Players That Impressed: ECNL Girls 2023 Regional League St. Louis Event

The ECNL Regional League Girls held their second National Event of the 2023-24 season over the weekend in St. Louis. The event featured 180 teams from the league’s U15-U18/U19 age groups. (View Results)

Below are some of the top players from the weekend’s event sorted by graduation year. You can also nominate a player who stood out during the event through the following link.

2027

Evelyn Baker | Goalkeeper
Missouri Rush 09 (MO)

Alongside fellow goalkeeper Maeryn Meyer Baker limited opponents to just one goal and helped earn two clean sheets over Pride SC (6-0) and Cleveland Force (4-0-split time with Meyer). In one-on-one situations with an attacker Baker can position herself perfectly to reduce their chances at goal. She also possesses a dominant right foot that she can use to change the field of play. Baker also played an integral role in leading Rush to the Missouri State Cup Championship.

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Emerson Halloran | Center Back
Missouri Rush 07 (MO)

Anchored the Rush defense to two shutouts and just one goal allowed in St. Louis. Her ability to make the decisive clear and win aerial battles in dangerous spaces helped limit their opponents goal-scoring opportunities. She was also an asset on the attack, scoring on matchday three against Cleveland.

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Ava Kus | Defender
Evolution SC Mercurial 08 (IL)

Working out of the centerback position, Kus led Evolution to a 2-0-1 record, including a clean sheet against Ohio Galaxies. She was also an asset on the attack, providing an assist. Her quality touches and decisive passes helped Evolution possession out of the back and control the tempo of games.

2026

Kivrin Platt | Midfielder
Kansas City Athletics Premier 08 (KS)

Serving as KC’s number nine, Platt provided consistent attacking pressure to defenders all weekend. On the field, she used her quick passing to lace together multiple lengthy possessions while also creating goal-scoring opportunities. She was also an asset on set pieces, scoring an Olimpico in their second match against Sporting Columbus, a 3-1 win.

We finished day 2 of ECNL RL St. Louis with a great 3-1 team win. Here is my OLIMPICO goal from the game today! I am looking forward to finishing the weekend strong tomorrow.@AthleticsKC @KCA08ECNLRL @ImCollegeSoccer @PrepSoccer @TheSoccerWire @MINERS_WSOC @ECNLgirls #ECNLRLSTL pic.twitter.com/bL7d8Lp4l6

— Kivrin Platt (@KivrinPlatt) December 9, 2023

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Sophie Strain | Goalkeeper
NTX Celtic 08 (TX)

Blanked AFA Fillies (2-0), Match Fit Academy (1-0), and FC Wisconsin (5-0) to push Celtic to the top of the 08 ECNL STL Leaderboard. Between the posts, Strain made multiple key saves in each match holding three strong attacking teams at bay. She is a leader on the pitch and works well with her defenders to shore up any gaps in coverage and provide valuable insight on attacker’s tendencies.

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Emily Mayes | Midfielder
NTX Celtic 08 (TX)

In windy conditions against Match Fit, Mayes buried the game-winning goal off of a penalty kick to give her team the 1-0 victory. An ECNL North Texas All-Regional League selection last season and a member of the North Texas ODP program, Mayes leads the NTX midfield with her pinpoint passing and dynamic runs off of the ball.

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Grace Miller | Forward
Sting Dallas Royal 08 (TX)

Alongside Landyn Blueitt (one assist, one goal), Miller provided the attacking spark for Sting, scoring twice in their 2-0 win over FC Wichita. She showed off her passing skills as well, assisting on Blueitt’s goal in their opener against GTFC, a 1-1 draw. Miller is always moving the pitch, looking for the one small space in a defense’s backline to exploit.

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Katelyn Haiser | Forward
Evolution SC 08 (IL)

Led Evolution SC’s impressive attack in St. Louis notching braces in the team’s 4-0 and 4-1 winning matches and a bonus assist. Haiser showcased her long shot with powerful left and right-footed strikes at the edge of the box. Her skillful first touch also kept the ball out of the keeper’s grasp – scoring with a volley into the net from a well-placed corner and assisting with a quick goal-line pass for a tap-in.

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Catie Sloan | Forward
Indiana Elite FC 07 (IN)

Scored four goals, including a penalty, and had two assists, leading Elite to a 1-0-2 record on 5 points. Her playing in the attack, operating as a holding forward or creating goal-scoring opportunities for herself, proved to be instrumental in each of Indiana’s goals on the weekend. Sloan just wrapped up her freshman season with Oswego East in Indiana where she played on the Varsity team.

My PK from this past weekends @ECNLgirls RL St. Louis showcase this weekend. A total of 4 Goals and 2 Assists on the weekend. We went 1-0-2. Loving playing with this team. @IndianaEliteFC @PrepSoccer @TheSoccerWire @ImYouthSoccer @TopDrawerSoccer @JREskilson #ecnlrlstl pic.twitter.com/zAbgA7u0Tk

— Catie Sloan 2026 ⚽️ (@Catie_Sloan2026) December 13, 2023

2025

Hannah Borgstadt | Midfielder-Defender
KC Scott Gallagher 07 (MO)

Alternating between the midfield and defense, Borgstadt provided a high level of consistency in KCSG’s undefeated run to the top of the U17 age group. Hannah helps KCSG retain possession for large portions of games with her steady passing and excellent field vision, picking out teammates in open space. Defensively, she can stem attacking chances with a timely interception or tackle.

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Melia Rodriguez | Goalkeeper
Classics Elite 07 (TX)

Rodriguez helped the Classics Elite 07 RL team finish the St. Louis Showcase with a 1-0-2 record. She made several key saves that preserved the draws, while also keeping the backline poised and alert of potential attacks. Rodriguez also distributed the ball well to both her defenders and wings, especially when the attackers were pressing.

2024

Lauren Maresh | Forward-Midfielder
FC Pride Elite 06/05 (IN)

Buried a brace while adding an assist in Pride’s final match, a 3-1 win over Sporting Blue Valley, to lift Pride to an undefeated record. Her two goals came hot on the heels of a strong opening game performance in which she scored against NWI Lions, contributing to their 4-1 victory. Maresh likes to drive directly at opponents using her speed and tight,consistent ball control to break past opponents.

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Abby Lloyd | Midfielder
FC Pride Elite 06/05 (IN)

Provided two goals and two assists in Pride’s three wins over the weekend, including a brace in their opener against NWI. In the midfield, Lloyd worked seamlessly with Maresh and Emily Streeter (who scored Pride’s lone goal against Midwest United) to throw multiple attacking options at defenders. The North High School junior can slow down and speed up play in the midfield, retaining possession for long portions of the match.

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Avery Vukmanic | Goalkeeper
Ohio Premier 06/05 (OH)

Slotting in at Goalkeeper for the West in the ECNL RL National Selection Game. Vukmanic delivered a standout performance making multiple key saves to keep the game scoreless and push it into penalties. For Ohio Premier she had an equally strong effort, earning back-to-back wins over Challenge SC (4-2) and Libertyville SC (2-0) to end their time in St. Louis on a high note. At 6’0″ Vukmanic, has the height and technique to parry difficult shots over the bar or wide of the post.