ECNL Preview: Showcase in San Diego
The forecast for this weekend in San Diego is partly cloudy with the temperature in the 60s, which is perfectly close to ideal soccer weather. With so many of the top girls club soccer players from the United States headed to the San Diego Polo Fields, the cooperation from the weather is just what was needed to provide the perfect showcase for the dozens of college coaches headed to the border town.
Below is a run down of some of the top games from the weekend. Check back on TopDrawerSoccer.com throughout the weekend for exclusive recaps from the action.
U14
The schedule for the youngest age group in the ECNL is a bit light with only teams from SoCal and Northwest Conference involved. The marquee showdown comes on Saturday when West Coast FC (8-1-0) takes on Crossfire Premier (7-0-0). West Coast FC, the top offense in the SoCal Conference, will be in for a challenge against a defense that has only let in one goal all season. Crossfire goalkeeper Anna Smith will be in for the big test against West Coast’s dynamic attack.
On Sunday, the second place teams from their respective conferences face off when San Diego Surf takes on De Anza Force in one of the last games from the event. Surf has the top defense in the SoCal Conference with only six goals conceded in eight games. However, De Anza Force’s attack has been nearly unstoppable this season with 60 goals from 10 games. Kayla Fong and Samantha Tran have combined for 29 goals this season.
U15
It is a battle of So Cal against Northern California in the main fixture on Friday at the San Diego Polo Fields when host San Diego Surf takes on Mustang SC. Barring a loss at its last Showcase Event, Surf is perfect on the season and continues to roll toward the postseason. Midfielder Olivia Erlbeck has two goals and four assists in the last two games.
On Saturday, Real So Cal, the second place team in the SoCal Conference, takes on Internationals in one of the afternoon fixtures. The Southern California club went 1-2 in its last Showcase Event and will be trying to fix that this time around.
To wrap up the weekend, Arizona club SC Del Sol takes on West Coast FC. The Southern California team has struggled this season in picking up wins with five draws from seven conference games.
U16
Ohio Elite Soccer Academy draws a tough start to the Showcase with a game against MVLA, the top team in the Northwest Conference, with its opening game on Friday. U.S. U17 Women’s National Team outside back Tegan McGrady, who has six goals in nine games, leads MVLA. Ohio Elite has its own youth national team starlet in Mary Vignola.
Players Development Academy brings it perfect season to the West Coast this weekend, and faces perhaps its biggest challenge on Saturday against Slammers. The Southern California club has a trio of attackers that PDA will have to worry about with Leah Mohammadi, Kiana Palacios, and Miranda Stiver all enjoying strong seasons so far.
Host club San Diego Surf takes on Internationals (Ohio) on Sunday in a showdown of top teams for their respective conferences. Internationals are 5-1-1 in conference play and went 2-0-1 at the last Showcase in Dallas. Forwards Halle Stelbasky and Jenna Dorchock have combined for 13 goals this season.
U17
Stanford commit Mariah Lee and Washington Premier take on Internationals on Friday. Lee leads Washington Premier in scoring with four goals in eight games. The Ohio club is no push over though, as midfielder Emily Ogle has impressed recently with the youth national teams and at the club with eight goals and 10 assists to her name.
Arizona club SC Del Sol brings its nine-game winning streak into the Showcase Event and will face a number of tough clashes. On Saturday, Real So Cal is up for the challenge against the undefeated squad. The LA club will have to stop the attack of Jorian Baucom and Jazmarie Mader.
U18
The high scoring squads in the oldest age group are in action at the Showcase over the weekend with the top two squads from Mountain West Conference featuring against some East Coast sides. Colorado Rush, and top ECNL scorer Danica Evans, take on Scorpions SC on Friday.
Utah Avalanche faces off against FC Stars of Massachusetts on Sunday, which should feature a couple of youth national team standouts.
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