ECNL Houston Lockdown Center Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Houston hosted the latest ECNL Girls National Event on President's Day weekend, with 225 teams from all over the country competing across five divisions at two venues in the region from Friday to Sunday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the best talent of American club soccer was in attendance and so was Prep Soccer. We covered the last two days of the event and have already shared our first impressions about some of the individual standouts from Sunday (<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/02/ecnl-houston-day-2-standouts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Recap</a> | <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/02/ecnl-houston-day-2-photo-gallery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Photo Gallery</a>) and Monday (<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/02/ecnl-houston-day-3-standouts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Recap</a> | <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/02/ecnl-houston-day-3-photo-gallery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Photo Gallery</a>).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll continue to highlight the most impressive players we got to see in action over the week, but now splitting them by position. It's time to feature some of the center backs who did outstanding defensive work for their teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["89216"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Klein played a big role in the center of her team's Pittsburgh Riverhounds 06's backline in their Sunday match against Atlanta United Fire 06. Klein's presence was a big reason why her team secured their only clean sheet in the event as she was strong in the air and very solid when challenged by opposing attackers. The center back also had a big role in helping the team build out of the back and was very patient to keep the ball and wait for the best opportunity to hit the right pass. She showed some efficiency with long-distance shots as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f67f81dfb5b"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1627311742073163777?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://x.com/grtorres/status/1627311742073163777?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Beya Rosales","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Prosper","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Dallas Texans","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Rosales controlled the left side of the defense of her Dallas Texans 06 team in the match against the Washington Premier 06 on Sunday. A defender with good size and physical tools, but who's also very clean and calm on the ball, she stopped many breakaways with her great positioning. Rosales is very confident in her game and at times made some risky moves with the ball at the back, but was successful in all of them, helping the team initiate good plays.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f67f81dfc15"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":100712,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/02/IMG_1565.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-100712" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26927"],"_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_0_evaluation":"A defender with a good combination of physical, technical and mental skills, Gilmore helped the defense of her FC Dallas 07 team be one of just a few to end the tournament unharmed. I watched her during their 2-0 victory against SLSG Navy 07, when she also scored the opening goal after a corner kick. Gilmore is a very complete defender, who uses her body well to win plays in tight spaces inside and around the penalty box, but is also very solid when she needs to track opponents higher up in the field.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f67f81dfc76"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":100714,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/02/IMG_1637.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-100714" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Other Positional Standouts:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/02/ecnl-houston-elite-goalkeepers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goalkeepers</a> * <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/02/ecnl-houston-top-tier-fullbacks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fullbacks</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["33383"],"_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_0_evaluation":"'Abby' Mills might have been the most dominant center back I got to watch in the event. The fact that she played for a talented and well-organized Solar SC 06 team certainly helped, but she anchored the team's defense in a strong way and led it to a perfect record of three clean sheets. I watched her play in a 3-0 win against the Crossfire Premier 06 and it was really impressive to see how she used her body well, was always well-positioned and displayed good pace to cover her teammates. Mills is also very clean on the ball and is really strong at building out of the back.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f67f81dfcd3"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/Abby_R_Mills/status/1627500722223824896?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://x.com/Abby_R_Mills/status/1627500722223824896?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["27052"],"_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_0_evaluation":"'Mia' Wiele had a major impact on her Sting Austin 08 team. Besides playing a big role for them in the backline, the talented center back also had a big part in the team's offense and scored the game-winning goal in their 1-0 victory against United Futbol Academy 08 on Monday. Wiele is not very tall, but her positioning was excellent and she also made very smart decisions on defense. She also helped the team circulate the ball when in possession and used her gifted right foot to take corner kicks and free kicks.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f67f81dfd2d"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1627670073815998466?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://x.com/grtorres/status/1627670073815998466?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["21853"],"_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_0_evaluation":"One of the captains of her United Futbol Academy 08 team, Raymond was the player that anchored the team's backline. A center back with good size and athleticism, but also some really interesting technical skills, she did a good job against a talented Sting Austin 08 team, only conceding a goal from a set piece on Monday. When her team was down, Raymond, who's a threat with her presence in the penalty box in set pieces, displayed another important role, pushing the team forward with her good passing from the back.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f67f81dfd7f"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/marlee_raymond/status/1627427825069293574?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://x.com/marlee_raymond/status/1627427825069293574?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["22222"],"_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_0_evaluation":"After consecutive losses on the first two days, Eclipse Select SC 08 ended the event on a high with a 4-0 win over GSA 08 and Adams played a big role in helping the team secure their only clean sheet. She was tasked with defending GSA's pacey forward Christine Ngulefac and did an excellent job of shutting her down. A tall defender, Adams showed she's very good when defending outside the penalty box too as she uses her length and physicality really well to stop opponents. A lefty, she's very good on the ball too and does good work in possession.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f67f81dfde7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["27001"],"_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_0_evaluation":"A versatile player who can play on defense or in the midfield, Young was part of Solar SC 08's backline in Houston. Very strong, she often overpowers her opponents in her task of protecting the goal and did a great job in a 1-1 tie with Concorde Fire Platinum 08 on Monday. Young is very strong in the air and is also difficult to beat 1v1. She's very confident on the ball and often progresses upfield to help the team maintain possession in a more advanced area of the field.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f67f81dfe33"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":99619,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/02/IMG_2224.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-99619" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Solar SC 08 vs. Concorde Fire Platinum 08</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->