Players to Watch: Girls Academy 2025 Champions Cup Finals and Showcase

The Girls Academy 2025 Champions Cup Finals are coming up March 6-11, as many of the GA’s top teams will go head-to-head at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL.

This event features the top 16 teams from Champions Cup group play in each age group from U13-U19, competing in a knock-out round, single-elimination format. Champions will be crowned in each age group, and the best club overall will be given the ultimate Champions Cup Award. Additionally, the showcase portion of the event will feature U14-U19 teams who will play teams outside of their conference during the event weekend (ATTENDING SCOUTS)

Ahead of the GA Champions Cup Finals and Showcase, here are some players to know. Players are listed according to their graduation year.

You can also nominate a player that will be attending the event. To nominate a player for consideration, CLICK HERE.

2030

Graduation: 2030

Mao Yoshikuni

Defender Forward

Lamorinda Soccer Club

Girls Academy

As a defensive captain of Lamorinda SC’s 2011 team, Mao leads the back line which has racked up 9 clean sheets in league play, and 2 clean sheets in the group stage of the GA Winter Champions Cup. In addition to her outstanding work on the defensive side, Mao is an excellent passer with a history of providing big assists for the GA Northwest Conference’s top team.

2028

Graduation: 2028

Alena Raymundo

Midfielder

Lamorinda Soccer Club

Girls Academy

The Lamorinda SC 2010 team captain was recently named to the US Youth Soccer ODP Girls National Select Team, as she’s in the midst of another standout campaign. Along with her extensive accomplishments in the ODP system, Raymundo led Lamorinda SC to a GA Northwest Conference title in 2024, and a trip to the GA Finals.

Graduation: 2028

Liliana Rubio

Midfielder

Lamorinda Soccer Club

Girls Academy

Rubio’s talents have led to her getting significant experience with Mexico’s Youth National Team program, as she’s shown she can play almost any position on the field. She particularly excels on the wings and at outside back, where she gets up and down the field with ease, showing an extremely high work rate. She stars for Lamorinda SC’s 2009 GA squad.

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Dahlia Cryan | Defender
NEFC 2010 Red (MA)

Regarded as one of the best Class of 2028 defensive players in the GA, Cryan was selected for the GA’s National Talent ID Event in the 2010 age group last season. NEFC 10 Red will be battling it out in the U15 Champions Cup Finals, after an outstanding overall performance in the group stage.

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Gracie Lisak | Forward / Midfielder
City SC 2010 (CA)

Lisak is in the midst of another impressive season for City SC San Diego 2010, after she earned a GA National Talent ID Event selection last summer. She’s always looking to be aggressive and doesn’t hesitate to fire shots from distance, often turning small cracks in the defense into unexpected goals.

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Mya Schroeder | Forward
North Shore United 2010 (WI)

Mya is a captain and leading goal scorer for the North Shore United U15 team. She’s a powerful striker with a great shot with both feet that can score goals in a variety of ways. Mya was part of the 2025 GA Midwest Talent ID Event, U.S. Soccer’s Midwest Talent ID Center, and last season was named to the Best 11 teams from the US Youth Soccer National Championships, National League PRO, and E64 Playoffs.

2027

Graduation: 2027

Tess Friedman

Midfielder

IMG Academy

Girls Academy

A productive midfielder for IMG Academy’s 08 squad, Friedman and her teammates will be competing in the U17 Champions Cup Finals. Friedman is a box-to-box player with a high work rate and stands out as a true impact passer. Her superior field vision allows her to consistently find open passing lanes, breaking lines and always maintaining a high completion rate.

Graduation: 2027

Michelle Minor

Midfielder

IMG Academy

Girls Academy

Another member of IMG Academy’s 08 team, Minor recently participated in the GA Southeast Talent ID Event. She’s a versatile player who can thrive both in the midfield and on the defensive side. Minor has a well-rounded skill set who can turn her focus to whatever the team needs in a given game situation.

Graduation: 2027

Rylee Shields

Defender

Michigan Jaguars

Girls Academy

Shields is a standout defender for Michigan Jaguars 2009, supported by a back line that has only conceded 0.64 goals this season. Her ability to get up and down in transition, find attacking space and work to get behind the ball and disrupt the opposing offense sets her apart.

