Players to Watch: ECNL Girls 2023 Tennessee National Event
(Pictured Above: Class of 2025 SoccerWire Featured Player Olivia McPherson will be competing with Slammers HB Koge 2007.)
The ECNL Girls National Events calendar continues with ECNL Tennessee from December 1-3 in Murfesboro. (College Coaches)
ECNL Tennessee will feature 210 teams from across the league’s U16-U18/U19 age groups. To view the schedule for ECNL Tennessee, click here.
Ahead of the weekend’s action, here are some players to know from this year’s event. Players are listed according to their graduation year.
You can nominate also nominate a player who has stood out this season that will be attending the event through the following link.
2028
At the recent ECNL Phoenix Showcase, Kincaid captained KC to two wins while scoring a goal and adding an assist. In league play this season, she has a team-leading seven goals and ten assists with four league games remaining. She can quickly transition from attacking to defensive midfield as she manages the flow of the game. Last season, she was named to the ECNL Midwest All-Conference U15 First Team and was an ECNL Conference Cup Champion.
2027
Recently called up to the USYNT U15 Talent ID Center McKeen is coming off of a strong fall season for Northern Virginia. Thanks to her dominant play in the midfield, NVA have taken the Mid-Atlantic Conference by storm going undefeated through their first six matches (5-0-1, 16 points) while holding a Goal Differential of +8.
Congratulations to our own Audrey McKeen! This is her second selection to the U15 USYNT ID Training Center. These sessions create a pathway to possible future call-ups to the USYNT Training Camps. @ECNLgirls @loudounsc @TheSoccerWire @TopDrawerSoccer pic.twitter.com/s8oSF4Bahl
— Northern Virginia Alliance ECNL 2007 (@AllianceECNL07) October 18, 2022
Provided an attacking spark last season from the midfield for the Union, scoring seven goals and adding six assists. DeLacy makes a major impact on both sides of the pitch for the Union, creating goal-scoring opportunities in the attacking third and making key interceptions on the defense. In the Super Y League Finals last season she hit three goals.
Samantha Suppes | Midfielder
Atlanta Fire United 08 (GA)
A two-time USYNT Talent ID Camp roster call-up, Suppes has scored five goals and added four assists for the Fire this season. Equally adept at both her left and right foot, the 08 midfielder is a difficult player for defenders to break down. In addition to her work in the midfield, Suppes can also slot in as a forward, using her superior ball control to hit shots on target in tight spaces.
2026
Operating as a center-back for the Fire this season, Martelli has locked down the center of the pitch for Atlanta pushing them into the top four of the Southeast Conference (6-3-3, 21 points). Her tight marking and persistent defensive work has helped shape the team into one of the top defenses in the 08 Conference. She can also play in the defensive midfield and up top as a forward, giving her a strong sense of how to build an attack from the back.
Whipped in a strong cross against Heat FC, earning an assist in their 6-1 victory over Heat FC. Defensively, Brayton leads a unit that has allowed just six goals in Southwest Conference play this season, second lowest among all teams. She also proved her mettle, burying home her penalty kick opportunity in Surf’s 2-0 win over Slammers HB Koge.
ECNL Highlights
San Diego Surf vs HB Køge 2-0 W (1 goal)@SurfSoccerClub @CUBuffsSoccer @dfingers1 @USYNT @margaozasa @Karlathwavefc @CoachPaulHart pic.twitter.com/GAKEEyaBAf— Amanda Brayton (@ABrayton13) September 24, 2023
Coming off of a 2022-2023 season which saw her earn ECNL North All-Conference First Team honors, Mutinda is looking to lead Pipeline to new heights this year. Either playing in the center or in the attack as a midfielder, Mutinda likes to go directly at defenders forcing them to back pedal and play out of position. She can make pinpoint passes to teammates or take a shot for herself when the moment calls for it.
Provides consistency in the PDA South midfield, helping set up her teammates with strong goal-scoring opportunities for one of the top teams in the ECNL North Atlantic Conference. Cognato has excellent field vision and can pick out her teammates on the outside with precise, pacey balls into space.
Alongside her center-back partner Vermillion, Paulino has commanded the Atlanta Fire backline to fourth place in the Southeast Conference. Her strong communication skills help her team maintain their defensive shape. On a technical level, she is strong in the tackle and can create accurate passes with her left or right foot.
Will be playing up two age groups with Davis’ 05/06s in Tennessee. She has already had a strong Showcase season, not allowing any a single goal at last month’s Phoenix showcase being the only 2008 girls team with no goals against. She has gone against some of the top NorCal teams this and more than held her own, making 30 saves against MVLA and 22 against San Juan SC, both nationally-ranked teams.
