Scout’s View: Class of 2028 Standouts from the Girls Academy Spring Showcase (2026)

From April 9-13, the Girls Academy hosted its annual GA Spring Showcase in North Carolina, featuring teams across the U15-U19 age groups.

The tournament was held at Bryan Soccer Park in Greensboro, and provided cross-conference competition with dozens of college coaches on the sidelines.

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. These prospects are just a couple months away from entering their active recruiting period, and they turned in some strong performances in North Carolina.

See below for Penkala’s top performers.

Olivia Stuard | Midfielder
Nashville United SC 2010 (TN)

Olivia was the most technical, quick, and impactful midfielder I saw at this showcase, or any other event I’ve attended in 2026. Her control on the ball matched that of current college players, paired with elite creativity and field vision. She had the highest pass completion rate of any 2028 I’ve seen. Add in her energy, work rate, and intelligent off-ball movement, and she’s up there with many of the top players in the entire GA from her class.

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Samantha Eades | Defender
New Mexico SA 2009 (NM)

Samantha stood out as the most athletic and physical one-on-one defender at the event. She has great size, strong positioning, and a gritty, competitive mindset that showed every minute she played. She may still be somewhat under the radar, but once more coaches see her live, expect her to rise quickly on 2028 recruiting boards. She has the potential to play at the NCAA DI level.

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Chloe Bligh | Goalkeeper / Forward
Pinecrest Premier SC 2009 (FL)

One of the most unique prospects in the class, Chloe was both Pinecrest’s top goalkeeper and their most dangerous offensive player. In goal, she controlled her box well, showed excellent angles, and tracked crosses with confidence, along with strong athleticism off her line. As a forward, she displayed speed, great positioning, and the ability to chase down long balls, control instantly, and make smart decisions — whether attacking defenders or distributing to teammates.

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Maddie Flynn | Defender
Oregon Premier 2009 (OR)

Flynn is playing up with the Oregon Premier 2009 squad, and she turned in some phenomenal work as an outside back at the GA Spring Showcase. She’s tough, fearless, fast, and she absolutely shut down the entire the opposing right flank. She was impossible to get around, completely clogging up her area of the field.

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Lilli Brown | Defender
Charlotte DA 2009 (NC)

Though slightly undersized for a center back, Lilli more than compensates with toughness, grit, and a high soccer IQ. She consistently stepped in to win tackles, maintained excellent positioning, and supported her back line well. Strong on the ball and physically resilient, she brought an edge that made her presence felt.

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Taylor Takahashi | Winger
ALBION SC Las Vegas 2009 (NV)

The second Taylor got in the game, she caught my attention immediately, especially when she took off down the flank. She was one of the fastest players I’ve seen all year across any showcase. Beyond speed, she showed strong ball control, consistently got shots on frame from tough angles, and delivered dangerous services into the box.

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Kenzie Roberts | Goalkeeper
Charlotte DA 2009 (NC)

Kenzie fit the prototype of a dominant, physical goalkeeper. At around 6 feet, she brings a confident, commanding presence. She was quick off her line, handled crosses cleanly, and showed strong distribution, both by hand and foot. Her shot-stopping ability and attention to detail made her one of the top keepers at the event.

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Skylar Krehbiel | Midfielder
Skyline Elite 2009 (VA)

Skylar was one of the hardest-working players all weekend. Despite a smaller frame, she played with intensity, covering a tremendous amount of ground as a #6 or #8. She won nearly every one-on-one challenge, showed strong vision, and was creative in transition. Skylar is a highly-skilled player with significant upside.

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Adrianna Rizzotto | Defender
LVU Rush 2009 (PA)

Adrianna earned a rare second consecutive “Best Of” selection after also standing out at the Jefferson Cup—and may have been even better here. She showcased elite speed, the ability to push into the attack effectively, and consistently shut down her side defensively. A complete outside back, who impacts both ends of the field.

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Charlotte Lee | Defender
Atlético Dallas Youth 2009 (TX)

Charlotte played a key role in her team’s win over Michigan Jaguars FC, last year’s GA National Finalist squad. She held her own against two NCAA DI committed attacking players. She demonstrated speed, physicality, strong decision-making, and a highly competitive edge throughout the match.

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Eleanor Samuels | Midfielder
Coppermine SC 2010 (MD)

A newer addition to the team, Eleanor quickly established herself as the most impactful player on the field. She combines size, athleticism, and high soccer IQ with smooth technical ability. Her off-ball movement was particularly impressive — finding and holding space rather than over-running it. Her work rate stood out, always moving with purpose and creating both defensive disruption and attacking opportunities.

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Adaley Dossey | Defender / Winger
SoCal Reds FC 2009 (CA)

Adaley was a standout on a strong, well-coached team. She brought excellent speed on the flank, strong defensive reliability, and the ability to contribute offensively at the right moments. Physical, fearless, and composed on the ball, she was effective in all phases of play.

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Keira Kubasko | Defender
Sporting Athletic Club 2009 (DE)

Anchoring a strong defensive unit, Keira played a major role in controlling the middle of the field. Alongside her talented teammate Kate Garner, they shut down opposing attacks with physicality and composure. Her leadership and organization of the back line were key strengths, keeping her team confident and structured.