Standouts from Prep Soccer Girls ID Camp: NorCal 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> <strong>To say that the Prep Soccer Girls ID Camps were successful at both venues would be considered an understatement.&nbsp; The sheer volume of technically skilled players, paired with top-level training and coaches, is what made these events a success. I am also grateful to have taken part in the NorCal event as it was where I started 2 years ago with my Prep Soccer journey.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NorCal event at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, CA, was definitely one of the must-attend camps in the NorCal region.&nbsp; As mentioned, I was the event director at the 2024 Prep Soccer ID Camp: NorCal 2024. The talent level at that event was off-the charts. Of the 28 players who attended, 18 have committed to Division 1 programs, a few are on youth national teams in Central America, and there is a steady USYNT U16 player. Super excited to see if the players at this camp will rise to those unprecedented levels in youth soccer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing that was a major plus in this event was the addition of the timed runs as well as the Bronco running challenge. The benchmark times for running scores are Amateur/Grassroots: 5 to 6 minutes. Professional/Good Score: 4 minutes 30 seconds to 5 minutes. Elite Level: Under 4 minutes and 30 seconds. We had some top-level players who almost made it to the Elite Level with a camp record score of 4:41. [player_tooltip player_id='380491' first='Elisa' last='Kim'] had the honors, followed by [player_tooltip player_id='281954' first='Sicily' last='La Macchia'] at 4:43 and [player_tooltip player_id='315879' first='Aria' last='Flores'] at 4:46. Leading the second group of runners was Gabriella "Gigi" Fitzsimmons with a score of 4:56. She was followed by [player_tooltip player_id='335572' first='Anava' last='Armanino'] and [player_tooltip player_id='381810' first='Ashlan' last='Klemmer'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The shooting drills were one of my favorites, as I'm a former striker. Thus, seeing the level of accuracy and power these players possessed seemed to be more towards the development of girls/women's soccer as a whole. Top-level shots for the majority of the group set this group apart from the previous one. Standouts during the shooting drills were [player_tooltip player_id='275609' first='Aaliyah' last='Rodriguez'], [player_tooltip player_id='315879' first='Aria' last='Flores'], and [player_tooltip player_id='382970' first='Aniston' last='Shaw'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A one-touch, quick-release station involving both feet in alternate touches was where the skilled players shined. [player_tooltip player_id='286505' first='Raegan' last='Goetze'] and [player_tooltip player_id='335217' first='Koda' last='Davis'] made it look easy as both players executed flawless one-touch passes. The one- or two-touch 1v1 drill tested players' ability to choose a touchline to get past an oncoming defender. The quick closing speed and angled stops were made by [player_tooltip player_id='382153' first='Juliette' last='Duarte']. During this drill, she shut down most of her challengers and was able to anticipate the attackers' choice of touchlines. I really liked how she remained calm and focused during the multiple training stations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall, the players showing speed in both timed runs and game time speed were [player_tooltip player_id='206689' first='Adelyn' last='Harrington'], Gigi Fitzsimmons, [player_tooltip player_id='381465' first='Sophie' last='Stewart'], [player_tooltip player_id='382312' first='Zoe' last='Roeder'], and [player_tooltip player_id='380491' first='Elisa' last='Kim']. Aside from controlled testing environments, the players who make the biggest impact on the field are the ones who can apply their speed, strength, technical skills, and soccer IQ to help them stand out amongst the crowd. I was really impressed with how the technical abilities of this younger group of players competed and showcased their skills. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If a camp MVP were to be named, I would probably give the title to Gabriella "Gigi" Fitzsimmons. She shined in all aspects and stations. Not only was she a leader in the technical skills department, speed, and overall soccer feedback and applications. Gigi was a leader for the up-and-coming players who never attended a soccer camp. Her ability to help calm the nerves of the newbies is a definite leadership quality, which I hope to see when I go out to see Carondelet compete for another title and make a run in the CCS and NorCal finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The camp ran smoothly, and players seemed happy with the stations and format. Credit goes to the event director and her staff for putting on another eventful camp. Hoping to do more follow-up articles featuring players as they continue their soccer journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["280844"],"_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-6a7d438361912"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If a camp MVP were to be named, I would probably give the title to Gabriella "Gigi" Fitzsimmons. She shined in all aspects and stations. Not only was she a leader in the technical skills department, speed, and overall soccer feedback and applications. Gigi was a leader for the up-and-coming players who never attended a soccer camp. Her ability to help calm the nerves of the newbies is a definite leadership quality, which I hope to see when I go out to see Carondelet compete for another title and make a run in the CCS and NorCal finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speed and Agility Testing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2081428470736073123?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2081428470736073123?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bronco Test - Group 1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2081439553232228420?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2081439553232228420?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bronco Test - Group 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2081442997758296086?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2081442997758296086?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One-Touch and Technical Skills Drills with Coach Pete Afato</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2081444105218146746?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2081444105218146746?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>shooting Drills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2081449479782506579?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2081449479782506579?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights #1 - 11v11 with Goal Scored</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2087739850565022079?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2087739850565022079?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlight #2 - The Viking Row and some cool pics</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2087743127545397464?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2087743127545397464?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->