Ella Moersch produced what I believe was the single best play of Day 2.

In a tightly contested match against IMG, the Iowa State commit came up with an unbelievable save that you’ll find linked below. Throughout the game, she consistently impressed me with her command of the penalty area. She attacked crosses with complete confidence, displayed outstanding hands, and from what I can remember, didn’t spill a single ball all match.

The save itself is what separated her from everyone else. Protecting a narrow 1-0 lead late in the game, she reacted to a close-range opportunity by stretching nearly into the splits to get a touch on the shot. Instead of simply getting a piece of it, she managed to direct the ball safely away from goal rather than allowing it to deflect over her leg and into the net.

It was one of those saves that completely changes the outcome of a match. Lou Fusz would go on to score moments later, turning what could have been a 1-1 game into a 2-0 victory. After doing a little research and discovering she is committed to Iowa State, her performance made perfect sense. She looked every bit like a high-level Division I goalkeeper.

I met her briefly after the game and you can just tell her teammates and coaches value her.

Moersch’s distribution and ability in the air shone in the first half of their game Monday. Her goal kicks consistently found her forwards, while her punting and passing allowed her team to transition to offense quickly. Her ability to read high balls and understand whether to punch or catch is a great asset for her team. A corner kick she claimed in the air even led to a counter attacking goal with her punting ability.