Bay Area Surf and Placer battle to a 2-2 draw in ECNL RL Match

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Two U15 teams from the ECNL RL Girls Golden State 2026-2027 League put it all on the line for a leveled finish.</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>The Fall ECNL RL season is in full swing as these two teams kept pace with the leaders of their league.&nbsp; [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] remains at the #5 spot, following Mustang SC in 4th, [program_tooltip program_id='283405' first='Marin' last='FC'] in 3rd, [program_tooltip program_id='278036' first='San' last='Juan SC'] in 2nd, and MVLA in the top spot.&nbsp; [program_tooltip program_id='283433' first='Placer' last='United'] is two spots behind Surf for 7th place.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a beautiful day in San Jose, CA, for this first-round matchup.&nbsp; The venue was at Willow Glen High School.&nbsp; The stadium turf field looked the same as when I last saw it, 20-something years ago, when I coached high school boys' soccer.&nbsp; This venue boasts clean facilities and additional grass fields where other soccer matches are being played at various age levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the beginning stages of the first half, Surf seemed to have more scoring attempts as well as keeping possession towards 60/40%.&nbsp; Once Placer got things rolling and made a few adjustments, they started to make it a competitive match with both teams scoring once before the half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standouts for Placer were their striker/forward, who leveled the score at 1-1.&nbsp; Her 50/50 challenge was clean, and her persistence allowed her to slip by the goalkeeper ([player_tooltip player_id='409889' first='Francesca' last='Roland']), who had a really good game, despite giving up two goals.&nbsp; Please let me know who the scorer was, and I can surely update this article highlighting their play on the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='283433' first='Placer' last='United'] Goal Highlight:</strong> Goal #1 for [program_tooltip program_id='283433' first='Placer' last='United'] in the first half</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2093822362533921152?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2093822362533921152?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other players who stood out for Surf were right-back/wing-back Aliyah De La Rosa and center back [player_tooltip player_id='356082' first='Megan' last='Tran'], who recently joined Surf.&nbsp; Both players were key to keeping the goals at a minimum, and with the three defenders, including the goalkeeper, it will be interesting to see how they fare against the top-tier teams in the league.&nbsp; They might have their hands tied, but with a little more confidence and more games together, I can see this team competing for a top 3 to 4 spot when it's all said and done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Highlights #1</strong> - [program_tooltip program_id='283433' first='Placer' last='United'] at [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] - ECNL RL GU15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2097173961125892284?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2097173961125892284?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='283433' first='Placer' last='United'] also showed their bite as they got fired up in the later stages of the first half and came out firing on all cylinders at the beginning of the second half.&nbsp; Their high press was evident as they kept the pressure on the Surf backline, trying to find holes and lanes to attack.&nbsp; Yet, the defenders held their ground and made big-time plays to slow down a determined, speedy forwards from Rocklin and Roseville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Highlights #2</strong> - [program_tooltip program_id='283433' first='Placer' last='United'] at [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] - ECNL RL GU15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2097183113919258831?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2097183113919258831?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've recently seen this [program_tooltip program_id='283433' first='Placer' last='United'] team compete in a Girls Academy tourney in SoCal.&nbsp; Some of the players look familiar, but this new-looking team definitely has some players who have the potential to make waves in the soccer scene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] teams are known for producing top-level players, the players on this squad are aware of the legacies they follow and aspire to attain. I've previously covered the G09 and G10 teams, and many of the players are Division 1 products, and the players on this team form the building blocks for future ECNL standouts.&nbsp; It will be great to see players from both sides progress as they compete and get ready for the next levels of competitive soccer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='356082' first='Megan' last='Tran'] - 2029 - High School: Piedmont Hills - Defender/Midfielder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>[player_tooltip player_id='379627' first='Aliyah' last='De La Rosa Fernandez'] - 2030 - High School: Hollister - Defender/Midfielder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='409889' first='Francesca' last='Roland'] - 2030 - Goalkeeper</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player Evaluations:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='356082' first='Megan' last='Tran']</strong> - 2029 - High School: Piedmont Hills - Defender/Midfielder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["356082"],"_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-6aa0e33ac175b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've covered her in at least 3 matches last season, as she was a freshman starter for the Piedmont Hills High School varsity team. Megan was a key part in the Pirate defense as they made it to a first-round playoff match in the BVAL Mount Hamilton (top division). In this match, she commanded the backline and made some critical stops in key moments. Her ability to anticipate attacking lanes, combined with quick jumps and recoveries, kept her team in the match. Megan is also a versatile player who can produce goals as a striker or winger. I've seen it firsthand at the middle school level during key moments of a match. Yet, this position could be where she will leave her mark at the competitive level. Megan has a strong soccer IQ, high motor, and a calm under-pressure approach that will definitely get her to the next levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Megan's Game Highlights: </strong>First Round Match vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283433' first='Placer' last='United']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2097164682704347282?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2097164682704347282?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='379627' first='Aliyah' last='De La Rosa Fernandez'] </strong>- 2030 - High School: Hollister - Defender/Midfielder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["379627"],"_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-6aa0e6945d9ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Hollister High School player is also a new addition to the Surf squad. She helped solidify the backline as a right back, yet provided offensive power as a wing-back. Aliyah showed a bit of quickness and grit when making 50/50 challenges and making clean/hard stops in her defensive third. I really liked how she stepped into lanes, rotated to cover spots, and quickly transitioned to counterattacks. With the speed, decisiveness, and toughness as her strengths, it will be an easy transition for Aliyah to rise to the next levels of play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aliyah's Game Highlights: </strong>First Round Match vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283433' first='Placer' last='United']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2097516223294829048?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2097516223294829048?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409889' first='Francesca' last='Roland']</strong> - 2030 - Goalkeeper</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":409889,"_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-6aa0e6945da6f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Her ability to remain calm and make some key stops at close range kept her team in the match. Francesca has a really nice swing and can hit players past the midfield for quick transitions. Her strength is in reading the attack and anticipating angles of attack while positioning herself to make 1v1 challenges slicing through the 18-yard box. Her fearless style will easily translate to higher levels of competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Francesca's Game Highlights: </strong>First Round Match vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283433' first='Placer' last='United']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2097520875503526225?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2097520875503526225?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->