Players That Impressed: Girls Academy 2023 Summer Playoffs and Showcase

The Girls Academy completed their 2023 Summer Playoffs and Showcase with teams from across the U13- U19 age groups battling it out for top honors.

While the U13 and U19 age groups determined their National Champions, the U14-U17 sides fought for the right to play in the GA Finals, which will be held July 6-9 at the Lou Gusz Athletic Training Center in Earth City, Missouri.

After a weekend of action at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey here are some of the GA Players That Impressed, sorted by graduation year.

2028

Ashlyn Bazile | Midfielder
Cincinnati United Premier 09 (OH)

Scored three goals in the Girls Academy Summer Playoffs, playing as a central attacking midfielder and forward (all three were victories). Ashlyn was invited to the USYNT talent ID IN 2022 & the Girls Academy Mid America Talent ID in 2023, while being one of the top scorers on her team. Not only is Ashlyn able to score in difficult situations, but she is a playmaker & able to create scoring opportunities for her teammates.

2027

Addy Zawaly | Left Back
Cincinnati United Premier 09 (OH)

Captained CUP to three big wins over Eastern Washington Surf (2-1), Sacramento United (2-0), and LA Surf Soccer Club (4-1) in the U-14 Playoffs. Zawaly, who was called up into the USYNT ID Camp in 2022 and is the club’s GA Team Representative, is an expert at boxing out attackers and can work together with her teammates to get out of tough situations. She is also a true leader on the pitch and is always working with her defensive line on organization and tactics.

———————

Emerson Moore | Midfielder
Skyline Elite SC 07 (VA)

The Class of 2027 midfielder continues to play up with the 2007’s (class of 2025) and show why she is in the GA Talent camps and USYNT Talent ID pools. Emerson showed off her soccer IQ by leading a group that found the back of the net ten times in two and a half games, scoring two herself and assisting on four others. Emerson found her stride on day two vs Santa Clara when she scored and set up three additional goals.

———————

Lily Jeakle | Forward
Nationals Blue 08 (MI)

Helped lead her team to three victories in the U15 playoffs. The USYNT pool player had the winning goal vs. South Shore Select (3-0), a goal and assist vs. West Coast FC (3-0), and a hat trick against Eugene Metro (5-2). Jeakle was unwavering in her assaults on opposing back lines, demonstrating comfort playing both underneath and behind the defense. Lily and her talented teammates are hoping to make another run at a national championship in St. Louis.

———————

Nina Brandon | Defender
Cinncinatti Premier 09 (OH)

Helped lead the defense to only allowing two goals from three games and helping CUP go 3-0 in the playoffs. Played a crucial part in the attack as well by dribbling into space and playing balls into players feet or in behind the opponent’s back line. She is always moving to the ball to receive it and go forward whether it’s by dribbling or by passing. She was also recently called-up into the USYNT mini-camp in Bradenton, Florida and the GA Talent Identification Camp.

———————

Gabby Payne | Goalkeeper
Lonestar 07 (TX)
A 2008 playing up a year on Lonestar 07 GA, Payne was pivotal for her team throughout their playoff run. In the first game vs Cedar Stars she stopped a breakaway and made multiple acrobatic saves in the second half to win 3-2. In the final game of the series vs Ukrainian Nationals, she made two huge off the line saves. The team leveled and advanced to the Girls Academy Finals.

———————

Sophia Peters | Defender
Lonestar 07 (TX)
At over 6 feet tall, Peters is a dominant force in the air clearing balls in to her box and providing a target for corners and free kicks in the attacking half. She is a calm and thoughtful center back providing clean passes from the back, covering her defenders, making important tackles, and giving direction to her team.

———————

Teagan Forde | Forward
South Shore Select 08 (MA)
Having lost their first game to the number one ranked team in the GA (Nationals), South Shore bounced back to win their next two matches. Forde played a critical role in the turn-around, scoring two goals and adding three assists.

2026

———————

Natalie Killion | Defender
RISE Soccer Club 08 (TX)

Served as the linchpin of the RISE defense in their Summer Showcase, helping the side earn three wins in New Jersey. Killion tactically likes to mark attackers closely, giving them very little space to operate. She is also more than capable of making a tough challenge or a big clear to give her teammates to regroup.

