Scout’s View: Class of 2028 Standouts from the ECNL Girls North Carolina Event

The ECNL Girls North Carolina National Event took place from May 30 – June 1 as some of the nation’s best teams went head-to-head in the league’s final showcase of the 2024-25 regular season.

Longtime scout Jerry Penkala, owner and operator of JTF Academy, was on hand for the tournament, and compiled a list of some of the top players that he watched from the Class of 2028. To view Penkala’s top performers from the Class of 2027, click here.

See below for Penkala’s top Class of 2028 performers.

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Addison Cheney – Forward
Scorpions SC 2010 – Jersey #5

Addy stood out as one of the premier attacking players at the entire showcase, thanks in large part to her timeless skillset which includes strengths that are increasingly hard to find. She has an outstanding shot, top-level crossing and service abilities, and she can beat defenders by driving at them, then creating shots for herself anywhere from 25 yards and out. Addy has great speed and a knack for being in the exact right space in the 18 when a teammate has possession, plus she’s a true born finisher at any angle.

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Tatum Hartshorn – Midfielder / Winger
Tennessee SC 2009 – Jersey #14

Tatum was a flexible offensive threat all over the field, and covered a ton of ground whether it was on the flank, or when she slid inside, or even when she was helping in the back. She has great technical abilities and she’s smooth on the ball, while also having great off-ball movement. Tatum is a tough 1v1 defender who rose to every challenge she faced. She has great natural instincts both offensively and defensively, and was one of the most athletic 2028s I saw all weekend.

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Aubrey Folger – Forward / Attacking Midfielder
Phoenix Rising Youth 2008 – Jersey #2

Aubrey played two years up on this talented 2008 team, and it’s a well-deserved opportunity for her. She had an intensity and motor I have never seen at her age, even though 2 years younger than everyone on the field. She ran down every single opposing player in the midfield, and was tough-as-nails when she applied high pressure at every opportunity. I had no idea how she kept her energy level and work rate to the level she did. Simply special and incredibly competitive. She also had outstanding technical ability, was strong on the ball and was dangerous anywhere near the 18.

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Maeve Monaghan – Left Back / Winger
Scorpions SC 2010 – Jersey #17

Whether she was playing more offensively on the flank or on the back line as a left back, Maeve had a ton of forward runs and could whip in perfect crosses of all varieties. She served through balls on the ground and also sent in several dangerous negative crosses which led to scoring chances. Maeve is a feisty 1v1 defender who shut down her side of the field all game.

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Chloe Chandler – Defender / Midfielder
Jacksonville FC 2010 – Jersey #49

Another technically sound, well coached team that had talent all over the field, but Chloe with great size, speed and flexibility was immediately noticeable. She was one of the more athletic 2028s I saw, was creative as well as sound defensively, plus has a huge ceiling.

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Brooke Mansour – Holding Midfielder
Albion Hurricanes FC 2009 – Jersey #7

Another talented 2028 playing up as a trap player, Brooke was one of the better positive team leaders and captains at this event. A tough, athletic shutdown defender that could disrupt any counter attack in the midfield, as well as have the entire game go through her as a link from the back to the front.

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Kyra Kramer – Winger / Outside Back
Reading Rage Surf 2009 – Jersey #18

An athletic, tall, strong winger and outside back that had one of the best corners/free kicks out of any 2028 I saw all weekend. Good energy and was not afraid to mix it up when challenged, plus had pace and seemed to have a high soccer IQ with many of the quick, impactful decisions she made all game, both defensively or offensively, and loved to get forward as well.

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Meridan Eiden – Winger / Forward
North Carolina FC Youth 2009 – Jersey #25

Another high-energy, impactful and dangerous offensive threat that never stopped going box-to-box and seemed to get stronger as the game went on. Was often taking on 3 defenders at once, and still got her strong shot off and was even high-pressing and disrupting when she was in the 18.

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Tess McCarthy – Winger
Pipeline SC 2009 – Jersey #5

The younger sister of a current Power 4 Conference college player, Tess already has the skillset to play at that same college level as a 2028. She’s lightning fast with outstanding comfort on the ball, is extremely smooth and can drive at defenders better than anyone else I saw at this event, plus is a born scorer.

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HONORABLE MENTIONS

• HALLIWELL KLINE – Connecticut FC 2009
• ANNABELL WOOTEN – Jacksonville FC 2010
• KAYLEIGH PHILLIPS – FSA 2010
• PARKER WALTON – North Carolina FC Youth 2009