Players That Impressed: Girls Academy 2024 National Finals

The 2023-24 Girls Academy season finished up play over the weekend with the GA National Finals in Richmond, VA. (Event Recap)

Forty teams competed across the league’s U14-U17 age groups for top honors, in front of hundreds of college coaches. (Scout List)

Below are some of the top players from the weekend’s event sorted by graduation year. You can also nominate a player who stood out during the event through the following link.

2028

Gabby Gjeldum | Goalkeeper
Galaxy SC 10 (IL)

Finished off the Galaxy’s 2023-2024 campaign with a 4-0 shutout against Lamorinda SC. In their Quarterfinals match against Nationals SC, Gjeldum kept her team in the game by making multiple key saves against the eventual champions. Although the Galaxy fell short against Nationals 2-1 the future is bright for Galaxy with Gjeldum between the posts and they finished the season having earned the Illinois State Cup and went undefeated in Group Play in the GA National Playoffs.

———————

Alle Plosky | Outside Back
Nationals 10 (MI)

Sliding in at either the left or right outside back positions Plosky controlled the momentum of the match from the outside, giving Nationals space to open up play on the flanks. Off of the ball, she can make the little cuts necessary to start the counter-attack . Her tight marking was instrumental in Nationals allowing only one goal in three matches including back-to-back shutouts against City SC (1-0) in the semifinals and Tophat Gold (2-0) in the finals.

———————

Hannah Yu | Forward
Nationals 10 (MI)

Buried the game-winning goal in the final over Tophat SC, working alongside Alisa Gaglio (who scored the second) to help Nationals win top honors in their final Girls Academy season. Yu is dangerous at goal with either foot can turn on the burners in open space to break past defenders. She led an attacking corps that outscored their opponents 17-3 across all GA National Playoff matches this summer.

2027

Graduation: 2027

Ilyana Barriball

Forward

Galaxy SC

Girls Academy

Knocked home four goals in the first half of the Galaxy’s Quarterfinal match against the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals. Although the result did not go the way she and her team would have liked (6-4 loss), Barriball showed that she can deliver in big matches and take on multiple defenders without any issue.

———————

Annie Fowler | Goalkeeper
Chicago FC United 09 (IL)

Remained poised despite facing significant pressure from Nationals Blue in the Championship match, holding on for the victory in penalties. The United States Women’s U15 Youth National Team member never seemed to let the big moments get to her, earning back-to-back shutout victories against Silicon Valley SA and South Shore Select (both by 1-0) to push United into the finals.

2026

Graduation: 2026

Finley Newell

Midfielder

Lonestar SC

Girls Academy

Belted a brace in the finals over Nationals SC, pushing Lonestar past their Midwest foes 2-1. The Republic of Ireland youth international has a dagger of a right foot and can use it to hit shots on target with both speed and pace. She is also able to take on multiple defenders , putting enough space between them and the ball so that she can quickly create goal-scoring opportunities.

———————

Ariya Barton | Forward
Lou Fusz Athletic 08 (MO)

Saved her biggest goal for perhaps the biggest moment of the season, connecting on a sizzling pass from Lauren Van Rhein (more on her in a minute) and hitting a one touch, left-footed Championship-winner in the 2-1 victory over STA. Barton’s has a keen sense of where defenders are on the left flank and always gives herself enough space to give her team the best chance at a goal.

———————

Lauren Van Rhein | Forward
Lou Fusz Athletic 08 (MO)

Provided a consistent attacking spark throughout LFA’s three matches in Richmond scoring the game-winner in their Quarterfinal match against Nationals. The Tournament MVP was a constant attacking force throughout the weekend, scoring the opener against FRAM SC in the Quarterfinals (2-0) and assisting on Barton’s game-winner in the finals.

———————

Sienna Goldstein | Goalkeeper
STA Soccer 08 (NJ)

Blanked a high-scoring City SC attack 3-0 to book STA’s spot in the National Championship match. That strong result was preceded an equally impressive effort against Tophat Gold, making multiple key saves in their 2-1 victory. Especially when holding a close lead, the 2024 Golden Gloves winner knows when to speed up play and when to slow it down allowing her team time to reorganize and reset.

———————

Evie Spengler | Defender
City SC 08 (CA)

Stymied opponent’s attacking work through the center of the pitch with her timely runs and knack for winning 50/50 balls. Spengler can see what opponents are planning and immediately counter their strategy with either an interception or a professional slide tackle.

2025

Brooklyn Escobar | Goalkeeper
Lonestar SC Red 07 (TX)

The U17 Golden Glove winner led an imposing Lonestar backline to three impressive victories over SC del Sol (2-1), The St. James FC (1-0), and Nationals Blue (2-1). When facing pressure, Escobar thrives able to coolly make difficult saves and calmly provide her teammates with excellent service from the back.

———————

Sloane Guion | Defense
Lonestar SC Red 07 (TX)

The Incarnate Word verbal commit was a force in defense for Lonestar taking on multiple elite-level strikers and more than holding her own. Guion tightly marked her opponents giving them little space go towards goal or make a pass to preserve possession. Thanks to her efforts, Lonestar allowed just two goals en route to winning their National Championship.