Scout’s View: Class of 2027 Standouts from the ECNL Girls Florida National Event

The ECNL Girls Florida National Event took place over the weekend as some of the top teams in the nation gathered for the event.

ECNL Florida marked the first ECNL National Event of the 2025 calendar year, as college recruiting ramps back up following the dead period. A total of 230 teams across the U16-U18/19 age groups competed in the showcase. (COLLEGE COACHES)

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.

See below for Penkala’s top performers from the Class of 2027.

Hannah Morse – Attacking Midfielder
South Shore Select 08 – Jersey #19

Playing up on this 08 team, Hannah one of the best players in any age group I saw the entire weekend. She might be one of the most impactful attacking mids I have seen in a few years. She has good size, great speed in open space, extremely creative, highly technical (the ball sticks to her foot) and she had NO turnovers, plus really thrives in the 18. She regularly draws a crowd of defenders to her to take away her rocket shot from distance, and then dishes to her teammates for easy goals. She can also crash in to finish with a vengeance when the ball is on either flank.

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Makayla Wilson – Left Outside Back
Dallas Texans 09 – Jersey #21

Makayla was among the best pure athletes at this entire event, and was extremely technically sounds as well. She love getting forward at the exact right time, and was dangerous in the final third when she did, plus had the work rate to get back and never left her back line in jeopardy. Strong, fast and a great 1v1 defender.

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Victoria Lockamy – Left Winger / Attacking Mid
NC Fusion 08 – Jersey #14

This left-footed winger was a huge threat every time she was on the flank with multiple perfect services into the 18 that should have been finished, as well as some of the best shots on frame I saw all weekend. She got moved to attacking mid to help her team and was comfortable and smart as the game started going through her there as well. She was by far the best lefty I saw at this event.

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Ashton Parker – Left Winger
World Class FC 09 – Jersey #15

A tall, fast, strong winger and the biggest offensive threat on this World Class FC team. She showed great speed on the flank, her off-ball positioning was smart and anticipated well when the ball was 2 passes away. She could serve the ball with her left foot, or cut back and put the ball on frame with her right. Still a little raw technically, but a huge ceiling and someone that could earn a June 15th offer if she reaches that ceiling over the next 6 months.

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Graciella Dent – Goalkeeper
Tennessee SC 08 – Jersey #94

This 6-foot athletic keeper was the most dominant and intimidating 2027 keeper I saw all weekend, and was the prototype keeper most college coaches are always looking for. Huge presence in the 18, controlled that area the entire game, made some highlight reel full extension saves, plus was confident and technically-sound on the more routine saves.

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Maddie DiMaria – Left Winger / Forward
SLSG 08 – Jersey #99

The reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year, Maddie shines bright even while playing up on an extremely talented, nationally-renowned SLSG 08 team. She lived up to the billing as one of the best offensive players in the country. On the wing, she showed great speed and toughness when she was challenged on the ball, and won every one of those challenges. Plus, she was very dangerous in and around the final third.

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Ava Robertson – Forward
Pipeline Soccer 09 – Jersey #21

Ava was an instant offense type player when she got on the field and was the most impactful offensive player in the games I saw her play. Feisty, fast, fearless and technically gifted, she also had the nose for the goal and was always a huge threat anywhere near the 18.

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Hannah Beckett – Holding Midfielder
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 09 – Jersey #99

Hannah was the link from back line to front the entire game, and had outstanding field vision that resulted in completing all of her passes and made this team go. She had the size and toughness to shut down any offensive players near her and did a great job of stopping all counter attacks. A dominant defensive midfielder.

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Ava Kling – Forward
Rockford Raptors 09 – Jersey #6

Ava was a sneaky fast, hard working forward that had the most disruptive high press of the entire defensive back line I saw all weekend, which resulted in a couple of great opportunities off turnovers. She was also just an offensive terror when her team possessed and found her up top. Smart, tough, relentless and one of the best “born scorers” at the event.

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Isla Anderson – Center Back
South Shore Select 08 – Jersey #51

Isla was the fastest center back I saw, as well as the most physical. She completely shut down a very good #9 on the team she played, yet still had the mindset and work rate to make a couple of outstanding runs all the way forward (was extremely smooth on the ball) that were extremely dangerous as well. Her competitiveness will make her an instant contributor at the NCAA D1 level.

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Catherine Nickel – Center Back
United Futbol Academy 09 – Jersey #5

Another extremely fast and physical center back from this very talented UFA 09 team, she controlled the back line completely, was always right there to help outside backs when needed, and shut down multiple talented offensive players 1v1 on the top of the 18, to stop shots from getting off.

Honorable Mention

• London Coley – (Forward), NC Fusion 08 – dangerous, feisty, great shot.
• Haley Wilhelm – (Center Back), Northern Virginia Alliance 09 – tall, quick, physical.
• Anna Van Brocklin – (Forward), Alabama FC 08 – technical, tough and constantly working hard.
• Caitlin White – (Wingback), FC Alliance 09 – great size, tough, physical.
• Devyn Gee – (Midfielder), DKSC 09 – smooth and fast on ball, drove well at defenders.
• Olivia Snyder – (Forward/Left Winger) Hawks Magic 09 – physical, fast, great service.