Scout’s View: Class of 2027 Standouts from the Girls Academy Spring Showcase (2025)

The Girls Academy’s 2025 Spring Showcase was held in Greensboro, NC from April 10-14, featuring U15-U19 teams for a week of non-conference competition in a showcase environment.

College coaches from around the country traveled to North Carolina to watch the action at Bryan Soccer Park, where the GA’s best teams went head-to-head over the course of five days. (COLLEGE COACHES)

Longtime scout Jerry Penkala, owner and operator of JTF Academy, was on hand for the tournament, and compiled a list of some of the top players that he watched from the Class of 2027.

See below for Penkala’s top performers.

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Margo Higgins – Left Winger
STA Soccer 2010 – Jersey #13

Margo displayed a truly exception level of mental toughness and determination throughout the entire match I saw her play against a very talented The St. James FC 2008 squad. I’m always looking for players who outwork everyone on the field, since this is the type of thing that can help players earn scholarships. Margo showed an incredible work rate in this game, flying around the field and making a big impact on the wing. She’s skilled, smart and technically-sound, making her a prime candidate to be a solid contributor at the NCAA DI level.

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Alanna Diebold – Goalkeeper
ALBION SC San Diego 2009– Jersey #00

This athletic, smart, tough and fearless keeper kept her ALBION SC team in the game against a talented and explosive RNYFC 2009 squad. She made a number of incredibly athletic, difficult full-extension saves. She also covered angles extremely well, kept her 18 organized and alert, and got off her line with an incredible burst. While she was not given the opportunity to show her goal kick ability, she had a consistent 60 yard punt, and was solid with her foot distribution. Alanna had a couple of outstanding 35-yard directional passes as well.

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Grace Crissman – Center Midfielder 
RNYFC 2008 – Jersey #12

I went to this 2008 game to watch a 2026, but immediately noticed this strong, physical, tough and accurate distributor that the game started going through as soon as she got into the game. I was surprised to see that she’s a 2027, since she was just as physical, technically-sound and creative as most 2026s. Grace should not be one to overlook this summer. She’s a difference=maker and a kid that will raise the effort level of any college team she is on, leading by example.

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Hayley Millan – Forward
ALBION SC San Diego 2009 – Jersey #14

Hayley immediately showed as one of those target players that you knew as soon as the game started that she was going to be a handful. She always had that extra burst of speed at the exact right angle, in the exact right area of the 18. She was given multiple perfect services by one of the best 2026 wingers I saw all weekend (Izzy Anson), and was either right there to finish it, or made the Rhode Island defense and keeper come up huge to stop her.

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Maddie Rice – Center Midfielder
Murrieta SA 2008 – Jersey #27

Another 2027 playing up on a talented team of mostly 2026s, Rice was able to dictate the flow of the game and successfully have the game go through her. She was calm and smooth on the ball, even when a good Clovis team adjusted and started focusing on her, and still connected most of her passes. Rice was a consistent link from the back to the front.

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Isla Johnson – Outside Back
San Francisco Elite 2008 – Jersey #20

Apparently a converted forward that was playing up on this 2008 team, Johnson looked like she played outside back her whole life. She’s calm, smart and has great 1v1 defensive technique, along with great instincts for when to step in for the tackle. I logged her at 4-for-4 on clean completed tackles when she stepped in, plus she loves to get forward if possible, and hasthe work rate to get back when she did go.

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Lilah Wilkinson – Midfielder
The St. James FC 2008 – Jersey #42

Lilah was a difference-maker in the midfield, whether she was defensively clogging the middle from 35 yards and in with her constant presence and toughness on tackles, or getting forward to keep the attack going. She was always available as a back pass and switched the fields well.

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Sienna Fallone – Midfielder
RNYFC 2009 – Jersey #9

Sienna kept make play-after-play with her defensive 1v1 effort, but mostly as a player who had some of the best control on the ball in crowded areas, and always found a way to keep possession. She would then either shift outside to win the end line and send over a rocket cross, or use her left or right foot to make some of the best shots on frame all weekend. This included a cracker from 20 yards, far post upper 90 with her left. She was always in the mix and impactful every minute she was on the field.

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Kendra Previs – Outside Back
Skyline Elite 2009 – Jersey #19

Apparently another converted forward that played outside back, Previs was as tough of a 1v1 shutdown defender as I saw all weekend. She’s extremely competitive and focuses on every single 1v1 situation. She was completely clean on every tackle that I saw, showing remarkable footwork and body control.

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Emily Kucera – Center Back
Sporting Athletic Club 2009 – Jersey #13

Emily has good size and outstanding athleticism, plus a mean streak in a clean competitive way. She has outstanding defensive instincts and timing. She was the obvious leader on this talented back line and was everywhere when she was needed in every situation in the 18. Smart, strong, used her body and angles well in 1v1 situations, and clean up plays defensively every time she was needed.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

• JADEN DEMING (#21) LEFT WINGER (RNYFC 2009) Athletically gifted, fast, long strides, a rocket shot and service into the 18.
• CHANDLER KYDD (#26) CENTER BACK (ST JAMES FC 2008) Tough, fierce and physical center back and outstanding 1v1 defender.
• KEIRA MCDONALD (#13) CENTER BACK (NYSC 2009) Tall, athletic tough and controlled the NYSC back line all game.
• MCKENZIE MARSHALL (#61) HOLDING MID (SPORTING ATHLETIC 2009) Strong, great size, outstanding 1v1 shut down defender.
• SOPHIA SCHUMACHER (#2) MIDFIELDER (PA CLASSICS 2008) Playing up an age group, she was the one player that made PA Classics dangerous offensively with great field vision and distribution.