Scout’s View: Class of 2027 Standouts from the Jefferson Cup Girls Showcase

The 2025 Jefferson Cup Girls Showcase was held March 21-23 in Richmond, VA featuring many of the best teams in the country. (RECAP)

The event, hosted by the Richmond Strikers, featured hundreds of college coaches from all levels of the game. The Jefferson Cup has been one of the nation’s top-ranked youth soccer tournaments for over four decades and features the top clubs from across the U.S. and beyond. (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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Noelle Clabaugh – Midfielder
Penn Fusion 2008 ECNL – Jersey #11

With as much talent as this ECNL National Championship team has all over the field, it can be easy to get lost in the shuffle. But Noelle is a premier level 2027 midfielder who always finds a way to make a huge impact on every game. She’s as smart and technically-advanced as they come, and is incredibly smooth and calm on the ball with great control and creative ability. She always seems to maintain possession, even when double-teamed and has top-end speed in open areas and can finish as well as anyone. She’ll have her pick of many top NCAA programs on June 15th.

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Amelia ‘Mia’ Orso – Holding Midfielder
Maryland United FC 2009 ECNL – Jersey #11

Incredible athleticism and size, great field vision and completed 99% of her passes and was a true link from back to the front as a holding mid. She also scored off of a rocket shot, as well as assisted multiple times with the best free kick ability I have seen in a long time. She was named an ECNL All-Conference player in 2024 for a reason.

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Lauron Smith – Goalkeeper
NC Fusion 2009 ECNL – Jersey #1

Lauron is a top-tier talent at the goalkeeper position, and is already the caliber of player on par with current college athletes I’ve worked with who now play for LSU, Ohio State, San Diego State, West Virginia and many more. Lauron is a difference-maker, a 5′ 11″ prototype athlete, who is intimidating, strong and has the athleticism to make highlight reel, full extension saves in addition to just being a solid shot blocker. She tracks balls from either corner flag very well, is fearless and controls her 18.

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Nia Etienne – Forward
Sunrise Surf 2009 ECNL RL – Jersey #17

Nia was one of the best forwards I saw all weekend, playing for a Sunrise Surf 2009 ECNL Regional League squad which took down an ECNL National squad in Maryland United. Headlining a Sunrise Surf team which has been absolutely dominant in recent years, Etienne is lighting fast, has endless energy and brings relentless effort. She loves to drive at players and can finish calmly and accurately anywhere in the 18.

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Anslee Seamann – Left Back
FC Prime 2009 ECNL – Jersey #88

Anslee really shined over the course of the game I watched, as the flow of the game shifted to her left side. She 100% shut down anyone on her side, and was one of the toughest, grittiest defenders with outstanding timing on all tackles. She took each 1v1 opportunity as a total challenge, and won all of them. She also had a calmness to her after the tackle and not only made the correct read to get the ball out of the back, but completed every pass.

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Taylor Roumy – Left Winger / Forward
HEX FC 2008 ECNL – Jersey #10

Taylor impressed form the moment the game started. She’s a lefty with the ability to use both left and right, but really thrived out of the left flank. She’s extremely fast in open space and had an outstanding service into the box in the final third. She also loved to cut inside from 25 or so yards out from goal and either knock it from there, or slot the ball to her teammates in the box, depending on how the defense reacted to her movement.

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Alexis Diaz – Forward
World Class FC 2009 ECNL – Jersey #27

Alexis entered the match I saw as a super-sub, immediately changing the flow of the entire match when she stepped onto the field. Her insane energy level allowed her to never stop high-pressing the back line, and she was involved in tackling players all over midfield. She was a terror to the opposing defenders all game, and always knew whether to dish or drive at players.

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Kate Wolf – Attacking Midfielder / Forward
Skyline Elite 2009 GA – Jersey #11

Kate was another obvious impact attacking player that already has the presense of a current college player. Great size, great speed, very athletic, creative and smooth on the ball. She was always the player to get this talented teams’ offense going with precise passing and outstanding field vision. She also had a rocket shot anywhere near the 18.

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Laila Rosen – Attacking Midfielder
Scorpions SC 2009 ECNL – Jersey #10

A tall, fast, technically-gifted playmaker in the midfield that also had great free kick ability, field vision and a huge soccer IQ. The game definitely went through her and she was always smooth and calm on the ball, and connected all of her passes, even when the opponent started keying on her. Quick decision maker as well.

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Lilah Gilmore – Center Back
Reading Rage Surf 2009 ECNL RL – Jersey #9

Another ECNL RL player that could absolutely start for many ECNL or GA teams immediately. She’s tough, competitive, and seems to cleanly win every single 1v1 tackle that she attempts. Lilah is extremely smooth on the ball after the tackle and makes smart decisions with her passes in transition. She broke a number of lines with accurate, longer passes out of the back, and kept the back line organized and linked all game.

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HONORABLE MENTIONS
– ANNIKA ALEY (Alleycats Premier 2009)
– PIPER MARTIN (CSA ECNL 2009)
– ELIZABETH MATHEWS (Nationals Blue 2009)
– DEIONCE STOREY (FC Prime ECNL 2009)
– MADELYN SCARFO (Oakwood SC GA 2009)
– LILY TOCIO (New England Surf 2009)