ECNL Playoffs: 2008s kick off a bang

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SAN DIEGO, California - The ECNL 2025 playoffs kicked off on Thursday from the Surf Sports Park in Southern California. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out the standouts from the 2008 Champions League games on Thursday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vienna Whipple, XF 08 - Whipple led her team to a dominant win on the opening day with a 6-2 result over Pipeline. There are a lot of aspects of her game that were outstanding on Thursday. Her passing is the focus here as she hit this one driven pace with pace that spurred the attack for a goal in the second half.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zoey Lavezzi, XF 08 - Lavezzi was outstanding in her read of the game and anticipating when to step in front of her mark for the interception. The 2026 defender turned heads with her dominant performance.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='82599' first='Kai' last='Fontenot'], [program_tooltip program_id='283476' first='Slammers' last='FC'] Koge 08 - A shutdown performance from the defender on the day against the talented Stars attack. The opposition tried to test her a couple of times and then thought better of it. She has that quality to dominate the game from her spot on the field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112412' first='Jada' last='Faison'], [program_tooltip program_id='283476' first='Slammers' last='FC'] Koge 08 - Faison was very active in the second half against Stars. She was good on the ball and provided a few key passes for her side.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='82414' first='Zamorah' last='Malinoski'], [program_tooltip program_id='283476' first='Slammers' last='FC'] Koge 08 - Whatever needs to be done to win, Malinoski will do it. Kill off the clock in the corner, done. Shutdown the opponents midfield, done. Create chances with her passing from the midfield, done. She's an all-around brilliant player.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='82736' first='Sophia' last='Canepa'], [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] 08 - Canepa scored on a well-placed header in the win over Florida Krush.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='83757' first='Addison' last='Bartell'], [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] 08 - Bartell recorded the shutout in goal for De Anza. She was secure and sound in her saves when needed.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='82617' first='Fiona' last='McCormick'], [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] 08 - McCormick controlled the game through the center of the field. She's a two-way impact player.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='82757' first='Kylie' last='Farmer'], [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] 08 - Farmer has unique traits that make her impactful on both sides of the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='27136' first='Nylah' last='Norris'], Florida Krush 08 - Norris battled through an early yellow card and still find ways to stay aggressive against De Anza. She played with a free role to adjust her position to help her team and did well in key spots. She's more defensive than previously, but her skill and composure on the ball still shows up.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='21134' first='Gabbrielle' last='Lezcano'], Florida Krush 08 - Lezcano is listed as a forward, but she played left back on Thursday. She put in a good showing in that role. She has the tenacity and competitiveness to shine in that spot.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='165360' first='Lauren' last='Hoog'], Ohio Elite 08 - Hoog was the player of the game for me in the 2-1 win over Colorado Rush Academy. The center back was excellent on crosses, made plays on the ball, and never lost possession of the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='281514' first='Emma' last='Gibson'], Ohio Elite 08 - Gibson and the Ohio Elite midfield stepped it up in the second half in order to secure the win for her side.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='25253' first='Mia' last='Stevens'], Ohio Elite 08 - Stevens scored for her team and was part of the midfield that took over the game late.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='165158' first='Louise' last='Guidugli'], Ohio Elite 08 - Guidugli scored the game-winner for her team. It was a tidy finish late from the striker.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madelyn Lunenkugel, Ohio Elite 08 - The defender made countless plays late to help her team secure the result.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Avery Beer, Colorado Rush 08 - Beer was the focal point of the Rush attack. She was able to win her duels off the dribble and create advantages for her side.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anna Rogers, Colorado Rush 08 - Rogers was one of the standouts from the Rush defense. She had a clearance late to save a goal.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Annabelle Turner, Colorado Rush 08 - Turner scored a goal for her side in the loss against Ohio Elite.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='82545' first='Juliet' last='Haras'], Legends 08 - Haras' booming kicks created chances for her side. The versatile player hit a couple of long bombs that created chances for her side.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='82570' first='Makenna' last='August'], Legends 08 - August made a good save when called upon in the first half. She was quick off her line. She also had good communication with her teammates.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111255' first='Stella' last='Monberg'], MVLA 08 - Monberg's ability to hold off defenders and keep control of the ball was a highlight of her performance on Thursday.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='155295' first='Emerson' last='Moore'], Richmond 08 - Moore was clever on the ball and had some nice key passes in the first half for her side against PDA.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->