Players That Impressed: October 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 October.

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 October.

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 any time here

Madison Wheeler – Goalkeeper
OPSA Magic U-18 Girls
WAGS Tournament
Maddie only allowed one goal over the course of the WAGS Tournament. She came up big in OPSA’s game against one of the nation’s top-ranked teams, the FC PA Strikers, stopping a shot from point blank to help secure a draw.

Madison Berry – Midfielder
OPSA Magic U-18 Girls
WAGS Tournament
Maddie helped OPSA control the midfield throughout the WAGS Tournament, working on both sides of the ball and making it difficult for the opponents’ midfielders to keep the ball. She did a great job keeping possession to help her team to build its attack, and she scored a great goal in a win over McLean Youth Soccer 99 Green from over 25 yards out.

Danielle Maggio – Midfielder
Baltimore Celtic 00 Thunder U-17 Girls
WAGS Tournament
Danielle scored a goal in the tournament opener from a direct corner kick, and in the second match she assisted with a perfect cross for a game-tying goal.

Gabriel Wiethaeuper-Balbinotti – Forward
Montreal Impact FC Academy U-17/18 Boys
U.S. Soccer Development Academy
Gabriel recorded a hat trick in a 5-0 victory against Empire United to help his team extend its season-opening USSDA unbeaten streak to five.

Balthazar Saunders – Midfielder
Met Oval U-14 Boys
U.S. Soccer Development Academy
Balthazar has scored eight goals in the past four games over the last three weeks for New York City FC’s U-14 Development Academy team. He had a second half hat trick against Everton FC Westchester, scored a goal against Met Oval, and then recorded back-to-back braces against the New England Revs and Boston Bolts. He leads NYCFC Academy with nine goals in seven games. He was one of only a few 2002 born players to make the inaugural NYCFC 2001 team last year.

Lagos Kunga – Forward
Atlanta United FC Academy U-17/18 Boys
U.S. Soccer Development Academy
Lagos helped keep his team undefeated through seven weeks of the USSDA season, notching a hat trick in a 5-2 win over Concorde Fire.

Josiah Blanton – Defender
Atlanta United FC Academy U-14 Boys
U.S. Soccer Development Academy
Josiah played full time for Atlanta to contribute to a clean sheet effort, as United shut out a fifth consecutive opponent in a 2-0 win over Concorde Fire. He also scored the go-ahead goal in the 15th minute of the match.

Augustus McGiff – Forward
New York Cosmos Academy U-14 Boys
U.S. Soccer Development Academy
During Week 7 of the USSDA season, Augustus netted all three goals in the Cosmos’ 3-1 win over BW Gottschee Academy, and the following day found the net again in a narrow 2-1 victory against another in-state opponent, Met Oval.

Tessa Walsh – Forward
OPSA Magic U-18 Girls
WAGS Tournament
Tessa was an excellent target for the OPSA Magic throughout the WAGS Tournament. She helped generate OPSA’s offense by making smart runs to allow her team to find the penetrating ball, and she held the ball up top to allow the rest of her teammates to get forward. She was solid in her technique and distributed the ball well to her teammates. Tessa had a brilliant goal in OPSA’s first game versus OBGC Soccer 99, finishing off of a great cross from her teammate to net the game-winner.

Jill Shimkin – Forward
Albertson Fury ECNL U-14 Girls
Elite Clubs National League
Jill found a variety of ways to impact the game for her team against Connecticut FC, starting with her ability to attack from anywhere on the field. She balanced her 1v1 ability and incredible vision to consistently beat players and then slot teammates into scoring positions when she found herself double and triple teamed. She scored the first goal on a PK after beating three players into the box before being taken down. She assisted the second after driving at the center back and slotting a teammate in toward the goal.

Jalyn Tse – Forward
Albertson Fury Pre-ECNL U-13 Girls
Girl Northeast NPL – Pre-ECNL
Jalyn had a great day leading her team to a 3-2 victory over FSA FC with a two-goal performance. She proved to be too much for the FSA defense to handle as she used her speed and well-timed runs to consistently get in behind the back line. These were Jalyn’s first and second goals of the fall campaign.

