Last week, 120 of the top ECNL Girls athletes from around the country gathered at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center in California for the ECNL Girls Conference Cup. Players were divided into eight teams, geographically linked to represent different areas of the country, and played a series of mini games to decide the Conference Cup Champion.

Following two days of group stage games, the New England, Northwest, Southwest, and Texas teams moved onto the semifinals as the top four teams from the group stage.

In the first semifinal, the Northwest defeated the Southwest 2-0, while New England defeated Texas 3-1 in the second semifinal to advance to the championship.

In a back and forth championship game, the Northwest grabbed a 1-0 lead over New England in the second half, before New England responded with a goal of their own to send the championship game into penalty kicks.

In the shootout, the Northwest prevailed to secure the Conference Cup trophy.

After the championship game, the Best XI, selected by the technical staff at the ECNL Girls Conference Cup, was announced, as well as the winner of the Katie Meyer FI9HT Award, bestowed annually upon an extraordinary player in the ECNL Selection Program who not only showcases exceptional soccer prowess, but also uplifts her teammates with unwavering support and an infectious positive energy that lights up the field. 

This year’s recipient of the Katie Meyer FI9HT Award was Florida Elite’s Hailey Smith.

“It’s a huge honor because Katie was an amazing person both on and off the field,” Smith said. “Having the award and following in her footsteps, I want to try to be an amazing person like she was.”

ECNL Girls Conference Cup Best XI

Anna Babcock (XF Academy)
Bella Devey (Utah Avalanche)
Avarie Gonzalez (Slammers FC HB Køge)
Emma Johnson (Indy Eleven Pro Academy)
Elayna Kocher (Penn Fusion SA)
Nina Laba (Michigan Hawks)
Stella Monberg (MVLA)
Y-Lan Nguyen (VDA)
Kennedy Ring (World Class FC)
Eloise Rubinstein (SUSA FC)
Jocelyn Travers (Bay Area Surf)

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