Players to Watch at the 2024 DPL Finals in California

The DPL enters postseason play on June 26 as the top teams from across the league start their National Finals in California. (Event Homepage)

From June 26 – July 1, the DPL’s best teams from throughout the country will converge on SilverLakes Sports Complex in Norco, CA for the postseason event. The event will include playoff competition for all age groups, U13-U19. (Schedule, College Coaches List)

Ahead of the postseason action, here are some players to know from this year’s event. Players are listed according to their graduation year.

You can nominate also nominate a player who has stood out this season that will be attending the event through the following link.

2027

Katelyn Littlejohn | Defender
SoCal Elite 08 (CA)

Plays multiple positions down the left flank and excels at each of them. For SoCal’s DPL team she has led the defensive charge out of the left back position, impeding opponent’s attacking ambitions with her tight marking and key interceptions. Thanks in part to her efforts, So Cal allowed only nine goals in Southwest Conference play this season while finishing first in the North Division (11-0-4, 37 points).

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Ella Hoodmaker | Defender-Midfielder
Colorado United 09 (C0)

Spearheaded United’s tight defensive work all season, making multiple key defensive clearances en route to Colorado earning a perfect record in the Mountain West Conference (12-0-0, 36 points). Hoodmaker is more than willing to make the track back to stem counter attacking chances and has shown that she can also box out strong attacking players in difficult one-on-one situations. She can also play as an attacking midfielder, showing her versatility on the pitch. United have already shown what they can do under the spotlight, having won the Summit Europa tournament this spring. Now they will be looking for more gold in the Super Group.

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Brooke Lee | Midfielder
Colorado Rush 07 (CO)

Captained Rush to second place in the Mountain West Conference-Bracket A and a spot in the Championship Division in the playoffs. Lee’s touches on the ball are always smoothed and controlled allowing her to make difficult runs at goal and create attacking chances. She is comfortable with the ball at either foot and is equally effective off of the ball in opening up defenses.

2026

Anabella Escobar | Forward-Midfielder
El Paso Surf 07 (TX)

Slots in at both the midfield and forward positions for Surf, creating goal scoring opportunities for both herself and her teammates to seize upon. Escobar and Surf are coming off of a strong campaign at the Spring Showcase where they went undefeated (2-0-1, 7 points), where they scored 17 goals over the course of three days. In addition to playing for Surf’s DPL team, she also features for their WPSL team where she just scored a goal against SC del Sol.

Kicked off the 2024 @WPSL season with a goal! Game didn’t end the way we wanted, but proud of how the team played against a strong SC Del Sol team. Looking forward to a great summer playing with and learning from the veteran @ElPasoSurfSC girls! #HerGame #SurfProud 🌊⚽️ @Prep1USA pic.twitter.com/hMP8Evw9E0

— Bella⚽️ (@bellasurf01) May 20, 2024

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Nora Culhane | Midfielder
New York Rush Select 08 (NY)

Playing in either the attacking or defensive midfield, Culhane is integral to Rush’s ability to move the ball up and down the pitch. Her timely passes and sharp understanding of when to hold onto the ball help Rush retain their shape and withstand pressure from the opposition. Thanks to her calm and steady work, Select went 6-1-1 on 19 points in Northeast play this season.

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Allison Medina | Goalkeeper
Fram SC 08 (CA)

Earned nine clean sheets between the posts for Fram this season, leading the club to a 10-4-1 record on 31 points in the Southwest. When under pressure, Medina and Fram thrive as evidenced by their undefeated record at the DPL Spring Showcase, where they won all three matches and allowed just one goal.

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Avery Bostwick | Midfielder
Colorado Rush 07 (CO)

Serves as Rush’s number ten, creating attacking chances from the midfield with her accurate passes and crosses and hitting pacey shots on target when the moment calls for it. She has a dangerous right foot that can strike the ball at a variety of speeds and can be used to go directly at defenders. Thanks to her work as an attacking midfielder, Rush scored 39 goals in the Mountain West this season and went undefeated in North Division play (11-0-1, 34 points).

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Hannah Buck | Goalkeeper
City SC 07 (CA)

Held her own against the high-scoring SoCal Elite attack, making multiple key stops to preserve the 2-2 draw in April. Burke has excellent footwork and great instincts, allowing her to make saves from point-blank range. She is part of a strong defensive unit that allowed just one goal at the Summit Europa division, helping City win top honors.

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Melanie Castorena | Defender
Rangers FC 08 Leon (CA)

Controls the middle of the defense for Rangers as a left center back and serves as the team captain. She coolly builds plays out of the back and can direct traffic to give her team the best chance at succeeding. Under pressure, she thrives as evidenced by her goals at Surf Cup and the DPL Spring Showcase.

2025

Emma Kucal | Forward
Rhode Island Surf  07 Elite Blue (RI)

Scored a critical goal in the Summit Quarterfinals to help lift Surf past City SC 2-0, a tournament in which they eventually won. She won the Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year award in her sophomore season at Cumberland High School, scoring 20 goals while adding 19 assists. Kucal has verbally committed to playing college soccer in 2025 at New Hampshire.

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Sienna Parsons | Goalkeeper
West Florida Flames 07 (FL)

Booked three clean sheets for the Flames at the DPL Spring Showcase, aiding the team’s effort in victories over Albion SC Las Vegas (3-0), Albion SC Central Valley (1-0), and Solano Surf (1-0). Parsons is always providing her teammates with critical pieces of information based off of what she is seeing on the field, allowing them to minor adjustments that can lead to major gains. In one-on-one situations, her positioning is always on point giving her the best chance at stopping a shot.

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Avery Garrett | Midfielder
Charlotte Development Academy 07 (NC)

Booked three clean sheets for the Flames at the DPL Spring Showcase, aiding the team’s effort in victories over Albion SC Las Vegas (3-0), Albion SC Central Valley (1-0), and Solano Surf (1-0). Parsons is always providing her teammates with critical pieces of information based off of what she is seeing on the field, allowing them to minor adjustments that can lead to major gains. In one-on-one situations, her positioning is always on point giving her the best chance at stopping a shot.

2024

Officially Hamilton ‘28! So so excited @HamCollWSoccer @HamiltonCollege pic.twitter.com/uVE7gKgyoG

— Helena Crate | 2024 | Midfield | NEFC | Pingree (@helenacrate2024) December 15, 2023