Alexa Weiner – Midfielder
Albertson Fury Pre-ECNL U-13 Girls
Girl Northeast NPL – Pre-ECNL
A natural center midfielder, Alexa was asked to play center back against FSA FC. She took to the position with the poise and confidence of a much more seasoned player. Her ability to time tackles and organize the defense allowed her team to jump out to a 3-0 lead. FSA would come back scoring two goals, both of which occurred when Alexa was not playing at the back. After the second goal, Alexa was reinserted into the center back position and helped secure a victory for her team.

Liz Modano – Midfielder
Albertson Fury Pre-ECNL U-13 Girls
Girl Northeast NPL – Pre-ECNL
Defensively Liz was constantly able to break the Connecticut FC rhythm in midfield by being in the right place at the right time and providing high pressure in an organized and disciplined manner. In the attack, her ability to receive and turn at pace was instrumental in her team switching the point of attack and creating scoring opportunities. This was on full display as Liz checked in at the top of the box, turned her defender, and slotted a ball past a diving goalie. Liz added a second goal off a corner kick to help her team to a 5-0 victory.

Melina Gemisic – Midfielder
Albertson Fury Pre-ECNL U-13 Girls
Girl Northeast NPL – Pre-ECNL
Melina had her run of the left flank, proving to be without question the most effective attacking player on the day for Albertson against Connecticut FC. She was able to consistently find space and create quality scoring opportunities from the left midfield position. She opened the scoring for her team and would contribute on another two goals as her team went on to win 5-0.

Anita Pope – Forward
Calvert Elite ’00 U-17 Girls
WAGS Tournament
Anita had two assists in a 2-1 win over CYA at the WAGS Tournament. Throughout the tournament, Anita was a consistent threat to the opposition with her ability to get behind the defense and put threatening crosses into the box. Her pace constantly put opposing defenses into tough situations.

Camryn Williams – Midfielder
Calvert Elite ’00 U-17 Girls
WAGS Tournament
Camryn had the game tying goal in the opening game of the WAGS tournament and put another in the back of the net as she led her team to a 1-1-1 record at the showcase event. Often coming from a deeper holding midfield role, she was able to get into dangerous spots with long runs in behind the defense. She linked the defenders and forwards throughout the weekend, allowing for the majority of the possession to belong to her team.

Kasi Doss – Goalkeeper
Severna Park Lasers U-17 Girls
WAGS Tournament
Kasi’s stellar goalkeeping limited her opponents to only 1 goal in 3 tournament games on way to the Severna Park Lasers undefeated 3-0 WAGS Showcase tournament record. Throughout the tournament Kasi owned the air and was sure-handed on contested balls in the box. She was equally effective and decisive coming off her line to stop opponents goal scoring opportunities. Kasi’ strong presence in back was a major factor in the Lasers tightly contested tournament victories.

Valerie LaMore – Forward
Severna Park Lasers U-17 Girls
WAGS Tournament
Valerie was an attacking force, scoring four of her team’s seven tournament goals, including all three game-winners en route to the Severna Park Lasers’ undefeated 3-0 WAGS Showcase Tournament performance. Valerie’s finishing skills, creative dribbling and passing ability were a constant threat, leading the way to victories against quality teams from Florida, Illinois and Virginia.

Lili Guerrero – Defender
Stafford Revolution 04′ Girls Blue U-13 Girls
National Capital Soccer League
Lili is a consistently tough central back, denying chances and building the attack. On Sunday, Lili stole possession and dribbled through the opposing team to the 18, weaving between defenders before being trapped at the sideline by four defenders. Lili broke through toward the middle before cutting back outside leaving defenders crashing into one another. Lili advanced to the end line, pulling the ball back, then pushing it to the end line to beat another defender, and finished with a beautiful cross. Lili maintained possession individually for almost an entire minute in her 60 yard run.

