The heart of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series is kicking into full gear, as teams from all around the country are in the midst of US Youth Soccer State Cup play and the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships are just around the corner in June. Each side competing in those events has its sights set on advancing to the US Youth Soccer National Championships, the oldest and most prestigious youth soccer championships in the country.

Whether they have already helped their team punch a ticket to Nationals through US Youth Soccer National League play or they are gearing up Regionals, there are several players who have the ability to influence who lifts the trophies this summer in Frisco, Texas. We’re highlighting a few of those impact players who could help their respective teams earn the title of National Champion.

To see the top boys selections, click here.

Goalkeepers

Hensley Hancuff, Oklahoma FC (OK), 2018 - 
Aside from being an imposing presence in goal for Under-15 Oklahoma FC 01, Hensley Hancuff has been called into several U.S. Youth National Teams, including an Under-17 WNT camp last fall. The 6-foot-1 keeper has helped OFC to appearances in the Region III Championships final and semifinals over the last two seasons, while allowing just one combined goal in group play during those two tournaments.

Laurel Ivory, Sunrise SC (FL), 2018 - 
Another keeper with U.S. Youth National Team experience is Laurel Ivory of Under-17 Sunrise Sting 98/99 (FL). Her quickness in goal helped Ivory earn Golden Glove honors at the 2016 CONCACAF Championships, and she has US Youth Soccer ODP experience to complement her high level of play with club and country. Her time with Sunrise during the National League season was limited due to U-17 WNT duties, so she and Sunrise will need to make a run through State Cup and Regionals to make an appearance at Nationals.

Emily Cuthbert, Carlsbad Elite (CA-S), 2017 - 
Southern California commit Emily Cuthbert has a chance to win a second straight Under-18 National Championships after playing up a year ago. After winning Golden Glove honors last year in Tulsa, Okla., Cuthbert is ready to lead Carlsbad Elite 97/98 (CA-S) at Nationals this summer. Cuthbert helped Carlsbad 97/98 wrap up its fourth straight National League division title, and the team allowed just two goals during its most recent title campaign.

Defenders

Janiece Joyner, Cleveland FC (OH-N), 2018 - 
As a standout US Youth Soccer ODP defender, Janiece Joyner is a key piece for Under-16 Cleveland FC (OH-N). Joyner made big offensive contributions while producing seven goals during the National League season, as Cleveland narrowly missed out on securing an automatic bid to Nationals. The Michigan commit, who also was named to the US Youth Soccer Thanksgiving Interregional All-Star team, should play a key part in determining if Cleveland can make a run at the Region II Championship.

Margaret Daeche, Yardley Makefield Soccer (PA-E), 2017 - 
Margaret Daeche has provided a steady presence on YMS Premier Xplosion 98 (PA-E) back line during a run to three straight National Championship finals. Daeche, a 2013 Best XI honoree, helped YMS win the Under-17 National League Red Division, which means the team will be in Frisco, Texas, looking to get over the hump and claim its first National title. The center back has also attended a US Youth Soccer ODP National Camp and has verbally committed to Drexel.

Danielle Baldwin & Hailey Walker-Robinson, Carlsbad Elite (CA-S), 2016 - 
Four straight years of Carlsbad Elite 97/98 (CA-S) winning National League titles, and four straight years of Danielle Baldwin along the back line. A versatile player who has played center back, right back and up top for Carlsbad, Baldwin will be a key to this Carlsbad side’s effort to capture an elusive National Championship. The Cal State Fullerton commit has a very strong supporting cast, including Haley Walker-Robinson, an Ohio State commit who earned Best XI honors last year while playing up on the National title-winning Carlsbad 96/97 side.  

Midfielders

There are some obvious choices in the midfield who have considerable experience at the National Championships and with U.S. Youth National Team experience — such as Sierra Enge, Savannah DeMelo, Daria Petredes and Karlie Paschall — who could easily be highlighted here. However, here are some additional midfielders to keep an eye on this summer.

Justina Gaynor, PSG Gators FC (MI), 2020 - 
Coming off a Golden Ball performance at last year’s National Championships, Justina Gaynor has helped put Under-14 PSG MI Gators 02 Orange (MI) in a position to defend its National title. Gaynor is a strong holding midfielder who can protect the back line with her defensive abilities while also contributing to the attack. She registered three goals in the National League, including her team’s first in a crucial comeback win on the season’s final day that secured the Gators a spot at Nationals. Gaynor also made her way to the 2015 US Youth Soccer Thanksgiving Interregional with the Region II 2001 team.

Olivia Wade, La Roca FC (UT), 2018 - 
In 2015, Olivia Wade was the breakout player on the marquee team from a rising club. The talented La Roca Premier PO (UT) midfielder helped her side advance to last year’s National final, and followed that up by contributing five goals in La Roca’s National League title season — which has earned Wade and company a place back at Nationals for this summer. A BYU commit with U.S. U-17 WNT experience, Wade should once again make La Roca a tough matchup at the National Championships.

Paula Germino-Watnick & Jade Ruiters, Maryland United (MD), 2016
 - The midfield duo of Paula Germino-Watnick and Jade Ruiters is out to help MD United Coyotes (MD) finish their run the same way they started — winning the National Championship. Both players made the Best XI in 2012, 2013 and 2014, with Germino-Watnick taking Golden Ball honors during the Coyotes’ championship run in 2012. Ruiters, a Boston College commit, brings good size to the midfield, while Germino-Watnick, a Georgetown commit, has the creativity to generate chances for herself and her teammates. After helping the Coyotes to the National League Under-18 Red Division title, the two midfielders will have one more shot at securing a second National Championship before beginning their college careers.

Forwards

Kailyn Dudukovich, Cincinnati United Premier (OH-S), 2021 - 
While playing up a year, Kailyn Dudukovich has proven to be a key player for CUP Gold 01/02 (OH-S). Dudukovich scored five goals in CUP’s undefeated National League campaign despite missing the final three games while at the U.S. Under-14 Girls’ National Team camp in March. She has teamed up with Morgan White to create a dangerous duo up top for CUP. Dudukovich was also part of the Region II 2002 squad that went 3-0 at the 2015 US Youth Soccer ODP Girls Interregional, which helped give her some valuable early experience.

Murphy Agnew, Yardley Makefield Soccer (PA-E), 2017 - 
Pace, creativity and quickness to maneuver through the opponents’ back line have helped Murphy Agnew stand out for YMS Premier Xplosion 98 (PA-E). Whether playing up top or in the midfield, Agnew has caused problems for each team YMS has faced over the last few years, which has resulted in the Harvard commit earning the Golden Ball at Nationals in both 2014 and 2015. She’s out to lift more hardware this summer, and YMS is hoping it will be the Under-17 National Championship trophy.

Julia Lester, Tampa Bay United (FL), 2016 - 
Under-18 Tampa Bay United 97 Premier (FL) is out to defend its National Championship, and captain Julia Lester should play a key part in determining how far the Tampa side goes this summer. Lester is one of a few Florida commits from TBU and is coming off a Best XI performance at last year’s Nationals. She has significant US Youth Soccer ODP experience, including international trips to Costa Rica and Italy, which add to an already impressive resume for her youth soccer career.