Arizona team scores 5 goals to advance to ECNL playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As part of my expanding coverage, I made the journey to SoCal to see a top-level Arizona G09 team as they competed in two matches against Slammers FC and Sporting California USA over the weekend. The venue for the Sunday match against Sporting was at Silver Lakes Park in Norco, CA. It was a relatively cool 60 degrees and partly cloudy around game time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Royals came in with a record of 12-5-4 after dropping their match to Slammers FC the day before. This match was definitely important as the team anticipated the return of [player_tooltip player_id='112163' first='Raegan' last='Pool'], who just came back after an injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1916564918213787809","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://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1916564918213787809 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As far as scoring is concerned, it was “a field day” for the Royals as they put up 5 goals to Sporting's one incredible score at the end of regulation. The one and only goal for Sporting came from a nearly unstoppable direct kick from about 7 yards outside of the left corner of the 18. The ball was struck perfectly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1917820479701934464","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://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1917820479701934464 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the goals from 1st to last for the Royals.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goal #1 - [player_tooltip player_id='112164' first='Gianna' last='Sabato'] - 2027 - D - Prep Soccer Rankings #78 in the Nation, #9 in AZ, and #5 in Position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1916579996241662358","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://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1916579996241662358 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goal #2 - [player_tooltip player_id='112163' first='Raegan' last='Pool'] - 2027 - F - Prep Soccer Rankings #88 in the Nation, #8 in AZ, and #1 in Position.&nbsp; (Assist goes to [player_tooltip player_id='112244' first='Reagan' last='Rodgers'] - 2027 - M/F - #15 in AZ and #6 in Position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1916585275490488464","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://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1916585275490488464 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goal #3 - [player_tooltip player_id='112163' first='Raegan' last='Pool'] (Assist goes to [player_tooltip player_id='112158' first='Kate' last='Edrington'] - 2027 - D - #17 in AZ and #7 in Position).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1916731574374260945","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://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1916731574374260945 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112163"],"_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-681324800e1a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Led all scores with two goals and contributed with one assist. She is her team's #1 target on offense. Her size is utilized to break tackles and to get past defenders. She has the ability to dribble through the defense and fire off a rocket shot or to make a precise pass to diagonal runners or players finding open pockets. It was great to see her back in action as she recently returned from and injury. She looked as if she hadn't missed a beat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goal #4 - [player_tooltip player_id='112236' first='Payton' last='Grex'] - M - 2027 - #84 in the Nation, #2 in AZ, and #1 in Position (Assist goes to [player_tooltip player_id='112163' first='Raegan' last='Pool'])</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1916734052268130390","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://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1916734052268130390 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goal #5 - [player_tooltip player_id='112162' first='Lucy' last='Panayi'] - M - 2028 - #109 in the Nation, #12 in AZ, and #6 in Position (Assist goes to [player_tooltip player_id='112160' first='Sophie' last='Grindall'] - 2027 - M/D - #24 in AZ and #8 in Position)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1917806370054889567","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://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1917806370054889567 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other standouts for the Royals were [player_tooltip player_id='112243' first='Maryn' last='Pratt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='112158' first='Kate' last='Edrington']. #4 Pratt - D - 2028. Prep Soccer Arizona #1 in State and #1 in Position - Excellent passing, long ball's, and vision. She was rock solid in the back and made runs to the attacking third to get the offense going. Her high soccer IQ and quality passes and ball control and push her to play in the midfield. She should definitely get a ranking on the National level as her team is scheduled to compete in high level tournaments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1917808309584945259","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://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1917808309584945259 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112243"],"_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-681322c1a4762"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Excellent passing, long ball's, and vision. She was rock solid in the back and made runs to the attacking third to get the offense going. Her high soccer IQ and quality passes and ball control and push her to play in the midfield. She should definitely get a ranking on the National level as her team is scheduled to compete in high level tournaments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#19 [player_tooltip player_id='112158' first='Kate' last='Edrington'] - D (2027). Prep Soccer Arizona #17 in State and #7 in Position - Precise passing, anticipates passing lanes, and got an assist. Also contributed to the lock-down defense. She was dominant as the right-back. She is really good at scanning the field and her ability to make clean tackles make her a formidable force in the backfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1917812733145407828","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://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1917812733145407828 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112158"],"_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-681322c1a47bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Precise passing, anticipates passing lanes, and got an assist. Also contributed to the lock-down defense. She was dominant as the right-back. She is really good at scanning the field and her ability to make clean tackles make her a formidable force in the backfield. Edrington should be moving up the rankings as her team continues to compete and find success at high level tournaments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the end, the [program_tooltip program_id='283510' first='Utah' last='Royals FC-AZ'] team will be playing in the playoffs at the Surf Cup Sport Park in San Diego (June 26 - July 2, 2025). Prior to that event, the Royals will be in the North Carolina ECNL Showcase from May 30th to June 1, 2025. This team has shown the ability to put up scores and their defense has top-level players. Even better was the fact that they played the two matches without their starting goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='112166' first='Avellina' last='Saunders'], as she was at the U15 USYNT Domestic Training Camp (April 22-29, 2025) in Fayetteville, GA. They got support from goalkeeper Caitlyn Wendell, 2027 - Utah Royals AZ 09 ECNL - RL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":286454,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Caitlyn Wendell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Corona Del Sol","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Utah Royals AZ 09 ECNL - RL","_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-68131df225243"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Played in place of their starting goalkeeper, who was away at the USY U15 Training Camp. Wendell almost had the shutout, but a direct kick in the closing minutes was shot with pace and placement to the top right corner. She made a valiant effort, but the shot was nearly unstoppable. Her ability to read the attack made it difficult for the attackers to get clean runs on goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you are interested in signing up with Prep Soccer, USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1901345676673610217","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://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1901345676673610217 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->