Players That Impressed: Girls Academy Summer Showcase and Playoffs 2021

The Girls Academy (GA) held the 2021 GA National Playoffs from June 24-30 in Oceanside, Calif. as the league’s inaugural season winds down.

Continue reading for a listing of some of the top performances at the GA’s inaugural postseason event. Additional names will continue to be added during and following the conclusion of the competition.

KK Ream | Forward
Utah Royals FC – AZ U-14 (AZ)

Ream was all over the field in the Royals’ 3-0 victory against STA to open the GA Playoffs. After scoring the first goal of the game with a header off a corner, Ream’s constant pressure helped force two more turnovers that ended up leading to two more Royals goals.

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Mya Stenehjem | Defender
Utah Royals FC – AZ U-14 (AZ)

Played outstanding defense against a challenging TSJ FC Virginia squad in the Royals’ third playoff match. Stenehjem stepped up and won numerous tough challenges, while preventing several attacks on goal.

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Elizabeth Canty | Midfielder
Oklahoma Energy FC U-14 (OK)

Canty put together a solid opening performance, using her strong presence to help her team to two early victories. In Oklahoma Energy’s first game against NEFC, Canty put home two goals en route to a 4-1 victory for her team.

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Jazzy Diaz | Midfielder
Houston Dash U-14 (TX)

The team captain played exceptionally well through adversity, overcoming a hamstring injury, showing toughness and persistence throughout the event.

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Elizabeth Boamah | Defender
ALBION SC U-15 (CA)

In ALBION’s opening match against PAC NW, Boamah was all over the pitch, always finding a way to make a play on the ball. When called upon to make a defensive play, she never faltered, while proceeding to make crisp outlet passes to her forwards. On the offensive end, Boamah earned an assist by making the first contact on a beautiful corner kick.

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Addy Hess | Forward
TSJ FC Virginia U-15 (VA)

Led her team to the quarterfinal round with her consistent scoring ability, highlighted by a 2-goal, 1-assist performance against Tophat Gold as TSJ FC Virginia clinched first place in their group.

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Mya Townes | Forward
TSJ FC Virginia U-15 (VA)

Scored multiple goals at the GA Playoffs as her team finished 2-1-0 in group play and top-eight in the country. Townes is a forward with creative and skillful movement on and off the ball.

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Hicks Bishop | Goalkeeper
IMG Academy U-15 (FL)

Playing behind IMG’s strong back line, Bishop tallied her second clean sheet of the postseason during a hard-fought 1-0 win over Colorado Rush, as her side clinched a spot in the national quarterfinals.

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Leah Varela | Midfielder
IMG Academy U-15 (FL)

Scored 2 goals and had 1 assist through IMG’s four games to help lead her team into the Girls Academy’s National Semifinals.

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Olivia O’Connor | Forward
Tophat U-15 (GA)

O’Connor carried herself with speed and tenacity in Tophat’s 2-1 opening day victory over SC Del Sol. O’Connor put home an early goal herself, and if it weren’t for a couple superb saves on the opposition’s end, she would’ve had even more.

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Gabby Riley | Midfielder
Sporting Delaware U-15 (DE)

Found the back of the net on three occasions at the GA SoCal Showcase, scoring once against San Antonio City FC for a 2-0 victory, and scoring both goals against Eastern Washington Surf for another 2-0 victory.

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Maci Hood | Midfielder
Sporting Delaware U-15 (DE)

Playing up an age group, Hood was a major contributor at the GA SoCal Showcase. She contributed a clinical assist against Eastern Washington Surf for a 2-0 victory, and found the back of the net from outside the 18-yard box against Minnesota Eclipse in a 4-1 victory.

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Simran Sharma | Forward
Chicago FC United U-15 (IL)

Helped lead her side to victory in their second playoff match against Palo Alto SC, shooting the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to score the opening goal. Sharma played a major role in the FC United offense while playing up an age group.

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Trinity Maloney | Goalkeeper
Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth U-15 (NJ)

Showed to be a leader on the field as she held the game against Colorado Rush to a 1-1 tie, coming up with some incredible saves. Her distribution of the ball was placed perfectly, and she had a great read on the game.

