ECNL Texas: Tough center backs in the 10s division

The ECNL Girls soccer League held its second National Event in the 2025 calendar year this past weekend, in Dallas, Texas, featuring three days of action involving over 200 teams from the entire country at the Toyota Soccer Center and the MoneyGram Soccer Park.   Despite the cold weather, some really exciting matches were held and some of the most talented prospects in the country were able to deliver excellent performances as they continue to prepare for the final portion of the season.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/02/ecnl-texas-day-1-photos/">ECNL Texas: Day 1 Photos</a></li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/02/ecnl-texas-day-2-photos/">ECNL Texas: Day 2 Photos</a></li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/02/ecnl-texas-day-3-photos/">ECNL Texas: Day 3 Photos</a></li> </ul>   Prep Soccer Texas was in attendance during all three days of action in Dallas, covering dozens of matches and taking a look at hundreds of the players who got on the field during the extended weekend.   With the event concluded, it's time we feature the players that impressed us with their games. As we continue to look into 10s age group, please know some of the center backs who stood out from their competition:    Cherilus played for the Bethesda SC team that returned home from Dallas with a tie and two losses. I got to watch her in a 2-2 tie with Real Colorado National on Sunday in which she led the team's backline with tremendous efficiency. Very quick and athletic, she was excellent at getting to the ball first than her opponents and used her mobility to keep them under pressure when they had possession. Cherilus also displayed impressive quality and confidence on the ball, playing a central role in the team's buildup with her ability to drive the ball and pass it with great precision.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0011_089897.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-279661" /></figure>    Compian's DKSC team ended the weekend in Dallas with one win and two losses. I watched the team in a highly competitive match against Chicago Inter Soccer on Sunday, when they lost 1-0. Playing as a right-sided center back for DKSC, Compian was very solid defensively, playing with great energy to win duels and using her pace to recover when passes were sent in the space behind her back. The center back was also very active in possession, connecting the vast majority of her passes and doing a good job of stepping forward and occupying the space available to have the team more compact when in possession.     Venson and her Sting Austin team had a productive weekend in Dallas, securing two wins and a tie. I got to watch them in action in a 2-0 win over Washington Premier, when their defense produced one of their two clean sheets in the event. Playing as right-sided center back, Venson was one of the anchors of their defensive system. A tall and physical defender, she was excellent at defending the penalty box, but also showed great mobility to track opposing forwards in the final third, remaining on their tails and keeping them under pressure. She was also very calm and the reliable on the ball, connecting simple, but efficient passes out of the back.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0078.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-279690" /></figure>    Steinburg and her Seattle United teammates returned home undefeated, with one win and two ties. Their defensive solidness was one of the reasons for the team's success and the center back had a major role in it. I got to watch Steinburg in a 1-1 tie against SLSG Navy on Sunday, when she led the team against one of the most talented teams in the event. She had a flawless performance, making key stops inside and around the penalty box, making firm tackles and displaying great mobility to appear in different areas in the defensive zone. The defender was also very good on the ball, displaying confidence to attempt long passes and to drive it forward.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0117.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-279703" /></figure>    McGhee was part of the SLSG Navy team that had one of the strongest campaigns in the division, getting two wins and one tie. I got to watch them in their most competitive match, a 1-1 tie with Seattle United, and saw the center back deliver a solid performance. Playing on the right side of their backline, McGhee was very active defensively and made several stops, including some in well-timed sliding tackles. The center back also performed well in possession, taking the ball to the midfield line and distributing it from there.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0122_2a367a.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-279704" /></figure>    Hendrix's FC Dallas team was a force in the age group, getting two wins and one tie over the weekend. The team only allowed one goal in three matches and the center back duo formed by her and Daniella Fregoso was extremely solid. I got to watch the team in a 4-0 win over SLSG Green and Hendrix started impressing me even before the start of the match by rolling up her sleeves when most of her teammates were wearing multiple layers and gloves due to the very low temperature. Her toughness continued to show throughout the match as, playing as a left-sided center back, she didn't allow any space for the attackers on her side, blocking crosses and dispossessing them with great efficiency. Hendrix also did good work in possession, connecting short and long passes at a great rate.

The ECNL Girls soccer League held its second National Event in the 2025 calendar year this past weekend, in Dallas, Texas, featuring three days of action involving over 200 teams from the entire country at the Toyota Soccer Center and the MoneyGram Soccer Park.