Rankings Analysis: Who is the best freshman forward in PA?

<!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>USE PROMO CODE JR30 for a discount on your first subscription </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer state rankings for Pennsylvania's Class of 2027 were released this week. <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/pennsylvania/rankings/girls/2027-rankings/">Check out the full rankings here</a>. Learn more about <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">the PrepSoccer ranking process here</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pennsylvania freshman group is a talented bunch - albeit lacks some of the accolades of its predecessors. For instance, there were no All-State honorees among the freshman group this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lack of awards is a small blemish on otherwise very promising group with a number of players who could develop into big-time players at the club and college level. The first in-depth look at our rankings takes the microscope to the forwards/wingers. The No. 9 position in this class is especially deep. There are a few candidates who deserve top billing at that position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read about some of the forwards who appear in our rankings below. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110962"],"_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":"Cellini is a forward on the Penn Fusion 09 ECNL team. She plays as the center forward for her club team. She is a high activity type of player who will immediately increase the speed of play of the opposition with her unrelenting pressure. Cellini on the ball is a dangerous playmaker. She can post up with her back to the goal and play off her teammates. She's also excellent at creating space for her teammates with her runs off the ball. Cellini is a promising prospect for the No. 9 role.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["110958"],"_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":"Alston is a winger on the Penn Fusion 09 ECNL team. She tends to play on the left wing for her club team. She has previously been part of the US Youth Soccer Talent ID events for the 09 age group in the region. She is a dynamic talent on the wing. Speedy with skill, Alston offers game-breaking ability from the role.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["156814"],"_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":"Beckett is a center forward for Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals. Beckett was the leading scorer for her high school team this season as well. She showed her quality during recent GA games. She can play with her back to the goal as a target for her team, or face up and run at defenders. She has the pace to get in behind the defense and the strength to hold off defenders. I love the way she defends in the press. She's very good at cutting off a passing angle and forcing the opposition to only play to one side. Ukies utilize this well, but it's also an important note for scouts as she clearly has the tactical understanding that's fairly advanced for her age. That also shines through in her movement around the box. She does well in adjusting her positioning right before the cross so she is in the best spot to get a shot on frame and get to the ball before the defender. Beckett previously played for Westmont United, but I don't see much in terms of accolades for her recently. She's a top talent and should be in the mix for a GA National Talent ID look this season. She has all the tools to develop into an excellent No. 9 for the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["118675"],"_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":"McKee is a forward on the Beadling 08 GA team. She was part of the Girls Academy National Talent ID event last summer. She is a top forward in that league in the 08 age group. She had a stellar freshman campaign with Fox Chapel. She has a poacher's mentality and scored a number of goals by being the first one to the ball around the box. She matches the mentality with a lot of skills and close ball control. She is right footed and can deliver an excellent cross. McKee was among the best freshman in the state last season and should continue to be a top player in this class for the future.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657a28a0bca44"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/EmilyMcKee02/status/1730014269163327529","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/EmilyMcKee02/status/1730014269163327529 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["157162"],"_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":"Forney is a forward on the Hex FC Bucks 09 ECNL team. She is a top talent from the region and has been part of a number of US Soccer Talent ID events. We rate Forney as the top prospect in the state at this point. She is a dynamic player who can create chances out of nothing. She was a bright spot of the FC Bucks squad last season during the postseason as she showed her quality on the ball in the attacking third with chance creation for herself and her teammates. Forney is quick on the ball and can turn defenders with her close control of the ball. She can play in the center of the forward line as a No. 9 or bounce out to the wing or even operate as the playmaker as a No. 10. She has a bright future.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657a28a0bcabf"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18999026/651e0303f31c930a84f09b5c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657a28a0bcb06"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["157175"],"_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":"Shields is a forward on the Beadling 09 GA team. She is a dual-sport athlete (basketball). She is a driven competitor and wants to take on any challenge. She is a great forward in the press as she is willing worker. She is physical around the 18-yard box and uses her body well to hold off defenders. She can bounce out wide and show off her pace on the wing. Shields has a lot of potential as an attacker in this class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["25715"],"_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":"Pascarella is a forward on the Penn Fusion 08 ECNL team. She was First Team All-Conference in the ECNL last season. She is probably the quickest player in this class. Her speed shines through on game film from both the high school and club level. She was running away from defenders at the high school level this season. Pascarella's elite quality is her pace. She backs it up with good skill on the ball and finisher's instincts around the goal. She is a weapon defensively too. She can press and surprise goalkeepers with how quickly she closes ground. Pascarella also has the quality to be a top outside back.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["157369"],"_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":"Brown is a forward who impressed during the high school season. The freshman forward was outstanding in the championship game for her side. She earns a spot on the Watch List in this update as we plan to scout her more at the club and high school level in the future.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657a28a0bcb90"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->