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Olivia Lee | Defender
New York SC U-16 (NY)

Turned in a standout performances in each of the three games to solidify NYSC’s finish at the top of their bracket. Lee was a major reason for her side’s shutout victories in each of their first two games, as she used her speed, power and aggressiveness to shut down opposing offenses.

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Kylie Marschall | Defender
TSJ FC Virginia U-16 (VA)

Anchored the TSJ FC Virginia defensive unit as they combined to allow only one total goal across three games. She displayed great passing range, was dominant in the air and strong in 1v1 situations.

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Alisha Sandoval | Midfielder
Sporting Blue Valley U-16 (KS)

Played a key role in her defensive midfield position as Sporting Blue Valley recorded a clean sheet win over California side Lamorinda United FC.

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Jordyn Wilson | Forward
Sporting Blue Valley U-16 (KS)

Spearheaded Sporting Blue Valley’s attack with a brace and an assist, as she had a hand 3-of-4 goals during a 4-0 rout of Lamorinda United FC.

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Juliet Savage | Forward
West Coast S.C. U-16 (CA)

Her combination of height, speed and strength makes her a constant threat in the box. She scored the lone goal for her side in a hard-fought 1-1 draw against WCFC during the group stage.

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Bella Garces | Forward
NEFC U-16 (MA)

At over six feet tall, the national standout executed an amazing header off a set play in the first game against Indy Premier. Against PA Classics, she added two goals and an assist to clinch the win. Her last goal was an absolute cannon shot from over 30 yards out.

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Nicollette Kiorpes | Midfielder
NEFC U-16 (MA)

Displayed unbelievable control of the ball in tight spaces. Kiorpes threaded a goal around the wall on a set play to win against Indy Premier, and her finesse in the game against PA Classics allowed her to dribble past the defense and keeper to score inside the back post from the end line. She also had an assist, as NEFC earned two wins during the group stage.

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Sophie Johnson | Defender
TSJ FC Virginia U-17 (VA)

The lock-down defender helped lead her team to the final four with quality 1v1 defending and starting good possessions out of the back.

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Ella Carter | Midfielder
TSJ FC Virginia U-17 (VA)

Netted the game-winning goal in her side’s 1-0 win over IMG Academy to win their group, and recorded a brace in TSJ FC Virginia’s 2-1 win over SC Wave in the quarterfinals.

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Lilly Hanke | Goalkeeper
SC Wave U-17 (WI)

Made several saves over the course of a dominant overall team win for SC Wave, as Hanke and the back line secured the clean sheet in a 6-0 victory against PA Classics.

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Kayla Budish | Forward
SC Wave U-17 (WI)

No stranger to our previous lists, Budish once again impressed on the opening day of competition, netting a hat trick against PA Classics while adding another two assists in a 6-0 victory. The five points is even more impressive considering PA Classics entered the day not having conceded five goals in any game this season.

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Alyssa Crews | Defender
Long Island SC U-17 (NY)

Had an outstanding performance for Long Island SC in showcase action. She was quick to step in winning tackles, using her quickness to cover space and angles. Her speed of play was good and 1v1 defending was strong. She had a calmness on the ball which was great to see in a center back.

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Mia Merritt | Defender
Lonestar SC U-17 (TX)

The center back was part of a defensive unit that only gave up one goal at the event. She also added an assist. Physicality and speed were at the forefront.

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Alexis Washington | Forward
IMG Academy U-17 (FL)

Piled up four assists during a two-day stretch to kickoff the event. Washington assisted both goals during IMG’s 2-1 win over RISE SC to begin the tournament, and followed up with another two-assist performance against Legends FC the following day.

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Amalia Villarreal | Forward
Michigan Jaguars U-17 (MI)

Netted the game-winning goal on an impressive strike into the top right corner of the net, as Michigan Jaguars came out on top against Oakwood SC. Continued to impress throughout the weekend as she helped lead her team into the quarterfinals, playing up two age groups.

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Batoul Reda | Goalkeeper
Michigan Jaguars U-17 (MI)

Kept a clean sheet for 90 minutes to help the Michigan Jaguars FC 2004 GA team through to the quarterfinals.

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Amanda Feury | Midfielder
Michigan Jaguars U-17 (MI)

Scored the match-winning goal off a volley from the top of the box that sent her team through to the quarterfinals.