ECNL Florida: Texas Defenders Tough to Beat

<p>Teams competing in the ECNL Girls League are set to get on the field for the first time in 2026 this weekend, when the league hosts a national event in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.</p>   <p>The Premier Sports Campus facility is set to welcome 230 teams from all over the country, which will compete between Saturday and Sunday in the U16, U17 and U18-19 divisions, with each of them playing three times over the weekend.</p>   <p>Despite the start of the high school season in Texas, nine teams from the Lone Star State will make the trip to Florida, with [program_tooltip program_id='283317' first='[program_tooltip program_id='280767' first='DKSC' last='']' last=''], [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'], Solar SC and Sting Royal being represented in both the U16 and U17 age groups and the [program_tooltip program_id='283311' first='Dallas' last='Texans'] sending their U17 team.</p>   <p>Some of the top players in the state will be in action in the event, and we're pointing out some who could be poised for excellent showings in the days leading up to it. It's time we mention some of the toughest defenders who will be on the field:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Wilson is part of the DKSC U16 team and will be with them in the matches against Alabama FC, Connecticut FC United and CESA Liberty in Florida. Combining solid physical and technical skills, she's very dependable and consistent with her performances, playing a big role in their defensive system. Wilson is very firm and intense with how she pushes to win the ball and has good mobility to defend in transition. She has good quality on the ball, often taking part in the team's buildup, and a strong presence in the attacking penalty box, often scoring off headers or with her feet on set pieces.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Hendrix is one of the many defensive options for the [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U16 team that's set to play against Charlotte SA, Concorde Fire Platinum and Penn Fusion SA this weekend. An intense and determined defender, she seems to work harder than everybody else when it comes to fighting for possession. Hendrix has excellent defensive instincts and will do whatever it takes to stop opposing attacking plays, demanding a lot from opposing attacking players to make it past her. She keeps them under constant pressure and is relentless, showing great intelligence to attempt defensive plays.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/eastonhendrix48/status/1998427122063307098 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Sexton captains the Sting Royal U17 side that will face VDA, SLSG Navy and Gretna Elite Academy in Lakewood Ranch. An elite center back, she is complete in every aspect of the game, standing out as one of the top players in the position in the entire state. A six-footer, Sexton uses her size extremely well to dominate opponents and win duels on the round and in the air, and is also extremely mobile and fast. She has the quality of an attacking player on the ball and supports her team's offense in a variety of ways, distributing the ball efficiently out of the back and stepping into the attacking half to make plays.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weq2gAei3hA </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Han and her Solar SC U17 team will have Concorde Fire Platinum, Michigan Hawks and Connecticut FC United as opponents in the event. A technical and dynamic outside back, she's very competent on both sides of the ball and positively impacts her team with her efficient and clean game. Han is very productive offensively, using her quality on the ball to combine with teammates and provide great service to the team's forwards, while also coming inside to finish from outside the box. When playing defense, she seems to always be one step ahead of opponents, dispossessing them with quick moves and immediately driving the ball forward to initiate an attacking play. </p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Solar09gECNL/status/1932806573111255059?s=20 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Wilson mans the backline of the [program_tooltip program_id='283311' first='Dallas' last='Texans'] U17 team that will be tested against Sporting Blue Valley, Beach FC and FL Premier FC in Florida. Capable of playing on both outside back spots and also higher up on the field, she brings a lot to the team with her versatility and well-rounded game. Wilson is very strong in 1v1 duels, demonstrating great instincts and impressive quickness, and also has enough pace to efficiently defend in space. She's comfortable and efficient on the ball and supports her team's offense with reliable passing and by driving the ball forward with confidence.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Mwilson2728052/status/1992838706764595464?s=20 </div></figure>

Teams competing in the ECNL Girls League are set to get on the field for the first time in 2026 this weekend, when the league hosts a national event in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.