Players That Impressed: 2023 Jefferson Cup Boys Showcase

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The 2023 Jefferson Cup Boys Showcase Weekend was held March 31 – April 2 in Richmond, Va., featuring many of the best teams in the country.

More than 200 college coaches attended the event hosted by the Richmond Strikers, which has been one of the nation’s top-ranked youth soccer tournaments for over four decades. To read SoccerWire’s recap of the tournament, click here.

SoccerWire is currently seeking Players That Impressed nominations from the competition. Coaches, parents and athletes are invited to submit nominations for up to two (2) players per team, highlighting standout performances from the event.

[Submit Your ‘Players That Impressed’]

See below for a listing of some of the top boys performances from the showcase, sorted by high school graduation year.

Class of 2025

Stefan Garefalakis | Forward / Midfielder
Pipeline SC 2007 (MD)

Netted a brace in Pipeline’s 6-0 win over Quaker Elite Rowdies. The speedy forward.midfielder was excellent at creating his own shot as well as setting up his teammates with both short and long-range passes.

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Diego Peralta | Forward
Pipeline SC 2007 (MD)

Had a big day on the pitch Sunday, scoring a brace against Quaker Elite. He possesses a clever first touch and can make diagonal runs off of the ball in even the tightest of spaces.

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Jason Broome | Goalkeeper
Pipeline SC 2007 (MD)

Led the Pipeline defense to three clean sheets over the weekend. He is calm under tight pressure and can hit pinpoint booming punts and throws to his teammates.

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Alessandro de Marchi | Forward
Potomac Soccer Association Premier I 07 (MD)

Sored two big goals for Potomac over the weekend, including their 1-0 win over Virginia Development Academy and their 1-1 draw over Loudoun SC. He worked seamlessly with teammates Gus Ulrich, Ignacio Olaberria, and Austin Hamilton to open up defenses and score some pivotal goals.

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Ryan Lazaridis | Midfielder
SUSA Albertson ECNL 07 (NY)

Provided the go-ahead goal for SUSA in their 1-0 win over Richmond United in the U16 Championship Division. His electric runs and persistent presence in Richmond’s defensive third caused major problems. In the fifth minute, he intercepted a pass between the goalkeeper and the defender and coolly slotted his shot into the back of the net.

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Jackson Reagor | Forward / Defender
Kings Hammer ECNL 07 (KY)

Reagor hit two thunderbolts (22’ and 66’) to help Kings Hammer defeat YMS 3-0 in Elite Division play. His confidence and placement of both shots was exceptional (high upper right and left corners for both shots). He is also a talented defender, able to quickly make the trek back and force attackers out of danger.

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Donovan Lameier | Defender
Kings Hammer ECNL 07 (KY)

A master organizer for the Kings Hammer backline, working well with his teammates to earn two clean sheets on the weekend. He used his speed and his advanced ability to think 2-3 steps ahead to stop opposing counter attacks, displaying traits that could help him succeed at the next level.

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Blake Lloyd | Midfielder
Pipeline SC 2006 (MD)

Scored the only goal in an intense 1-0 win over SYC MLS NEXT U17. Lloyd played both sides of the field and prevented SYC’s attack from developing while also initiating the counterattack. Excellent first touch on the ball and consistent playmaker.

Class of 2024

Jasper Zulman | Forward / Midfielder
Charlotte Independence ECNL 06 (NC)

Tallied the go-ahead goal in the ninth minute for Charlotte in their big 2-1 win over STA MUSC, a low shot just beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. His perfectly-placed effort was preceded by an excellent run off the ball into dangerous space, followed with a deft touch to set up the shot. STA placed more pressure on Zulman through the match, which opened up chances for his teammates.

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Alex Herrera | Midfielder
Charlotte Soccer Academy ECNL 06 (NC)

After a tough opening match against Match Fit Academy, CSA needed a spark. They found it in their second match on the weekend in the form of Alex Herrera, who came out of the gates with a cracking opening goal in the 10th minute of their 5-0 win over SUSA FC. He was also instrumental in leading the counter-attack throughout the match, using his speed to break past defensive lines and force multiple defenders out of position.

