Players That Impressed: May 2016

The following players have been submitted by coaches, club technical personnel or SoccerWire.com staff so they could be recognized for impressive performances in competitive soccer games during the month of May.

Players will be added to the list each week throughout the month, and will be automatically nominated for the Soccer Wire Best-11 Players of the Month.

We post players in the order the submissions are received, so the sooner you post following impressive game performances, the higher up the list they will appear.

+ You can submit players each week here

Nikki Butler – Midfielder
Albertson Fury U-16 Girls
ECNL League Play
Nikki contributed with two goals in a comeback win over Penn Fusion on Sunday, May 1. The win put Albertson within striking distance of earning an ECNL Champions League playoff bid.

Madrline Gravante – Midfielder
Albertson Fury U-16 Girls
ECNL League Play
Maddie netted the game-winning goal as Albertson Fury overcame a two-goal deficit in a 3-2 victory over Penn fusion (3-2) on Sunday, May 1. The win put Albertson within striking distance of earning an ECNL Champions League playoff bid.

Skylar Dabney – Defender
LFC Crush U-14 Girls
WAGS League Play
Skylar played a significant role in her team’s 3-2 comeback victory. Not only did she play a solid defensive game from her right defender spot, but she hit the game-winning penalty kick on the last play of the match.

Madison McCauley – Defender
Calvert Elite SC 00/01 U-15 Girls
EDP League Play
Madison captained her team to two wins in EDP 1st Division play over the weekend of May 7-8. The group beat Bethesda 3-1 and followed that up with a shutout victory over Harleysville. She controlled the game from the back and consistently shutdown the opposition’s threats. She was able to quickly transition from winning the ball to keeping it and starting the attack.

Keira Shoup – Midfielder
Calvert Elite SC 00/01 U-15 Girls
EDP League Play
Keira continued her fine form on the season by leading her team to a string of wins in EDP 1st Division play. She had a goal and two assists in a 3-1 win over Bethesda and a 1-0 win against Harleysville. Keira then went on to score a hat trick in a 3-2 victory over Maryland Rush.

London Lewis – Forward
Calvert Elite SC 03 U-13 Girls
EPIC YMS Tournament
London led her team to two wins and a tie at the EPIC Tournament. She ended the weekend with five goals and two assists. It continued a fine run of form where she has scored in her last five games in all competitions. London’s pace and 1v1 ability makes her a constant threat to score or create for teammates.

Claire Williams – Midfielder
Calvert Elite SC 03 U-13 Girls
EPIC YMS Tournament
Claire was a steadying influence for her team throughout the weekend, leading her team to two wins and a tie at the EPIC Tournament. She contributed a goal and a pair of assists from her center midfield role. She was able to consistently win the ball off the opposition and then keep possession and start her team’s attack.

Jilly Shimkin – Forward
Albertson Fury Pre-ECNL U-13 Girls
ECNL South Carolina Showcase
Jilly was all over the field demonstrating her fantastic 1v1 ability, leaving defenders guessing as to what was coming next. Her attacking flare was on full display as she repeatedly beat opposing defenders, not just creating for herself but her teammates. Jilly would ultimately score both goals in a 2-0 win over St. Louis Scott Gallagher – Illinois. The first goal was nothing short of spectacular as she beat two players into the right side of the box and slotted a ball to the far post. The second goal was a PK which she earned by beating three players before being taken down in the box.

Ashley King – Goalkeeper
Calvert Elite SC 00/01 U-15 Girls
EDP League Play
Ashley has had a string of good performances, including a 1-0 shutout against Harleysville in EDP Division 1 South play. She continues to make the routine save while also coming up with big saves when called upon.

Kieran Sundermann – Forward
Jersey Shore BOCA Juniors U-15 Boys
EDP League Play
Kieran scored three goals and had an assist in a 5-4 victory in a league game at FC Pocono Elite.

Sam Dumont – Forward
Albertson Fury ECNL U-14 Girls
ECNL League Play
Sam was the focal point of her team’s attack. Sam continuously got herself in good positions in the attacking third creating for herself and her teammates. She would ultimately convert twice to lead her team to a 3-1 victory over Continental FC.

Gabrielle Vagnozzi – Forward
Continental FC ECNL U-18 Girls
ECNL League Play
Over the past eight games, Gabrielle has scored 10 goals along with two assists, leading her team to a 6-0-2 record in ECNL divisional play. She scored the opening goal in a big win over reigning National Champion PDA.

Sydney Fisher – Midfielder
FSA FC ECNL U-17 Girls
ECNL League Play
Sydney assisted three of the team’s four goals in its 4-1 win over FC Stars and had a great defensive presence in the middle of the field, limiting last year’s ECNL national finalist team to one goal.

James Dee – Goalkeeper
Concorde Fire North 04 Elite U-13 Boys
Classic League
James is an 11-year-old keeper playing in the Classic League’s top U-13 division. He displayed amazing skills and technical ability in a 3-1 loss to fellow club side Concorde Fire North Black, a game that easily could have been 6-1 if not for his upper 90 saves and post-to-post reaction.

