Players That Impressed: November 9-15, 2015

The following players were submitted by coaches or club technical personnel so they could be recognized for impressive performances in competitive soccer games during the week of Monday, November 9 through the end of Sunday, November 15, 2015.

We post players in the order the submissions are received, so the sooner you post following impressive game performances, the higher up the list they will appear for that week.

+ You can submit players each week here

Jenna Blank – Midfielder
East Meadow NPL Smithtown Hotspur U-16 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Jenna scored 2 goals in 3 games this past weekend including a curling right footed shot vs Maryland United ECNL on Saturday into the far upper corner and a 1-touch blast vs Continental ECNL on Sunday to lead the Hotspur to a 2-0-1 group winning record for the weekend.

Kayla Winicki – Defender
East Meadow NPL Smithtown Hotspur U-16 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Kayla led a defense to a 2-0-1 record at Bethesda Premier Cup, only allowing 1 goal in 3 games against SJEB, Maryland United ECNL and Continental ECNL this past weekend.

Ethan Taylor – Forward
Powhatan Fury 99 U-16 Boys
Capital Fall Classic vs. Fredericksburg FC 99 Red
Playing in the tournament final, Ethan Taylor of the Powhatan Fury 99 led his team back from an early 1-0 deficit to a 3-2 win by scoring a brace in the first half with two volleys off of crosses while assisting on the third goal. For the tournament, Taylor had six of his team’s 12 goals and the one assist as Powhatan went undefeated allowing only four goals in the process.

Angel Sierra-Hernandez – Midfielder
Fredericksburg FC 99 Red U-16 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
Angel scored two game-winners and a 35-yard insurance strike against older competition (U17), assisted twice (one on another game winner), and defended relentlessly leading his team to a 3-1 runner-up weekend at the Capital Fall Classic. Each game was tightly contested, with three decided by one goal and another decided by two.

Thomas Henley – Forward
Fredericksburg FC 99 Red U-16 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
Thomas tallied five goals and two assists over a four game weekend at the Capital Fall Classic which saw his team finish 3-1 as runners-up in the U16/U17 Boys Classic division. Both assists were on tie-breaking goals, and four of his five tallies were tie-breakers. Each game was tightly contested, with three decided by one goal and another decided by two.

Josh Reid – Forward
Fredericksburg FC 00 Red U-15 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
Josh, out of his starting goalkeeper role with a broken finger, scored five goals in four games, including the game winning header in his team’s 1-0 championship victory at the Capital Fall Classic. He also managed three assists while playing about half of each 70-minute game.

Matt Gonzalez – Defender
Fredericksburg FC 00 Red U-15 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
Matt accrued a goal and an assist from the center back position while recovering countless opponent passes and clearances in his team’s four-shutout championship weekend at the Capital Fall Classic. In FFC Red’s last 17 games, Matt has anchored a back line and central midfield that has conceded just four goals.

Kristian Eggen – Midfielder
McLean Legend 97 U-19 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
Kristian is very skillful and cool under pressure, which shined through this past weekend. He understands one thing; the best way to play this beautiful game is simple.

Joseph Palazzi – Forward
Central Virginia United U-17 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
Joseph scored 3 goals vs. SMS Revolution, scored one and assisted another vs. both VA Rush and Valley AFT, and scored a hat-trick against Fredericksburg FC.

Jeff Nelson – Goalkeeper
FC United Blue U-15 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
Playing ‘keeper for 1st half in all three games Jeff stopped over a dozen shots on goal in three consecutive games against VA Legacy, VSA, and Fredericksburg FC.

Matt Flynn – Midfielder
Baltimore Armour U-15/16 Boys
USSDA vs. NYRB and FC Delco
Tenacious yet disciplined CDM play from Matt Flynn helped Baltimore Armour secure back-to-back victories vs NYRB and FC Delco. Matt protected the back line, kept possession of the ball, was disciplined in tackling and extremely vocal in both matches.

Joshua Cruz – Midfielder
Baltimore Armour U-15/16 Boys
USSDA vs. NYRB and FC Delco
Joshua had goals in both matches… a quality, composed finish for Baltimore Armour’s second goal vs. New York Red Bulls and another off of a creative set piece for the team’s first goal vs. FC Delco on Saturday.

Severino Velasco – Midfielder
Richmond Kickers Elite U-18 Boys
Capital Fall Classic vs. McLean 97 Green II
“Seve” Velasco scored a goal and had an assist as the Kickers defeated the McLean Boys U18 team 4-1. Seve helped the Kickers midfield maintain possession for well over 50% of the 1st half, scoring 3 of the 4 goals in the opening 25 minutes.

