One of the top goalkeepers in the country, Birkel and her SLSG Navy G06/05 team will compete with Charlotte SA, Slammers FC HB Koge and Solar SC. She has all the tools a coach would want in an elite goalkeeper and, unsurprisingly, was picked up by Stanford. Birkel is reliable, consistent and has unbelievable ball control, being capable of getting to balls people wouldn’t expect her to. She also tends to step up in big moments, often making a difference for her team. Another thing that sets her apart is the ability to play with her feet as Birkel is capable of hitting passes some of the best midfielders would be proud of.

Birkel is an elite all-around goalie who’s committed to Stanford. For SLSG Navy, she was a first-team all conference player who excelled in ECNL events all over the country. Birkel is a big time shot stopper who comes up with huge saves when called upon. More importantly, she’s super consistent and rarely conceded goals throughout ECNL play. She also plays well with her feet and has great chemistry with her teammates. Something very important and overlooked in finding a good goalkeeper.

Recognized as one of the best in the country in her position, Birkel will be operating in goal for SLSG Navy G06 in San Diego. She’s excellent between the posts, using her reflexes and superior technical skills and has really made a name for herself over the last few years. Birkel is consistent and very difficult to score at. She has a tendency to rise to the occasion in big moments and make clutch saves for her team. One skill that sets her apart, however, is her ability to play the ball with her feet. Birkel is excellent in possession and her teammates very frequently give her the ball when they want to reset a play. She’s very confident and often connects good passes, helping her team initiate another offensive push.

Birkel was another goalkeeper to remain unbeaten all weekend as her team SLSG Navy 06 didn’t concede any goals during the event. We were in attendance for their scoreless tie with OK Energy FC 06 on Sunday and, although Birkel was called upon to make some saves and saw a shot hit her post, what really stood out was her calm and quality on the ball. SLSG Navy play a possession-heavy game and they can only do that because they have a goalkeeper like Birkel. They get the ball back to her quite often and she’s always very safe, moving it around quickly and setting the team up for a new buildup attempt.

Birkel didn’t have to make a lot of saves, despite doing great in a low shot in which she displayed excellent reflexes and range, but was one of the most impressive players in her SLSG team. A side that plays a possession-heavy style of soccer, they got the ball to their goalkeeper quite often and she was excellent with her feet on every occasion, moving it around and helping her team break the press and push forward.