ECNL TX U16: FC Westlake and FC Dallas even in a rainy battle

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026-2027 ECNL Girls League is nearing its winter break, and a lot of high-level soccer has been played around the country since the opening weekend at the end of August.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For another season, Prep Soccer Texas continues to follow all the action in the Texas Conference, covering the games with match reports, positional standouts and photo galleries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Sunday, November 8, we attended a big match featuring the top two teams in the U16 age group, [program_tooltip program_id='342634' first='FC' last='Westlake'] and [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'], at Hill Country Middle School, in Austin. It was an intense and highly competitive match, which ended in a 0-0 tie.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='342634' first='FC' last='Westlake'] U16 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U16 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/11/ecnl-tx-u16-fc-westlake-vs-fc-dallas-photos/">Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DfnJ_YgGRlt/?img_index=1","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/DfnJ_YgGRlt/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["278666"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af385e330df6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Villarreal was [program_tooltip program_id='342634' first='FC' last='Westlake']'s most active midfield player and had a big role in the team's performance. She played centrally and did a great job of using strong and direct runs on the ball to take it into the attacking half. Villarreal demonstrated excellent vision when in possession, releasing the ball at the right times and finding teammates in good spots in different areas of the field. The midfielder also offered nice defensive contributions, working hard off the ball and helping her team compete in the center of the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":418794,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/11/2J4A2297.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-418794" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["293372"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af385e330e62"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Strickler was very reliable and efficient between the posts and helped [program_tooltip program_id='342634' first='FC' last='Westlake'] earn their seventh clean sheet in their last eight matches. The goalkeeper did well every time she was called to action, handling crosses and shots from outside the box without any issues and transmitting a lot of confidence to her backline. Strickler made a pair of key saves in the second half, using her legs to stop a deflected shot and performing a two-stage save on a powerful shot from the edge of the box. The goalkeeper also used her feet well in possession and communicated well with her backline throughout the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/keeperkellyn/status/2119546128450396222?a=vvhvaC3tbFAF1RORSl0u0026amp;s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/keeperkellyn/status/2119546128450396222?a=vvhvaC3tbFAF1RORSl0u0026amp;s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["377003"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af385e330eba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dashnaw led [program_tooltip program_id='342634' first='FC' last='Westlake']'s backline in a solid defensive performance and anchored their defensive system with authority and consistency. Playing as a left-sided center back, she frequently appeared in the right spots to make defensive plays and deny [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] clear goalscoring opportunities. Dashnaw did well when she had to get into physical duels with opponents, and also thrived with her positioning, beating them for the ball and intercepting passes. The center back was also active on the ball and did a good job of finding teammates higher up on the ball with long passes out of the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":418817,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/11/2J4A2448.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-418817" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["338292"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af385e330f0c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It may not have been Hodge's most productive performance, but the forward was still [program_tooltip program_id='342634' first='FC' last='Westlake']'s most dangerous attacking player in the match. Playing on the left wing, she made things happen more often than not when she was on the ball and forced [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] to adjust their defensive system to contain her. Hodge did well when facing opponents 1v1 on the left, beating them off the dribble and bringing the ball inside to attempt shots. She dropped to the attacking midfielder role during the second half and helped create chances with her passing and by making plays around the box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":418789,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/11/2J4A2267.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-418789" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["343882"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af385e330f5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taylor played on the left side of [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' attack and was a handful for [program_tooltip program_id='342634' first='FC' last='Westlake']'s backline. She moved everywhere on the field and got on the ball very often, using her dribbling ability to beat opponents in space. Taylor was very difficult to stop when she got a run going because she moved very quickly and kept the ball very close to her feet. She also combined well with her teammates and got herself into good spots to make plays and finish chances in the final third when bringing the ball inside from the left.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":418800,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/11/2J4A2350.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-418800" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["419131"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af385e330faa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rozanski came in during the match and helped stabilize [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' backline. A tall and physical center back, she dominated the penalty box and denied [program_tooltip program_id='342634' first='FC' last='Westlake'] any chances of finishing from close range. Rozanski thrived in 1v1 duels, using her physicality to dominate opponents and performing tackles with firm and well-timed actions. She also did well on the ball, showing quality and confidence to move it out of the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":418823,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/11/2J4A2479.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-418823" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["295330"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af385e330ff9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Auns did a good job for [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] in the center forward role, consistently giving her teammates an option up top. She was very effective at chasing and controlling long balls and served as a target for her defenders when they were under pressure. Auns also showed quality and intelligence to operate deeper, efficiently keeping possession and connecting good passes. She attempted to make plays on the wings on some occasions, too, and connected well with her teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":418819,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/11/2J4A2461.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-418819" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["295328"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af385e331047"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Auns was another solid piece in [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' backline that helped the team keep [program_tooltip program_id='342634' first='FC' last='Westlake'] scoreless. One of the team's captains, she started the match in central defense and was very good at making stops, defending well inside the box and intercepting passes. Auns then moved to right back and was very effective against [program_tooltip program_id='342634' first='FC' last='Westlake']'s winger [player_tooltip player_id='338292' first='Arianni' last='Hodge'], delaying her in space and keeping her away from the box. She also had a clean game on the ball, passing it intelligently and efficiently moving it out of the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":418809,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/11/2J4A2403.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-418809" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->