Players That Impressed: ECNL U14-U17 National Finals

The following players turned in top performances during Saturday’s U14-U17 championship matches at Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) National Finals. [+Full Recap]

Players That Impressed are identified from games watched by SoccerWire.com staff, and from coach and team manager submissions. Please send additional player nominations to [email protected].

Alexandra Barry | Forward
Players Development Academy U-14 (NJ)

Recorded a hat trick in PDA’s 3-2 title match victory over LAFC Slammers, including the game-winner in the closing minutes on an athletic leaping volley.

Olivia Marrone | Midfielder
Players Development Academy U-14 (NJ)

Notched an impressive assist on PDA’s game-winning goal in the Final, and made key defensive contributions down the stretch as they held on for the 3-2 win against LAFC Slammers.

Maribel Flores | Forward
LAFC Slammers U-14 (CA)

Jumpstarted LAFC’s offense in the Final with a screamer into the upper 90 from 10 yards outside the box, providing one of the best goals of the weekend.

Katie Oakley | Goalkeeper
Gwinnett Soccer Academy U-15 (GA)

Rock solid performance in her team’s 2-0 shutout victory against PDA in the U-15 Final. Oakley made multiple diving saves and flashed her quick reflexes in a couple of seemingly dire 1v1 situations.

Njeri Butts | Defender
Gwinnett Soccer Academy U-15 (GA)

Covered the right side of the field from her outside back position extremely well. Helped GSA win the possession battle with her work in the defensive midfield, and by starting runs out of the back.

Ashlyn Fernandez | Defender
Gwinnett Soccer Academy U-15 (GA)

Turned in a strong defensive effort as GSA earned a clean sheet in the Final. Also made the scoresheet by converting a PK in the 2nd half, which put the game out of reach.

Bailey Wagenknecht | Forward
Gwinnett Soccer Academy U-15 (GA)

The catalyst for GSA offense, Wagenknecht netted the goal that proved to be the game-winner in the opening minutes of Saturday’s U-15 Final. She continued to attack in the 2nd half, and was awarded a PK after being taken down on a dangerous run into the box.

Olivia Bodmer | Goalkeeper
Players Development Academy U-15 (NJ)

Despite being on the wrong end of the result, Bodmer wowed the crowd on multiple occasions with some extremely challenging saves.

Alyssa Mendoza | Defender
So Cal Blues U-16 (CA)

Scored the game-winning goal on a long range strike in the 2nd half, and contributed to So Cal’s clean sheet effort in the title match against Michigan Hawks.

Annie Karich | Midfielder
So Cal Blues U-16 (CA)

U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team roster pool player was a force in the middle of the field for So Cal Blues, winning balls on defense and helping control the possession battle.

Shaye Douglas | Defender
So Cal Blues U-16 (CA)

Proved reliable as So Cal’s last line of defense in the center of the field, making numerous important clearances in a 90-minute shutout effort against Michigan Hawks.

Khalia Gathright | Defender
So Cal Blues U-16 (CA)

Played alongside Shaye Douglas in the center of the back line as So Cal Blues held a dominant Michigan Hawks side off the scoreboard in the U-16 Final.

Kylie Daigle | Midfielder
Players Development Academy U-17 (NJ)

Simply unstoppable, scoring all 4 goals for PDA in their U-17 Final win over LAFC Slammers. She had a hat trick by the end of 1st half, after opening the game with a blistering long-distance strike.

Corinna Zullo | Forward
Players Development Academy U-17 (NJ)

Showed great field vision in the first half when she assisted Kylie Daigle’s 2nd goal. Punished the defense once again the 2nd half, when she burst into the box and drew a foul to earn a PK.

Emily Royson | Defender
Players Development Academy U-17 (NJ)

Duke University 2020 commit was sensational at center back as PDA limited LAFC Slammers to a single goal in the Final.

Sydney Urban | Defender
Players Development Academy U-17 (NJ)

University of Florida 2020 commit combined with fellow PDA center back Emily Royson to completely shut down the middle of the field against a dangerous LAFC Slammers offense.

Grace Watkins | Forward
LAFC Slammers U-17 (CA)

The only LAFC player to break through against PDA’s smothering defensive unit, Watkins smartly crashed the net to recover a deflected save, and finished her point-blank shot with precision.