Players To Watch: Girls Academy 2023 Playoffs
The Girls Academy Playoffs kickoff June 21 with 160 total teams competing for postseason glory, as the 2022-23 campaign enters its final stretch.
From June 21-28, the GA’s best teams from throughout the country will descend on Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey for the postseason event. The National Event will include playoff competition for all age groups, U13-U19.
It will also feature college showcase competition for non-playoff qualifying teams in the U15-U17 age groups. For a look at the GA Playoff Brackets, click here.
Ahead of the GA’s playoff action, here are some of the top players to know. Players are divided up according to their graduation year.
2027
Playing up a year on the IMG Elite U-15 team, Owens is an elite shot stopper with great IQ and elite distribution. She has been a steadfast leader for IMG as they continue their defense of their final four berth last season. Owens played every minute of the season in goal for IMG (GA Playoffs).
A natural central defender that demonstrates excellent game awareness and positioning. She efficiently connects progressive short passes, makes quality interceptions and well-timed tackles, and consistently wins aerial duels. Her physicality and speed allow her to handle 1v1 situations, confidently keeping pace with opposing attacks. She co-captained her team to a first-place finish in the GA Southwest Conference, and her performances earned her Talent ID event invites from US Soccer and the Girls Academy (GA Playoffs)
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Francesca Canzano | Defender
Syracuse Development Academy 09 (NY)
A starting outside back/defender for my Girls Academy 2009 team and love it. She was a member of the 2009 side that won the USYS East Regional Championships and competed at the USYS National Championship that season, placing third. (GA Playoffs)
2026
Captained one of the top defensive sides – Chicago FC United 2007 – in the Girls Academy Mid-America Conference (7-2-2, 23 points) and was instrumental in building attacking chances on the counter-attack. Magnone runs a highly organized midfield that can absorb pressure from attackers and immediately respond with chances of their own. (GA Playoffs)
Pace is a strong competitor and leader that anchored a defense which finished with 17 clean sheets in the regular season. She uses her body and technical skills on the ball to stop opposing players on the dribble and those looking to make runs off the ball. She is a talented passer that can drop a ball right at her forward’s feet and a great tackler that can take it right off her opponent’s feet. Pace particularly shined during Tophat’s GA Champion Cup games. (GA Playoffs)
A versatile player that specializes in defense anywhere across the back line, Collier has helped steady the Nationals backline in their Championship defense. When on the attack, she is composed and can hit dangerous chances as well. For her efforts, she was recently named to the GA Mid-America Talent ID session. (GA Playoffs ).
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Katy Haransky | Goalkeeper
TSJ FC Virginia 08 (VA)
Virginia allowed just eight goals during the Mid-Atlantic Conference play this season thanks in large part due to the work between the posts by Haransky. The United States Youth National Team goalkeeper (she was recently called up for the 08 Identification Camp in April) can make even the most challenging saves look easy, using her vertical leap to parry shots over the bar. She is also more than willing to mix it up with attackers on the ground and helps her defense organize on set plays (GA Playoffs)
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AvaLee Pomper | Midfielder
Nationals SC Gray 08 (MI)
A box-to-box midfielder that can take on multiple defenders in tight spaces, Pomper was the catalyst for a Nationals SC side that booked a spot in the Showcase F-1 playoffs. When she is on the pitch, she is always moving whether it is to help open up space on the attack, deliver a timely pass to her teammates, or lend a hand for a strong defensive side. She recently participated in the Girls Academy Mid-America Talent ID Showcase. (GA Summer Series)
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Jazmyn Guerrero | Midfielder
Houston Rise SC 07 (GA)
Guerrero was a member of the U15 Mexico National Team that recently placed third at the CONCACAF U15 Championships in 2022. She currently plays for their U17 National Team and has completed international tours with El Tri in Spain and Costa Rica. At the High School level, she received First Team All District with her side Franklin High School(she was a freshman on the varsity team) and was second Team All City in El Paso Texas. For Rise, she was selected to the Frontier Talent ID Camp but could not attend due to injuries and Mexican National Team commitments. Finally, she was selected to participate at Alianza National Showcase 2022 (She captained the Showcase). (GA Playoffs)
2025
Spearheaded the Sockers FC defense that allowed just 8 goals during Mid-America Conference play this season. Keller is unafraid to take on attackers in one-on-one situations and times her aerial work perfectly when batting down crosses into the box. Has participated in multiple Girls Academy Talent ID sessions and is considered to be one of the top goalkeepers in Illinois in her age group. (GA Playoffs)
A fast and physical right back that has been converted to winger, Graham is solid on both sides of the field for Florida United 07. On the attacking side, she likes the ball in space to run on to, which allows for quality balls into the box. Her confidence on the attacking side has been growing as she has started to find the back of the net. On the defensive side, she is almost impossible to beat on pace, making it difficult for the opposition to get in behind. (GA Playoffs)
Led offense as a top scorer on the Kansas Rush GA 07 team. Woodward’s grittiness and work ethic produces scoring opportunities for herself and teammates. Her ability to see options and her precision in passing and scoring makes her a problem for defenses. (GA Summer Showcase)
Recognized for her strong performance at the recent 36th Annual Texas Shootout, hosted by Challenge SC, earlier this month. Jeffiers is also coming a strong performance at her last league event, the GA Spring Showcase in North Carolina. (GA Summer Showcase)
Shortly after verbally committing to Grand Canyon University for the Class of 2025, Chiuchiolo is heading to the GA Playoffs with her SC del Sol U16 squad. Chiuchiolo has earned multiple call-ups with the Ecuador Youth National Team, and has been on the radar for the USYNT as well. The midfielder is one of the top in her age group in the GA’s Southwest Conference (GA Playoffs).
