TEMECULA, California – They’re growing up so fast, aren’t they?

With this past weekend’s Fall Showcase in the books, scores of U18 players enjoyed the first major tournament of their final season in club soccer.

While the season-opening ECNL event signified many things, for the oldest of competitors it represented an important start to their last hurrah.

“It’s weird. For so long I would always look up to the U18s and think ‘wow,’ ” said Real So Cal U18 player Marie Mackenzie. “Now we’re the oldest and it’s us. It’s different.”

It’s also kinda cool. Watching the U18s convene for pregame handshakes and routines, that they’ve no doubt crafted through years of toiling through the ranks together, it’s apparent that the bond at the top of the chain is unparalleled.

“We’re playing for each other more than ourselves,” said FC Milwaukee senior player Gabriella Kailas. “Some of us will be going to the same colleges and we’re all excited to see each other move on to different places. We’ve all grown up together.”

Added teammate Madeline Vicker: “I love these girls. It’s going to be sad that this is our year and we want to make it mean something.”

Perfect Weekend

The U18 San Diego Surf were one of five teams to win all three of their matches at the Fall Showcase, and the only Challenge A squad to do so. Fueled by a complete team effort that included the likes of Mariah Butera, Nikki Pappalardo and Jenna Pellegrino the Surf capped their event with a 1-0 win over FC Milwaukee.

Other 3-0-0 squads included U18 West Coast FC, a team that includes Gabriela Iribarne and Alexis Colacchio. U16 FC Milwaukee was the only squad in its age division with three wins thanks to contributors like Jackie Wandt, Sara Waters and Virginia Werba.

U15 Neusport FC was led by Charlotte Brascia and Lauren Kaskie while U15 Real So Cal also joined the ranks of the unbeaten.

 Observations

A nod to a couple of small packages that have big-time skill: U15 KCFC attacker Savannah Trujillo, and U15 Neusport FC striker Arden Holden. Both are quick and are deceivingly powerful strikers of the ball …

San Diego Surf forward Megan Price Abutin is a dangerous player who is a great downhill runner. When she gets the ball at her feet and moves straight ahead – lookout.

 

More ECNL coverage

Day 1 News | Day 1 Video Highlights

Day 2 News | Day 2 Video Highlights

 

ECNL Fall Showcase Day Three Results

U15
Neusport 5, FC Milwaukee 2
KCFC 3, Pleasanton Rage 0
Arsenal FC 0, Mustang SC 0
San Juan SC 2, West Coast FC 2
Real So Cal 1, De Anza Force 0
Irvine Strikers 2, SC Del Sol 0
Colorado Rush 2, Slammers FC 0
San Diego Surf 0, St. Louis Gallagher 0

U16
Real So Cal 3, Colorado Rush 1
Arsenal FC 2, San Juan 0
St. Louis Scott Gallagher 1, Irvine Strikers 0
FC Milwaukee 2, Pleasanton Rage 1
San Diego Surf 3, KCFC 1
West Coast FC 5, Neusport FC 0
SC Del Sol 1, De Anza Force 0
Mustang SC 1, Slammers FC 0

U17
Arsenal FC 2, San Juan SC 0
San Diego Surf 1, Colorado Rush 0
Pleasanton Rage 1, St. Louis Scott Gallagher 1
KCFC 1, West Coast FC 1
Irvine Strikers 2, FC Milwaukee 2
Real So Cal 1, SC Del Sol 0
Mustang SC 3, Slammers FC 2
De Anza Force 3, Neusport FC 1

U18
SC Del Sol 2, Slammers FC 0
San Diego Surf 1, FC Milwaukee 0
KCFC 2, Real So Cal 1
Real Colorado 5, De Anza Force 0
Mustang SC 4, Neusport FC 1
Irvine Strikers 2, Sereno Soccer Club 0
West Coast FC 1, San Juan SC 0
Arsenal FC 3, Pleasanton Rage 3