Izzabelle Sivadon | Goalkeeper
Kansas City Athletics Elite 08 (KS)
Led KC between the posts to a 6-4-3 record on 21 points in a tough Midwest 2008 Conference. Sivadon possesses excellent footwork and can time her diving stops perfectly to stem an opponents attack. She can also make the long throw or punt to help jumpstart the counter-attack.
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Mackenzie Majors | Forward
Dallas Texans Academy 08 (TX)
Transitioned from Sting Dallas Black to the Texans in the offseason and has made an immediate impact, scoring 12 goals (3 in league play) and tallying 5 assists across all competitions. Majors has limitless speed and can make the strong diagonal runs at goal that will force defenders out position. For her high school Ursuline Academy she has started both years of her varsity career and was instrumental in the team winning a Texas High School State Championship last spring.
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Arielle Vermillion | Center-back
Atlanta Fire United 08 (GA)
Captains an Atlanta Fire United team that has earned five shutouts in Southeast Conference play (6-3-3, 21 points). On the backline, Vermillion can make the decisive stop either in open space or in traffic. She can also hold play down with concise passes to the outside.
A few of my defensive plays from our shut out game against a tough Tampa Bay team. @AFU_2008_ECNL @ECNLgirls @atlantaunitedsa @TopDrawerSoccer @PilipinasWNFT @TheSoccerWire @PrepSoccer @USYNT @Kmcdane @Coach_TonyE @Darren__Ambrose @KenMasuhr_Jr @SoccerSmithsSC @marnieLmerritt pic.twitter.com/psUOhjq4Yc
— Arielle Vermillion (@A_Vermillion11) October 5, 2023
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Marlee Raymond | Defender
United Futbol Academy 08 (GA)
Recently called up to the U.S. U-16 Women’s Youth National Team in September and the ECNL Conference Cup this past summer, Raymond possesses the toughness (both physical and mental) to play against the best in the ECNL. She has superior vision and can pick out teammates with long crosses and short passes with a variety of speeds. She is also an asset on set pieces, using her height to either create goal-scoring opportunities or deny them.
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Sienna McAthy | Midfielder
Slammers FC 07 (CA)
Helped captain Slammers FC to back-to-back Round of 16 ECNL National Playoff appearances over the past two seasons, McAthy has the team rounding into the form at the perfect time. This summer she earned MVP honors at the Best of the Best Surf Cup, scoring twice in the final match en route to them earning top honors. Serving as the team’s number six, she pulls the strings in the midfield for Slammers and is excellent at maintaining possession while also kickstarting the attack.
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Shiloh Baird | Forward
Del Mar Carmel Valley Sharks 07 (CA)
Leads DMCV with nine goals and two assists this season, pushing the team to third place in the ECNL Northwest Standings (5-3-3, 18 points). Baird makes smart, tactical decisions up top and has a strong understanding for when she should drive at opponents and when to lay off and give her teammates time to organize.
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Ava Rodriguez | Defender
Atlanta Fire United 08 (GA)
A speedy, left-footed defender that can play multiple positions, Rodriguez has excelled at left-back for the Fire. She can make the timely clear on defense and then immediately make the transition to providing support on the attack. In addition to using her left-foot to make clears she can also whip strong crosses into the box for her teammates to capitalize on.
Corner Cleared ✔️ Defense ✔️ Beautiful weekend for soccer. A win against Alabama and tough loss against Concorde Premier. Getting ready for @ECNLgirls Tennessee Showcase. #Defense @TopDrawerSoccer @onlyGplatform @PrepSoccer @PitchPicks @AFU_2008_ECNL #weareafu? pic.twitter.com/acG6mLJNRB
— Ava Rodriguez ?????? (@AvaRodriguez08) November 6, 2023
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Gianna Vescovo | Midfielder
Atlanta Fire United 08 (GA)
An ECNL Southeast All-Conference First Team member last season, Vescovo has followed up a strong 2022-2023 season with an even more impressive one, scoring three goals and adding two assists. On set pieces, Vescovo can drill shots from distance or find a teammate in even the smallest of spaces. At the high school level, she was named the Midfielder of the Year and Region 8 MVP for Norcross High School.
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Mia Wiele | Midfielder
Sting Austin FC 08 (TX)
A first team All-Texas Conference and ECNL Conference Cup selection last season, Mia leads a backline that has only surrendered 3 goals in 11 matches this season. A set piece specialist as well, she leads her team in assists for the third straight season.
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Macey Laskowski | Defender-Midfielder
Chicago Inter SC 08 (IL)
Alternates between the center-back and in the defensive midfield for Chicago, providing a steadying presence for Inter in a tough Mid-America Conference. Laskowski made the jump from Regional League play last year (where she was a Heartland Conference team selection) and has more than proven her mettle, making multiple key clears throughout the season.
