Players That Impressed: Girls Academy 2023 Winter Showcase and Champions Cup
The Girls Academy kicked off their National Events calendar this past weekend with the GA Winter Combine and Champions Cup.
Here are some players to know from the year’s event. Players are listed according to their graduation year. You can also nominate a player who stood out during the event through the following link.
2027
Consistently provided high-level performances for the Ukrainian Nationals 09 team, finishing atop their group with three wins. Kiera impacted 8 of the 14 goals scored by the Ukies, individually recording three goals and five assists at the tournament. Her workrate and anticipation allows her to provide skillful attack, precise passing, and relentless tracking defensively.
Remy Brawner | Forward
Lou Fusz Athletic 09 (MO)
Scored a brace to lift Lou Fusz to a 2-0 win on matchday two over West Coast FC. When she is on the pitch, she is constantly moving always looking for that one opening in a defense that can lead to a goal-scoring opportunity. She never seems to tire (in addition to soccer, she is also a member of her high school cross-country and track and field teams) and even late in matches has the fire to take it to defenders.
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Lily Herron | Forward
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 09 (PA)
Bagged a hat trick to help secure Philadelphia’s second win in the Champions Cup, a 6-1 victory against Spokane Sounders. The 2023 GA Mid-Atlantic Talent ID roster invitee can create her own shot with limited space and can also let off and find a teammate with a pinpoint pass (she is one of the leaders in assists for her high school team).
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Lily Jeakle | Forward
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 08 Blue (PA)
Exhibited three strong performances for Nationals in the Champions Cup Group Stage, scoring in all three matches. Her speed, ball control, and pace made her extremely difficult for defenses break down, forcing them to foul her to prevent another goal scorer (she earned two penalties in the final two matches. Her quick thinking and highly accurate shooting will certainly be an asset for Philadelphia down the stretch.
2026
Captained Galaxy SC to a 1-0 opening day win over a tough Baltimore Armour team. Whether playing in the midfield or up top, Wigfield can use her right foot to make small cuts at defenders and create space for goal-scoring opportunities. In close matches, such as the 1-1 draw with Palm Beach Kicks, she always seems able to maintain her composure and continue to deliver quality performances.
Delivered three excellent defensive performances for HTX in the Champions Cup Group Stage, including a 5-0 shutout to seal their spot in the Finals. Alternating between the midfield and the defense, Shaw made multiple key interceptions throughout the weekend and then would help build long, sustainable possessions on the outside. She is comfortable with the ball on either foot giving HTX additional flexibility when setting up their starting eleven.
Alongside Claire Benoist, Douglas played an integral role in goal for Lou Fusz earning back-to-back shutouts to start their U15 Showcase run. Douglas is never afraid to mix it up with the opposition and will engage attackers in the air and on the ground. She has excellent form on her saves and is proficient in parrying shots over the bar.
Provided the attacking spark for City SC in all three matches, using her quick passing and shrewd shot selection to cause chaos for opponents. Phillips assisted on the game-winners in City’s wins over Lonestar SC (1-0) and TSJ FC Virginia (2-0), while scoring the go-ahead goal in their victory against NEFC (4-2). With their three wins, City booked their spot in the next round of the Champions Cup.
Playing all over the midfield, Libby created chances, put the ball in the net, and controlled the middle of the pitch with her aggressive defense and eye for the counterattack. She contributed an equalizer in their 2-1 win against City SC and had assists with pinpoint passing on both goals in the 2-0 win over Florida United.
As one of the captains on the team, Hailey dominates central areas and organizes the team with her leadership, discipline, composure and ability to read the game. She provides a high level of consistency on the defense, winning balls and maintaining possession through connective passes. When, she can mix in some physicality clearing the ball and making tough, smart tackles to her team the advantage. Her technical skills allow her to help plan the attack from the back, a skill that sets her apart amongst her center-back peers.
Dominated in the midfield for her club, scoring in each of her team’s three games while providing multiple goal-scoring opportunities for her teammates. Bunton led her team in goals and opened her scoring haul with a header in the first match, an equalizer that would lead to a 1-1 draw. Her possession and precision passing kept her club competitive throughout the showcase.
