Players That Impressed: ECNL Girls Tennessee National Event 2021

The ECNL recently hosted the 2021 ECNL Girls Tennessee National Event in Murfreesboro, TN from December 3-5.

Continue reading for a listing of some of the top performances at the ECNL’s showcase event. Players are being recognized across the U-16, U-17 and U-18/19 age groups.

U-16

Eleanor Klinger | Midfielder
Internationals SC U-16 (OH)

Absolutely shined for Team East during the U-16/17 National Selection Game, as she had a hand in all three of her side’s goals during their wild 3-2 victory. Klinger netted two and assisted the other goal for Team East, as they overcame a second half deficit. She continued her strong play over the weekend with her club.

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Tessa Knapp | Forward
Internationals SC U-16 (OH)

Helped her team compile a perfect 3-0-0 record at the showcase. Knapp provided the game-winning goal during a hard-fought match against Virginia Development Academy on Saturday.

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Ava McDonald | Forward
FC Dallas U-16 (TX)

Tallied six total goals over the weekend, as she had a brace in all three of FC Dallas’ games. McDonald paced her team’s attack as they went undefeated with a 2-0-1 record.

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Aubrey Brown | Goalkeeper
FC Dallas U-16 (TX)

The class of 2023 goalkeeper helped FC Dallas limit their opponents to three total goals on the weekend, slowing down some of the country’s stronger attacking teams.

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Ava Slay | Forward / Defender
AHFC U-16 (TX)

Played multiple positions all over the field for AHFC during a pair of victories over Heat FC and Kings Hammers FC. Slay added to the scoring while playing forward and put constant pressure on the opposing defenses. She also contributed at left back, proving to be a valuable and versatile asset for her team.

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JaNaria Bryant | Forward
Sting Dallas Black U-16 (TX)

Kickstarted her team with an impressive individual effort two minutes into their match against Arlington Soccer, as she powered through three defenders to score what proved to be the game-winning goal.

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Landyn Wessels | Defender
Wilmington Hammerheads U-16 (NC)

Put forth an impressive two-way effort during her side’s 2-2 draw against Atlanta Fire, highlighted by her breakaway dribble all the way from her side’s 18, to the opponent’s 30 for a long-range goal into the left corner.

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Caitlin Chase | Forward / Midfielder
Racing Louisville U-16 (KY)

Spearheaded the Racing Louisville offense throughout the showcase, including a pair of multi-goal performances against Wilmington Hammerheads and Heat FC.

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Rylee Keeley | Forward
NC Courage Academy U-16 (NC)

Came through on multiple occasions with key goals and a timely assist as the Courage won two out of three games in Tennessee. Keeley scored the first goal of the game and assisted what proved to be the game-winner in her side’s 3-1 victory over Alabama FC. She also scored an equalizer in an eventual 2-1 loss to San Juan SC.

U-17

⚽ Punch out from yesterday's #ECNLTN showcase game against NCFC! Way to walk away with a 1-0 win @05_ecnl ?? @ECNLgirls @CSUFutbol pic.twitter.com/0JF9vBs6bJ

— Libby Brooker (@BrookerLibby) December 6, 2021

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Ellie Farrell | Midfielder
Wilmington Hammerheads U-17 (NC)

Led Team West with a brace during the U-16/17 National Selection Game, as she scored back-to-back goals after halftime to put her side on top, 2-1, in a game that ultimately ended in a 3-2 victory for Team East.

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Katie Shea Collins | Forward
Tennessee SC U-17 (TN)

Played a major role for Tennessee SC’s strong attack during their unbeaten 2-0-1 showing at the event in their home state. Collins provided two assists in her side’s 3-1 win over UFA. She capped the weekend with a hat trick against Loudoun SC, as Tennessee SC won 4-0.

2nd Assist tonight to Chatty Whitworth in our game vs UFA 05 ECNL. Come catch last game tomorrow at 1:45! ⁦@TSCECNL⁩ ⁦@TSC05GirlsECNL⁩ ⁦@TheECNL⁩ ⁦@ECNLgirls⁩ pic.twitter.com/GdEI9uAQEx

— Katie Shea Collins (@KatieSheaColli1) December 5, 2021

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Izzy De Buyl | Defender
KC Athletics U-17 (KS)

The highly-touted class of 2024 center back helped her side go unbeaten with a 2-0-1 record in Tennessee, culminating with a 3-0 clean sheet effort against Scorpions Soccer.

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Ashley Koch | Forward
KC Athletics U-17 (KS)

Paced the KC Athletics offense in Tennessee, as she accounted for 2 goals and 3 assists on the weekend. Koch had an assist in each of her team’s three games.

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Grace DeShetler | Defender
Sting Dallas Black U-17 (TX)

A stalwart as an outside back, DeShetler helped Sting earn another shutout against an aggressive team while quickly transitioning as an offensive threat, assisting in the decisive goal.

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Taylor Ayres | Defender
Sting Dallas Royal U-17 (TX)

Anchored the Sting defense from her center back position, helping lead the team to two clean sheet and an  unbeaten record on the weekend. Ayres also scored a key goal off a corner kick during her side’s 2-1 win over Orlando City.

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Zoe Main | Forward
AHFC U-17 (TX)

Main, who recently verbally committed to the University of Oklahoma for the class of 2023, scored 4 goals and tallied 4 assists over the course of three dominant wins for AHFC.

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Lexi Grundler | Goalkeeper
Tennessee SC U-17 (TN)

Allowed no goals throughout the event, keeping communication strong and working with her backline to prevent shots on goal. The few shots that came through, she decisively stopped.

U-18/19