Meaghan Toscano – Goalkeeper
Continental FC Delco ECNL U-14 Girls
ECNL League Play
Meaghan had a spectacular performance on May 21 against Match Fit Academy, making several unbelievable saves and holding one of the most dynamic offenses in the country to just one goal.

Reaghan Duval – Goalkeeper
Albertson Fury ECNL U-16 Girls
ECNL League Play
Reaghan made multiple saves on breakaway opportunities in a 1-1 draw against East Meadow SC, a result which allowed Albertson to clinch a spot in the ECNL Champions League playoffs.

Taylor Caridi – Forward
Albertson Fury ECNL U-16 Girls
ECNL League Play
Taylor netted the only goal of the match for Albertson in a 1-1 draw against East Meadow SC, a result which allowed the Fury to clinch a spot in the ECNL Champions League playoffs.

Key White – Midfielder
Richmond United USSDA U-13/14 Boys
U.S. Soccer Development Academy League Play
Key scored three goals in two games against strong opponents. He scored twice against D.C. United Academy to help the team stay undefeated in 10 games. His goals came on a beautiful chip and on a PK after being brought down on an excellent run. Against Bethesda, Key scored a difficult dropkick after a corner.

Valerie LaMore – Midfielder
Severna Park Lasers U-15 Girls
Columbia Memorial Day Invitational
Valerie was a true game changer during the Severna Park Lasers’ successful tournament weekend, scoring three of her team’s nine goals and assisting on another. Valerie scored her team’s only goal in their 1-0 victory against East Islip United Academy, striking a shot from the top corner of the box over the goalkeeper for the game-winner. Valerie scored two more goals in the win over Mount Laurel Academy, both times dribbling by defenders and a diving goalkeeper. She also added a brilliant set piece assist around the opposing wall.

Caroline O’Keefe – Defender
Severna Park Lasers U-15 Girls
Columbia Memorial Day Invitational
Caroline was a relentless and dominant defender during the Lasers’ tournament weekend, playing every minute of all three games over two days despite intense heat. Caroline’s physical play and outstanding positioning was key to the Lasers only conceding three goals in the entire tournament. Caroline’s skill and versatility allowed her to be equally effective at both center back and outside back. Caroline was also highly involved in the Lasers’ offense, taking multiple shots on goal and frequently putting pressure on the opposing goalkeeper with her attacking style of play.

Sydney Fisher – Midfielder
FSA FC ECNL U-17 Girls
PDA Showcase
Sydney had five goals and two assists to help lead the team to a perfect 3-0-0 finish at the PDA Showcase.

Jordan Dove – Forward
Bethesda-Olney Academy U-18 Boys
U.S. Soccer Development Academy
Jordan had two goals and was a dominant force in a win over NJCSA.

Josh Luongo – Midfielder
Maryland United FC U-16 Boys
Potomac Memorial Tournament
Josh dictated the tempo of the game against ISA, always looking to get on the ball and retain possession for the team. He showed great composure and quality throughout the game, handling the ball in pressure situations. Attracted a lot of college interest with his performances in all three games.

Miranda Conroy – Forward
SYA Cardinals 03 U-13 Girls
Region I Presidents Cup
Miranda used speed, great skill and finishing prowess to score four goals in five games, helping SYA finish second in the US Youth Soccer Region I Presidents Cup.

Bakary Bagayoko – Forward
Manhattan SC Villa U-16 Boys
Potomac Memorial Tournament
Bakary impressed up top for the boys from New York City with five goals at Potomac to lead Manhattan SC Villa to the top bracket title. The athletic striker scored the game-winner with an emphatic header to down defending ENYYSA State Cup Champion and current USYSA National League winner Dix Hills Hurricanes 2-0 in the final.

Drew Dworkin – Midfielder
Manhattan SC Villa U-16 Boys
Potomac Memorial Tournament
Drew’s tenacity and midfield dominance paced the Manhattan SC Villa to the top bracket crown at Potomac. The ball winning skills and solid distribution from Dworkin helped the boys from New York City achieve success over Loudoun SC, TSF Academy and Dix Hills Hurricanes in the final.

Kelly Urlwin – Defender
FC Virginia United Elite 00 U-15 Girls
Region I Champions League
Starting center back and team captain Kelly has been the anchor of the FCV Elite squad all season. During the five games that Kelly played in, opponents did not score a single goal. FCV United Elite has won their division at the Jefferson Cup and has since beaten two other Jeff Cup bracket winners, as well as three State Cup champions and a State Cup finalist over the course of this season. During the course of the season, the Elite group has only given up 10 goals over a 16 game stretch, due to the strong play of the entire back line.

Brianna Robinson – Forward
FC Virginia United Elite 00 U-15 Girls
Region I Champions League
Brianna has led her team in scoring this season with 20 goals. The team has scored 68 total goals on the year in which they have won a division title at the Jefferson Cup, placed first in the Region 1 Champions League and qualified for the 2016-2017 US Youth Soccer National League. Brianna has been with the team since the U-12 level and has been the top goal-scorer every year.