The U15 Girls National Team wrapped up their week-long training session with a full-field inter-squad scrimmage last Friday morning.

It was a spirited affair, and the 2-0 final score belies a game that was much closer and more competitive than either of the U15s’ other scrimmages this week, a 5-1 drumming of the U18 So Cal Blues and a 3-0 victory over the Pepperdine women.

It was the Blues versus the Yellows and, other than goals for the Blues by Reilly Parker and Gabby Galanti, it was an even match. Some of the familiar stars were out, and some new players made good impressions as well. Here’s who looked best:

Rachel Price was dominant for a third-straight game. She’s a very physical player with great defensive positioning who rarely gives the opponent an inch of daylight to work with. She was strong in the air and on the tackle, and was all over the field. She defended, attacked on the dribble and distributed with equal aplomb.

Reilly Parker was dynamic, using her amazing speed to get down the sideline and into the box, where she would deliver dangerous crosses or shoot the ball herself. She scored the game’s first goal on a good second effort.

Goalkeeper Carissa Miller was in control of her defense, communicating well and giving defenders timely reminders of marking assignments. She also made several nice saves at close range.

Gabby Galanti did well keeping possession of the ball as a forward. She also distributed well and finished her one open look with a clean strike on goal.

Brittany Ratcliffe was solid on the right wing, attacking with pace and repeatedly sending quality balls to forwards making diagonal runs.

Ryan Walker has great size and good speed, and was an effective striker for the Blues. On a few occasions, though, she appeared to pull up early instead of chasing down long balls that might have resulted in a cross or a shot on goal.

Morgan Andrews was solid and ultra-competitive as a center back. She tackled well, showed good poise with the ball at her feet and played long balls from the back with pinpoint accuracy.

Corey Persson was the right wing in the Yellows’ 3-5-2 formation, and did an excellent job of recovering and becoming the fourth back on the retreat. Usually an offensive-minded player, she tackled well and kept good shape on defense.

Haley Washburn was outstanding as a right back. She was comfortable with the ball at her feet and distributed well.

Kate Bettinger was steady in the central midfield and served as the fulcrum of her team’s offense in the second half. She distributed well, but her touch betrayed her on a few occasions today.

Danielle Weatherholt was her usual scrappy self, fighting hard for every 50/50 ball and winning balls in the air.

Maya Theuer was solid as a center back, communicating and keeping her defense’s shape. She used her body well and had a great awareness of spacing on the field.

Lauren Bernard had very quick feet as a left back. She got up the sideline enthusiastically and was not afraid to create on the dribble. She also made several strong tackles on the defensive side of the ball.

Caroline Lindquist took care of her tactical responsibilities as a holding central midfielder. She tackled well and showed good instincts to plug any holes that opened up in the defense.  

With that, the U15 Girls wrap up training camp and will head home in the coming days.

We’ll be back at the Home Depot Center for their next training camp in a few months, when the roster is sure to be filled with plenty of new faces, and some familiar ones.

See you there.

Starting Lineups by Position:

Blue Team:

GOALKEEPER: McKenzie Karas (Premier ’95 Black; Las Vegas, Nev.)

DEFENDERS (4): Stephanie Amack (Mustang Black; Pleasanton, Calif.), Katie Naughton (Sockers FC; Arlington Heights, Ill.), Rachel Price (Space Coast United; Melbourne, Fla.), Haley Washburn (San Juan Soccer Club; Folsom, Calif.)

MIDFIELDERS (4): Caroline Lindquist (CASL Spartan Elite Black; Raleigh, N.C.), Brittany Ratcliffe (FC Pennsylvania Strikers; Williamstown, N.J.), Reilly Parker (Mustang Blast; Danville, Calif.), Kate Bettinger (Marin FC; Belvedere, Calif.)

FORWARDS (2): Gabby Galanti (Montclair Thunderbolts; Howell, N.J.), Ryan Walker (Mustang Soccer Club; Oakland, Calif.),

Yellow Team:

GOALKEEPER: Carissa Miller (Sereno Soccer Club; Cave Creek, Ariz.)

DEFENDERS (4): Morgan Andrews (FC Stars of Mass.; Milford, Mass.), Lauren Bernard (Nordic Soccer Club; Colchester, Vt.), Margo McGinty (Albertson 93 FURY; Levittown, N.Y.), Maya Theuer (San Diego Surf; Carlsbad, Calif.),

MIDFIELDERS (4): Summer Green (Michigan Hawks 95 Black; Milford, Mich.), Danielle Weatherholt (So Cal Blues Pearson; Capistrano Beach, Calif.), Ashley Meier (Cleveland Whitecaps; Strongsville, Ohio), Corey Persson (Stars of Massachusetts; Danvers, Mass.)

FORWARDS (3): Jasmine Paterson (Kendall Soccer Shores; Key Largo, Fla.), Courtney Proctor (Santa Clarita Blazers; Santa Clarita, Calif.)

Reserves:
GK Sarah Cox (Slammers G93; Newport Beach, Calif.), F Haley Dowd (Nordic SC; Colchester, Vt.)