Players That Impressed: Jefferson Cup 2016 Girls Showcase

The following players were submitted by coaches or club technical personnel so they could be recognized for impressive performances in the 2016 Jefferson Cup Girls Showcase Weekend.

+Submit additional players here

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Emily Leyson – Forward
PDA Splash ECNL U-15 Girls
Emily had a hand in all three goals for PDA in a 3-0 victory against Bethesda SC ECNL Tempo in the U-15 Championship Division Final. She scored two and assisted Trinity Garay on the other, capping off a strong showing for the class of 2019 forward at the Jeff Cup.

Holly Burns – Defender
PDA Splash ECNL U-15 Girls
Holly helped anchor a dominant PDA back line that gave up just three goals in four games at the Jeff Cup, highlighted by a 3-0 shutout effort in the Championship Division Final against Bethesda ECNL. She also contributed to the offense, starting runs, finding passing lanes and getting in on the scoring, connecting on a powerful free kick against FC Virginia ECNL on Friday.

Makenna Morris – Defender
Bethesda SC Tempo ECNL U-15 Girls
The U.S. Girls National Team player helped lead Bethesda SC Tempo ECNL to the U-15 Championship Division Final, finishing with the most points in Bracket A. Makenna’s playmaking abilities and defensive range were on full display throughout the weekend as she covered a tremendous amount of ground on both ends of the pitch.

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Alyssa Minnick – Goalkeeper
Premier Strikers U-15 Girls
Alyssa served as the last line on a Premier Strikers defense which allowed only one goal in four games on their way to the Elite Black Division title. She made key saves throughout the weekend, including several in a clean sheet effort against a talented FC Bucks ECNL side in the Final.

Elyssa Nowowieski – Midfielder
Premier Strikers U-15 Girls
Elyssa was a force offensively for Premier Strikers at the Jeff Cup, with a performance that included scoring her team’s only goal in a draw against Arlington in group play and the lone goal of the match in the Final against FC Bucks ECNL.

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Jordan Canniff – Forward
Richmond United ECNL U-16 Girls
The U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team forward put her world class scoring and playmaking abilities on full display throughout the weekend, highlighted by a hat trick performance in the team’s 3-1 win over New York side Quickstrike FC NPL on Friday.

Taylor DiMarco – Forward
Western New York Flash Academy U-16 Girls
Taylor had a big weekend for WNY Flash Academy in the team’s run to a second place finish in the stacked 16-team Superior Orange Division. In the team’s 3-1 victory over Jersey United Spartans on Friday, she played a part in all three goals, scoring one and assisting the other two.

Rachel Jackson – Forward
VYS Phoenix U-16 Girls
Rachel was a disturbing influence on the opposing defense the entire game. Early on, Rachel closed down the opposing goalkeeper, beat her and then unfortunately hit the post. After falling behind by a goal in the second half, Rachel tied things up for the Phoenix and then, late in the game, earned her team a penalty kick with her penetrating dribble, that upon conversion, turned out to be the winning goal.

Taylor Whitmer – Forward
Oni Premier Soccer Academy U-16 Girls
Taylor scored the second goal her team’s win over FC Copa, one of the top teams in the country at the U-16 level. She created problems for FC Copa’s backline throughout the match. She created many scoring opportunities through her individual effort and great combination play with her midfielders and wingers.

+Read: Nation’s top recruits thrive at Jefferson Cup Girls Showcase

Michelle Money – Midfielder
Oni Premier Soccer Academy U-16 Girls
Michelle had a brilliant performance, dominating the midfield. Her decision-making and skillful play on the ball created many scoring opportunities, including an assist on the second goal. Michelle created problems for FC Copa on both sides of the ball, making her difficult to defend and difficult to attack against.

Tayah Rendina – Defender
Oni Premier Soccer Academy U-16 Girls
Tayah was a key a player in Ohio Premier’s tie against FC Copa, one of the top teams in the nation. Her strong tactical and technical play at the outside back position made it difficult for FC Copa to attack on the flanks on her side of the field. She was also a huge threat offensively with her tactical awareness, playing the ball behind Copa’s defense for Premier’s wingers and forwards to run into.

