ECNL Championships: Teddy’s Opening Day Standouts (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a list of notable standouts at the opening day of the ECNL Championships in Virginia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Games I Covered:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Indy Eleven vs KC Athletics (2007)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>PA Fusion vs Real Colorado (2008)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Eclipse Select vs Legends FC (2009)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- 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":"Lauryn Thompson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Indy Eleven 07","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668ea9fadac2a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The most impactful player in the attacking third for Indy Eleven. Thompson showed excellent speed in the open field with several key runs. An assist assist tied this game up in the 20th minute where she found [player_tooltip player_id='33358' first='Reese' last='Sochacki'] coming across on the other side of the field. Sliding the ball to her for an easy tap-in finish in a 2v1 situation. Throughout the game, I also saw her switch from being an attacking #9 to a winger on each side. After KC took a 2-1 lead, Thompson tied it on a header off a cross from [player_tooltip player_id='22302' first='Emma' last='Johnson']. Thompson's currently an uncommitted prospect in the class of 2026 who's playing with numerous high major commits. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["125513"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668ea9fadac92"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Childers was the opening goal-scorer in the morning matchup for KC 07. Burying a header off a free kick in the seventh minute. As the game progressed, I saw her become more aggressive without the ball. Winning lots of ground duels and applying pressure against the opposing midfielders and wing-backs. Plays the game with outstanding speed, including quick decisions when she gets the ball. Always turning her head to analyze the field before the gets the ball. Came out of nowhere to tackle the ball away from the LB in the second half. Leading to a tremendous scoring opportunity. Childers primarily played as a left midfielder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["133389"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668ea9fadace9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scored a key goal off an incredible run from near midfield into the 18. Blasting a low cross into the top-right corner of the goal. Throughout this game, she showed a tremendous ability to analyze the whole field. Switched the ball with ease and make good reads against opponents. Defensively, she stopped a counter-attacking opportunity in the first half. Cincinnati is getting a talented, high IQ prospect in the class of 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["25750"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668ea9fadad28"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cantu looked really strong this morning. The first thing that stands out is her flexibility. She made a key 1v1 save late in the first half against Real Colorado with a great extension of her left leg. Additionally, she also showed good footwork in and around the box which led to great positioning on almost every play. Also showed good hands and caught several hard shots right at her. At least four saves in the first half alone while failing to concede a goal. Outside of this, she also showed outstanding communication skills. Always pointing out markers and taking command of her back line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["20602"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668ea9fadad65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lilly Osifodurin was a difference-maker on the back line. The 5'9" CB stopped a fast break opportunity in the second half vs Penn Fusion with a lethal tackle to clear the ball out of bounds. Likely saving a goal. Her 5'9" size gave her a tremendous ability to win 50/50 balls as she won a ton of them throughout this contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->