The U17 Women’s National Camp squad played the second and final scrimmage of the weeklong camp Thursday night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

The team tested their skills against an Irvine Strikers U14 boys group that was quick, talented and seemed to be motivated to play against national pool players.

"The boys were a great team that was very creative," said coach Kaz Tambi. "It was a great teaching tool for our kids. Rather than talking about good soccer they got to see it and encounter it."

The Strikers were a little quicker to the ball and dictated most of the match’s action, but the US team fought hard, and the defensive group, in particular – including Miranda Cornejo (San Diego Surf) and Morgan Andrews (Stars of Massachusetts) - was relentless.

While the Strikers often got past the US team’s backline, the defense showed great recovery and did a good job of marking attackers in open spaces.

There were a few players in particular that stood out with strong halves:

Defender Rachel Price

The Space Coast United product is an absolute terror on the pitch. The cast she’s wearing on her right forearm helps to make her more intimidating, and did nothing to dispel the appearance on Thursday.

On two occasions, Price flat out ran over Strikers with whom she was battling for the ball. She competes hard, and is accurate with her passes as well.

Goalkeeper Molly Poletto

Poletto, of the Colorado Storm, received a lot of action during the first half. The Strikers were in perpetual pursuit and Poletto showed great reaction and instincts. In addition to a few highlight reel saves, she knew when to leave the box and cut off shot angles beautifully. Most good keepers know how to organize their defense, but few spend as much time doing it as Poletto did during this match.   

Forward Mariana Galvan

She was faster than her male counterparts and just as dangerous with the ball. The only issue for Galvan, of Santa Clara Sporting, was getting the ball. The US team couldn’t control enough possessions for her to truly display and used as a weapon, but the few times she did fight for, and win balls, she showed off great control and shiftiness.

Other strong outings included midfielders Caprice Dydasco, a great passer who commanded the middle of the field, and Cleveland Whitecaps’ Ashley Meier, a strong a player who uses her body well for positioning.

"The camp from my perspective was very successful - we challenged the girls in training sessions and matches, which were good evaluators," Tambi said. "Between the two camps (this year) and the next one we'll have a pretty good fix on several players that we think will become a part of the nucleus. As a group I saw a lot of improvement from the beginning to the end of the camp, and that's typically what you see when you have players coming from different settings."