———————

Sami Maglicco | Midfielder/Forward
Century United FC 08 (PA)

Against three strong sides in West Florida Flames, Tophat Navy, and Las Vegas Sports Academy Century held their own going 2-1 to finish out their Showcase. Maglicco played a huge role in their success scoring twice and adding two assists over the weekend. The 2022 USYNT camp invitee has excellent footwork and can make small, incisive cuts with the ball that throws off defenders.
———————

Brooke Oldham | Goalkeeper
Clovis Crossfire 08 (CA)

Earned two shutouts in Showcase action over Rio Rapids and Sockers FC to give her side two big wins on the weekend. Oldham made several highlight-reel saves and worked seamlessly with her defensive line including Ava Mirelez, Kaylin Wheeler, and Danica Curry to stifle attackers.
———————

Sophia Saludares | Midfielder
Houston Dash 07 (TX)

In three games at the Girls Academy playoffs in New Jersey, Sophia Saludares contributed 4 goals and 2 assists as the Houston Dash (transitioning to HTX Soccer) went 3-0. Three distinguishing traits are her ability to score with either foot, her technical mastery with the ball, and her vision to create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates.

———————

Riley White | Defender
Beadling SC 07 (PA)

Showed great aerial skills by continuously winning balls out of the air and just missing a brilliant header from a corner set piece. White was unafraid to mix it up with attackers 1v1 and inside the 18 yard box and along with her fellow central defender, Natalia DiSora (Class of 2026), helped lock down opposing offenses by allowing only 2 goals and minimal good looks while Beadling 07 went 3-0 during the GA Showcase.

———————

Emilia Guertin | Goalkeeper
NEFC 07 (MA)

The 2006 goalkeeper impressed with her quickness and athleticism, shutting down offensive 1v1 breakaway attacks. Her exceptional positioning and commanding presence in the goal make her an invaluable last line of defense for her team.

———————

Sophia Michel | Forward
Baltimore Celtic SC 07 (MD)

A 2008 player on the Baltimore Celtic 2007 GA team, she scored both of her team’s goals in the playoffs against top ranked opponents. She primarily plays right wing but also plays left wing, striker, and attacking mid for her team.

2025

Maddie Smith | Forward / Midfielder
SJEB FC 07 (NJ)

Scored five goals and tallied three assists for SJEB in Group Play, including a one goal, two assist effort in their finale against Albion SC (a 4-1 victory). Smith can hit clear, crisp strikes from anywhere in the attacking third or lay in a cross for a teammate, when needed. The 2007 striker that also can play in the midfield was recently selected for the GA’s Mid-Atlantic Talent Event and appears primed for a big 2023-2024 season.

———————

Maria Brogno | Left Wing / Outside Back
Baltimore Armour 07 (MD)

Led the Armour defense to three big wins in the Showcase Division, including two shutouts over 1-0 Clovis Crossfire and 6-0 against Silicon Valley SA. At either outside back position, Brogno can use his strength and speed to force attackers out of dangerous territory and either clear the ball or box them out. She is also a real asset on the counter-attack and can get past midfielders with little issue.

———————

Kyleigh Wilson | Right Winger
Kansas Rush 07 (KS)

Set the tone for the Rush attack all weekend, scoring both goals in their 2-2 draw against Santa Clara Sporting. As a winger, Wilson excels at at making the small innocuous moves against defenders that gives her space to create. In terms of shot selection, her timing is always on point and she can hit shots with a variety of speeds.

———————

Olivia Blackadar | Forward / Midfielder
Seacoast United SC 07 (NH)

Buried a critical goal for Seacoast in their 3-2 win over Lexington Sporting to wrap up Showcase play and give her side an undefeated weekend. While her goal was fanstastic, her passing and leadership were perhaps even more impressive helping the side with two key assists against Lexington and in their 5-2 win over South Carolina Surf.

———————

Riley Lijewski | Midfielder
Salvo 07 (MN)

She scored seven of her team’s eight goals in Salvo’s playoff run, which saw them go away with 2 wins and 1 loss. Riley played every minute in New Jersey and made numerous defensive stops in the midfield and cleared multiple headers off opposing corners.

———————

Emma Jeffers | Goalkeeper
Renegades Soccer Club 07 (TX)

Emma and her Renegades SC GA Texas team battled the weather and came away with three wins. Her strong communication and distribution was on display throughout as well as making key saves when tested.

———————

JaKeyra Bryant | Defender
Lonestar 07 (TX)

JaKeyra Bryant’s speed and tenacity on defense during the GA Showcase was on full display. Her performance as an outside back and center back was able to keep the forwards of her opponents on their toes as she was a major threat on defense. These actions helped her team go undefeated and ultimately advance to the National Quarterfinals.

