Scout’s View: Class of 2027 and 2028 Standouts from the NCFC Youth Girls College Showcase

The 2024 visitRaleigh Girls College Showcase took place over the weekend of December 6-8, as some of the top teams in the nation gathered for the event, hosted by NCFC Youth.

The showcase played host to over 600 teams from across the U15-U19 age groups. College coaches from throughout the country traveled to North Carolina to see some of the best players in the country go head-to-head. (COLLEGE COACH LIST)

Longtime scout Jerry Penkala, owner and operator of JTF Academy, was on hand for the tournament, and compiled a list of some of the top players that he watched from the Class of 2027 and Class of 2028.

See below for Penkala’s top performers.

2027

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Tayah Johnson – Center Back
South Carolina Surf 08 GA – Jersey #17

Tayah, who was playing up, is extremely athletic with great size and speed. She got forward for all corners and drew a ton of attention, just missing on a couple of finishes, was steady and smart on the back line and could run down any forward with her outstanding pace and 1v1 defensive ability.

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Linden Yates – Holding Midfielder
Skyline Elite 09 GA – Jersey #29

Linden was one of the more physically-intimidating, tough holding mids I saw all weekend. In addition to being a shutdown defender that clogged the middle of the field and stopped many counter attacks and offensive possessions from their opponents with some outstanding individual efforts. Yates was just as smooth on the ball when she was the link between the front and the back line.

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Piper Jillings – Defender
Charlotte Independence 09 ECNL – Jersey #19

A tall, left-footed defender that played central most of the game I saw. When she got forward, she was extremely dangerous and impactful, whether it was getting out on the flank and sending great services into the 18 or on free kicks/corners that she placed perfectly. A tough, intimidating presence with outstanding technical skills and a high soccer IQ and overall ceiling.

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Katie Steeper – Attacking Midfielder
Skyline Elite 09 GA – Jersey #25

Katie worked very well with the other outstanding Midfielder from Skyline on this list (Yates), had great off ball movement into open space and when she collected passes, had the field vision and soccer IQ to either turn and drive at players one v one to create space behind or find the correct pass to a winger or forward- she did a great job of running the entire offense all game. Great technical skills and hard working as well.

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Madeleine Sicat – Center Back
Richmond United 08 ECNL  – Jersey #15

Playing up, this center back did not look like a 2027. She was one of the best players on the field with all 2026s. She had outstanding timing on tackles, and she didn’t get beat 1v1 even once all game, distributed really well after tackles and was physical, gritty and extremely quick.

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Norah Peterman – Forward
Coastal Rush 08 – Jersey #26

Another 2027 playing up, Norah was the best pure #9 from the Class of 2027 that I watched at the event. She had great size and strength to hold the ball when needed, plus turn and drive at players. Her off-ball movement was outstanding. She made the right diagonal runs or just found the open space time after time, and she has a rocket of a leg, making her dangerous anywhere near the 18.

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Hannah Felicione – Center Back
Connecticut FC Olé 09 – Jersey #18

Hannah has great size, speed, toughness, and leadership on the back line. She also took 95% of the free kicks, and put multiple dangerous corner kicks on a dime. Good 1v1 defensive technique and a relentless work rate.

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Katie Fuhrer – Right Back
North Carolina FC Youth 08 ECNL RL – Jersey #28

Another fast, tough, strong outside back playing up, Katie was intense and extremely competitive throughout the match. She took every 1v1 opportunity ‘extremely personal’ in a clean way. She also got forward at the exact right times and was impactful when she did. Great work rate, great attitude. One of my favorite players to watch all weekend because of it.

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Katie Tedder – Holding Midfielder
Charlotte Independence 09 ECNL – Jersey #10

A true ‘link player’ in terms of how she plays the holding mid spot. Outstanding field vision, she always knew where she was going with the ball before she even received it. She had great control and comfort on the ball, and was a tough defender as well.

2028

Scarlett Lee – Left Back
Skyline Elite 09 GA – Jersey #13

The only 2028 on this list, Scarlett was one of the best outside backs I saw all weekend. Impossible to get around 1v1, had a rare clean mean streak and was one of the most competitive players overall at the showcase. She has an incredible work rate, and knows the game inside and out. Scarlett was intense on tackles, then immediately calm and controlled on the ball to find and connect passes right afterwards. She played much older than her age and was one of the strongest outside backs I’ve seen in a long time.