Champions Cup @GAcademyLeague clips…3 wins for City SC ? Next stop Florida!@PrepSoccer @TopDrawerSoccer @TheSoccerWire @ImYouthSoccer @wearesoccershow pic.twitter.com/Imdi003dKF
— Sloane Phillips (@SloaneJPhillips) December 6, 2023
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Emery Sterling | Midfielder
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 07 (PA)
Assisted on Philadelphia’s equalizer in their 1-1 draw against Lou Fusz Athletic. In addition to creating chances for her teammates, she also showed she can put shots on target, scoring a brace against Spokane. Sterling dominated the midfield and played several positions throughout the weekend.
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Grace White | Midfielder
Lou Fusz Athletic 07 (MO)
Captained the defending GA National Champions to back-to-back victories against Spokane Sounders (4-0) and LA Surf (2-1), while holding their own against a tough Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals team in a 1-1 draw. White’s pinpoint passes helped give her team shape and remain organized when they faced pressure from the opposition. She was also able to help start the counter-attack on several occasions with crisp balls into space on the outside.
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Parker Dieck | Defender
Lou Fusz Athletic 08 (MO)
Scoring the game winning goal against Colorado Rush and the game tying goal against Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals, Dieck came in clutch to help lead Lou Fusz to a perfect 3-0 record in the Champions Cup. Thanks to Dieck’s efforts, LFA were the only team from last summer’s Final Four to go unbeaten in this event. Along with center-back partner Gracie Milam, she consistently shut down opposing attacks and showed an impressive passing range to spur the Lou Fusz offense.
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Sofia Mascieri | Forward
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 08 (PA)
Provided the lone goal in Philadelphia’s critical 1-1 draw against CUP to start Showcase play. Her attacking work would be on point all weekend providing multiple goal-scoring chances across all three matches and earning a second goal against Lou Fusz Athletic.
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Callie Hefner | Midfielder
Galaxy SC 08 (IL)
On the ball, had a great first touch on the ball and her footwork helped to change direction quickly. Her field vision is very good allowing for quick decisions. This resulted in a quick assist to the only goal to a very competitive 1-0 win against Silicon Valley.
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Brooke Langlois | Midfielder
Seacoast United 07 (NH)
Logged strong minutes, controlling the midfield and adding a goal for Seacoast, who went undefeated in three matches. Her strong tackling, heads up attacking, smart decision-making and superb ball distribution were major parts of the team’s success. Langlois is a two-time ODP Northern NE Select Team member and is the club’s GA Representative.
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Kendra Ivaska | Defender
AFC Lightning 07 (GA)
A captain and leader for AFC Lightning, Ivaska played solid defense helping lead her team to one win and two ties, while only giving up two goal. In addition to her solid defensive play, Ivaska played in the midfield creating multiple offensive chances, including two assists on four team goals during the Showcase.
2025
The shot-stopper was impressive in her ability to consistently organizing her defense and provide quality defensive work between the posts. Jeffiers was explosive off her line and displayed great range and accuracy in distribution with her punts and goal kicks.
The 2025 Louisiana Tech University verbal commit was a playmaker in the center forward position for Rush at the Showcase. Her speed, athleticism, and never giving up on plays led to multiple goal-scoring opportunities for her team throughout all three matches. In their second match against Capital FC, she was able to make a quick pass off a throw-in and set up an impressive sequence leading to a goal.
Chloe Birch | Forward-Winger
Chicago FC United 05/06 (IL)
Contributed two vital goals in aiding Chicago’s efforts to finish atop Showcase Group D and end the weekend with an undefeated record. Birch is a threat both on the ground and in the air, using her height to come down with crosses and immediately turn them into goal-scoring opportunities. She can also play on the wing and uses her tight touches to break past the defense.
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Anna Garrow | Forward
Tophat SC Gold 07 (GA)
Despite playing under the weather, Garrow flourished at the Champions Cup scoring five goals and helping her team earn two important wins. Her best performance came against TSJ FC Virginia on Saturday, where she buried a brace against a tightly compact defense. Garrow is a two-time GA Southeast Conference Talent ID camp invitee.
