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)

Rosalie is coming off of some impressive results in recent league play. She had a hat trick in the team’s 6-2 win against PDA Blue. Rosalie also had a goal and an assist in Bethesda’s 7-0 win against Pipeline. At Jeff Cup, the team’s last event, Rosalie was a big part in the team’s undefeated record there scoring the game winner in their 1-0 victory against World Class. Furthermore, Rosalie is extremely versatile often playing as a forward, central midfielder or winger. She also is often the set piece taker for the team.

A dynamic midfielder for Pittsburgh Riverhounds Academy 2010 ECNL, Karsman brings a relentless work rate, speed, technical quality, and attacking range. With the versatility to shift between midfield, attacking, and defensive positions, she can drive play forward, create chances, and finish scoring opportunities. Her athleticism and toughness give her a real presence across the field, allowing her to cover ground, compete physically, and influence the game in possession and transition. Karsman excels on set pieces, delivering dangerous service and striking from distance.

Ella Bennett is a class of 2029 dynamic forward for FC Alliance 2010. She leads her team in goals scored this season at 16, with 5 of those goals coming at the ECNL Florida Event in January. She strikes the ball with pace and accuracy with either foot. Ella’s speed, field awareness, and finishing ability make her highly-effective for her team’s offensive success.

A high-intensity wingback and a staple for the Guatemala U17 Women’s National Team, Sady-Dubon arrives in North Carolina following a standout spring on both the club and international circuits. After playing every minute of Guatemala’s recent CONCACAF qualifying campaign, she continued her development this spring with another National Team camp and a recent invitation to the Gotham FC Player Pathway Center of Excellence.

Known for her elite 30.3 km/h top speed and a relentless 10.8km match engine, she is a premier 1v1 defender who excels at neutralizing elite attackers while providing a constant overlapping threat in transition.

Naomi is coming off a successful varsity high school season where she scored 12 goals, had 8 assists, and was named 1st Team All-District as a freshman. She’s been invited to the U.S. Soccer Talent ID Center twice during this year’s ECNL club season and is the starting striker for VDA ECNL 2011, which is heading to the ECNL Playoffs in July in the Showcase bracket.

Fresh off her international call-up with the U15 French National Team, Marcela takes the pitch in North Carolina with an elite tactical perspective. A dynamic playmaker, she excels at winning possession and transitioning from defense to offense, hunting down the ball to sustain a high attacking tempo. Combined with her dual-footed finishing ability, Marcela is a constant threat in the final third, both creating and converting high-quality scoring opportunities.

A U.S. U-16 Girls National Team member, Sullivan is a standout defender whose versatility and attacking mindset allows her to play anywhere on the field. She’s a trap year 2010 playing up 2 years on an excellent San Juan 2009 ECNL team, competing at a level well beyond her years.

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.

A member of the MVLA SC 2010 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.

Grace Peoples is an attacking midfielder playing for the Sting Black 2009 team who will be in the 2028 graduating class from Celina High School, where she won two state titles in her first two years of varsity play. She had a strong ECNL season, demonstrating equal skill with both feet, solid field vision, and the ability to transition between a variety of positions on the field.

Bongiorno is a standout central defender for the Penn Fusion 2010 team. Her passing accuracy and range are elite and she has shown she can defend top scorers in the league. She earned First Team All-Conference honors last season and her team has allowed only 5 goals in conference play this season. She is dangerous on set pieces, using both her left and right feet.

Batts is a dynamic and versatile defender for Orlando Pride ECNL 2010 who excels at both outside back and center back, combining elite recovery speed, physicality, and positional awareness to shut down top attackers while impacting the game defensively and in possession.

She earned selection to the USYS ODP National Team and helped lead her team to an IberCup championship in Portugal against top international academies, contributing two goals and one assist while the team conceded just six goals across five matches. Her honors include USYNT and Orlando Pride Talent ID invitations, USL W selection, and ECNL Southeast All-Conference recognition.

Derby heads into ECNL North Carolina after three strong performances at ECNL Phoenix helped her Slammers FC 2010 ECNL team go undefeated. Her commanding presence on the field, her athletic shot-stopping skills, her fantastic ability to read the game, her excellent communication and her confident footwork all combine to make her a truly standout goalkeeper in her class.

Brooklyn Baskin is a shifty, gritty, left-foot dominant fullback who impacts both ends of the field with relentless effort, exceptional vision, and the ability to defend aggressively while transitioning quickly into the attack. She thrives in one-on-one battles and transition moments, consistently creating momentum for her team on both sides of the ball. A 2026 ECNL Texas National Selection Game participant and U.S. Soccer Talent ID Center invitee, Brooklyn earned 2025 ECNL Texas Conference First Team honors while helping lead her team to consecutive ECNL National Playoff appearances.

Gulliford is a holding midfielder with a commanding presence on the field for Florida Kraze Krush 2010. She was recently invited to train in England with Chelsea and Leicester City. Gulliford has an elite ability to read the game, often serving as the engine that keeps her team connected. She projects as a strong D1 recruit from the Class of 2028.

