Players to Watch: ECNL Girls North Carolina National Event (Spring 2026)

A dynamic forward from the Class of 2029, Blair Bickerstaff is one of the top playmakers and leading scorers for the Michigan Hawks 2011 ECNL squad. She’s a high-impact player who can create scoring chances at will, making key passes to her teammates and beating defenders off the dribble in 1v1 situations.

One of the premier defenders in the ECNL, Foguth currently competes up an age group with the Michigan Hawks Magic 2010 squad. Her ability to read the field, anticipate play, and transition quickly makes her a defensive force and an offensive threat from the back line. She’s a dynamic and physical outside back known for her blend of speed, strength, and technical ability.

This attacking central midfielder for Florida Kraze Krush ECNL is a 2011 player, she recently earned a call-up to U.S. Soccer’s U-14 Girls National Team East Region Mini Camp. Emily is a dangerous playmaker with the ball at her feet and is an elite passer with top tier field vision across the field. Emily has led her ECNL team in goals and assists during the course of the 2025 ECNL season.

An impactful attacking player for Richmond United 2011, Rabideau can line up at both forward and in the midfield, and she brings a diverse skillset wherever she’s needed on the field. She reads the game extremely well, and has a great feel for when to let opportunities come to her, and when to go on the attack looking to create scoring chances herself. (HIGHLIGHTS)

A high-energy and relentlessly driven goalkeeper, Shifflett brings intensity and focus to every training session and match. Known for her quick reactions and commanding presence in the box, she organizes her back line with confidence well beyond her age. Exceptionally coachable, she absorbs feedback quickly and shows constant growth in technique, positioning, and decision-making. (HIGHLIGHTS)

Wintz is an impressive Class of 2029 midfielder who has been accumulating significant experience at the international level, representing Albania’s U-15 Girls National Team. She’s also on U.S. Soccer’s radar, previously earning an invite to the U.S. U-14 Girls North Region Mini-Camp. Wintz is a standout midfielder for Bethesda SC’s 2011 ECNL squad, who brings exceptional technical skills and precision passing, thanks in large part to her extensive futsal background.

A rising talent for Arlington Soccer 2011, Klauder is an intriguing outside back prospect from the Class of 2029. She has outstanding speed and overall athleticism along with the height and strength to impose herself physically. She’s technically-sound with both feet, making her an important asset on the Arlington back line. (HIGHLIGHTS)

A member of the U.S. U-16 Girls National Team, Khaleel has skyrocketed up the ranks of the Class of 2028 over the past few seasons. She has developed into one of the single most dangerous midfielders in the country, thanks to her relentless work ethic and motor on the field, combined with her elite technical skills and ability to read the game. Khaleel turned in a dominant performance for Florida Kraze Krush 2010 at the ECNL Florida Showcase in January, and she’ll look to continue her outstanding play in North Carolina. (HIGHLIGHTS)

Another one of the absolute best Class of 2028 midfielders in the country, Barnes has made her way into the U.S. Youth National Team roster pool after a period of sustained excellence in ECNL action with Penn Fusion 2010. She’s a true box-to-box maestro who elevates the level of play for her entire team, constantly opening up tons of opportunities for the players around her. She earned First Team ECNL All-Conference honors last season, and appears well on her way to achieving that and more, once again this season. (HIGHLIGHTS)

The reigning ECNL National Champion MVLA SC 2009 squad will be among the West Coast teams heading to North Carolina, and they’re going to be a team that many college coaches will be lining up to watch. Defender / midfielder Chloe Miller is going to be near the top of the list for college coaches looking to recruit from the reigning champs, as she was an integral part of MVLA’s title run last season and she has significant U.S. Youth National Team experience.

Another member of the reigning ECNL National Champion MVLA SC 2009 team, Baker is a nationally-renowned goalkeeper with sky-high potential. She will garner plenty of attention from college coaches when her active recruiting window opens up in just a few weeks, as she’s been developing and refining her game at an extremely high level. She’s an aggressive and savvy shot-stopper, as well as an excellent distributor and organizer out of the back, who always seems to come through in big moments, even against some of the best attacking players in the country. (HIGHLIGHTS)

Caceres is an instrumental part of the Paraguay Youth National Team roster pool, having represented them in some major competitions. She’s coming off an appearance with Paraguay’s U-18 Women’s National Team in the UEFA U-18 Championship, and she has served as captain for both the U-17 and U-18 squads. She’s a rock solid defensive midfielder who provides’ two-way abilities, making her a valuable piece for her Florida Kraze Krush 2009 ECNL squad.

A forward / midfielder for SUSA FC 2010 ECNL, Asenjo has made waves with her contributions on the international stage representing the Dominican Republic Youth National Team. She recently competed with the Dominican U-17 Women’s National Team at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Costa Rica, having helped them advance all the way to the championship round. (HIGHLIGHTS)

Krzyzowski is an interesting Class of 2028 prospect who plays outside back for Michigan Hawks Magic 2010. She’s developed into a two-way talent who can get forward up the flank and devastate opposing defenses by adding an extra body to an offensive possession for her side, creating mismatches in the attacking third. Defensively, she’s a steady presence at left back for an outstanding all-around unit.

The University of Virginia landed a gem of a verbal commitment from Penn Fusion 2009 midfielder Kylie Berk, who has vaulted her way into the U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team roster pool after some world class play over the past year. Recently, she came up big for her team at the 2026 Jefferson Cup, where Penn Fusion dominated the competition in the U-17 Championship Division.

This future University of Pennsylvania Quaker is a longtime standout for Penn Fusion 2009, a team that has ascended to great heights in recent years, including a run to last year’s ECNL Finals in Richmond. Bongiorno is a well-rounded midfielder who has a gift for finding even the slightest creases in an opposing defense, making key passes to create scoring chances, and finishing goals herself with her powerful, deadly-accurate shot.

Mia Heyer has established herself as one of the top goalkeepers in the 2027 class, earning MVP honors at Zee Goalkeeper Academy and recognition at the CONCACAF Champions U15 level, while playing a key role with the Honduras U17–U20 National Team during qualifier group stage competition. She has also been twice invited and attended camps with the full Senior Honduras National Team, a reflection of her progression across age levels.

A 2025 Florida State Cup Champion and 2026 ECNL Showcase Cup qualifier, she competes with Sporting Jax ECNL G09 and the USL Academy pathway, standing out for her vocal leadership, command of the box, and explosive shot-stopping presence consistently organizing and anchoring her back line in high-pressure moments.