DPL Finals in Review: Top performers from the 2024 postseason

The Development Player League (DPL) recently wrapped up their 2023-2024 season with the DPL Finals at SilverLakes Sports Complex in Norco, CA. (Event Homepage)

The event featured the teams from across the league vying for top honors in the Super Group (U13-U19) and Championship Divisions (U13-U17) Divisions. (Results | College Coaches List)

National Champions of the DPL Super Groups across the U13-U19 age groups included: Rebels SC (U19), City SC San Diego (U17), Hoover-Vestavia Soccer (U16), Sunrise Sting (U15), Liverpool IA So Cal (U14) and Liverpool IA So Cal (U13).

Continue reading for a look at some of the top performers from the 2024 DPL Finals. Players are listed according to their graduation year.

You can nominate also nominate a player who stood out at the event through the following link.

2027

Avery Pallies | Forward
Rebels SC IE-DPLO Small 09 (CA)

Assisted on two critical goals for Rebels in Group B victories over AFC Lightning (4-0) and Capital City SC (3-0) to clinch their spot in the semifinals. Pallies can play multiple positions up top and uses her extensive knowledge of the forward position to help create goal-scoring opportunities for her teammates. In particular, her short passes are always hit with the right amount of pace and speed allowing them to find their intended targets.

———————

Aliyah Casillas | Midfielder
Rebels SC IE-DPLO Small 09 (CA)

Scored a goal in each of Rebels Group Stage matches and sparked an attack that went on to score 14 goals en route to winning the National Championship. Casillas and Pallies worked seamlessly alongside Ariana Ysalas, Abigail Chavez, Riley Garcia, Bella Kisselovich, and Abigail Torres to apply constant pressure on defenses.

———————

Audrey Haltwanger | Defender-Winger
Sunrise Surf 09 (FL)

Captained Sunrise to a Super Group Championship, using her speed on the outside to change the field of play in a close 2-1 victory over Santa Barbara Soccer Club. When Sunrise need a defensive stop Haltwanger always seems up for the challenge and can time her movements perfectly so as to ensure that the attacking chance is ended but is done so cleanly.

———————

Chloe Gore | Center-Back
Florida Hawks FC Blue 09 (FL)

Operating out of the center-back position, Gore stifled attacker’s goal-scoring ambitions by running a high press and limiting their space to pass. Thanks to her stalwart defensive work the Hawks did not allow a single goal in Group A of the U15 Super Group division. She also had a strong showing at the DPL Perform All-Star Game, building long long possessions out of the back.

———————
Hannah Buck | Goalkeeper
City SC 08 (CA)

Started City’s run in Group B of the U17 Super Group on a high note, earning a 1-0 shutout over Pinecrest Premier. Alongside fellow goalkeeper Josefina Sorensen Buck ran a tightly organized backline that allowed only two goals in group play. They also held their own in the third place match, narrowly falling to SoCal Reds FC Liverpool FC International Academy 2-1 more than proving that they can handle the best under pressure.

———————

Rylie Schuveiller | Defender
City SC 08 (CA)

Stopped attackers cold in their tracks throughout City’s run, using her strength and speed to control the pace of the match. She can play both in the inside and outside of the defensive line and has also featured for City at the center-midfield position. She also participated in the DPL All-Star game alongside teammates Casey Gomez, Kaia Cullum, and Chloe Randol.

2026

Allison Medina | Goalkeeper
Fram SC  08 (CA)

Booked a clean sheet in a close Championship Final against Rangers SC, making multiple key stops to earn the 1-0 victory and top honors. Medina has excellent technique in goal and times her dives perfectly so as to give herself the best chance at making a stop. The Fram co-captain led them through a tough 2-1 victory over New Mexico Rush, helping the team retain possession for long portions of time during the stretch run.

———————

Luz Felix | Forward
Fram SC  08 (CA)

Provided the game-winning goal in the final against Rangers, a coolly slotted left-footed effort that had just the right amount of speed and pace behind it to beat the keeper. Off of the ball, Felix can break past defenders with relative ease and can make the small cuts necessary to help up backlines. In Group A, she led an attacking corps that scored nine goals in three games which was the most among all teams.

———————

Ella Festerling | Goalkeeper
Oaks FC  07 (CA)

Limited opponents to two goals in Group B of the U17 Championship, earning shutout against West Florida Flames (5-0) and two close results over Rebels SC (3-1) and Georgia Impact (1-1 draw). Festerling is more than willing to go up and make the difficult punch out in traffic and can give her defense reprieve with a long, booming punt. She also has excellent throws out of the box, a testament to work as a shot-putter and discus thrower in track and field.

———————

Ava McGarry | Defender-Forward
LA Surf 07 (CA)

Proved to be a difference-maker on both sides of the pitch for Surf, leading their defensive and attacking efforts in their third-place finish in the U16 Championship. At the right-back position, McGarry snuffed out counter-attacking chances quickly and efficiently allowing her teammates time to get back and reorganize. Surf did not allow a single goal in Group B and held New Mexico Rush to one in the third place match. She also added two goals on the attacking end showing off her versatility.

———————

Tatum Trout | Goalkeeper
Liverpool IA – So Cal Reds 08 (CA)

Showed off her superior footwork in goal for So Cal in the U16 Super Group third place match against City, making a kick save on a hard shot to center. Her defensive wizardry helped So Cal earn the 2-1 win. Between the posts for So Cal, Trout’s control and excellent technical work helped the team earn two shutouts and allow just four goals across the entire competition.

2025

Rylee Brissette | Defender
So Cal Elite  07 (CA)

Provided consistent lockdown defensive work for SoCal in the team’s run to third place in the U17 Super Group where they earned two shutouts. Playing primarily as an outside back she forces attackers to go into the center of the pitch, narrowing their path to goal. Brissette also showed that she can be an asset on set pieces heading home a critical goal in group play.