Players to Watch: Girls Academy Playoffs and Summer Showcase 2025
The 2025 Girls Academy Playoffs and Summer Showcase is coming up June 19-24, as the GA’s top teams will go head-to-head at SilverLakes Sports Complex in Norco, CA.
Teams across the U14-U17 divisions will be competing in the playoff group stages in Norco, which will set the stage for the GA Finals. Meanwhile, the U13 and U19 divisions will determine their national champions in Norco, playing the group stage all the way through the knockout rounds and title matches.
To see the list of registered college coaches for the GA’s postseason event, click here.
Ahead of the GA Playoffs and Summer Showcase, here are some players to know. Players are listed according to their graduation year.
You can also nominate a player that will be attending the event. To nominate a player for consideration, CLICK HERE.
2030
Mao combines speed, technical skill, and a high soccer IQ to make a consistent impact on the field. As captain of Lamorinda SC’s 2011 team, she has led the team to 1st place in the GA Northwest Conference and 10th nationally. This season, despite rotating between six different goalkeepers, Mao’s leadership and consistency helped the team record 16 shutouts with a 0.87 Goals Against Average. Selected for the 2025 GA Northwest Talent ID Event, she contributes defensively and offensively, making key stops and creating scoring chances in transition. (HIGHLIGHTS)
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Emilia Lekousis | Goalkeeper
SoCal Reds FC 2011 (CA)
At 5’10”, Lekousis is an absolute force to be reckoned with between the posts. From her acrobatics to stop shots to her calm ball distribution, Lekousis is a key member of the 2011 SoCal Reds defense. She has a great ability to read the game and take the ball off an attacker’s foot. She was also a recent invitee for the GA Southwest Talent ID Event.
2029
A rising prospect for the So Cal Reds 2011 squad, Peña played a key part during her team’s journey to qualification for the GA Playoffs. She’s productive attacking player who can line up and forward or in the midfield. Her efforts got her called up to the GA Southwest Talent ID Event earlier this year.
Mazotas is a 2011 playing up on the New York SC 2010 GA team, where she a starting striker known for her speed, strength and ability to make quick decisions. Her standout play this season not only helped New York SC 2010 earn a spot in the GA U15 Playoffs (competing in Group C), she also was selected for the 2025 GA Northeast Talent ID Event.
2028
Gulliford is the engine and calm leader of the 2010 West Florida Flames team. A holding midfielder constantly helping to organize the back line and provide directions to her team. A two-way player with her defensive work rate and creating chances from the run of play. Recent GA southeast selection, US id, and on the England National Team radar.
Versatile athlete for Lou Fusz Athletic 2010, who brings speed and physicality to the back line and the midfield. She’s a strong contributor to a Lou Fusz team which finds itself in the championship hunt once again, after another outstanding regular season in the Frontier Conference. (HIGHLIGHTS)
A talented defender for the FRAM SC 2010 team, Arimura has routinely been selected for the highly-competitive Cal South ODP rosters, and has received US Youth Soccer West Regional ODP call-ups as well. She was selected for the GA Southwest Talent ID Event this season as well, while helping lead FRAM SC into the GA Playoffs.
Alvarado is a dynamic and commanding presence on the back line for the Lou Fusz 2010 GA team. Known for her elite speed, physical style of play, and exceptional game intelligence, she consistently neutralizes top-tier attackers and turns defensive stops into attacking opportunities.
A SoccerWire Featured Player who represents Charlotte Development Academy 2010, Tess has been invited by Head Coach Phillip Poole to the Carolina Ascent Pro-pathway program as a 14-year old. She just completed her freshman year at Charlotte Catholic, leading them to the 4A NC Semi-finals, earning North Carolina 4A First Team All-Region, and 4A NC All-Conference First team as a midfielder.
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Peyton Johnston | Midfielder
Blues FC 2010 (CA)
Peyton stands out as a high motor midfielder with sharp anticipation, and ability to turn defensive pressure into quick attacking chances. Whether playing through the middle or out wide, she consistently disrupts rhythm and forces mistakes. Her work off the ball is relentless, and her ability to turn defensive moments into offensive sparks makes her one of the most watchable players on the field.
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Natalyah Felton | Goalkeeper
Tophat Gold 2009 (GA)
Felton is a Class of 2028 player who’s regarded as one of the premier goalkeepers in the entire GA. She was selected to represent the league on the GA Blue All-Star Team, which competed in the Generation adidas Cup this spring. She’s also received GA National Talent ID Event call-ups, and is considered a strong NCAA D1 prospect.
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Kendall Conway | Midfielder
Lamorinda SC 2009 (CA)
This U.S. Youth National Team roster pool member is an force in the middle for Lamorinda SC 2009, which will be a strong contender in the group stage of the GA Playoffs. Conway is coming off a May 2025 call-up to the U.S. U-16 Girls National Team and she represented the GA Blue All-Star Team in the Generation adidas Cup.
2027
One of the first players to verbally commit from the Class of 2027, Rowley has announced her intention to join the Dartmouth women’s soccer program. She’s a creative and dynamic player who can score in a variety of ways, making her a dangerous player for opposing defensive to deal with, anytime the ball is in the final third. Rowley will be a key asset for STA 2008 as they compete in Group F of the GA U17 Playoffs.
Friedman is a box-to-box player who locks down the defensive midfield for IMG Academy 2008, while also contributing to the attack with her high work rate, impact passing and elite field vision. One of only five Class of 2027 players on this strong U17 team, Friedman has helped her IMG Academy team thrive as a perennial playoff contender. (HIGHLIGHTS)
A creative attacking midfielder with a deadly left foot, Christina will be dangerous for the deep Long Island SC GA 2009 team in the GA Summer Showcase. Christina’s stellar performance has led to her selection to the USYNT Talent ID Center, the GA Northeast Talent ID Event and the Gotham FC Centers of Excellence in 2025.
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Bristol Kersh | Forward
Tophat Gold 2009 (GA)
A Class of 2027 star on the attacking side for the nationally-renowned Tophat Gold 2009 side, Kersh is a dynamic forward with U.S. Youth National Team experience. Kersh helped lead the GA Red All-Star Team to a championship at the 2025 Generation adidas Cup, highlighted by a key goal in the title match against the GA Blue All-Stars.
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Rory Chiles | Midfielder / Defender
Michigan Jaguars 2008 (MI)
Chiles is coming off her third straight selection to the GA Mid-America Talent ID and is widely considered a solid NCAA D1 prospect. The defensive midfielder / center back has the body strength and athleticism to win duels, shield, and win 50-50 balls in the air. Relentless physicality is a hallmark of her game. A ‘glue player’ that will do anything for the team’s success, Chiles has the ability to make key passes to set up offensive opportunities and regularly joins the attack, playing box-to-box.
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Bethany Poklemba | Defender
Tophat Navy 2008 (GA)
Bethany is a dynamic presence on defense for Tophat Navy 2008, which will be competing in the GA Summer Showcase. She recently was named to the All-Region Team on the high school side, and she’s ranked as one of the top defenders in Georgia for the Class of 2027. Last season, she was one of Tophat Navy 2008’s top scorers while playing primarily at outside back. Bethany is also a captain for Tophat, showing leadership, creativity and a high soccer IQ.
2026
Brooklyn Schiffrin | Forward
Pinecrest Premier 2008 (FL)
Brooklyn scored 6 goals and had 1 assist at the Spring GA Event in Greensboro, N.C. and helped her team win their group. The Class of 2026 forward is currently deciding on offers from several schools.
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