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Emmi Cence | Defender
South Carolina Surf 2009 (SC)

Emmi has attended 5 U.S. Soccer Talent ID Centers and earned a roster spot at the U.S. U14 East Regional Mini-Camp. She has attended 3 Girls Academy Southeast Talent ID Events and was invited to a GA National ID Event. She has played overseas 3 times with Surf Select in England and Spain.

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Zoey Carter | Forward
South Carolina Surf 2009 (SC)

Playing as a winger or striker, Zoey has played an instrumental role for SC Surf’s front line with her attack on and off of the ball this season. Her speed and strength, mixed with the ability to score with both feet, make her difficult to break down. Carter regularly creates goal-scoring chances for her teammates, providing several assists throughout the season. She also attended the Girls Academy Southeast Talent ID Event in February 2025.

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Juliana Friedrichsen | Defender
IMG Academy Elite 2009 (FL)

Friedrichsen, a standout defender and captain of IMG Academy’s 09 Elite team, is known for her relentless work rate, defensive instincts, and leadership across the field. She consistently creates a threat with her runs, well-placed passes and crosses while using her strong recovery defense and tactical awareness to shut down opponents.

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Camryn George | Defender / Winger
Wake FC 2008 (NC)

A versatile dual-footed player who can play in multiple positions, Camryn plays outside back for Wake FC where she helped her team advance to the Champions Cup finals by only allowing 1 goal in 3 games at the Champions Cup qualifying event in CA. Camryn plays winger for Grimsley High School, where she led the 2024 team in points, goals and assists, and was named MVP as a freshman.

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Lohgan Ferensick | Defender
Tophat Gold 2009 (GA)

Lohgan is a dynamic and versatile outside back for Tophat 09 Gold with speed, technical precision and a high soccer IQ. She has high agility, relentless work rate, and the ability to quickly shut down attackers which makes her a defensive standout. She recently attended the 2025 GA Southeast Talent ID Event and is a proven competitor at the highest levels.

2026

Graduation: 2026

Elsa Maurer

Defender

Butler Women

SC Wave

Girls Academy

This Class of 2026 Butler University commit is an outstanding center back for SC Wave’s 07/06 squad, which will be competing in the U19 Champions Cup Finals. Maurer has received top individual accolades in the GA, receiving call-ups for Talent ID Events at both the Conference and National levels.

Graduation: 2026

Tamir Shaw

Defender

HTX Soccer

Girls Academy

Shaw is an Uncommitted Class of 2026 outside back for HTX 07/06, who has tremendous range and closing speed. She’s extremely proactive in her efforts to shut down opposing attacks, cutting off passing lanes and winning 1v1 interactions consistently. Shaw has a high motor, and can move up the field to generate offensive opportunities, without sacrificing any effort on the defensive side. HTX is competing in the U19 Champions Cup Finals.

Graduation: 2026

Sydney Snow

Forward Midfielder

Brigham Young Women

Tophat

Girls Academy

Well-known as one of the GA’s best overall attacking players, Snow will be joining the renowned BYU women’s soccer program as a member of the Class of 2026. Snow represents Tophat 08 Gold in Group E of the U17 Champions Cup Finals. She’s a former GA Finals MVP and GA National Talent ID selection, who piles up goals and assists at equally impressive rates.

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Bianca Juncaj | Forward
Michigan Jaguars 2008 (MI)

A Class of 2026 forward who has verbally committed to 7-time NCAA DII National Champion Grand Valley State, Juncaj brings game-breaking speed and excellent crossing abilities to the Michigan Jaguars attack. She’s able to use her speed to break lines, win in 1v1 situations and score goals. She’s skilled with both feet and can provide accurate crosses from either side of the pitch.

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Kaylee Modelski | Defender
Michigan Jaguars 2008 (MI)

Back in the recruiting fold after recently de-committing from Grand Valley State due to a coaching change, Modelski will be a defender to watch in Florida. She’s was a 2024 GA National Talent ID Event selection, and was a first-team All-Midwest Conference honoree in 2023. This summer, she’ll be playing at the semi-pro level with Troy City WFC.

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Nicole Noorbehesht | Midfielder
Tophat Gold 2008 (GA)

Noorbehesht helped Tophat Gold 08 capture the 2023 GA National Championship, and she’s a three-time GA Champions Cup Finalist. She’s been a regular on the GA’s Southeast Talent ID Event rosters, earning a trio of call-ups. She’s been recognized by Prep Soccer as one of the top midfielders in her class from the state of Georgia, and she’s racked up a multitude of honors on the high school side as well.