Best Defensive Units in the Girls Academy’s Southwest Conference entering 2024

As we enter 2024, SoccerWire checks back in on the Girls Academy’s Southwest Conference with a look at some of the top defensive units.

In a conference that produced multiple teams that advanced deep in the  GA National Playoffs last season, strong defense has a proven track record of helping teams compete at the highest levels in the league.

Here are some of the top performing units from teams from across the GA Southwest Conference in the U15-U19 age groups.

LA Surf Soccer Club 09: Leading the U15 Southwest Conference table is LA Surf whose undefeated record in conference play (7-0-1, 22 points) has been sparked by their stout defensive work. Surf have allowed just four goals in conference play and started the season strong, earning four shutouts in their first four games. SoccerWire Featured Player Amelia Ralph was integral to LA’s defensive work throughout the season including leading them out of the Champions Cup Group Stage.

SC del Sol 09: After a tough start, SC Del Sol finished fall Southwest Conference play on a strong note, winning each of their last five matches. Their defense was particularly on point blanking both City SC (1-0) and SDSC Surf (5-0). Beyond the shutouts it was their ability to hold leads late that put them into second (6-2-1, 19 points) heading into the break, fending off Albion SC (3-2) in their final game.

ALBION SC San Diego 09: Albion kicked off the season with an impressive three shutouts in four games, holding LA Surf Soccer Club (0-0), SD SC Surf (1-0), and FRAM SC (2-0). Albion qualified for last year’s playoffs and will need a strong defensive effort to make it back-to-back seasons.

CITY SC 08: Set the tone early in the Southwest Conference (6-0-2, 20 points), earning consecutive shutout victories over FRAM SC (3-0) and SDSC Surf (6-0) to start conference play. Since then, City have continued their strong defensive work, limiting opponents to just four goals (three of which came in a 3-3 draw with West Coast FC). Alongside Goalkeeper Palomo Platas, City’s defensive unit led by Ayla de Vore and Jaylen Sidhu have been highly effective at limiting opponents opportunities in front of goal and making timely clears.

West Coast FC 08: After back-to-back draws with Murrieta Soccer Academy (1-1) and City SC (3-3), West Coast would go on to win six of their next seven games (6-1-0, 18 points) to pull them level on points with City. Their defense led the charge with Adelyn Clifton leading a West Coast defense that allowed just four goals during that stretch.

FRAM SC 08: FRAM booked their spot in the knockout round of the Champions Cup by holding off Tophat Gold 3-2 and then blanking Lamorinda SC (2-0) and Spokane Sounders (1-0). Their defensive has been equally formidable in U16 Southwest Conference play (5-1-2, 17 points), earning three shutouts and holding opponents to under two goals in six of their matches. Center-back Madeline Harmon and defensive midfielder London Perez have led the charge, plugging passing lanes and making key interceptions late in matches.

SC del Sol 07: In a high-scoring U17 Southwest Conference, few teams have had success in getting past the SC del Sol defense. Led by goalkeeper Kennedy Zorn, who was just called up to the U.S. U-17 Women’s Youth National Team, SC currently sport a .22 GA which is the lowest among all U17 Southwest teams (8-0-1, 25 points). In Champions Cup play, they came back after a tough loss against TSJ FC Virginia (2-1), rolling off clean sheets against Colorado Rush  (3-0) and Tophat Gold (1-0) to win Group C and book their spot in the next round.

CITY SC 07: After a tough start, City found their footing towards the midpoint of the fall season, earning points in six of their final seven matches to end the fall season 5-2-1 on 16 points. Defenders Abigail Mosca, Paige Bickley, Brooke Stealey, Hayden Goldstein, and Kaitlyn Aure were a wall along the backline for City and integral in their three-game shutout run against Albion SC San Diego (2-0), LA Surf Soccer Club (2-0), and Murrieta Soccer Academy (4-0).

SC del Sol 06/05: Stifled opponents all fall, allowing just three goals in nine games leading the team to a perfect record in Southwest Conference play (9-0-0, 27 points). Goalkeeper Ayana Yapo (Auburn 2024 commit) alongside defenders Isaebella Werneck (Air Force 2024 commit), and Morgan Bilczewski (Concordia 2024 commit) have formed a seasoned backline that has racked up seven clean sheets in conference play.

CITY SC 05/06: Limited opponents to just five goals in eight games during the fall, including four shutouts. City stifled the opposition with tight marking and consistent pressure during league play, with defenders Taylor Ingersol (2024 Idaho commit), Camryn Gold (2024 Northern Arizona commit),  and Samantha Amato (2024 Grand Canyon commit) anchoring the line and leading the club to a 6-1-1 record on 19 points.

West Coast FC 05/06: Ended their fall season on a strong note, winning their last three matches by a combined score of 9-0 (2-0 against Albion SC San Diego and LA Surf Soccer Club and 5-0 over Albion). Defenders Kate Wilson and Gabriella Nocelli have worked seamlessly alongside Goalkeeper/SoccerWire Featured Player Charlotte Reis to limit opponent’s opportunities in front of goal and control the action inside of the eighteen yard box.