Players That Impressed: ECNL Girls Winter 2024 Dallas National Event

The ECNL Girls held their fifth National Event of the 2023-24 season over the weekend in Dallas. The event featured 224 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

Tyana Thomas | Forward
GSA 10 (GA)

Scored GSA’s game-winning goal in their on matchday two in their win over Kansas City Scott Gallagher Green (1-0). She added a second in their finale against the Boise Thorns, a 3-0 result that gave the club an undefeated record down in Texas. Operating out of the number nine position, Thomas can break through any defense and is comfortable firing shots on target with either her right or left foot. She can also provide quality balls into space for her teammates to seize and assisted on three of GSA’s goals over the weekend.

———————

Aris Yu | Midfielder
Bay Area Surf 10 (CA)

Led a Surf midfield that dominated possession in their three wins down in Texas, outscoring their opponents 14-0 to finish atop the 2010 standings. Whether playing in the defensive midfield, maintain possession in the center, or leading the attack Yu has a strong sense of how to maintain a highly organize, consistent spine. In addition to her efforts with her ECNL team, she also plays for WSC Crush in MLS NEXT team as an outside back and was recently selected to participate in US Club Soccer’s id2 event.

———————

Addison Staats | Defender
Dallas Texans 10 (TX)

Scored two goals and had one assist as a left defender. She also had an impressive defensive header that saved the Texans from being scored on through the course of the weekend. She made both US Soccer Talent ID camps last year in Dallas and she has tallied 15 assists and score 6 goals for the Texans this season.

———————

Riley Ross | Midfielder
Oklahoma City Energy FC 10 (OK)

Playing as a number twelve, Ross is a playmaker for OKFC in the midfield. While her quickness allows for her to help create goal-scoring opportunities, she is also unafraid to mix it up in order to maintain possession. Her two assists in their 4-1 win over Boise Thorns on matchday one helped set the tone for Oklahoma. She added two goals on Saturday, lifting her team past Seattle United (4-0).

2027

Brielle Hernandez | Forward-Midfielder
Challenge SC 09 (TX)

Bagged a brace in Challenge’s 3-0 over Michigan Hawks FC to help the Texas-based team win their second match in their home state. In even the tightest of spaces, Hernandez can create promising goal-scoring opportunities for both herself and her teammates. Earned a US Club Soccer id2 National Selection Team call-up last year, representing the organization in England.

———————

Peyton Smithson | Goalkeeper
Challenge SC 09 (TX)

Earned back-to-back shutouts over the aforementioned Hawks and Concorde Fire Premier (1-0) to lift Challenge to a perfect record in Dallas. The Kingwood Park shotstopper is a dominant force inside the eighteen and will make the decisive save to end attacking chances. She also has a strong sense of timing and will slow down an opponent’s momentum by holding onto the ball until her defense has time to reorganize.

———————

Ava Sexton | Defender
Sting Dallas Royal 09 (TX)

Captained Sting to three major victories over Michigan Hawks (4-0), Indy Eleven Pro Academy (2-0), and PDA White (2-0). In high pressure situations, Sexton always seems calm and composed and can make the tough tackles and interceptions needed to maintain a result. She plays forward for her high school Southlake Carroll which shows in her play at centerback, as she can diagnose what attackers are thinking and provide an immediate counter.

———————

Rae Young | Forward
Solar SC 09 (TX)

Young scored two goals, had one assist, and secured multiple corner kicks for her team during the ECNL Dallas Showcase. As an outside midfielder and forward, Young accurately anticipates the passes of her opponent, applies pressure, and uses her speed to intercept passes and create scoring opportunities for her team. At 5ft 9, she is an aerial threat and uses her height and athleticism to head the ball defensively and offensively.

———————

McKenna O’Neill | Midfielder
KCSG RL 09 (KS)

Operating out of the midfield, O’Neill was integral to KCSG’s efforts at closing passing lanes through the center of the pitch. Her timely interceptions and clear, consistent tackles helped contain the opposition. She also lent a hand on the attack, scoring a blistering free kick in their 2-1 win over La Roca FC.

