Illinois 2030 standouts from ECNL Opening Weekend

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ECNL 2026/2027 club season is underway. The top clubs from the Midwest were in action over the weekend. Check out some of the standouts from the 2030 class from Illinois. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":409838,"_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-6aa05b0783c5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mortonson was a key piece of the [program_tooltip program_id='283326' first='Eclipse' last='Select'] 2011/2012 ECNL defense through the opening weekend. The right center back had a number of standout plays from both aspects of the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She was terrific in the tackle. She timed her tackles well and made no mistake in her approach. She was in the right spot and did well in the 1v1 duels. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mortonson's best attributes shined on the ball. She has the ability to ping a pass over distance with accuracy. She has a tendency to look for the wide high outlet (think winger) and it creates chances for her side. Teams will adjust to that later in the season so she will need to alter her approach as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She is a weapon in the attack as well for her team. She nabbed the opening against Sporting Blue Valley - finishing off a corner kick for her side. She also provides excellent service from free kicks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["375997"],"_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-6aa05b0783d12"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The last scouting report on [player_tooltip player_id='375997' first='Ella' last='Chung'] mentions her as a center back. She is playing defensive midfield at the start of the ECNL season for her new team. Her athleticism - mobility - to cover sideline-to-sideline is shining in this role. She's got the lungs to hit every blade of grass on the pitch. The spot in the center of the field allows her to command more of the pitch and her passing to shine from the role. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chung has impressed in early action with her ability to read the game, quick thinking on the ball, and defensive instincts. Chung was recently invited to a US Soccer Talent ID Center for the 2012 age group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["376662"],"_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-6aa05b0783da3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Chicago Inter 2011/2012 ECNL defender was one of the bright spots for her squad from the opening games. The left back is a tenacious defender who likes to get into the jersey of the opposing player. She plays tight defense in 1v1 situations. She has a preference to play man-marking in her style. She wants the challenge of going against the winger and she won a number of those duels in ECNL action. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She's got the quality on the ball to hit in a service too. She has a good left foot and provides accuracy with her delivery. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While she has the quality to get into the attack, her best strength is on defense. She is a hardworking, tireless competitor who seems to take on the challenge against the best attacking talent with enthusiasm. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":409835,"_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-6aa05b0783e2a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ankenbradt is a goalkeeper on the Chicago Inter 2011/2012 ECNL team. She previously played for Sockers in the Girls Academy and also plays for the Illinois Olympic Development Program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ankenbrandt is a good shot-stopper especially on low shots. She gets side-to-side quickly and has excellent technique on her dives. She has strong hands and can parry away the shot when she gets a hand on it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ankenbradt also has some comfort playing the ball with her feet. She looks comfortable playing off her line. She has a good feel for where she in relation to the goal when she is off her line. Ankenbrandt's recent play has caught the eye of scouts and she earned a spot at the US Soccer Talent ID event in Noblesville next week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":409836,"_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-6aa05b0783eb5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">King is a winger on the Chicago Inter 2011/2012 ECNL team. She has game-breaking pace with the ball on her feet. She can burst past defenders with ease. She is an attacking talent to watch from this class. She has shown that she has elite quality with her speed and her ability to rip off a shot with her right foot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>King could improve on her activity away from the ball. When she is on the ball, she's electric, but she can be a bit hidden when the ball is not on her feet. She's got the potential to be a top attacking talent in this class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["271585"],"_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-6aa05b0783f3e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maxwell's effort and enthusiasm stood out from game film. She was every where on the pitch for her side. She was buzzing around the field and then quick to spring the attack for her side. She's excellent in the transition moments of the game. When the game is open and she can run with the ball at her feet, she makes good decisions and creates chances for her side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She's also a hard worker on defense and will track runs. Maxwell was a key player for her team's success during the opening games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378268"],"_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-6aa05b0783fa0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stefanoski is a midfielder on the [program_tooltip program_id='283326' first='Eclipse' last='Select'] 2011/2012 ECNL team. She was impressive in the win over Sporting Blue Valley. Her assist on the second goal was sublime. She plays with her head up and makes quick decisions on the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stefanoski is a commander of the game. She dictates where the game is played. She controls the pace. There are a lot of positives of her player profile that suggests she is going to be a top, top player in this class for a long time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["375993"],"_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-6aa05b0783ffb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Babcock had a brilliant start to the ECNL season with three goals and an assist from the opening two wins. There's not much more you could ask of the [program_tooltip program_id='283326' first='Eclipse' last='Select'] 2011/2012 ECNL attacking midfielder. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Babock's movement off the ball allowed her to get into the right spot for her first goal in the win over Sporting Blue Valley. Her ability to recognize the weakness in the opposition and her tactical smarts sets her apart from her peers. It makes her one of the top players in her position in the country. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["376606"],"_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-6aa05b078407b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fertig had a goal and an assist in the 2-1 win over Kansas City Athletics. The winger is a difficult player to stop. She can dribble past opponents with her speed and has the skill to get around the defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fertig's ability to receive the ball and quickly turn on goal is a trait that makes her a difficult player to stop in 1v1 situations on the wing. The hot start to the campaign will keep her confidence sky-high for the early contests. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["376002"],"_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-6aa05b07840f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ahitow is a center back on the [program_tooltip program_id='283326' first='Eclipse' last='Select'] 2011/2012 ECNL. She was a key piece of the defense that only let in one goal through the two games. She was excellent in the game against Sporting Blue Valley. She cut out a number of passes and shut down the opposition countless times in the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->