Edwards led her team team in goals for the 2024/2025 season, and she’s been highly productive this season as well, leading Tampa Bay United 2010 in assists, while scoring the second-most goals so far. She has come up huge in the clutch repeatedly this ECNL season, scoring numerous game-winners and drawing multiple fouls leading to game-winning PKs.

Gianna projects as a complete No. 9 who consistently influences the attacking phase through game intelligence, physicality, and on‑field vision. She times runs to drive at defenders toward goal, holds up play to bring teammates into scoring positions, and retains possession to draw pressure inside the penalty area. She strikes the ball forcefully and accurately with either foot from inside and outside the box, frequently in tight spaces.

Off the ball, she is effective in a high press, routinely forcing turnovers and accelerating transitions into the offensive third. Statistical output this season reinforces her impact: 22 goals and 7 assists in club play. Overall, she profiles as a tactically aware, physically capable, and consistently threatening striker.

Saylor will be guest playing as goalkeeper with FC Alliance from Knoxville, Tennessee during the ECNL NC National Event. She recently returned from the IberCup in Portugal with the US Youth Socer ODP 2010 National Team, where she helped secure the championship trophy for the USA.

Ava Scaglione is a versatile winger and outside back for the Orlando Pride ECNL 2010 squad, recognized for her speed, precision, and strong two-way impact. A standout performer and All Cape Coast Conference selection at the high school level, Ava maintains an impressive 70% average possession rate, consistently helping her team build out of the back while joining the attack with well-timed overlapping runs.

As a winger, she stretches defenses with her pace, delivers accurate crosses, and creates goal-scoring opportunities for teammates. As an outside back, she reads the game intelligently, wins defensive duels, and transitions play quickly to maintain team shape, momentum, and attacking flow.

Haylee has dominated league play with a .67 GAA. She brings elite athleticism and she’s tactically-sound, continually showing a college level soccer IQ with her precise distribution, using her hands or either foot to start runs out of the back.

Brown has been one of Atlanta Fire United’s leader in both goals and assists for the past three seasons. Her productivity at National Events is remarkably high, scoring 11 goals and 2 assists across five ECNL National Events. She is a two-time ECNL Southeast First Team All-Conference selection, earning the honor for both the U15 and U16 age groups. A dynamic, left-footed attacker known for her explosive speed and scoring ability, she has already set multiple records early in her high school career including scoring over 100 career goals in her first two seasons.

Spruill is a dynamic left-footed outside back and wing with the versatility, pace, and technical ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball. A standout for West Ashley High School and South Carolina United FC ECNL 2009, Jasmine consistently creates attacking opportunities from the flank while also showing strong defensive awareness, composure, and work rate. Her ability to deliver dangerous service with her left foot and compete at a high level makes her a player to watch in the 2028 class.

Mackenzie McNeely continues to make an impact with the Philadelphia Ukrainians 09 ECNL squad heading into her final two showcase events of the season — the PDA Girls College Showcase and ECNL North Carolina.

Coming off a strong stretch of individual performances, Mackenzie continues to showcase her pace, relentless work rate, attacking mentality, and ability to create dangerous opportunities against top national competition. Her energy, competitiveness, and willingness to battle on both sides of the ball continue to separate her game.

A dynamic attacking player who embraces big moments, McNeely remains focused on elevating her game, helping create opportunities for her teammates, and continuing to pursue her long-term collegiate soccer goals. (HIGHLIGHTS)

A dynamic and attack-minded center midfielder, this four-year starter for the Fairfax VA Union 2010 ECNL team consistently impacts the game through intelligent movement, technical ability, and relentless attacking pressure. Excelling at running into space and supporting forward play, Scarlett quickly reacts to loose balls and immediately looks to create scoring opportunities or drive toward goal.

A true two-footed midfielder, they are equally dangerous finishing with either the left or right foot, adding versatility and unpredictability in the final third. Strong positional awareness and quick decision-making help create multiple chances for Fairfax Virginia Union, while fast-release passes through the middle and well-timed switches of play demonstrate composure and an advanced understanding of controlling the rhythm of the game. Scarlett’s leadership and consistency helped power Fairfax VA Union to the 2025 ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference title and a 5th-place finish at the ECNL Finals.

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.

Cornell Big Red commit Makena Lee heads to ECNL North Carolina as the leading scorer for Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals and one of the top attacking threats in the ECNL North Atlantic Conference. After building a reputation for clutch performances over four seasons with PDA Blue, Makena has continued her strong attacking form with the Ukies, highlighted by a four-goal performance — including a hat trick — at ECNL Florida earlier this year.

Captain, two-time Southeast All-Conference goalkeeper and Lipscomb University commit Emily Baird (after missing Florida Premier’s 1-5 start in league play due to a pre-season injury) returned in October between the posts to contribute towards her 2009 team’s defense on a nine-game unbeaten streak (8-0-1 including 8 clean sheets and 1 goal allowed) and finish their conference schedule qualifying for the North American Cup at ECNL Playoffs in Seattle.

Baird’s consistency to maintain a high standard of performance through her communication, area management, shot-stopping and distribution skills also contributed towards Florida Premier’s undefeated performances during the season at Tampa Bay Super Cup and both ECNL FL Winter and Spring showcases.