Sal Rasizzi – Forward
New York City FC Academy U-15/16 Boys
U.S. Soccer Development Academy
Sal helped lead NYCFC Academy to a dominant 5-1 victory over Seacoast United on October 22 at St. John’s University, completing a hat trick within the first 22 minutes of the match.

Esteban Molina – Midfielder
New York Red Bulls Academy U-14 Boys
U.S. Soccer Development Academy
Esteban netted two goals in the first half to help propel his side to a 6-0 rout of Continental FC DELCO, stretching their season-opening USSDA winning streak to six.

Angela Caloia – Midfielder
McLean Youth Soccer ECNL U-16 Girls
Elite Clubs National League
Angela scored four goals over the course of the October 22-23 weekend to lead her team in scoring during 4-1 and 5-0 routs of CASL and Richmond United.

Leyah Hall-Robinson – Midfielder
McLean Youth Soccer ECNL U-16 Girls
Elite Clubs National League
Leyah was a tremendously effective playmaker throughout McLean’s 4-1 and 5-0 routs of CASL and Richmond United, racking up two goals and three assists during the October 22-23 weekend.

Isabella Romano – Forward
East Meadow SC U-13 Girls
Pre ECNL
Facing some of the toughest competition in the NPL NorthEast, the East Meadow Olympique Marseille managed to take the top spot with an undefeated season record of 10-0-2. Left footed striker Isabella Romano, playing the No. 9 position tallied two goals in four separate matches, making her one of the leading scorers on the talented squad.

Joel Sobalbarro Umana – Forward
Cedar Stars Academy Staten Island Green U-14 Boys
EDP League
Joel’s superior technical ability has been on full display this season in EDP League action. He has shown great athleticism and sharp execution of skill moves, both scoring goals of his own and making plays for his teammates.

Faith Adams – Midfielder
Charlotte Soccer Academy ECNL U-16 Girls
Elite Clubs National League
Faith netted both goals for Charlotte SA in an exciting 2-2 draw against Richmond United on October 30, helping extend her team’s current unbeaten streak to four.

Asha Means – Forward
Charlotte Soccer Academy ECNL U-15 Girls
Elite Clubs National League
Asha played a role in three goals for Charlotte SA in a 5-0 rout of Richmond United on October 30, scoring one and assisting two others to lead the team’s dynamic attack.

Aidan Dwyer – Forward
Charlotte Soccer Academy USSDA U-14 Boys
USSDA East Regional Showcase
Aidan found the net five times at the USSDA East Regional Showcase, recording a brace against the New York Red Bulls and a hat trick against Cedar Stars Academy in a pair of wins.

Tayvon Gray – Defender
Cedar Stars Academy – Bergen USSDA U-14 Boys
USSDA East Regional Showcase
Tayvon played every minute of action over the course of three games at the U.S. Soccer Development Academy East Regional Showcase. He and the rest of the Cedar Stars defense did not give up a single goal at the event, racking up three consecutive clean sheets.

Ryan Yankee – Forward
Virginia Development Academy USSDA U-14 Boys
USSDA East Regional Showcase
Ryan recorded a brace in VDA’s 5-1 win over the Carolina Rapids at the U.S. Soccer Development Academy East Regional Showcase in North Carolina.

Jackson Gould – Forward
New York SC USSDA U-14 Boys
USSDA East Regional Showcase
Jackson Gould had four goals at the U.S. Soccer Development Academy East Regional Showcase, highlighted by a first half hat trick in a 5-2 win against Georgia side Concorde Fire.

Chelsea Mojica – Goalkeeper
Virginia Rush U-16 Girls
Virginia State Cup
Chelsea kept Beach FC off the board with some spectacular play in the Virginia State Cup semifinals throughout regulation and overtime, before making a pair of clutch saves in the deciding penalty kick shootout to help send her team to the title match.

Isaiah Young – Forward
PDA USSDA U-17/18 Boys
U.S. Soccer Development Academy
Isaiah was the catalyst for PDA’s attack in a thrilling 2-1 win over D.C. United Academy. After opening the scoring with a strike in the 2nd minute, he kept at it and ultimately netted the game-winner for PDA in the 90th minute.