GA Champions Cup: Best performances from the 2010s Midfielders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NORCO, California - The Girls Academy Champions Cup and Winter Showcase was held at the Silverlakes Sports Complex in Southern California this past week. The event featured teams in the U13 through U19 age groups.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2010 age group had only the Champions Cup teams in action. PrepSoccer was on hand for the event. Check out some of the individual standouts among midfielders from the games below. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='174200' first='Rebecca' last='Otto'], Tophat 10 GA Gold - Otto is a terrific midfielder. She has quick feet, uses both feet well, and plays with her head up. Otto is an excellent box-to-box midfielder. She shuttles the ball up the field as a valuable weapon for her side during progressing from the build-up to the attack.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='200433' first='Blair' last='Banta'] and Sophie Kowalzyk were also standouts for Tophat.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M [player_tooltip player_id='20236' first='Sophia' last='Torres'], Fram 2010 - Torres was a standout in the midfield for Fram and one of the best players at the event. Delightfully skillful on the ball, Torres had defenders chasing shadows with her clever moves in the center of the field. She's a smart player and always seems to be a step or two ahead of everyone else. The midfielder has a very bright future in the game. Carissa Pelcastre was also good in the midfield for Fram.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Selin Pehlivan, TSJ FC Virginia 10 - The aspect of Pehlivan's game that immediately stood out to me was how smart she was about taking her first touch away from pressure. She had great control of the ball and did well creating time for herself by moving away from defenders with that first touch. Her off the ball movement was good too as it created space for her teammates. That type of activity is a clear indicator of a student of the game and a player who will be playing at a high level in the future.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Malone, Broomfield 10 - Malone was a standout in the midfield for Broomfield. Fearless in the tackle, confident on the ball, and comfortable on either foot, Malone showed all the tools to be a great midfielder at the top levels of the game. Bursey and Hibbeler were also standouts for Broomfield.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emma Menasco, LA Surf 10 - Menasco had an outsized influence on the game from her spot in the center of the field. She was active defensively and moved to get into the passing lanes and shut down chances. She was good in possession as she quickly looked to hit the transition and played through her teammates in quick combinations.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hannah Yu, Nationals Blue 10 - Yu had a brilliant assist on the first goal of the second half against HTX on Saturday. The midfielder provided a great pass over the top for No. 22 to run onto for the finish. She showed good skill to create the space before hitting the perfectly weighted pass with her left foot. Tatum Sheckell was also a standout in the attack for Nationals.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lillian Maloney, Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 10 - Maloney immediately stood out to me from her movement and vision. She clearly sees the game at a very high level - she looks like a student of the game in the way she adjusts on the fly to create new angles for her teammates or to receive the ball while facing forward. Maloney is clean on the ball with a good first touch and comfort to play out of pressure. She was excellent in the midfield.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emma Schweizer, Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 10 - Schweizer was another star of the midfielder for Ukrainian Nationals. Always playing with her head up, Schweizer never seemed rushed on the ball. She moved with grace and command in the center of the field. She has a bright future in the sport.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sandra Escobar, Baltimore Armour 10 - Escobar is a fun player to watch. Skillful on the ball, smooth in her movement, and always thinking about her next move. Escobar pulled the strings in the center of the field for her side. She is a playmaker in that role. She had a couple of opportunities to be more selfish with her chances, but she is always in the mindset of playing provider and she delivered with some great passes for her teammates.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->