ECNL Girls Playoffs 2025: Thrilling finishes continue on Day 2

SAN DIEGO, CA – The ECNL Girls National Playoffs rolled on at Surf Cup Sports Park on Friday with quarterfinal action in the U18/19 Champions League.

After both advancing by way of penalty kicks in the opening round on Thursday, it took penalty kicks once again to find a winner as FC Dallas took on Bay Area Surf.

After a scoreless first half, FC Dallas got on the board first in the second half when Natalie Wagner whipped a perfect cross into the box that Samira Minor got on the other end of and put home to make it 1-0 FC Dallas.

Bay Area Surf put the pressure on the FC Dallas defense throughout the second half as they looked for the equalizer, but it looked like their efforts would fall short, until the final moment of stoppage time when they found the equalizing goal on a cross played into the box to Izabella Tejeda who put it home to knot the game at 1-1

With the two sides headed to penalties for the second day in a row, it was once again FC Dallas goalkeeper Macie Murphy who stepped up in the clutch. Murphy saved each of Bay Area Surf’s first two penalties to give her side the early advantage, while for the second day in a row FC Dallas converted all their penalties, as Minor, Isabelle Traub, London Young, and Isabella Martinez stepped up to fire FC Dallas into the semifinals.

FC Dallas will meet up with Slammers FC HB Køge in Sunday’s first U18/19 semifinal match, after they advanced 2-0 in their quarterfinal win over Solar SC. Slammers got on the board in the first half with a goal from Maya Woolforde, before picking up a second goal from Ayva Jordan to extend the lead and help secure the 2-0 win.

On the other side of the bracket, Penn Fusion SA opened up a 3-0 lead over La Roca FC, with goals from Lydia Thornton, Keira Kemmerley, and Sophia Zeppos. La Roca battled back and cut the lead down to one, but ultimately Penn Fusion was able to see out the 3-2 victory.

Penn Fusion SA will take on FC Stars Blue in Sunday’s second U18/19 semifinal match, after they held on for a 2-1 win over VDA in their quarterfinal matchup.

FC Stars grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second half with goals from Emily Mara and Hope McMillin, but VDA battled back late to cut the lead in half with a goal of their own.

(+ECNL Girls Playoffs 2025: Day 1 Recap from San Diego)

In the final seconds, VDA sent everyone forward on a free kick opportunity and played a dangerous ball into the box, but the FC Stars defense was able to clear the final chance away to hold onto the 2-1 victory.

“We haven’t been this far ever, so it’s really exciting,” said FC Stars CB Avery Sarzana. “It’s a testament to our strength and our group sticking together to not give up and stay strong.”

Although Sarzana and her teammates were thrilled after the game to be advancing to the semifinals and said it will be new territory for them, they’re going to continue to carry their confidence and businesslike mindset forward into their game on Sunday.

“We came out here and understood that this is a business trip and that we’re not here for a vacation. We’ve had that mindset and we’re going to continue to carry that into the semis.”

Reigning Champs Recap: Penn Fusion SA 2008

Penn Fusion SA kept their winning ways going in the U17 Champions League on Friday, defeating Sporting Blue Valley 4-0 to move to 2-0 in group stage play.

Penn Fusion’s win sets up a Sunday showdown with San Diego Surf to see who tops the group, after Surf defeated Tampa Bay United 2-0 on Friday to also move to 2-0 in the group stage.

Reigning Champs Recap: Slammers FC HB Køge 2010

Slammers FC HB Køge’s 2010 team has been an absolute force throughout their first two seasons in the ECNL, capturing National Championships at both the U13 and U14 levels, and entered into San Diego by winning the Southwest Conference this season with an unbeaten 14-0-2 record.

Slammers opened their run at a historic three-peat on Friday by defeating SLSG Green 3-1 to open up group stage play in the U15 Champions League. They’ll look to move to 2-0 in group stage play on Saturday when they take on FC Dallas, who drew 1-1 with Portland Thorns in Friday’s other game in the group.

Reigning Champs Recap: San Diego Surf 2011

San Diego Surf’s 2011 team took the field for the first time on Friday as they look to accomplish what Slammers FC HB Køge did last season by starting their ECNL careers with back to back National Championships at the U13 and U14 age groups.

In their opening match on Friday, Surf defeated Match Fit Academy 5-2 to pick up three crucial points to begin their postseason. Surf will be back in action on Saturday afternoon as they take on SUSA FC in their second group stage match, who drew 1-1 with Crossfire Academy on Friday.

For a full look at the ECNL Girls National Playoffs, including scores, schedules and more, click here.