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Alex Herrera | Midfielder
Charlotte Soccer Academy ECNL 06 (NC)

Alongside Herrera, Sosa lit a spark in the CSA attack, constantly applying pressure to the SUSA backline. He very nearly had a Goal of the Tournament with a howler in the 32nd minute that clattered the inside part of the crossbar. He left nothing to chance just before halftime, scooping up a rebound of his own shot to give his side the 3-0 advantage. Sosa also showed his defensive mettle in the 49th, halting a promising counter-attack with a perfectly timed tackle.

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Isaac Scheer | Midfielder
Charlotte Independence ECNL 07 (NC)

A key cog for the Independence all weekend, carefully crafting possessions and moving the side from a defensive posture to an attacking one with precise passes. He is comfortable creating chances with both feet and can hit targets with a variety of speeds.

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Kai Reece | Midfielder / Defender
Beach FC ECNL 06 (VA)

Opened up the scoring for Beach FC on Sunday, hitting a pinpoint low shot to give his team the 1-0 advantage. He was also instrumental in building attacking possessions all weekend and force opponents to chase when holding a lead.

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Andrew Bowick | Defender
CESA Triumph ECNL 06 (NC)

Bowick was the leader of the CESA defense that allowed just three goals all weekend. Against a tough Beach FC side, Bowick kept the CESA backline tightly organized and made several timely clears.

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Kobe Keomany | Midfielder
Pipeline SC 2006 ECNL (MD)

Applied consistent pressure in the attacking third for Pipeline throughout the showcase, leading them to one of the top performances in the U17 Championship Division. While his penalty kick strike against Dix Hills SC gave Pipeline the lead, it was his expertly woven passes  out on the wing that helped jumpstart the attack. Against Match Fit Academy, he played a vital role in the defensive effort.

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Nathan Montero | Forward
NEFC 2006 ECNL (MA)

Hit the go-ahead goal for NEFC in their 3-1 battle with New Jersey Premier FC on Saturday. He gave a persistent effort on the attacking end throughout the match, intercepting passes between the defense and goalkeeper, running down balls in the corner, and never giving up on possessions paid off with a brilliant low strike to earn the win for his side. Last season, Montero earned ECNL All-Northeast Conference First Team honors.

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Carson Dameron | Defender
NEFC 2006 ECNL (MA)

Facing constant pressure all weekend, Dameron delivered consistently leading an organized NEFC defense in their 3-1 win over New Jersey Premier FC. His precise passing abilities helped spread the field early on and forced Jersey late into a game of cat and mouse, chewing up a considerable amount of time.

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Andrew Denard | Midfielder
Pipeline SC 2006 ECNL (MD)

Scored the game winner for Pipeline in their tough 3-1 win over Match Fit Academy. He was a consistent threat throughout the match in the air, and it paid off in the 71st minute when he headed home the rebound.

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Dan Klink | Midfielder / Forward
Pipeline SC 2006 ECNL (MD)

Klink’s goal in the 76th minute put things away for Pipeline against Match Fit, a silky smooth run down the right flank with a low-paced effort. But it was his work on defense in the lead up to the goal that proved to be the difference, working with Keomany to slow down the counter attack. His track backs stymied Match Fit’s attack and allowed his defenders time to organize.

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Evan Gaines | Midfielder
FC Richmond Elite U18/19 (VA)

Dominated in all three games, racking up 2 goals and 3 assists. Despite FC Richmond having limited subs all weekend long, Gaines and his teammates were able to sweep their competition with three straight victories.

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CJ Supan | Defender
Pipeline SC 2006 (MD)

Made multiple impressive defensive plays during the Jefferson Cup, including several times not only stealing the ball, but also moving the ball down the field and setting up the counterattack.