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Payton Radosti | Defender
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 07 (PA)
Anchored a Ukrainian defense that allowed just two goals in three matches during the course of Champions Cup play. Radosti can track down attackers in open space and either make a clean tackle or put enough space between the opposition and the ball to box them out. She is also equally adept at setting up the attack from the back, finding her teammates with a pass in the midfield.
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Lydia Safly | Forward
Kansas Rush 07 (KS)
The Rush captain was integral to the team’s success all weekend, but perhaps had her best performance on Saturday against Capital FC. On a set piece from the defensive third, Safly made an impressive run to perfectly receive the ball. While under heavy coverage by both the Capital FC center backs and keeper with her head to one touch chip it over the keeper to score the initial strike in a 4-1 win.
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Addie Davis | Defender
Kansas Rush 07 (KS)
Operating as either a centerback or an outside back, Davis remained cool and composed during high pressure situations. She can make the expert tackle to halt the opposition’s advances and then immediately switch into attack mode with a smart transition pass. She is also an asset on set pieces, supplying Safly with a cracking free kick opportunity against Capital FC.
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Brooklyn Escobar | Goalkeeper
Lonestar SC 07 Red (TX)
Maintained three clean sheets alongside with her stellar defensive line to lift Lonestar Red to the top of the Champions Cup Group D. Escobar made multiple defying horizontal saves in both the teams 1-0 wins versus Cup and IMG Academy to help her team advance to the Champions Cup Finals in March.
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Maria Reyes | Midfielder
Lonestar SC 07 Red (TX)
A Texas-San Antonio 2025 verbal commit, Reyes captained Lonestar from a holding-mid position to three wins in the bracket play of the Girls Academy Champions Cup. Her untiring running, winning of balls, and crafty passes helped her team to 3 1-0 wins. She also provided the game-winning assist in their win over IMG Academy.
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Grace McCasland | Forward
Seacoast United 07 (NH)
The Binghamton verbal commit is coming off of a stellar high school season for Beekmantown, leading her team to a Sectional Championship and an appearance in the New York state tournament. For her efforts, she earned First Team All-Conference and New York All-State Team honors. She has continued with strong performances in the GA, using her speed and creative runs up top to give defenders nightmares.
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Lily Kiliski | Midfielder
New York Soccer Club 07 (NY)
A quick playmaker on the attack, Lily finds pockets in the middle to make sharp interior passes. Kiliski is impressive with her technical ability on the ball, craftiness to get out of pressure and ability to think two-three steps ahead on and off the ball. She is a 3-time GA Northeast Conference Talent ID invitee and USYNT Talent ID attendee.
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Ceilidh Whynott | Forward
Salvo SC 06/05 (MN)
A Butler 2024 commit, Whynott provided two assists in Salvo’s 4-1 win over Sacramento United in Champions Cup play. She served as the team’s playmaker all weekend and was effective at playing the through ball to open teammates. On the attack, she likes to press defenders and will do everything she can to win 50-50 balls in open space.
2023
Abigail Gemma | Defender
IMG Academy 06 (FL)
Contributed three goals while also providing lockdown defensive work in her final youth soccer event for IMG. Gemma, a Notre Dame commit, will be graduating this December so that she can be able to join the Fighting Irish this spring. In her final performance, she dominated in the defensive third, winning aerial battles and providing precise passes out of the back.
Related Resources
Players That Impressed: ECNL Girls 2023 Tennessee National Event
Top performances from ECNL Tennessee.
Players That Impressed: ECNL Girls Fall 2023 Phoenix National Event
Top performances from ECNL Phoenix.
Players That Impressed: ECNL Girls Regional League Virginia Event (Fall 2023)
Top performances from ECNL RL Virginia.
Players That Impressed: 2023 Girls Academy Finals
Top performances from the GA Finals.
Players That Impressed: Girls Academy 2023 Summer Playoffs and Showcase
Top performances from the Girls Academy postseason.
Players That Impressed: ECNL Girls 2023 San Diego National Event
Top performances from the ECNL Girls San Diego event.
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