Randy Burks – Midfielder
Richmond Kickers Elite U-18 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
Randy Burks tallied 3 assists and 1 goal over the course of the weekend, but it was his play in the Saturday afternoon game vs McLean that stood out from the rest. His ball control on the right wing and consistent runs down the flank resulted in nearly a dozen crosses into the box, and 2 resulting goals.

Bobby Bynum – Forward
Arlington Impact Red U-18 Boys
Club Champions League vs. Fredericksburg FC
Bobby was very dynamic with the ball and created many opportunities to score on individual and combination plays. He scored a goal off a one time finish on a 3 man combination in the second half to take a 3-0 lead.

Will McCreary – Forward
Arlington Impact Red U-18 Boys
Club Champions League vs. Fredericksburg FC
Will was very dynamic with the ball and created many opportunities to score on individual and combination plays. He assisted on a goal to put the team up 3-0 in the second half.

Sydney Bauer – Goalkeeper
FC Frederick 02 U-13 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Made every save a keeper is supposed to plus. Sydney was regularly off her line sliding through the ball, taking it off of players feet. Yielded 2 goals in 3 matches, one of which was an own goal. Realistically made a 16-20 very solid and good saves over the course of the weekend.

Alexa Biegler – Midfielder
HBC Wanderers U-17 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Pioneered the center of the field by breaking up opponent attack and countering with an offensive explosive attack. Methodical build up with play through the midfield. Switching field of play and control pace and tempo of play.

Lauren Delillo – Midfielder
HBC Wanderers U-17 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Scored a goal vs. VYS thunder (only goal VYS thunder conceded), by a build up play. Lauren took ball off her chest and volleyed over the reach of goalies outstretch arm. Lauren struck the ball with great pace from 22 yard. her attacking midfield play was close to scoring in all 3 games.

Haley Stein – Midfielder
FC Westchester U-15 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup vs. SAC Premier Showcase
Haley, as holding midfielder won nearly every 50/50 ball in the midfield with her no nonsense tackling and grit. With her team down 0-1, she helped level the score with a brilliant chip over the goalkeepers head to display her knack for the goal in big moments. This players leadership and determination helped her team to a first place finish and a successful weekend.

Talia Rubino – Defender
FC Westchester U-15 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup vs. Delaware Rush 00
As a defender she is extremely talented on the ball with her crafty 1V1 moves and her desire to push forward with the ball at her feet. She was very comfortable receiving the ball from her goalkeeper and other players deep within her half. With a poise and calm unmatched by anyone on the field she was able to attack space and join in the attack, creating many moments in front of the other team’s goal. She was an integral part of the attack as an outside back.

Taylor Huff – Forward
OP Fire U-13 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup vs. Pipeline
Scored 2 goals in the final of the top bracket in the Bethesda Premier Cup vs. Pipeline Maryland to win 2-0.

Peyton Felton – Midfielder
OP Fire U-13 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Scored 2 goals versus Penn Fusion (pre ecnl) and had a goal vs. HMMS to make it out of their group in the Bethesda Premier Cup top bracket.

Michael Paselio – Midfielder
FC United VPL Orange U-14 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
Scored a hat trick in the Championship game and led the team in scoring for the tournament with 5 total goals. This player had multiple assists as well. He was a challenging on-the-ball defender forcing many changes of possession in the offensive third of the field.

Matthew (Quin) Lutz – Midfielder
FC United VPL Orange U-14 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
Controlled point of attack through the center midfield position. Dominated possession and distributed the ball leading to assists for 5+ goals. Consistently neutralized the opposing center midfielder. This player was called on to play heavy minutes in both the semi-final and championship matches and did not come off the field until well into the 2nd half of the championship match.

Niya Haynes – Forward
Baltimore Bays Lightning U-13 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Scored 5 goals over the weekend with at least one goal in each of our 4 games – was unstoppable on the attack and scored goals at key moments over the weekend. Niya was instrumental in helping the Baltimore Bays Lightning go undefeated and be crowned U13 Champions in the National Division.

Michael Grigsby – Midfielder
A3 Seahawks U-14 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
Mike “Mikey” Grigsby was key in our opening win against MUSC Barca. Playing as center midfielder, Mikey dominated the center of the pitch and connected with the forwards to generate scoring opportunities and notched several goals himself. Mikey has one of the strongest work ethics on the team and always leads his team by example. That coupled with a humble personality makes him a truly remarkable young man and an outstanding soccer player.

Vanessa Penn-Martinez – Midfielder
Maryland Rush Montgomery 97 U-18 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Vanessa had an impressive tournament playing in the holding mid-field position. She’s a great defender, protecting the back line, and a great distributor of the ball.

Brooke Walmark – Defender
Maryland Rush Montgomery 97 U-18 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Brooke is a rock-solid defender. Very physical, great distributor of the ball, and had a very good weekend against very good players.

