Rankings Analysis: Virginia Midfielders to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer state rankings for Virginia's 2025 class was released last week. Check out <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/05/updated-2025-virginia-girl-rankings-2/">the full list here</a>. Learn more about <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/04/behind-the-scenes-the-prepsoccer-national-rankings-2/">the PrepSoccer rankings process</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The midfield group for Virginia includes <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/06/rankings-analysis-virginias-top-talent-to-know/">some national standouts as well</a> as considerable depth for the position. With the June 15 recruiting date quickly approaching, the midfield group figures to have plenty of attention. Below is a scouting report on some of the midfielders from the rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["27596"],"_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":"Meincke is a well-known player for her contributions to the success of her club team, TSJ FC Virginia 07 GA. The center midfielder (with the quality to play on the wing too) really impressed scouts with her performance at the Girls Academy Mid-Atlantic Talent ID. Her decision-making and first touch really stood out. She shined even in a new setting. Her passing to club teammate [player_tooltip player_id='27574' first='Mya' last='Townes'] in the first half really showed her potential. Meincke could improve on her defensive quality as her offensive skills tend to be the focus of her game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6478eb0363a6a"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQPEYzZVavku0026amp;","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQPEYzZVavk&amp; </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["27627"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eDefensive midfielder. Zippy passer. Reads the game well. Key player for VDA in how she positions herself to protect the back four - and to cover when the outside backs are high up the field. She doesn't waste touches. Smart player. Good technique on the ball. Checks her shoulders often. Can drop back a level and play as a center back. I view her more as a defensive midfielder for the next level. Projects as an early contributor for top program.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["22653"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eGets to the right spots to protect the defense. Doesn't try to do too much. Plays within her game which is usually quick decisions and not getting caught in possession with the ball. Excellent defender on the ball. Knocks players off possession with subtle moves. Clever in how she makes an impact. Hits a good set piece delivery. Could improve on her first touch in traffic. Lost possession of the ball when she was surrounded by defenders, keeping close control in tight spaces will help take her game to the next level.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6478eb0363b5e"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIt57FZ1x4I","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIt57FZ1x4I </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["27745"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eShank is a central midfielder who has the ability to play as either the No. 6 or the No. 8. She is a smart player. Reads the game well. Strong defender who can pull off a slide tackle in the open field. She strikes the ball really well from the run of play and can score from well outside of the box. Shank has been identified by ECNL and US Soccer scouts in the past as a top prospect.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["27876"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eMartin is a highly decorated midfielder and one of the top prospects on the Loudoun SC 07 ECNL squad. She is clean in possession of the ball with a good first touch and good vision. She makes good decisions on the ball. She is a conductor in the midfield as she dictates the pace of play. There is room for improvement defensively off-the-ball for Martin. She has shown great energy and effort and her commitment to winning is among the best in the class. She is one of the top midfielders in the state.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["57658"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eRobertson is one of those players who could be way too low in these rankings and will make them look silly in the future. She has the physical profile of a player who is going to step into a starting lineup for whichever team she is on. She is a 5-foot-10 midfielder who moves with the grace of a ballerina and strikes the ball with the power of a home-run hitter. It looked like she was lined up as a double-pivot midfielder in the games that I saw, which held back some of the offensive contributions that she can offer. In her player-made highlights, she is outstanding at making runs off the ball and opening up the field for her teammates as an attacking midfielder. She also has a few clips when she is getting ready to shoot and her teammates are already celebrating because she has that type of quality and technique when striking the ball that her teammates are confident she will score from within 20 yards. Robertson is one that scouts should spend some time on prior to June 15. She might not be the early commitment type, but she is going to be the early starter with the right team.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["138850"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eCompetitive, hard-working wide player. Could play outside back, wide midfield, or winger. She is a brute force type of player - wants the challenge of beating her mark. I think she could be an excellent man-marking outside back.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["27683"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eTwo-time All Conference selection in ECNL. At her best in an attacking role through the center but plays as a defensive midfielder at times for her club team. She could play any role in the midfield at the next level. Clever on the ball, sees the game well, good first touch. One of the smarter players for her position in this class. High soccer IQ. Can create chances and finish chances. Willing runner, covers a lot of ground at the cub level. Right-footed but capable scorer with either foot. Strikes the ball well on set pieces. Klauder was dominant in the high school level as a sophomore this season.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6478eb0363d39"} /-->