Top-level Competition, D1 Commits, and players you need to know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Fall ECNL season is about to reach a break in action as we approach the ECNL Phoenix Fall Showcase (November 14-16).&nbsp; Teams are making final roster adjustments and some have new faces and new systems in place.&nbsp; I've covered both ECNL G09 teams before, but it's always a treat to update the status on some of the best players in California and in the Nation.&nbsp; This game was nothing short of a “barn burner” as both teams put on a display of electrifying goals with an end result of 4-3 in favor of [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='278036' first='San' last='Juan SC'] came into the match looking to inch closer to Surf's first-place standing at 10-1.&nbsp; They came out strong in the first half and got 2 goals in the 20th and 40th minute.&nbsp; At times, San Juan possessed the ball around 60-40.&nbsp; Surf was able to get their first goal at the 33rd minute to make it 2-1 at the half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Highlights #1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1986609811681910939","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/1986609811681910939 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not exactly sure what the Surf coach did during halftime to fire up his team, but right from the gate, they played with intensity, cohesiveness, and with a sense of urgency.&nbsp; Surf's final 3 goals were scored in the second half at the 29th, 35th, and 39th minutes.&nbsp; This match clearly meant a lot to the Surf team, as both players and fans celebrated each goal, with cheers getting louder each time.&nbsp; Hats off to the two goalkeepers for making multiple stops.&nbsp; All of the goals scored were top-notch and almost impossible to stop.&nbsp; Sometimes, it's the caliber of competition which makes top-level teams play as if a championship is on the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Highlights #2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1986611085789757829","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/1986611085789757829 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this case, both teams know that in big games against top-level competition, it might mean making it into the playoffs or just missing it by the slimmist of margins.&nbsp; Luckily, they both still have another half of the season to figure things out.&nbsp; If I had to make a prediction, I believe both teams will be in this season's playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The featured players are:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='146349' first='Francesca' last='Johnson'] - Surf - 2027 - Duke Commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111092' first='Emi' last='Lo'] - Surf - 2027 - Brown Commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111126' first='Mehr' last='Khera'] - Surf - 2027 - Pitt Commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111103' first='Kate' last='Bilal'] - Surf - 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111175' first='Sofia' last='Yasutake'] - San Juan - 2027 - Saint Mary's Commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='148079' first='Maycee' last='Kirby'] - San Juan - 2027 - TCU Commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111170' first='Ella' last='Johnson'] - San Juan - 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Makayla Spencer - San Juan - 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='146349' first='Francesca' last='Johnson'] - Surf - 2027 - Duke Commit</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["146349"],"_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-690d61b2bbe9c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She played lights out and led her team to a 4-3 victory with a hat trick in hand. In previous matches, I've seen her more as an attacking mid, but her new look as the focal point of the Surf attack was something special. The recent Duke commit made incredible shots that could make any highlight scoring reel. She was the MVP of the match and it was one of the most impressive scoring I've seen in quite awhile. It's gonna be awesome to see how far she can lead her first place team into the second round and in the ECNL playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1986546109171511634","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/1986546109171511634 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='111175' first='Sofia' last='Yasutake'] - San Juan - 2027 - Saint Mary's Commit</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Saint Mary's commit scored a great goal by applying high-pressure and firing a rocket shot pass the goalkeeper. She can slice and dice her way through a defense and finish with powerful and accurate shooting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1986548202380857428","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/1986548202380857428 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='148079' first='Maycee' last='Kirby'] - San Juan - 2027 - TCU Commit</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The TCU commit used her speed and high pressure to keep her team in the match. She has Elite speed, with quick and precise passes. I love her style of play and she can also get it done on the defensive side when needed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1986625269617336461","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/1986625269617336461 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='111170' first='Ella' last='Johnson'] - San Juan - 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111170"],"_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-690d85dd9f8d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She had a strong presence in the attacking third, while scoring her team's third goal. Her penalty kick was placed perfectly near the right side post netting. This critical goal put San Juan within one goal of tying the first place team. Ella is good at making diagonal runs into the 18 and she can make quick and precise passes in traffic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1986549899987722722","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/1986549899987722722 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='111092' first='Emi' last='Lo'] - Surf - 2027 - Brown Commit</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Played solid on both ends of the pitch. She's a box-to-box player who can lead the attack or track back to support the defense. Emi was a key part in the Surf attack and had touches in 2 of the 4 goals. She is good at scanning the field and she places the ball into running lanes or can hit runners in stride for high percentage shooting opportunities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='111126' first='Mehr' last='Khera'] - Surf - 2027 - Pitt Commit</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111126"],"_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-690d85dd9f952"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She's a top-level player who can shut-down wingers when playing the left-back position. Her ability to step into passing lanes and calculate her opponents runs, gives her an advantage. I like the way she makes clean and decisive passes from the backline and her counterattack runs always ends up with quality runs into the attacking third. The Pitt commit is definitely showing the ability to compete at the next level. It will be interesting to see if she's going to help Saint Francis high school make another run for a treble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='111103' first='Kate' last='Bilal'] - Surf - 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111103"],"_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-690d85dd9f9aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She showed the ability to make clean tackles in the defensive third. Her ability to read the attack helps the defensive line to make quick adjustments and track overlapping runners. She's really good at handling the ball and makes quick passes to wingers or players checking back. Kate is one of the key defensive players on the Surf team who can make quality runs when pushing up. She should be making a decision soon on where she will play at the collegiate level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Makayla Spencer - San Juan - 2027</strong></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":"Makayla Spencer","_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":"5'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Manteca","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='278036' first='San' last='Juan SC'] ECNL G09","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-690d85dd9fa50"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Makayla was recently added to the ECNL team. She was on the All-Regional League 1U6 team for the 24/25 season. Her speed and tenacity was evident when going up against one of the best defenses in the region. I like how she didn't back down against the top-level defenders and if she continues to play at that level, she will definitely find a place on this team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Pictures</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1986626754518392899","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/1986626754518392899 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->