ECNL Girls 2023 National Playoffs: Day 1 Recap

On Saturday, action got underway all across Surf Cup Sports Park for the 2023 ECNL Girls National Playoffs.

With over 800 scouts on hand, teams from the U16-U18/19 age groups all got their playoff journeys underway in the Champions League, North American Cup, Showcase Cup A, and Showcase Cup B competitions.

Champions League

U18/19: Real Colorado vs Kansas City Athletics 2-1

Real Colorado took the field Saturday in the U18/19 Champions League with hopes of lifting another National Championship trophy like they did at the U17 age group last season. They got quite the test from Kansas City Athletics though.

Real Colorado grabbed the early lead with two first half goals, including one from Naomi Clark in the 35th minute of the game. Although it looked like Real Colorado could comfortably see out their 2-0 advantage in the second half, an 80th minute goal by Ashley Koch suddenly put the pressure on in the last 10 minutes of the game.

Despite some opportunities though, Real Colorado was able to hang on for the 2-1 win.

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After the game, Real Colorado Head Coach Lorne Donaldson commended the way in which Kansas City Athletics were able to keep themselves in the game throughout the second half, and noted the play of Kansas City’s Laudan Wilson as a key contributor to their performance.

“We came out and had some early goals, but Kansas City hung around for a long time,” Donaldson said. “Laudan Wilson is a great player for them and she gave us some trouble.”

U18/19: FC Dallas vs MVLA 2-0

Also in the U18/19 Champions League, FC Dallas used a strong defensive effort to get past an MVLA side that came into the game having gone undefeated in their conference play this season.

FC Dallas got goals from Elizabeth Eddy in the 23rd minute and Kyrsten Kizer in the 35th minute to give themselves a 2-0 lead going into the break. In the second half, even though there were stretches where MVLA held more of the possession, Head Coach Gareth Evans was extremely pleased with the defensive effort and how his players stepped up against a great opponent.

“That’s a phenomenal team. They’re an unbeaten team,” Evans said. “We had to come in, it’s a senior group missing a couple of players, but the girls who have come in stepped up and helped us out massively. I’m just super proud of them.”

U17: Connecticut FC vs Portland Thorns 1-0

In the U17 Champions League, Connecticut FC got off to a great start in group play with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Portland Thorns Academy.

Caroline Spengler got Connecticut FC on the board in the second half with the lone goal of the game in the 56th minute. From there, Connecticut FC was able to dig in and grind out the result, marked by some key saves down the stretch.

Head Coach Dave Clark credited the way his team was able to earn the result in a gritty fashion to start off group play, and said that this time of the year they will take the results.

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“It was more of a rugged performance. Our keeper made some great saves,” Clark said. “We’ll take the 1-0 win. It’s huge.”

“They’ve worked really well,” Clark said when asked about his team’s defensive effort. “This team has come a long way to where they were today, so that was a huge win. It was more of a team effort.”

U16: Florida Premier FC vs Penn Fusion SA 1-1

In the U16 Champions League, Florida Premier rallied with a late, thrilling goal to share the points with Penn Fusion SA on the opening day of group play.

In the first half, Isabelle Allred got Penn Fusion on the board with a goal in the 16th minute. It wasn’t until the final minutes that Florida Premier was able to respond to that goal with one of their own to earn the dramatic 1-1 tie.

After the game, Florida Premier Head Coach Leo Martini talked about how proud he was of the mindset his team showed throughout the game.

“I think the girls showed an amazing mindset to come back at the end,” Martini said. “They gave all they had and at the end of the day I think that’s what we’re here for, teaching them to give everything they have on the field and that’s what they did today.”

Not only did Martini credit his team on the field, but also the mindset of the players on the bench as they supported their teammates and continued encouraging them to push for the tying goal.

“If I have to give a shoutout to somebody it’s the players on the bench at the end,” Martini said. “I know it’s frustrating not to play, but they showed an amazing mindset and energy. I’m very proud of them for that.”

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Thank you to all of the scouts who continue the flood the sidelines at #ECNLplayoffs pic.twitter.com/9Y7mT3RfKM

— ECNL Girls (@ECNLgirls) June 24, 2023

North American Cup

U17: Oklahoma Energy FC vs Concorde Fire Premier 6-2

In North American Cup action, Oklahoma Energy FC put on an offensive display to advance to the quarterfinals in the U17 age group.

Two goals from Addy Johnson and two more from Narissa Fults contributed to the six goals Oklahoma Energy fired in to help them advance through 6-2.

“I think it gives them great confidence going into tomorrow, knowing that this is a team that does fairly well in their conference and we were able to control most of the game,” said Head Coach Stephen Phillips.

U16: Eclipse Select SC vs Sting Dallas Black 2-1

In the U16 North American Cup, Eclipse Select SC rallied back from a goal down to earn a 2-1 victory over Sting Dallas Black.

Sting got on the board inside the opening 10 minutes of the game, before Gabrielle Poretto answered with a goal in the 28th minute to knot things up at 1-1. In the second half, Eclipse’s Sydney Dulak scored the eventual game winner in the 60th minute to send Eclipse onto the quarterfinal round.

“Overall, I think it was a good performance, and at this point of the year, in this competition, it’s all about putting in a good performance and getting the result,” said Head Coach Mike Nesci.

Showcase Cup A

U17: Northwest Elite FC vs Rockford Raptors 2-1

In Showcase Cup A action, Northwest Elite FC came back from a goal down to advance into the quarterfinals.

Goals from Kaitlyn MacLennan helped lead the way for Northwest Elite. Head Coach Logan Emory shouted out MacLennan’s performance after the game.

“Kaitlyn MacLennan had a good game,” Emory said. “She’s really someone that has come into her own as a forward. She’s really grown a lot over the last season and is certainly one to watch.”

U16: CESA Liberty vs Pateadores 0-0 (CESA advances on PKs)

In the U16 Showcase Cup A, CESA Liberty needed penalty kicks to advance into the quarterfinals past Pateadores.

CESA created a number of chances throughout the game, but could not capitalize and find the back of the net. After the game, Head Coach Cole Atkins credited his team working on penalties throughout the last month in training as a key to their success in the big moment.

“We’ve been finishing training the last month with penalties almost every session and they’ve done well,” Atkins said. “It was nice to see it come out in the game.”

Showcase Cup B

U17: PDA South vs Heat FC 4-2

In the U17 Showcase Cup B, PDA South used two late goals to advance into the quarterfinals over Heat FC.

PDA South scored goals in the 20th and 38th minutes to make it 2-0 going into the half. Heat FC responded with goals in the 50th and 70th minutes to knot things up at 2-2 in the second half, before PDA added on two more goals in the 75th and 84th minutes to come away with the 4-2 win.

After the game, PDA Head Coach John Jenks said his team’s continued success this week will come from working hard, not trying to change their game, and sticking to the things they do well.

“We want to just keep working hard,” Jenks said. “We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel here. We’re just doing our thing, doing our best here, and putting out the effort.”

U16: De Anza Force vs FC Prime 1-0

In the U16 Showcase Cup B, De Anza Force used an early first half goal and a strong defensive effort to advance into the quarterfinals past FC Prime 1-0. In the 12th minute, Destiny Twiggs scored the lone goal of the match to give De Anza the victory.

Head Coach Jeff Baicher credited his forward line for their ability to hold the ball up, as his team tried to deal with the high press from FC Prime.

“The other team was high pressing and there was a lot of wind today, so we had to bypass the midfield, and the forwards did a good job of holding the ball and bringing our team into the play,” Baicher said.