: Xavier College Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='285153' first='LilyGrace' last='Anderson'] - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='283510' first='Utah' last='Royals FC-AZ'] 2010G ECNL - Defender - #19 in AZ, #6 in Position - High School: Xavier College Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player Evaluations:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='284810' first='Sydney' last='Lewis'] - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='283245' first='Arizona' last='Arsenal'] SC 2009G ECNL - Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284810"],"_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-6a1fa7836d57d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is known for her technical skills as a ball handler. With the speed to run the flanks, she can easily get past defenders while angling in for high-percentage scoring opportunities. Sydney earned ECNL All-American honors, and she helped her high school team to an AIA Open State Championship appearance. Her high intensity, physical power, and dynamic play will get her to where she wants to go at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sydney's Highlights: U16 Highlights</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaOt6E8HRIU","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaOt6E8HRIU </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='284803' first='Taylor' last='Russell'] - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='283245' first='Arizona' last='Arsenal'] SC - Midfielder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284803"],"_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-6a1faa26c953b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is known for consistently making the right decision while under heavy pressure. Her sharp passing and ability to break down defensive lines put her offense into the attacking zones. Taylor leads by example and has a leadership style that coaches look for and admire at the next level. Her high motor allows her to easily make the switch to both ends of the pitch. She's definitely a player who can contribute on both ends and make an impression on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Taylor's Highlights: Highlight Video 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6x86Kobseg","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6x86Kobseg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='284804' first='Layla' last='Deleon'] - 2028 - Phoenix Rising 2010G ECNL - Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284804"],"_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-6a1fab013c5e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She is a versatile player who can play multiple attacking positions and deliver in the clutch. Her size and leaping ability make her an aerial threat, while making a mark against a top-level California team on a game-winning header. Layla has also helped her high school team (Perry) to an Arizona 6A State Championship while being named her team's Offensive Player of the Year. She's a highly competitive player who will be sure to deliver in critical moments, and it will be great to see which college program is willing to utilize her skill sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Layla's Highlights: ECNL Highlights. Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtUZNk1XUB0","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtUZNk1XUB0 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112162' first='Lucy' last='Panayi'] - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='283510' first='Utah' last='Royals FC-AZ'] 2009G ECNL - Midfielder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112162"],"_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-6a1fb05f1a4f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is known for quick feet and dribbling skills. I've previously evaluated her, and she was impressive in making clean and precise passes while playing as a box-to-box player. Lucy has the skill sets to beat defenders in 1v1s and track back to make clean tackles. She plays up in age group, and the experience has allowed her to get seen in major showcases with her [program_tooltip program_id='283510' first='Utah' last='Royals FC-AZ'] team. Last season they went on an amazing run at the ECNL playoffs while knocking out some of the highest-ranked teams in the tournament. She is definitely a player who can contribute at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lucy's Highlights: AM Utah Royals Highlights Class '28</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh3Bz0oXEgk","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh3Bz0oXEgk </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='285153' first='LilyGrace' last='Anderson'] - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='283510' first='Utah' last='Royals FC-AZ'] 2010G ECNL - Defender</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["285153"],"_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-6a1fb345373c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is known for having a relentless work ethic. Having a competitive motor and the speed to shutdown wingers are some of her trademarks. LilyGrace is not one to shy away from contact, as she is relentless in 1v1s. She can also kick-start the offense while building up play from the backline. Some of her accomplishments so far are helping her team win an AIA state championship in 2025, being a 4-year ODP member, and being invited to the Girls Academy Talent ID in 2024. Most recently, she competed with her Royals team in both ECNL Phoenix and North Carolina.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LilyGrace's Highlights: ECNL OB reel may '26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UM-JGyICTI","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UM-JGyICTI </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->