Players that Impressed: ECNL Girls Regional League 2024 Florida Spring Event

The ECNL Regional League Girls held their fourth National Event of the 2023-24 season over the weekend in Florida. The event featured 131 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.

2028

Sienna Ryan | Goalkeeper
Sting Dallas Black 08 (TX)

Blanked Indiana Fire Academy 4-0 on matchday three to wrap an undefeated weekend for the Sting (3-0-0, 9 points). She started their run with an equally impressive effort on Friday, making multiple key saves en route to earning a 6-0 win against Pipeline. Even in the thickest of traffic inside of the eighteen yard box, Ryan dominates play making decisive diving saves and holding possession until the time is right to lead the counter-attack.

2027

Makenzie Black | Forward
Challenge SC 07 (TX)

Tore through the PDA (5-2) and FC Dayton (3-1) defenses, scoring a brace in each match. Black added a fifth on matchday three, burying the go-ahead goal in Challenge’s 5-1 win over Internationals SC. On a technical level, her dribbling and ball control is smooth and consistent. Even when under pressure she remains composed and always seems to deliver, whether it is a quality shot on target or a diagonal pass to a surging teammate.

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Kenzie Zimmer | Forward
FC Dallas RL 08 (TX)

Served as a constant source of excellent goal-scoring opportunities throughout the weekend, supplying three assists in Dallas’ wins over FC Prime (2-1) and Indiana Fire Academy (2-0). Working as a holding forward, Zimmer can draw the attention of multiple defenders giving her teammates up top some breathing room and space to create.

2026

Annie Fitzgerald | Midfielder-Forward
NWI Lions United RL 07 (IN)

Guest playing for the lions (she is also the captain of Evolution SC), Fitzgerald made an immediate impact scoring six goals and tallying four assists over the course of the weekend. The former USYNT ID Center invitee and USYS National League Best XI honoree was a constant threat inside of the eighteen, using her speed and hammer of a shot. Her ability to create goal-scoring opportunities for both herself and her teammates was integral to the Lions pulling off an undefeated weekend (3-0-0, 9 points).

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Victoria De La Torre | Outside Back-Midfielder
Challenge SC RL 07 (TX)

Whether slotting is an outside back or in the midfielder, De La Torre is a difference-maker for Challenge SC. At either position, she is capable of making a decisive defensive stop and then immediately transitioning into the attack. Against Internationals SC, she targeted Avery Kelley with a clever pass in open space, giving Challenge their second goal of the match. In addition to playing for Challenge, she will be featuring for AC Houston Sur in the USL W League this summer.

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Hayden Edwards | Defender-Forward
NJ Crush FC RL 07 (NJ)

Bagged two assists on matchday to push the Crush past Atlanta Fire 3-0, giving the North Atlantic Conference team a boost ahead of a long weekend. Edwards can multiple positions on the field, but primarily works out as a outside back where she can deliver quality balls into the box. Defensively she is able to create between the opposition and the ball, timing her runs so that she can make the tackle or clearance. She is coming off of a strong first varsity season with Immaculate Heart Academy where she played a key role in the team winning the Bergen County Championship.

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Olivia Flores | Midfielder
United Futbol Academy RL 08 (FL)

Despite being down a goal against Tennessee SC, Flores kept up the pressure through the second half for UFA, assisting on both of their goals in their 2-1 win. Her strong connection with Harper Dussouy, who scored the second goal, was on full display with Flores able to time her pass perfectly to connect on the goal. She was also an asset on set pieces all weekend, giving her teammates expert service into the box.

Down 0-1 at half but came back and won 2-1. Here are my two assists that led to the two goals. 1st assist was a corner and 2nd was a through ball.
Next game is tomorrow at 1:30PM Field 11! pic.twitter.com/uJ53BSEQ8S

— Olivia Flores (@oliviaflores77) March 3, 2024

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Anu Aalona | Forward
Albion Hurricanes RL 07 (TX)

Led a high-scoring Hurricanes attack that put fifteen past their competitors this weekend, the most among all RL 07 teams. Aalona got things started early, burying their go-ahead goal on matchday one against Swan City, a 6-1 victory. She added a second on Saturday, helping Albion break past Chargers 7-0. Even while facing multiple defenders, Aalona can always find the space necessary to create and cause damage.

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Emma Fabila | Defender
FC Dallas RL 08 (TX)

Anchored a Dallas defense that allowed just one goal in their victories in Florida (3-0 over Indiana Fire Academy South, 4-1 over FC Prime, and 1-0 over United Futbol Academy). Playing primarily as an outside back, Fabila was effective at slowing down the opposition’s work on the outside providing tight coverage and key clearances throughout the weekend. She also showed that she can contributing on the attacking end, assisting on fellow defender Lauren Peek’s goal against UFA.

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Lauren Ricapito | Midfielder
Connecticut FC RL 08 (CT)

Contributed to five of the eight goals scored by Connecticut FC over the weekend, scoring three and tallying two assists. Playing mostly as an attacking center-mid, she showed creativity on the ball along with a level of versatility and unpredictability that posed major problems for defenders. Ricapito is equally comfortable at either foot making her a true challenge to defend.

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Sophia Barresi | Defender
NJ Crush FC RL 08 (NJ)

Nabbed an Olimpico over the weekend, putting an exclamation point on a solid three days of action which saw her score three goals and lead the Crush to a pair of shutouts. She can read the field very well, has a good recognition of the attacking moment, a good passing range, and can switch the point of attack effectively.

2025

Kayla Abbott | Forward
Kernow Storm FC RL 07 (TX)

Ignited the Kenrow attack, providing three assists and adding a goal to help Kenrow win all three of their matches. Acting as a holding forward, Abbott can find her teammates in even the tightest of traffic, delivering balls with the right amount of speed and pace. The Storm captain leads by example driving directly at opponents and forcing them to track back or get out of position.

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Cassie Villa | Forward-Midfielder
Tennessee SC RL 07 (TN)

Applied constant pressure to defenses down in Florida, forcing the opposition to make emergency, high risk passes and clearances. By forcing them out of their comfort zone, Villa was able to create goal-scoring opportunities for Tennessee, leading to a 3-1 win against Maryland United FC. Her tight, close ball control makes her difficult to break down and a nightmare to defend against.

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Sophia Auzenne | Defender
Racing Louisville RL 07 (KY)

Held two strong attacking sides in NJ Crush (1-1) and FC Prime (1-1) to one goal apiece, closely marking their forwards and providing them with minimal space to operate. Her solid field positioning and ability to win aerial battles proved critical in both draws as well as her passing efficiency.