ECNL Girls Regional League Selection Game in St. Louis comes down to PKs

On Friday night, the stars of the ECNL Girls Regional League took the field at World Wide Technology Soccer Park in St. Louis for the ECNL Regional League Selection Game. (View Rosters)

The game was a chance for some of the top players from this weekend’s ECNL Regional League St. Louis event to showcase themselves on a huge stage in front of hundreds of college scouts.

The first half was even throughout, with Allysa Wolf (SLSG IL) of the West and Sara Olson (Pacesetter SC) of the East making key saves to keep the game scoreless. Olson’s save came just before halftime as she denied the West the opening goal on a great opportunity from the top of the box.

In the early stages of the second half, the East had some great opportunities to put themselves ahead. One of those chances came from a corner kick in the 47th minute, but the West defense remained solid, despite a few chances for the East to get a shot off from just in front of goal.

Midway through the second half, the West responded with some chances of their own, as they had multiple corner kicks throughout the second half of the game.

Both defenses held strong in the second half though, with goalies Kate Wantuch (NWI Lions United) and Avery Vukmanic (Ohio Premier) making key stops to keep the game scoreless.

With the game still tied, the match headed to penalties. Both sides converted their first six kicks from the spot. In the seventh round though, Brityn Pavatt (Arkansas Rising) converted from the spot, with the West missing, to give the East the victory on penalties.

Pavatt, who was named Player of the Match following the game, said the support of the crowd throughout the night made the game a memorable experience.

“It was amazing. The support just made it so much easier. I don’t know what I would have done without it,” Pavatt said.

Pavatt acknowledged there were some nerves before the game, especially about how the chemistry would be between players who had mostly never played together before, but with the talent level on the field she thought everyone was able to gel together very quickly.

“All the players were so encouraging and it was just a great atmosphere,” Pavatt said. “I was scared the chemistry would be off because you are just throwing a bunch of girls on the same team and telling them to go play, but when they all have talent like we did and are able to combine a lot it was really fun to see.”

For anyone playing in future selection games, Pavatt said she would tell them to enjoy the moment and just try to take it all in.

“I would do it again anytime of the day,” Pavatt said. “Anyone else who has this opportunity, I would say just soak it all in.”