ECNL RL G08 Matchup featuring Napa United at Santa Clara Sporting

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was [program_tooltip program_id='283703' first='Napa' last='United']'s first match of the season and Santa Clara's second match, while most teams had played this Saturday as their opening match of the Fall 2025-2026 Season ECNL RL G08 (Elite Clubs National League - Regional League). It was a sunny and beautiful day in Santa Clara, CA, at the Santa Clara Youth Soccer Park. The weather around game time was 71 degrees. The soccer park is considered a picturesque venue, as Levi's Stadium serves as a backdrop next to Field #1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Picture: [program_tooltip program_id='283703' first='Napa' last='United']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":317855,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/IMG_5900-crop-4570x3001-1756191436.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-317855" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This match featured a bunch of uncommitted class of 2026 players who could possibly play at the division 2 and 3 levels, with a few capable of playing at the D1 level. The lone D1 commit is #8 [player_tooltip player_id='112485' first='Isabella' last='Fernandez'], the Napa striker and UC commit. Bella usually plays on the ECNL So Cal Blues G08 squad but also stays active at the RL level. I've covered Bella since August 2024, when she was a standout player at Prep Soccer Girls ID Camp: NorCal 2024.She competed against some of the best NorCal, California, and national players and held her own. Bella had a solid game as she made clean and precise passes, found open players, was calm under pressure, and provided high pressure up top It is great to see her progress in her soccer journey, and I know that UC Davis is happy to have her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1959838737569128917","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/1959838737569128917 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another standout player from camp is #4 [player_tooltip player_id='206665' first='Maia' last='Goss']; the Vintage High School player (2026) played as a midfielder and contributes on both ends of the pitch as a box-to-box player. Maia made clean tackles and tracked back to provide depth and toughness on defense. Her strength is evident on the attacking side. She finds open pockets and times her runs to get into high-percentage shooting positions. Maia had a great set-piece goal from just outside the 18.She drove a hard line drive shot that just cleared the wall to the upper left side. The goalkeeper made a valiant attempt to knock the ball over the top, but the pace and placement were definitely top-notch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["206665"],"_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-68ad602e4f49d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another standout player from camp is #4 [player_tooltip player_id='206665' first='Maia' last='Goss']; the Vintage High School player (2026) played as a midfielder and contributes on both ends of the pitch as a box-to-box player. Maia made clean tackles and tracked back to provide depth and toughness on defense. Her strength is evident on the attacking side. She finds open pockets and times her runs to get into high-percentage shooting positions. Maia had a great set-piece goal from just outside the 18.She drove a hard line drive shot that just cleared the wall to the upper left side. The goalkeeper made a valiant attempt to knock the ball over the top, but the pace and placement were definitely top-notch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1959842952517501272","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/1959842952517501272 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another standout player for [program_tooltip program_id='283703' first='Napa' last='United'] was Claire Mulligan #16 - MF - 2026; Mulligan played as one of the defensive backs. Her excellent communication skills and feel for the game made things difficult for the attack to break the defensive line during the first half. She can play in the center position as well as a right wingback, moving up the line on counterattacks. She also was good at tracking back and getting win-backs with clean tackles. With the Goss goal, Napa was up 1-0 at the half.</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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Claire Mulligan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Vintage","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283703' first='Napa' last='United'] ECNL RL G08","_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-68ad602e4f54f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She played as one of the defensive backs. Her excellent communication skills and feel for the game made things difficult for the attack to break the defensive line during the first half. She can play in the center position as well as a right wingback, moving up the line on counterattacks. She also was good at tracking back and getting win-backs with clean tackles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>First Half Highlights</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1959639347613049310","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/1959639347613049310 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The [program_tooltip program_id='283466' first='Santa' last='Clara Sporting'] standouts were Alaina Harlow, outside back - #12 - 2026; first-half goalkeeper. Azara Waite 2026; and second-half goalkeeper Myley Markley. Both goalkeepers made quality saves to preserve their team's 3-2 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Second half highlights</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1959642927682158689","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/1959642927682158689 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alaina Harlow showed some impressive speed as she zipped down the left wing, forcing multiple defenders to try and cut off her angled runs into the box. Her exceptional speed helped create openings at the top of the 18 and in the penalty area. She calculated her runs and made quality serves to her offense in the attacking third. She showed her touch when slipping the ball to her offense, but her strong runs and solid and accurate crosses on goal were what gave her team the advantage.</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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Alaina Harlow","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Homestead","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283466' first='Santa' last='Clara Sporting'] ECNL RL G08","_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-68ad602e4f5e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She showed some impressive speed as she zipped down the left wing, forcing multiple defenders to try and cut off her angled runs into the box. Her exceptional speed helped create openings at the top of the 18 and in the penalty area. She calculated her runs and made quality serves to her offense in the attacking third. She showed her touch when slipping the ball to her offense, but her strong runs and solid and accurate crosses on goal were what gave her team the advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first half, Azara Waite provided key saves to keep all but one goal off the board. The goal was a beautiful set-piece rocket shot that she was able to get her hands on, but the pace and placement were a bit too much. Otherwise, Waite played an excellent first half and kept the SC United offense in check. Very good command of the defense and the ability to bounce back after the goal are definitely strengths scouts and coaches look out for.</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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Azara Waite","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_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":"Newark Memorial","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283466' first='Santa' last='Clara Sporting'] ECNL RL G08","_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-68ad602e4f66e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She provided key saves to keep all but one goal off the board. The goal was a beautiful set-piece rocket shot that she was able to get her hands on, but the pace and placement were a bit too much. Otherwise, Waite played an excellent first half and kept the SC United offense in check. Very good command of the defense and the ability to bounce back after the goal are definitely strengths scouts and coaches look out for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the second half, Myley Markley also displayed some shot-stopping abilities as United pressed to try to get the equalizer when going down by two goals. She was good at cutting off the angled runs to the box and made stops at point-blank range. Markley's ability to read the attack was what helped her team to secure the win. Her positioning and anticipation allowed her to meet and stop runners in the penalty area before they could get a clear shot on goal.</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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Myley Markley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_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":"Homestead","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283466' first='Santa' last='Clara Sporting'] ECNL RL G08","_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-68ad616b1787f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She displayed some shot-stopping abilities as United pressed to try to get the equalizer when going down by two goals. She was good at cutting off the angled runs to the box and made stops at point-blank range. Markley's ability to read the attack was what helped her team to secure the win. Her positioning and anticipation allowed her to meet and stop runners in the penalty area before they could get a clear shot on goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall, it was a close and competitive match, and the difference may have been the outstanding goalkeeper played by Sporting. Wishing both teams and players a successful season and hoping to cover and evaluate some of the players during their high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->