ECNL North Carolina Day 2 Standouts

An even better day than yesterday for some soccer in Greensboro, North Carolina. With a high of 77 degrees and minimal wind, conditions were excellent throughout the day which lead to some excellent soccer. There were some excellent performances today and I was surprised with the level of play given it was the second game in as many days for many of these young athletes. Here are some standout performances from today's matches.    Cheney was one of the stars of the day in her sides 4-0 win against Mustang. The former Scorpions star scored twice yesterday and added two good goals today. She showed exceptional speed with and without the ball. She took her goals very well and was an absolute menace for the Mustang back line to deal with all game. Her ability to turn a corner is elite and she is very active in her press. And with scouts in numbers at this game she certainly left an impression.     Hansen is a such dynamic player. She can do anything on a soccer field and then some. She can dribble past you, pass around you and shoot from anywhere offensively. Defensively she's an absolute pest. Her ability to close space, tackle and win duels is elite. Top player who will have quite the plethora of options come June 15th.     This young player means business. She was excellent today and yesterday for her MVLA side who won in dominating fashion. Ibsen scored a goal and rattled the post on an effort that might have been more impressive than any goal that I watched today. She's two footed, makes excellent decisions, an incredible dribbler and a relentless competitor. Even with her team up by a lot she never took her foot off the pedal. All gas no breaks from this young prospect who has quite a future ahead of her.     Yoshimura was an absolute maestro in midfield for her MVLA team. She's so composed on the ball. Her first touch is pristine and her vision is outstanding. Her soccer IQ is one of the best in the country in her age group she is a top player who needs to go to a ball dominant program.     Very crafty playmaker who was playing on the wing for the Nationals today against Fairfax. Scored a good goal and was dangerous throughout the game. She was having her way beating defenders down the line as well as coming inside and playmaking adding an assist right at the end of the game to top of her excellent day.     Camaj had a great game against Fairfax and imposed her will in midfield for her Nationals side. Her physical profile enables her to bully anyone that comes her way and gives her the ability to win a ton of aerial duels. She combines with her teammates well and has a great sense of when to progress the ball forward or when to keep it moving in the back. She will have a ton of calls on June 15th.     Melchior made some excellent saves today against Fairfax helping her side earn a 5-0 shutout win. Her distribution is excellent off the ground and in the air. She is very comfortable in possession and doesn't seemed phased by pressing opposition.     She stood out right away in this game against Sting. Her on ball prowess and tactical awareness are well beyond her years. Kocher is a tough cookie, she puts her body on the line and loves a tackle a true enforcer in midfield. She is extremely tidy on the ball rarely misplacing a pass or getting caught in possession. Top player with a bright future.     Made every save that she was supposed to make but what really stood out about Byers was her command and communication with her teammates. She really placed her teammates in good positions. It's crazy to say that a 2011 had the biggest drop kick I have seen at this showcase thus far. She blasted a couple to the other side of the center circle on a few occasions.     Larabee was very good when she came on for San Diego Surf at Center Back against FC Prime. She really fits into this Surf system well. Completes a ton of passes and is excellent technically. She has been at training with the San Diego Wave and the future certainly looks bright for this young talent.     Technically gifted player with excellent vision. She got robbed of a goal on an excellent individual effort where she beat a player 1 v 1 masterfully then ripped a shot that seemed destined for the top corner only to get robbed by FC Prime's goalkeeper. Ahn is so refined in her off ball movement she finds pockets of space really well. I'd expect she watches a ton of high level soccer because her IQ is stupendous.     Had the save of the day denying [player_tooltip player_id='186193' first='Ella' last='Ahn'] in the play that I described above. She was excellent throughout this game with excellent distribution with her feet and hands. She was instrumental in securing an upset win against this very good San Diego Surf team. She must have made 8 or 9 saves in this game and was a commanding presence on set pieces claiming a ton of high balls.     Miller was a rock for MVLA against San Diego Legends today. She has such a great feel for the game. Knowing when to step and when to back off defensively. As well as when to combine passes, when to dribble and when to go over the top offensively. Her physical profile is one that college coaches really gravitate towards and more importantly her timing on the ball is already at a Power 4 level. I'd expect her to have a busy day on June 15th.     The reigning ECNL Player of Year showed her technical prowess today. She's so good on the ball and a workhorse off of it. She keeps it simple and can turn on a dime. Her ability to split the defense is excellent and her close control in tight spaces is supreme.     Deleon was instrumental in securing a shutout against the reigning national champions MVLA. She made a number of timely clearances and a handful of lovely through ball over the top to relieve pressure for her Legends side. She had a couple of timely blocks and tackles to prevent MVLA from getting shots off.

An even better day than yesterday for some soccer in Greensboro, North Carolina. With a high of 77 degrees and minimal wind, conditions were excellent throughout the day which lead to some excellent soccer. There were some excellent performances today and I was surprised with the level of play given it was the second game in as many days for many of these young athletes. Here are some standout performances from today's matches.