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Campbell Wood | Midfielder
Internationals SC 08 (OH)
Opened the Ohio Valley Conference schedule with two goals in wins over Indy Eleven Academy (2-1) and Indiana Pride FC (2-0). Wood can score in a variety of ways on the pitch and is more than willing to help set up her teammates. When needed, Wood can supply the big moments for Internationals to help them earn results.
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Emily Marlovits | Midfielder
Northern Virginia Alliance 07 (VA)
Helped spark Northern Virginia offense from her left (or right) wing position with fast runs, accurate crosses or by winning a corner kick. Marlovits is also an asset on the attack, scoring an unassisted goal after intercepting a pass in the last game at the Bethesda Premier Cup. In league play, NVA have gone 5-0-1 on 16 points in the Mid-Atlantic Conference.
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Riga Kallaba | Midfielder
Chicago Inter SC 07 (IL)
Scored a critical goal for the Kosovo national team in their UEFA U-17 Qualifying win over Georgia in October. Kallaba is a highly technical midfielder that works seamlessly with her teammates to open up space in the attacking third. She was also recently selected to the Midwest Regional ODP Team.
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Hayden Blaney | Goalkeeper
Gretna Elite Academy 08 (NE)
Coming off a strong showcase in Phoenix that resulted in 20 saves in 3 games, Hayden’s height allows her to excel at clearing shots by tipping them over the net or being able to reach for the tough shots that threaten the corners of the goal. Seeing a lot of shots on goal, Hayden has 3 clean sheets in Midwest Conference Play this season, with a 80% save rate. A captain on the team, Hayden excels at seeing the field and guiding teammates with a confident voice. Was a participant at the September USYNT Talent ID Center event in KC for 2008/2009s.
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Bianca Raskin | Midfielder
FC Prime 07 (FL)
Functioning as a true center midfielder and an occasionally in the defensive midfield, Raskin has been able to confidently direct her team through the center of the pitch. Being new to the team has not slowed her ability to continuously provide her teammates with scoring chances. She is a creative midfielder with sharp vision of the field and exceptional ball handling. Last summer, she played for FC Miami City in the USL W-League.
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Lila Wagner | Defender
Del Mar Carmel Valley Sharks 08 (CA)
Despite playing in one of the tough ECNL Southwest Conference Sonoran Division Wagner has been an instrumental part in keeping scores limited. She helped her team with clean sheets in three of their past four games working alongside her teammates to take down some of the top attackers in her age group. Wagner primarily operates as a sweeper, but is an asset all around Del Mar’s defensive third.
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Ella York | Midfielder-Forward
Dallas Texans 08 (TX)
Rotating between the attacking midfield and forward positions, York has lit a spark in the Texans this season, scoring nine goals and adding five assists. Her control and poise under pressure were on full display last weekend in the DKSC Thanksgiving Showcase where she scored a critical goal against Challenge FC.
Ended my 4-game weekend on a high note with a goal and the W. Up next: ECNL Tennessee Showcase.@ImYouthSoccer @PrepSoccer @texans08gECNL @ECNLgirls @JonBbjon pic.twitter.com/J3JwWxIpfb
— Ella York (@Ella_York_08) November 26, 2023
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Caelyn LaFlamme | Midfielder
PDA South 08 (NJ)
A versatile player who is comfortable defending and attacking, LaFlamme brings a high level of physical play to the field. Her strength and field vision in the midfield make her a great facilitator for her team.
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Elsa Pringle | Forward
Richmond United 08 (VA)
An aggressive attacking forward with excellent technical skills, Pringle likes to drive at opponents and deliver quality passes and crosses into the box for her teammates to capitalize on. In addition to her work up top, she can also make the track back on defense and make key interceptions to halt the counter-attack.
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Sadie Gray | Midfielder
FC Pride 07 (IN)
Selected to the 2023 Division 1 Tennessee State League All Tournament Team as a midfielder, Gray led her High School 2023 fall season team in assists playing attacking mid. Through her efforts, her side won the District Championship. A hardworker in the middle, she provides consistent effort and a strong work ethic.
2025
Provides consistent defensive work along the backline for Slammers and has been a mainstay with the club, winning the 2022 ECNL National Championship as well as making the finals in 2021 and 2023. McPherson can also play in the midfield and was called up in the past for the id2 National Camp.
Leads a Concorde Fire Premier backline that has allowed just 12 goals this season, second lowest in the Southeast Conference. Operating primarily as an outside back, Dennis can make the key interception wide and then immediately turn it into a counter-attacking opportunity. She can also play at the center-back position and has made several key clearances in the box this season.
Playing as either a forward or an inverted winger, Bryan is an attacking force for Penn Fusion. Off of the ball, the Garnet Valley High School junior can make the small moves necessary to give herself enough space to connect with her teammates. She is also unafraid at getting her boots dirty and will use her strength to create goal-scoring opportunities for her strong left foot.