———————

Lily Kiliski | Midfielder
New York Soccer Club 07 (NY)

A strong attacking midfielder, Kiliski scored the winning goal against last year’s National champs, TSJ FC Virginia, in NYSC’s opening playoff win. Throughout the season, she has demonstrated her high level technical skills and challenging speed, including splitting two defenders with a corner in the 2-2 tie against West Coast FC. Kiliski has attended USYNT Regional ID events, Northeast Talent ID events, and is the club’s GA Team Representative. She has excellent ball control and an ambitious mindset, allowing her to perfectly execute sharp passes through small pockets, and creating many opportunities for her team.

———————

Sloane Ferrebee | Midfielder
Skyline Elite SC 07 (VA)

Sloane was relentless as a defensive midfielder all weekend. The rising junior led the 07 group, who went 3-0-0, scoring ten goals and only allowing two. Sloane covered ground by breaking up attacks and showed off her variety of passing to unlock transitions and attacks all weekend. She showed her versatility in the midfield in the week’s tightest game, a 2-1 win over a tough Broomfield side.

———————

Lilliana Dushaj | Forward
Nationals SC 07 (MI)

The versatile forward from Nationals, showcased why she has been on the watch list for many of the countries top colleges. She showcased her athleticism, technical mastery and aerial ability this week as a complete forward who can not just score but provide for her team mates.

———————

Brooklyn Marn | Forward
Kansas Rush 06 (KS)

A 2025 attacker playing down in her own age group for playoffs, Marn displayed incredible athleticism and physicality winning fifty-fifty balls and keeping possession against IMG Academy , Nationals, and Oakwood Soccer Club. Her mastery of one-one-one situations and ability to score with both feet allowed her to score two of the team’s six goals on the weekend. She was selected for GA Talent ID for the Frontier Region for 2025s.

———————

Julia Arbelaez | Midfielder
New York Soccer Club 07 (NY)

As a center attacking midfielder Julia had a hand in five of her team’s six goals in the competition, including scoring two in their last game against a very formidable opponent, IMG. The captain was very strong on both offense and defense. She controlled the tempo of the game, created many opportunities for her team, and dazzled everyone with her incredible ability on the ball. Arbelaez is the co-captain of NYSC, who finished second in the GA Northeast Conference.

———————

Jada Farrington | Defender
Kansas Rush 06 (KS)

A 2025 defender who uses her speed and technical ball skills to win tackles against forwards, rapid switch to the attack, and leads the back line. She scored on a penalty kick against IMG Academy, and defended well against the teams played in the U17 bracket. She is very versatile, quick on her feet, and forward thinking. She was selected for GA Talent ID for the Frontier Region for 2025s.

———————

Tatum Borman | Defender
Cincinnati United Premier 07 (OH)

Scored four goals and tallied two assists to help lead CUP her team to a 3-0 record and a place in the quarter finals. Tatum was a constant threat to the opposing defenses either going at them one v one or finding the penetrating pass to her teammates after drawing the defense to her.

———————

Danica Curry | Defender
Clovis Crossfire Premiere Academy 07 (OH)

Cleared several dangerous balls out of the box during Clovis’ Summer Showcase and was a leader along the backline. Has participated in the Girls Academy Talent ID Camps and is a two year Varsity player at Clovis High School entering into her junior year.

2024

———————

Leen Jawhar | Midfielder
Baltimore Armour 06 (MD)

A workhorse in the Armour midfield, Jawhar led Armour in shots on goal throughout the tournament. Her hard work paid off in their finale against STA, scoring the final goal in their 2-0 win. At the high school level, she led Mount Hebron’s girls state to a Maryland State High School Championship this past fall.

———————

Sarah Drooger | Midfielder
Skyline Elite SC 06 (VA)

The VCU commit was immense on the dribble all weekend by breaking pressure, setting up goals, and tormenting defenses. Sarah helped the Skyline 06’s to score six goals over the weekend and walk away with an undefeated record.

———————

Ava Jablinskey | Forward
Nationals 06 Blue(MI)

The Michigan commit showcased why she terrifies opponents, as she destroyed a normally impenetrable IMG defense for four goals during the group stage of GA playoffs. There is no doubt she is one of the key pieces to an offense which can’t stop scoring right now.

2023