Six Southern Nevada Forwards to Watch from the Class of 2028

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The forward group from the Class of 2028 in Southern Nevada has a variety of standout players. From true No. 9s to speedy wide attackers, that talent was on display this summer at the ECNL playoffs and Girls Academy showcase. College recruiters have an array of options to evaluate in the coming months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are six players to watch when the club and high school seasons begin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":317570,"_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-6a76705abfb66"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Malloy has a nose for the net and was a second-team U16 Southwest All-Conference selection for the 2025-26 season. She played up an age group at the ECNL playoffs in July in Seattle and scored during a victory over Arlington Soccer ECNL G09. Malloy can drop into the midfield and link up play, but her strength is in the penalty area where she often uses her height to get on the end of crosses with headers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbBih5_p-wj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linku0026amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbBih5_p-wj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["277180"],"_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-6a76705abfc23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite being injured at the ECNL playoffs in July in Seattle, Contreras remains one of the top players nationally in her age group. She prefers to operate on the left where she can cut inside on her stronger foot to shoot or set up teammates. Contreras committed to Arizona State in June and is a “tekky” playmaker who uses change of pace and a variety of slick moves to deceive defenders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["379447"],"_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-6a76705abfcad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Known for her exceptional pace and relentless effort off the ball, Gastwirth often operates in wide areas where she can run behind defenders. She was a three-time GA Mountain West Talent ID event invitee and is a recent addition to the [program_tooltip program_id='280229' first='Las' last='Vegas Heat Surf'] 2009/10 squad. Gastwirth scored two goals from distance in a victory over FC Wisconsin ECNL G10 at the ECNL playoffs in July in Seattle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":383903,"_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-6a76705abfd23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Takahashi is a clinical finisher inside the box whose speed creates problems for defenders. She was the top goal scorer on her high school team and helped the Las Vegas Albion 09 GA side to a fourth-place finish in the Mountain West division before moving to the U17 squad following the age-group changes. Takahashi had three goals and two assists combined at Surf Cup and the GA Summer Showcase in June.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaJL-tEEjqy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linku0026amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DaJL-tEEjqy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":383904,"_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-6a76705abfda3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A true under-the-radar prospect because she plays for Villarreal Las Vegas Academy rather than an ECNL or Girls Academy club. Cornejo is a threat whenever she has the ball at her feet. She can dribble past defenders and also score from long range with her right foot. Cornejo spent a week training with the Villarreal CF Women's B and C teams in Spain in March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":383907,"_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-6a76705abfe19"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The versatile attacker can play several positions, including as a midfielder. She has a clean first touch and is a strong finisher with both feet. Her strength is finding pockets of space and spraying passes to her teammates to create chances in transition. Corrado-Brito was the third-leading goal scorer on her high school team last season after transferring following her freshman season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->