Rachel Jackson – Forward
VYS Phoenix U-16 Girls
Rachel was a disturbing influence on the opposing defense the entire game. Early on, Rachel closed down the opposing goalkeeper, beat her and then unfortunately hit the post. After falling behind by a goal in the second half, Rachel tied things up for the Phoenix and then, late in the game, earned her team a penalty kick with her penetrating dribble, that upon conversion, turned out to be the winning goal.

+Read: In their words: Notable quotes from Jeff Cup Girls Showcase Day 1

Jenna Royson – Defender
PDA Gunners U-16 Girls
Jenna had a strong defensive performance, proving unbeatable in 1v1 situations and frequently supporting the attack with overlapping runs into the attacking third.

Sophie Brause – Forward
PDA Gunners U-16 Girls
Sophie continually pressed the opposition, forcing the turnover which led to PDA’s first goal. She connected PDA attacks through vision and awareness with the ball.

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Anna Kuhl – Forward
Shattuck-St Mary’s U-17 Girls
Kuhl scored two goals and had an assist to help her Shattuck-St Mary’s U-17 side to a 4-3 win over the Richmond Kickers U-18s as her team played up an age group at the Jefferson Cup. Kuhl is U-16 eligible but regularly plays up at the U-17 level. Her second goal was the game-winner.

Aideen O’Donoghue – Defender
Pittsburgh Riverhounds U-17 Girls
The Rutgers 2017 commit was impressive in winning tackles and finding excellent entry balls into the middle third of the field. Late in the game, “Deenie” stepped into the attacking center midfield spot and caused havoc for the opponent, with excellent penetrating runs and frightening athleticism. Despite a 2-1 loss, Aideen proved why she is headed to the 2015 NCAA Division I finalists.

+Read: Jefferson Cup Girls Showcase Weekend Day 2 Recap

Tori Kowalczyk – Midfielder
Cape Coral Cyclones U-17 Girls
Tori had a brace in Cape Coral’s defiant 4-0 win over Mt. Laurel on Day 1 of the Jefferson Cup Girls Showcase.

Victoria Mayo – Winger
Cape Coral Cyclones U-17 Girls
Victoria netted two goals in Cape Coral’s defiant 4-0 win over Mt. Laurel on Day 1 of the Jefferson Cup Girls Showcase.

Angela Gervassi – Midfielder
Montgomery United Black Magic U-18 Girls
Angela beat an outside defender to make a left footed cross to Tara Sheridan who volleyed off the bottom of the crossbar and into net with one second to go to beat host side Richmond Strikers 1-0 in the tournament opener.

Sarah Gibson – Defender
PDA Spurs U-18 Girls
Playing in her future city of residence, the Virginia Commonwealth University commit had a strong showing at the Jeff Cup, contributing on both ends of the field. She helped lead the PDA back line to two straight clean sheet efforts to open the event and added to the scoring as well, as the Spurs racked up 11 goals.

Tara Sheridan – Defender
Montgomery United Black Magic U-18 Girls
Tara netted the only goal of the match with one second left in the tournament opener against the Richmond Strikers, volleying off the bottom of the crossbar after receiving a feed from Angela Gervassi.

Ally Rudy – Forward
SAC Showcase Premier U-18 Girls
With Ally’s first game back after her knee surgery, she came back hungry to play. She scored two goals and almost got the hat trick. The team played against Match Fit Academy and won 3-1. Her teammates looked for Ally and helped gain her confidence and form back as if she did not miss a game.

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Bailey Cartwright – Midfielder
Pittsburgh Riverhounds U-18 Girls
Bailey assisted Maya Watkins on the only goal of the match in a 1-0 win over Richmond United ECNL in the tournament opener, and followed up with a goal of her own in the team’s second game, a 3-1 win over McLean Youth Soccer ECNL.