The 2025 defender was recently selected to the GA’s Mid-America Talent ID Camp and is coming off a season in which she led the side to an undefeated record (15-0-2, 47 points. Defensively, Nationals conceded just 17 goals during the regular season, a testament to Enwright’s tight marking and decisive work on the backline (GA Playoffs).
This fullback and defensive mid is effective offensively and defensively, making runs on the sidelines, making tackles, and intercepting passes. Sussman can read the game well, anticipate the movements of her opponents, and adjust her play accordingly. She can pass the ball accurately and quickly and stays focused and composed under pressure, defending against skilled opponents. GA Playoffs
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Lilli Lubic | Midfielder
TSJ FC Virginia 07 (VA)
Anchored a TSJ midfield that placed second in a tough Mid-Atlantic Conference (10-3-3, 33 points). The side is the reigning Girls Academy National Champions for their age group and will look for another solid playoff run from Lubic, whose pacing and consistency behind the ball helps TSJ FC Virginia form their attack. (GA Playoffs)
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Elle Wildman | Midfielder
Salvo Soccer Club 07 (MN)
A physical midfielder that also has a bit of speed, Wildman is a force on both sides of the pitch for Salvo. On the attacking end of the pitch, she likes to drive at defenders, which helps open up space for her teammates to exploit. On the defensive end, she makes expert reads on attackers and can slow down counter-attacks with tight marking and consistent tackling. (GA Playoffs)
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Anna Garrow | Forward
Tophat Gold 07 (GA)
One of the top goalscorers in the 2007 age group, Garrow led Tophat to a 13-3-3 record on 59 goals scored. In open space she can use her lightning speed to push defenders on their heels and force them out of position. While she can take a shot from anywhere inside the eighteen, she also possesses good vision and can link up with teammates for an assist. (GA Playoffs)
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Faye Battersby | Defender
NEFC 07 (MA)
A strong outside back with speed and strength for a tough NEFC defensive unit. She is highly effective at shutting down opposing offenses as well as assisting on the counter attack. (GA Playoffs)
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Maria Caceres | Midfielder
IMG Academy 07 (FL)
Captained IMG Academy to the top spot in the Champions Cup and was recently called into the GA Talent ID Showcase in Florida. She possesses superb field vision and can make expert long and short range passes with minimal time to operate. (GA Playoffs)
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Kyah Montano | Forward
NEFC 07 (MA)
Recently participated in the Girls Academy Northeast Regional Talent ID Clinic and the league’s National ID Clinic. She was also called up to the USYNT National ID Camp in May 2022. (GA Playoffs)
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Emeline McClenahan | Goalkeeper
Chicago FC United 07 (IL)
Has proven herself to be one of the top goalkeepers in the Girls Academy after leading her team to the GA Quarterfinals last year (allowing only one goal in three games) and a berth in the Champions Cup. This year, she led a a Chicago side that won their group in the Champions Cup and earned an automatic spot in the league playoffs. She also went five straight games without allowing a goal this Spring. (GA Playoffs)
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Lilly Bane | Midfielder
Beadling FC 07 (PA)
Scored 13 goals and tallied six assists for Beadling this season to help punch their ticket into the GA Summer Showcase. Her exploits for her club side has helped her earn two GA Talent ID Showcase call-ups during her youth career. (GA Summer Showcase)
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Neely Kerr | Midfielder
Tophat Gold 06 (GA)
Captained Tophat this season and was recently called in to the USYNT U17 camp this June. She is a holding midfielder that is a box-to-box player who can link the sides attacking and defensive players. (GA Playoffs)
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Maddie Smith | Midfielder
SJEB FC 07 (NJ)
Had a stellar season as a goal-scoring threat, operating in several positions within the attack for SJEB. Known for her speed, creativity, scoring ability, and proficiency in 1v1 situations, Smith helped SJEB tally the third-highest goal total in the Mid-Atlantic division. Smith was selected for the Girls Academy Mid-Atlantic Regional Talent ID Event in May. (Summer Showcase)
2024
An extremely fast forward, dual footed, and unselfish on the ball. Ella is as likely to give a teammate a beautiful cross as she is to take a shot herself. She is tough on the pitch, not afraid to mix it up. Jablinskey was recently selected to the GA’s Mid-America Talent ID roster and in 2021 was called up to the USYNT Regional ID Center Camp. (GA Playoffs)
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Ellie Fiedler | Midfielder
Baltimore Armour 06 (MD)
An All-State box-to-box midfielder for Mount Hebron High School, Fiedler is highly technical player and provides an immediate impact on both offense and defense. She possesses great vision and has the ability to finish on goal. (GA Playoffs)
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Claire Casey| Defender
Michigan Jaguars 06 (MI)
A strong center back with excellent vision and a very high soccer IQ, she has composure on the ball that allows her team to transition easily into the attack. She excels at winning balls out of the air and was recently selected for the GA Mid America Talent ID camp. (GA Playoffs)
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