Players To Watch: Girls Academy 2023-2024 Southwest Conference

The Girls Academy 2023-2024 season is officially underway, with clubs from across the United States kicking off league play this fall.

To help preview the competition, SoccerWire will be providing Players To Watch from across all 10 Conferences in the U15-U19 age groups. For a full listing of GA Players to Watch content and more, check out our running archive on SoccerWire’s Girls Academy homepage.

For this edition, we will be focusing on the Southwest Conference, which has teams in Arizona and California.

Players are listed according to their graduation year. To submit additional nominations for Players to Watch, click here.

2027

Graduation: 2027

Amelia Ralph

Defender

Los Angeles Surf SC

Girls Academy

Captained Surf to first place in the Southwest Conference and a spot in the GA National Playoffs Group Stage. As a central defender, Ralph positioning is always fundamentally sound and she is constantly called upon to make the decisive clearance in dangerous territory. She was called up to the U-14 Girls National Team Mini Camp last February.

2026

Graduation: 2026

Sloane Phillips

Midfielder

City SC

Girls Academy

Joins City SC this season in the GA after previously representing Legends FC where she helped the team advance to back-to-back ECNL Finals. The Class of 2026 midfielder is expected to play a key role with her first season with her new squad.

Excited to play in the @GAcademyLeague this season with City SC! #championsleague #southwest #midfield #girlsacademy #GA #soccer @Hudl @TheSoccerWire @PrepSoccer @TopDrawerSoccer pic.twitter.com/u5JavRfIrE

— Sloane Phillips (@SloaneJPhillips) September 1, 2023

Ava Corcoran | Defender
Almaden FC 08 (CA)

An anchor on the back line and a standout for her explosive speed, Corcoran played a pivotal role in AFC’s defensive dominance in the Northwest Conference. She has an innate ability to win balls in the back third and subsequently create counterattacks through long crosses or one-touch passes. Corcoran is a leader on the field, serving as a GA Team Representative for a second year and uses her voice on the field to advise teammates on key positioning.

2025

Graduation: 2025

Caprice Chiuchiolo

Midfielder

Grand Canyon Women

SC del Sol

Girls Academy

A dual national (she has represented both Ecuador and the USYNT) Chiuchiolo was instrumental in getting SC Del Sol into the GA U16 National Playoffs Quarterfinals. On the pitch, she is constantly moving, always looking for the small gaps in the defense to exploit. As an attacking midfielder, she is also more than willing to take a crack at goal when the opportunity presents itself. Chiuchiolo has verbally committed to playing college soccer in 2025 at Grand Canyon University.

Graduation: 2025

Madeline Park

Defender

Cornell Women

FRAM SC

Girls Academy

FRAM SC, in its second year in the girls academy league with a revamped roster, has a strong defense anchored by Park. She manages the game and her team from the back line using her speed and athleticism covering the entire field and marking the best attacker. She is the catalyst for counter attacks and an integral part of all set pieces. Park has verbally committed to playing college soccer at Cornell University in 2025 (Q&A: Class of 2025 Recruit Madeline Park on Committing to Cornell)

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Kailey Carlen | Goalkeeper
ALBION SC San Diego 05/06 (CA)

Bookended a strong 2022-2023 campaign with an appearance in the GA National Playoffs and a clean sheet in their Group C finale against Indy Premier SC (4-0). Carlen is a fearless goalkeeper that will make the decisive diving save. ALBION’s 06s won the U16 GA National Championship in 2021-2022 and will be looking to get back to the mountaintop this season.

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Makenna Liebman | Midfielder
SC del Sol 05/06 (CA)

Controls the midfield for SC del Sol, using her space and timing to maintain possession for long periods of the game. In GA playoff action last year, she led her team to an appearance in the Group Stage where they placed second in their group. Their tournament play was highlighted by a 0-0 draw against Real Jersey FC and a 7-2 win over Bridge City Soccer Academy.

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2024

Graduation: 2024

Charlotte Reis

Goalkeeper

West Coast FC

Girls Academy

Led West Coast FC’s 06 team to second place in their bracket at the GA National Showcase over the summer, including a 3-1 win over a strong attacking Spokane Sounders team. Reis has excellent footwork and always seems to get the best of attackers in one-on-one situations. She is also the consummate leader, organizing a tightly constructed backline and providing effective communication on what she sees to her teammates.

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Kate Wilson | Defender
West Coast FC 05/06 (CA)

Led West Coast FC to an undefeated record in Southwest play in the National Showcase last June, using her tight marking and timely clears to earn the 3-1 win over Spokane Sounders and a 2-2 draw against VSA Rush. The 5’7″ center-back likes to mix it up with attackers in both the air and on the ground and can jump-start the counter-attack with crisp passes to the outside (she can also play in the defensive midfield). Wilson has verbally committed to playing college soccer in 2024 at Utah Valley University.

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Jessica Bedolla | Midfielder
SC del Sol 05/06 (CA)

Served as SC del Sol’s main attacking option last season and fluorished, lifting the team to a spot in the GA National Playoffs while coming through several key clutch goals during league play. She has limitless speed and can break through defenders both on and off of the ball. In addition, she can also draw the attention of multiple defenders, giving her teammates space to exploit. Bedolla has verbally committed to playing college soccer in 2024 at Arizona.
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Gabriella Nacelli | Defender
West Coast FC 05/06 (CA)

Dominated midfield play last season for West Coast FC, shifting between the attack and as a holding midfield. In either position, she can slow down play or speed it up depending upon what the situation calls for. Nacelli also has excellent field vision and can pick out teammates make diagonal runs towards goal with relative. She has represented the USYNT at the U16 level.

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Ayana Yapo | Midfielder
SC del Sol 05/06 (CA)

Provided blanket coverage for SC del Sol between the posts last season, using her athleticism to make countless acrobatic saves (she is a long jumper in high school track). Yapo is also a true leader who can keep her backline organized even under the strongest of pressure. She has verbally committed to playing college soccer in 2024 at Auburn.