The Elite Skill That Defines Ohio's Top 7 Players in 2029 Class

The Prep Soccer Ohio 2029 Girls Rankings were released last week. Check out <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/ohio/rankings/girls/2029-rankings/" data-type="page" data-id="355727">the rankings here</a>. Learn more about <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/" data-type="page" data-id="140115">the ranking process on Prep Soccer</a>.   The top ranked talent in the state are some of the best in the nation in this class. But what does each play do well? Read the scouting report on each below including an attribute from each that makes them one of the top ranked players in the nation.    A self-described 'Baller', Angelica Alzugaray is a 1 of 1. A playmaker with unbelievable skill, Alzugaray is a key player on the US Youth National Team. She plays for Cincinnati United at the club level. She's played up age groups, against the boys, and pretty much on any field she finds along the way. A lover of the sport, Alzugaray idolizes U.S. Women's National Team star Rose Lavelle - and there are some similarities between the two.   The elite skill that Alzugaray possesses is unreal ball control. There are times when it seems like the ball is glued to her right foot. She has this innate ability to dribble out of pressure and deceive the opponent with her skill.   With that comfort on the ball, it allows her the processing time to dissect the defense and create chances for her teammates. She is a playmaker at her heart, but she has excellent finishing instincts too.   Alzugaray has already shown that she can compete and star at the international level. Reaching the next stage is getting ready for the pace of the college or professional game.     Aniah Zembrodt is a midfielder on the Kings Hammer Girls Academy. She's also a member of the U.S. U15 Women's Youth National Team. She also took part of the Girls Academy National Talent ID event over the summer.   The elite attribute that Zembrodt possesses that sets her ahead of her peers is her tactical intelligence. The highlights are jaw-dropping for the rising star, but the game film is even more revealing. Her runs off the ball open up the game for her teammates.   She is so quick to recognize when she has space to keep the ball on her feet and when her teammate has the advantage. She was magnificent in this regard during the Girls Academy playoffs.     Brickwood is a midfielder on the Internationals 2010 ECNL team. She is also part of the U.S. U16 Women's Youth National Team. She would be the top ranked midfielder in nearly any other state in the country, but the depth in Ohio in this position shines through with this class.   She has all the tools to be considered the top player in Ohio, and it likely viewed as such by many of the scouts. Her competitive nature, skill, and leadership qualities are key attributes to her game. The attribute that makes her stand out the most on game film is her remarkable game awareness.   There is rarely a moment when she is caught out of position or when she is surprised by the pressure of an opponent. She is very good at constantly scanning and checking her shoulders. She's always making small adjustments to find pockets of space to receive the ball.   Brickwood still has room to grow though. There are moments when she can be more dominant at the club level - and the expectation is that she will take over the game in the next season as she displays the confidence she is one of the best to step on the field whenever she puts on her cleats. She plays with a ton of humility, but it would be nice to see the swagger more often from the Internationals star.     Gorman is the top ranked goalkeeper in the Ohio 2029 class and one of the best in the country. She is part of the Cleveland Force 2010 ECNL team. She is also on the U.S. U16 Women's Youth National Team.   The elite shot-stopper has a lot of traits that make her exceptional. The fact that she is 5'11 and has unreal athleticism and cat-like reflexes are certainly top of the list. There is a very short list of players in this class that possess that type of combination of abilities.   The natural gifts are one thing, but the fact she trains so hard to continue to hone and improve her craft makes her the top at her position in the state. Gorman is a goalkeeper who wipes goals off the scoreboard with her shot-stopping ability. She can reach the whole goal frame and has the diving ability to shutdown any effort.   The potential for Gorman is sky high and there is reason to believe she will be end up as the top goalkeeper in the nation in this class.    <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=NsxWOUMfYqE </div></figure>    Astrid Ryan is another player with Youth National Team call-ups from this class. It's a ridiculously impressive group in Ohio in the 2010/2011 age group, and it seems the best of the best landed in the 2029 class.   Ryan is listed as a forward/midfielder in our rankings, but there should be a separate classification for her. Her highest ceiling might be as an outside back. Her elite ability is this dynamism in 1v1 battles. She has lightning quick feet that allow her to dance past opponents, and also swipe the ball from duels before anyone else can react. She's not the most physically imposing player on the field, but she uses her body well in the tackle.   She's a versatile player at the club level and will pop up in a variety of spots for her team. She is equally adept at either side for outside back. She's confident on the ball and can play in the midfield as well. Her attacking qualities shine when she plays in the wing.    <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=95jl-jY4I9s </div></figure>    Luecke is a defensive midfielder on the Internationals 2010 ECNL team. She is also part of the U.S. Youth Women's National Team pool, as a player who was previously called into a camp.   Luecke can also play as a defender. Her highest ceiling is as a No. 6. She is an active disruptor in the center of the field. She wins quite a few aerial duels in the center of the field. She has good technique with the timing of her jump.   Luecke is a connector for her side. She makes decisions quickly and gets the ball off her feet. She's great in the transition moments of the game. Her team thrives with her positioning and decision-making.     Blakely is a forward/winger on the Cleveland Force ECNL. She has been called into numerous US Soccer Talent ID events in the past.   She's the top ranked player in this class who has not been called into a full youth national team camp. There is reason to believe she should be in the picture for the international level. She has game-breaking pace. The way she can burst past defenders is a sight to behold.   She's left footed, which already makes her a rare prospect. She has elite pace and great finishing instincts. Blakely is a big time talent who seems to only be getting better with each season.

The Prep Soccer Ohio 2029 Girls Rankings were released last week. Check out the rankings here. Learn more about the ranking process on Prep Soccer.