McKenna’s awesome goal off a free kick and Kylie finishing off Kalee’s pass.
2-1 win@ImCollegeSoccer @ImYouthSoccer @HSSoccerKC @SoccerMomInt @TopDrawerSoccer @travismclark @PrepSoccer @JREskilson @TheSoccerWire @EliteSoccerPlay @NcsaSoccer @SSN_NCAASoccer #THRUPassion #ECNLDTX pic.twitter.com/YKHwnIpBOb

— KCSG ECNL RL 09G (@kcsgrlg09) February 19, 2024

2026

Did you see that!! I got a goal!! As a defender I don’t get many of those! Here is the clip. @ImYouthSoccer @ImCollegeSoccer @SoccerMomInt @TopDrawerSoccer @PrepSoccer @TheSoccerWire @steve_magleby @teambasoccer @Cougssoccercamp @TashaBell_BYU #ECNLDTX https://t.co/KQcjn1nPlY pic.twitter.com/s8kP8EFfly

— Clara Dowdle – 2026- #16 (@clara_dowdle) February 19, 2024

———————

Chandler Wheat | Forward
Solar SC 07 (TX)

Closed off a strong weekend in Dallas for Solar with an impressive brace in their 5-0 win against Portland Thorns Academy. Off of the ball, Wheat can make small cuts against defenders that allow her to break free and hammer shots on target. She can also lay off the burners and deliver crisp, quality service to teammates making diagonal runs from either side of the pitch. The two-time ECNL National Champion will play a critical role in the club’s aspirations for a third star.

———————

Mia Hurd | Goalkeeper
FC Wisconsin 08 (WI)

Blanked Classics Elite (3-0), Heat FC (3-0), and FC Pride Elite (0-0) to earn an undefeated record over the weekend for Wisconsin. The 2023 Keeper Wars National Champion, Hurd showed excellent glove work parrying shots over the bar and wide of the posts. She is also an expert communicator and can provide her teammates with valuable tactical insight.

———————

Logan Smith | Midfielder
NCFC Youth ECNL 08 (NC)

Marshaling the midfield in the number six position all weekend for NCFC, Smith often dealt with the strongest forwards and attacking midfielders from the other teams. Smith showed tremendous poise under pressure, controlling the final third often pushing attackers away from goal, and excellent off ball movement to string together passes in possession and counterattack. She also nabbed NCFC’s only goal of the weekend with a perfectly hit half-volley through traffic from outside the box in the final game of the weekend versus Utah Avalanche. Entering her third varsity high school season with the Ravenscroft School, Smith will be serving as their captain heading into her sophomore season.

———————

Mackenzie Hildebrand | Defender
Boise Thorns 08 (ID)

Played right and left back for the Boise Thorns and put on a solid performance in their two shutouts vs NCFC and Pittsburgh Riverhounds. She was very good at playing passing lanes, first to the ball and connecting on passes from the back. On defense, she held her shape and used her speed not allowing opponents to create much. Hildebrand was also able to get forward multiple times supplying her defensive linemates with time to reorganize.

———————

Calista Everson | Defender
Portland Thorns Academy 08 (OR)

A no-nonsense defender who leaves it all on the field, Everson gives it her all every match for the Thorns. Her hard work paid off down in Dallas, delivering three shutout wins. Her. Calista is just as impactful going forward, both in delivering accurate and well weighted passes out of the back, and in finding opportunities to break lines on the dribble.

———————

Marian Dunne | Forward
Portland Thorns Academy 08 (OR)

Marian is an attacking minded forward who also takes responsibility for her role in winning the ball back. In game one, Marian scored a goal and drew a penalty to lead her team to a 2-0 win against Pittsburgh Riverhounds, setting the stage for an undefeated weekend. Averaging over a goal per game so far this season, Marian continues to prove why she’s one to watch.

2025

Libby Jannereth | Forward
Sting Dallas Black 07 (TX)
Provided a key goal in Sting’s 2-1 win over Utah Avalanche to wrap up matchday three. Jannereth’s superior field vision was integral to Dallas’ strong weekend on the pitch, using it to pick to out teammates in open space and create goal-scoring opportunities. The Allen High School standout can multiple attacking positions which shows in her ability to break down defenders and make decisive plays. She also provided an assist in their 3-3 draw with Seattle United.

