ECNL Playoffs: Day 1 standouts from the 2009s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SAN DIEGO, California - The ECNL playoffs kick off on Thursday from Surf Sports Park in Southern California. The postseason event featuring nearly every college coach on the sideline and a lot of the top talent in the country on the pitch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2009 age group began play in the Champions League bracket on Thursday. Below are the players who stood out from the games I saw. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='110890' first='Quinlan' last='Donahue'], [program_tooltip program_id='283426' first='PDA' last=''] 09 - Donahue made quite a few big-time plays in the second half of the 2-2 draw against Utah Royals AZ on Thursday. She was a key piece of the defense for her side. She also showed well with her distribution. [player_tooltip player_id='143834' first='Sandra' last='O'Neill'] was outstanding at center back as well for [program_tooltip program_id='283426' first='PDA' last=''].&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='143321' first='Lizzie' last='Rubin'], [program_tooltip program_id='283426' first='PDA' last=''] 09 - Rubin impressed with her effort and skill. She was making full sprints in the dying moments of the game to create chances for her side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='110901' first='Deus' last='Stanislaus'], [program_tooltip program_id='283426' first='PDA' last=''] 09 - It was the defensive work from Stanislaus that was the star for the day. She was feverish in her approach and helped set the tone for her side. She also showed off that incredible skill with a couple of wonderful flicks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='110950' first='Sadie' last='Lawrence'], [program_tooltip program_id='283426' first='PDA' last=''] 09 - Lawrence made a brilliant tip save on a shot late to preserve the point for her side.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":289648,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/06/UtahRoyalsAZ-PDA09-Pratt.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-289648"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='23896' first='Cali' last='Smith'], [program_tooltip program_id='283426' first='PDA' last=''] 09 - Smith's set piece delivery was in the spotlight as she did well putting the ball into dangerous spots for her side. She created chances for the run of play as well with her passing.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112242' first='Maizey' last='Pratt'], Utah Royals AZ 09 - Pratt flipped her way into the scoresheet and left some jaws dropped on the sidelines. The forward was a threat throughout the day. She was rewarded with a great header goal in the second half. [player_tooltip player_id='112155' first='Bella' last='Arcadi'] and [player_tooltip player_id='112162' first='Lucy' last='Panayi'] were also instrumental on the goal.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112164' first='Gianna' last='Sabato'], Utah Royals AZ 09 - Every free kick inside the attacking half was a chance for the Royals thanks to Sabato's service. She had a number of picture perfect balls into the box that resulted in a few headers that hit off the crossbar.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='278046' first='Kylie' last='Tang'], Utah Royals AZ 09 - Tang was everywhere. She was making effort plays everywhere and leaving an impact in the key moments of the game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112166' first='Avellina' last='Saunders'], Utah Royals AZ 09 - Saunders handled the service into her box well. She showed secure hands and confidence to play off the line.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111654' first='Bridget' last='Kopmeyer'], Internationals 09 - Kopmeyer stands out on ECNL fields. She moves differently than other players. She sees the game differently than most. Those dynamic attacking traits were on display against FL Premier on Thursday. She had an assist and a key pass in a matter of seconds in the first half. Her movement off the ball set her up for so much success and made her a difficult mark for the opposition.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='165145' first='Abigail' last='Salgado'], Internationals 09 - Salgado was the beneficiary of a chance that Kopmeyer created with a goal in the first half. She was clever on the ball and showed off good decision-making.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='281713' first='Sofia' last='Brito'], Internationals 09 - Brito used her pace to create chances, but also showed well in the press as a threat to spring the attack quickly with her improvisation on the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111936' first='Brenna' last='Ruggeri'], FL Premier 09 - Ruggeri's combination of hustle and skill was a bright spot of the FL Premier attack.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111935' first='Bryce' last='Ruggeri'], FL Premier 09 - Ruggeri was excellent at center back. She handled the threat in the air as well as on the ground. [player_tooltip player_id='279269' first='Chloe' last='Isaacs'] was also a standout of the backline.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111930' first='Emily' last='Baird'], FL Premier 09 - Baird was quick off her line and showed her athleticism with a couple of sliding efforts to secure through balls.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='146239' first='Rhea' last='Moore'], San Juan 09 - Moore was brilliant. There are shades of Trinity Rodman to her game especially when she ends with multiple defenders surrounding her and she effortlessly finds a way around them. She's one of the best in the country in the 09 class - and she keeps getting better.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saiyva Sandhu, [program_tooltip program_id='278036' first='San' last='Juan SC'] 09 - Sandhu impressed with her heads up play against Match Fit. She surveyed the field and made quick decisions in possession of the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='146256' first='Molly' last='McBride'], San Juan 09 - McBride was bombing her drop kicks on Thursday - wind assisted or not, she's elevated the range of her distribution and unlocked the possibility to quickly spring the attack with how far she can launch. She kept a shutout in goal during the first half from what I saw. San Juan walked away with a 2-0 win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='110954' first='Jordyn' last='Sullivan'], Match Fit 09 - Sullivan is a dynamic attacking talent who poses a threat dribbling off either foot. Her ability to cut and switch directions quickly was on display against San Juan. Her tireless work ethic was also a highlight of her game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->