Audrey Bishop – Defender
ASA Azzurri U-17 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Audrey saved a draw by heading a shot off the goal-line in the final minute of game1. Her stalwart defense repeatedly stifled services in game 2. In game 3, Audrey had an early goal scoring header denied by a defender catching the ball to prevent it crossing the goal line. Later in the game, a blistering strike from Audrey was deflected by the goalkeeper, resulting in an Azzurri game winning tap -in. Her influence was felt in all 3 games.

Ava Ruppersberger – Midfielder
Beadling FC U-14 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Ava had a fantastic weekend playing in the #10 role for Beadling. Ava was hard to miss using her vision, creativity and great technical ability to continually keep defenses guessing. Ava used these same skills to find the final pass on the game winning goal in the championship game.

Emma Bundy – Forward
Beadling FC U-14 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Emma’s knack for scoring goals showed well this weekend. Two goals in the opening game and the game winner with under 10 minutes to go in the championship game were only part of Emma’s high level of play this weekend. She continually applied pressure on opposing defenses (with and without the ball) as well was great in link up play with her teammates in the final third.

Chloe Tesny – Midfielder
Ian Varnish U-13 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Chloe scored 2 goals over the weekend and put in impressive performances over the weekend in the Bethesda Premier Cup. She helped give the team a chance to advance with the game winning goal over Bethesda SC.

Hannah Young – Midfielder
HMMS Eagle FC Villa 99 U-16 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Along with Carsyn Gold controlled the midfield in all 3 games. Team was short players due to their HS team going to states. Each player did not get a break. They worked tirelessly defensively but also created numerous chances going forward all while keeping the ball for the team.

Carsyn Gold – Midfielder
HMMS Eagle FC Villa 99 U-16 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Along with Hannah controlled the midfield in all 3 games. Team was short players due to their HS team going to states. Each player did not get a break. They worked tirelessly defensively but also created numerous chances going forward all while keeping the ball for the team.

Caitlyn Findlay – Midfielder
North Union United SC U-16 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Caitlyn ran the middle of the field with precision at Bethesda creating numerous opportunities, hitting targets, winning balls and linking passes. She gave full effort and looked as fresh at the end of each match as she was at the beginning.

Lynsey Shultz – Defender
North Union United SC U-16 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Lyndsey thwarted many scoring opportunities with her speed and positioning. She covered a lot of ground, tracking down loose balls and breaking up 1v1s. She was able to win balls and quickly transition the ball to attack. She also did a great job defending set pieces.

[player_box id=48436 leftright=right]Cameron Murtha – Forward
Bethesda Impact ECNL 98 U-17 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Cammie scored 2 goals and 1 assist. She lead the team with shots on goal, was a handful to defend.

Jadyn Wilensky – Defender
Bethesda Impact ECNL 98 U-17 Girls
Bethesda Premier Cup
Jadyn shut out the opposition’s forwards. She was dangerous attacking down the right flank each time she had the ball.

Evan Penick – Defender
FC United Blue U-19 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
Evan was the team’s engine and energy in the midfield. He was a box-to-box presence that also scored two goals. The whole team had to play three games, all 80 minutes with no subs. Evan was crucial in helping to be competitive in the tournament.

Nathan Sells – Midfielder
FC United Blue U-19 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
Nathan is just coming off jaw surgery and was also sick. He filled in at a new position and helped solidify a make-shift defense dealing with other injuries. Nathan was where the team started possession from right to back and was crucial in helping to be competitive in the tournament played with no subs all weekend.

Riley Wilson – Defender
FC United U-16 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
Riley used his superior speed to block and disrupt opponents attack. Several times he shifted from side to center to prevent scoring opportunities. He also was always looking to move the ball upfield.

Nathan Barrington – Defender
FC United U-16 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
Nathan provided excellent communication on the field and, as center back, held the line creating numerous off-sides on the opponents. He was vocal on the field providing leadership.

Benjamin Meilinger – Midfielder
Crofton Conquerors U-15 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
A very strong performance throughout the tournament. He was a leader on the field who commanded attention and was clearly the team’s most effective presence. He scored, assisted goals, and played outstanding.

[player_box id=63944 leftright=right]Justis Porter – Forward
Premier AC 00 Navy U-15 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
As a center back, Justis provided consistent stoppage of opposing attacks, often serving as the last line of defense. His strong resistance to the opponents attacks helped preserve the lowest goals against with only two goals over the entire tournament and an undefeated record.

Nate Leech – Midfielder
A3 Seahawks U-14 Boys
Capital Fall Classic
Nate had an outstanding weekend playing in the defensive midfield for A3 Seahawks, winning balls away from opponents and creating multiple counterattack opportunities. He led the team both in performance and mentality, providing a hard-working and team-oriented approach.