———————

Kaarie Hutchinson | Defender-Midfielder
Sting Dallas Royal 07 (TX)

Stifled opponents’ activity at both the midfield and in the defense, leading Sting Dallas Royal to an undefeated record (2-0 over FC Wisconsin, 3-1 over Rockford Raptors, and 3-3 against Richmond United). Hutchinson always seems to be thinking 2-3 steps ahead of her opponents and can make a quick defensive stop and immediately transition into the attack. She can also help out on the attacking end, adding the third goal in the Richmond match.

———————

Isabella Larson | Defender-Forward
DKSC 07 (TX)

Scored a cracking strike in the ECNL National Selection Game, providing a critical goal in their win for the West in their win over the East. Larson is a dominant force on both sides of the pitch, using her speed and technical skills to stifle the opposition’s work on the outside. She can also make the strong diagonal runs towards goal that create goal-scoring opportunities. Larson is a Pepperdine verbal commit and is having a strong season with Flower Mound High School, where she just earned a brace last week.

I had such a blast playing in the ECNL National Selection game!! My @07gDksc teammates were awesome supporters. Go ECNL West! Here is my goal from the game @DKSC_official @EcnlTexas @TopDrawerSoccer @PrepSoccer @ImYouthSoccer @TheSoccerWire @ECNLgirls #ECNLDTX pic.twitter.com/1TWAQWAFoj

— Isabella.Larson.2025 (@2025Larson) February 18, 2024

———————

Katie Johnson | Midfielder-Forward
Oklahoma City Energy FC 07 (OK)

The two-time ECNL All-American and Florida 2025 verbal commit had another standout weekend for OKC, scoring three goals and adding two assists in their final two wins against Atlanta Fire (5-1) and San Diego Surf (4-0). Against multiple defenders, Johnson always seems able to break free and can hit shots on target from anywhere inside of the eighteen yard box. She is also an expert passer, threading dangerous balls through even the smallest of windows.

———————

Helen Olszewski | Midfielder-Forward
Oklahoma City Energy FC 07 (OK)

Johnson’s strike partner up worked seamlessly with her fellow teammate down in Texas, scoring two goals and adding three assists. Her work off of the ball helped open up play in the attacking third and provided defenses a real headache in determining which target to focus on. Olszewski has verbally committed to playing college soccer in 2025 at Virginia.

———————

Cherry Yu | Forward
Sporting Blue Valley 07 (KS)

Started SBV’s weekend in the Lonestar State in fine fashion, bagging a hat trick in their 3-0 over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The 2025 forward continued to make her presence known throughout the weekend, adding an assist in their 1-1 draw on Saturday against GSA. The 2021-2022 Midwest All-Conference First Team selection led the team to a solid 6-4-4 record in conference play this season.

———————

Peyton Mendelsberg | Defender
Colorado Rapids 07 (CO)

Played tough physical defense in the center-back position for the Rapids during all three games in Dallas. Was instrumental in stemming opposition counterattacks and transitioning the team from defense to offense through the midfield. Her field awareness allows for her to pick out teammates across the pitch with precision passes and help extend possession.

———————

Chloe Nugent | Forward
Solar SC 07 (TX)

The Michigan verbal commit showed why she is one of the top defenders in her age group, shutting down three high-scoring attacks in World Class FC (2=1), CrossFire Academy (1-1), and Portland Thorns (5-0). Nugent made clinical plays on and off the ball, and ran the flanks superbly covering ample space in minimal time. Her ball precision allowed for her to move Solar forward, while having the pace to get back and defend.

———————

Keira Truofreh | Midfielder
Colorado Rapids 07 (CO)

Was a key component of the Rapids midfield during three closely contested matches in Dallas. Truofreh used her speed and physical play to intercept passes and win 50/50 balls allowing the Rapids a quick transition to offense. She also contributed with two assists and created several other opportunities for her team to score.

———————

Melia Rodriguez | Goalkeeper
Classics Elite 2007 (TX)

Rodriguez helped her team achieve a 2-1 record at the ECNL Dallas Showcase, as she kept opposing offenses silent during the halves she appeared. She made multiple crucial second-half saves in the Saturday match to help preserve a 1-0 win over FC Alliance, and stopped a flurry of shots from a stout NW Elite squad to keep the match knotted at the half 0-0 on Sunday. In the final match, the Classics Elite defenders squashed any and every Florida West FC scoring opportunity, earning the 2-0 shutout.

2024