ECNL Playoffs Day 4 Standouts

The stakes continue to grow as the games go on. As is all tournament footy each game is bigger than the previous one. Each game comes with more pressure and higher competition. It was a hot one here in Seattle with temperatures reaching the mid 80's and for many of these young athletes this is their 3rd game in 4 days. There were some tired legs but still some excellent performances. Here were some of the top performers from the games that I was fortunate enough to attend today.    Slater was a girl on a mission today against San Diego Surf in the Quarter Finals of the 2009 age group. She scored both goals in the first half to put her team up 2-0 against a loaded San Diego Surf and Solar did not look back. Slater took both goals extremely well the first being a follow up rebound where she was the fastest to react and the other a very well taken goal where she rounded the goalkeeper with excellent composure for a tap in.     Gannon was playing like a girl possessed today up and down the pitch making tackles, winning headers, bumping shoulders, scrapping and clawing for every 50-50 ball. She scored her teams 3rd and what felt like the game clinching goal. Her Solar side are on to the Semi-Finals tomorrow.     The top ranked player in Colorado for a reason. She shut out one of if not the best team in the country in MVLA. Gaffney did everything required in today's game and then some. Making save after save, cutting out cross after cross, coming off her line and distributing the ball with real quality throughout the game. Superstar performance for the Real Colorado Goalkeeper.     The field general for Real Colorado's success against a very talented MVLA team was Dern. She bossed the game in midfield today playing with real aggression and physicality making the MVLA midfield feel her presence all game. She make excellent decisions on the ball and stole space on the dribble whenever she could. Big time shift from the Real Colorado captain.     The Duke commit had an excellent outing against a very talented San Juan side and played a major role in her team advancing to the semi-finals. She is such a fluid athlete gliding around the pitch. Very tough and gritty defensively battling for every loose ball, never relenting on her press. Her ability to get to the end-line is almost unstoppable as she has an insane first step. Top player.     Hanf is a handful to defend out there. The UNC commit plays with a ton of confidence and poise. She strikes a ball really hard and has an unwavering engine. Her goal was a lovely strike and her presence defensively was felt all game by San Juan as she made a ton of interceptions.     Popejoy battled to the very end in her teams heartbreaking 2-1 loss to MFA. She was around the ball a lot today connecting passes and breaking up the opposition's attacks on numerous occasions. She covered a ton of ground and put her body on the line for her team. Impressive display from the Texas commit.     Toeaina has an excellent physical profile and is a lot to handle up front for her Mustang team. She is fantastic with her back to goal and can bring down high balls with exceptional precision. Her ability to combine with her teammates in midfield as well as slip her wingers through was impressive today against the Socal Blues.     The defensive dynamo was making play after play today against a very strong Mustang side. She must have won 10 or more ground duels and had at least two last ditch tackles that prevented almost certain goals. She reads the game in a way that you just don't see at this age like she knows what's going to happen before it does.     Earle had an excellent game against Mustang absolutely shredding opponents up and down the right wing for her Blues team. Very technically gifted player with a plethora of moves to create space for her next action. She delivered a number of lovely crosses for her teammates to attack.     Cintron scored twice for the Blues in their 3-2 win against Mustang to help her side advance to the elite 8 tomorrow against Nationals. She is a dynamic playmaker with a ton of upside. Definitely a late developer which makes her ceiling even higher as she is already dominating being one of the smaller players out there. Technically sound and a very high soccer IQ.     Jackson was up and down the right wing like golden retriever playing fetch. Relentless energy from the young San Diego Surf talent that the Ukrainian's simply just could not deal with. She must have had 7 or 8 successful dribbles throughout this game and delivered some excellent crosses for her teammates to attack.     Pulled the strings in midfield today for her San Diego Surf side that cruised to a 5-1 win and into the Quarters tomorrow. She always wants the ball and has excellent angles/timing with her runs. It's usually 1 or 2 touch from her and she does a great job at progressing the ball forward.     Jones was the midfield maestro today for her XF side against Slammers HBK. She scored a fantastic goal from long range. Had a couple of lovely touches in the middle third to either spring herself loose or play the ball in behind to one of her teammates. Had a goal saving challenge right at the end of the game to keep her side in it. Her leadership was evident throughout the match as she never stopped talking telling her teammates where to go. Very impressive display.     This young lady is going to do great things. Super competitive, high motor and technically sound. Very fluid mover through space and can change direction or decelerate on a dime. Very direct dribbler as if she smells a goal every time she touches the ball. When it's her time to get recruited the top programs will be all over her.     Quite the eventful outing for Cook in this game against the hometown XF Academy. She scored a great header off a corner and probably covered the most ground on her team she was everywhere. Her play was instrumental in her Slammers side advancing to the elite 8. She must have gone on 5 or 6 dribbles covering 30 yards each. Extremely dangerous when she gets going and a scary sight for any defense.

The stakes continue to grow as the games go on. As is all tournament footy each game is bigger than the previous one. Each game comes with more pressure and higher competition. It was a hot one here in Seattle with temperatures reaching the mid 80's and for many of these young athletes this is their 3rd game in 4 days. There were some tired legs but still some excellent performances. Here were some of the top performers from the games that I was fortunate enough to attend today.