Plays on the Pateadores ECNL 07 team with Coach Randy Dodge but will be guest playing with the 06/05 ECNL team in Tennessee. Plays attacking mid and left forward and hasa dominant left foot dominant but can play with both.
A member of the U16/U17 Puerto Rico Women’s National Team, Dumornay provides lockdown defensive work for FC Prime. At the centerback position she can make the strong tackles that end attacking plays and immediately help her team transition into the attack. She earned four assists last season in the ECNL for Prime, showing her ability to make an impact on both sides of the pitch.
Clara Fundus | Goalkeeper
Gretna Elite Academy 07 (NE)
Earned four clean sheets for Gretna in ECNL Midwest Conference play this season (9-2-1, 21 points). In close matches, Fundus knows when to slow play down or speed things up depending upon if her team is holding a lead or in need of goal. She earned Team of the Week honors for her work down in ECNL Phoenix, which included two wins over LA Breakers FC (3-2) and Davis Legacy (4-1).
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Charlie Balderrama | Goalkeeper
Virginia Union FC 06/05 (VA)
Limited opponents to just five goals scored in ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference league play this season, the lowest among all 06/05 teams in the Conference. Balderrama’s quick reaction time and athleticism allow for her to make even the most acrobatic saves look ordinary. With the Union last season, she helped the 06s earn a ECNL National Playoff spot.
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Kianna Perez | Midfielder
Gretna Elite Academy 07 (NE)
Captained Gretna’s 07s during the ECNL Showcase to two wins over LA Breakers FC (3-2) and Davis Legacy (4-1). Perez is a leader up top for Gretna’s high-flying attack, which has scored 42 goals in Midwest Conference play this season. She added three of her own down in Phoenix, another positive sign that the ECNL All-Conference first teamer has made a full recovery from her ACL injury.
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Brady Campbell | Defender
Beach FC (CA) 07 (CA)
Made the switch in the offseason from Slammers HB Koge (where she won the ECNL National Championship) to Beach and has made an immediate impact. Thanks in part to Campbell’s experience, Beach lead the ECNL Southwest Conference-Mojave Division (11-1-0, 33 points). Her timely clears and expert marking has stifled opponents, limiting them to just eight goals allowed.
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Breahn Fisher | Midfielder
Tennessee SC 07 (TN)
A 2025 Tennessee verbal commit, Fisher was a ECNL Ohio Valley All-Conference First Team selection last year. She just finished off another strong campaign with Ensworth High School, capturing All-State honors for the third consecutive year.
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Anna Darling | Midfielder
Classics Elite 07 (TX)
Named to the South Texas ODP team as well as the ODP Region 3 Team, Darling has helped Classics Elite compete in a tough Texas 07 Conference. Operating as either a defensive midfielder or in the center-back position, Darling can slow down attackers to give her team time to reorganize. She is also an expert tackler and can frame them so that they give her team the best opportunity to collect the open ball. Darling has also played for the San Antonio Blossoms in the Women’s Professional Soccer League.
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Brenna Kelleher | Goalkeeper
Del Mar Carmel Valley Sharks 07 (CA)
An athletic, fast-paced 2025 goalkeeper with great distribution range out of the back. Brenna’s communication and backline organization makes her a natural leader for her DMCV ‘07 ECNL team. Brenna covers the box with dynamic shot-stopping saves.
2024
Runs an organized Sting midfield that can build attacking plays from the back and find her teammates in open space. Bell is also an asset on defense, making timely interceptions and slowing down the opposition to give her teammates time to organize.
Named to the Academic First Team for her high school Mater Dei, Johnston has excelled both in the classroom and on the soccer field for DMCV Sharks. As the club’s center-back Johnston has used her technical prowess to help limit goal-scoring opportunities inside of their eighteen yard box.
Recently committed to BYU, Abbi has continued to contribute as part of a stout defensive unit for the DKSC 05/06 ECNL team. A member of USWYNT roster pool, She is constantly putting pressure on the opposing teams both offensively and defensively. She is a lock-down, one-on-one defender that also loves to get involved in the attack.
Mackenzie Yoder | Goalkeeper
Slammers FC 06/05 (CA)
After making her return to the field at the Phoenix ECNL Fall Showcase, Yoder had a strong showing with wins against Rockford Raptors (3-0) and MVLA (2-1). Yoder competed at the Silverlakes Fall Showcase where her team racked up wins against FC del Sol (2-0), Eagles (2-1), and Silicon Valley GA (3-0).
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Kamlyn Huang | Defender
Rebels SC 06/05 (CA)
A highly versatile defender, Huang leads a Rebels backline that has allowed just 16 goals this season in ECNL Northwest play (fourth lowest in the Conference). In even the most difficult of circumstances, Huang remains cool and composed and can get her team out of danger.