Attacking players from Michigan with real skill

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school season is winding down and these top players displayed their skills this fall and showed their scoring prowess and are looking to take that with them into the club season. Look for the club season to be a good one for these five.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":269447,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_6521.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-269447" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Stacy White</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bella Blanchett, Forward/Midfielder, Utica High, Class of 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blanchett is a tall, rangy forward with the uncanny ability to find herself in the right place at the right time, and with the ability to finish cooly in moments when others might panic. She cuts in well with the ball and can drag defenders with her as she goes across the face of goal, opening space for teammates, but if they don't close out and leave space she can get a shot off from outside the area. A good scorer and good ball handler, Blanchett is a top player. She plays club for Liverpool FC. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Summer Larson, Forward/Midfielder, Northville High, Class of 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Larson is a clever left-footed player with great agility and balance as she can keep the ball in traffic, make defenders miss and create a lot of space. She times her runs well and stays onside, and she runs into pockets of space. She finishes neatly, but she doesn't always go for goa, as she can also act as a midfielder and distribute the ball well. Larson plays club for Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='273006' first='Leah' last='Nalichowski'], Forward, Marian High, Class of 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nalichowski is incredibly smooth on the ball, and she makes smart passes and makes them decisively. She is really, really good at timing her runs as she knows when to go, when to flatten out and then she shows great speed in getting behind and good finishing skills when in on the keeper. Her combination play really sets her apart as she is very good at one-timing a ball and making a run. She plays club for Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maddie Peot, Midfielder/Forward, East Grand Rapids High, Class of 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peot is a versatile player who plays as a No. 10 or a No. 6 and out wide as a No. 11. She really shines when she's in one of the attacking positions. She can use either foot, she is very crafty and quick, and operates in tight spaces very well. She can get a shot off from just about anywhere, or she can drive at defenders and open up passing lanes. She's great at avoiding traffic and taking on defenders, and is very quick to get downhill when on the ball. She plays club for Midwest United FC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='94303' first='Sloane' last='Popov'], Forward/Midfielder, Bloomfield Hills High, Class of 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Great in the buildup, Popov can help build up play from multiple areas. She can come up the field, receive and lay the ball off, she can underlap from her forward spot, showing creativeness in her ability to attack. She is incredibly agile as she can take defenders on 1v1, getting past them and creating opportunities to score or distribute. She has a powerful right foot and can finish from range as well as being calm when slotting the ball home. Popov plays club at Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->