Scout’s View: Class of 2027 Standouts from the 2025 Girls Academy Finals

(GA Finals Players That Impressed | GA Finals Recap)

The 2024-25 Girls Academy season recently concluded as the U14-U17 National Champions were crowned at the GA Finals in Richmond, VA.

College coaches from around the country traveled to Virginia to watch the action, where the GA’s best teams battled for national championships in the U14-U17 age groups. (COLLEGE COACHES)

Longtime scout Jerry Penkala, owner and operator of JTF Academy, was on hand for the tournament, and compiled a list of some of the top players that he watched from the Class of 2027.

See below for Penkala’s top performers.

MK Young – Center Back
Syracuse Development Academy 2009 (NY)

This center back was a huge reason SDA won the GA National Championship, and was the best overall defender I saw at the event. She and her teammates overcame major adversity as well, playing without their other starting center back, who missed the title match due a red card in the semifinals. MK is the full package – speed, smarts and toughness. She’s extremely physically and mentally tough, as one of only 3 SDA players who never subbed out during the Final, which was played in grueling heat and humidity. She has incredible timing and fundamentals as a 1v1 shutdown defender, and was always right there to clean up for her outside backs if needed.

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Lindsay Ingemunson – Forward
Galaxy SC 2009 (IL)

One of the best offensive impact players I saw all weekend. Lindsay had the athleticism, technical skills, comfort on the ball and off ball movement to be dangerous all weekend, and was the main threat on this very talented Galaxy 09 team. She was able to hold the ball and distribute or drive at defenders, whichever the field and situation dictated. One of the smarter, highest soccer IQ kids I watched all weekend.

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Eva Fernandez – Goalkeeper
Michigan Jaguars 2009 (MI)

Eva was the best goalkeeper I watched at the event. She was personally responsible for keeping the GA National Championship game a 2-0 final instead of what easily could have been 4-0, by making one of the best 1v1 breakaway saves I’ve seen in years (against Penn State commit Lexi Fragnito) and again in the second half on a full-extension save on a rocket upper 90 shot by Fragnito. Eva has great fundamentals and instincts, owned her entire 18, tracked the ball extremely well on all crosses and corners, and was one of the better shot blockers I’ve seen in the GA all year.

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Ava Rolfes – Center Back
SC del Sol 2009 (AZ)

The defensive leader and overall leader of this extremely talented team, Ava was constantly keeping the back line organized every game, as well as showing a ton of verbal support to the entire team all weekend. Ava just looks and plays like a Power 4 defender: extremely quick, tough as nails, smart on defensive angles and textbook 1v1 technique. She was always anticipating support for the outside backs if needed.

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Lexi Fragnito – Forward
Syracuse Development Academy 2009 (NY)

I have been following this player for a few years now, and have no idea why she was somewhat ‘under the radar’ until the amazing staff at Penn State committed her. Lexi is the type of #9 that every single college coach looks for. Great size, great off-ball movement and knowledge of the game in any situation, and is simply a special talent as a scorer. She had both goals against the Michigan Jags in the title game and both were clinical finishes low to the far post/side net. After two 40-yard runs with insane open field speed, she placed both goals in the only possible opening. Lexi also works extremely hard off the ball, and has all the makings of a player who could make an immediate impact in college.

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Camille Toussant – Center Back
Louisiana TDP Elite 2009 (LA)

This Louisiana TDP Elite team was an absolute pleasure to watch, as they have a ton of talent all over the field, great coaching and team chemistry. A standout at center back, Camille was one of the best overall athletes and most dominant defenders at the GA Finals. She’s an imposing defender who forced TDP’s opponents to funnel the ball away from the middle of the field.

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Audrey Grandinetti – Midfielder
NEFC 2009 (MA)

Audrey was the main facilitator for her NEFC side, no matter where she was playing in the midfield. As a #6, she was the perfect and effective link from back to front. And when she moved to the #8 or #10, she was so smooth on the ball and controlled the midfield. Even on a deeply talented NEFC side, Audrey stood out as an elite player with a high soccer IQ.

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Lila Megyesi – Center Back / Forward
Michigan Jaguars 2009 (MI)

Lila had one of the most flexible and unique skillsets I’ve seen in some time. She played multiple positions, basically anywhere her team needed her, though her biggest impact was on the attacking side. She was a handful all weekend as a #9 and when she started getting double teamed, she adjusted immediately and drew the defenders to her, then found open teammates in the final third. She’s also a very impactful winger on either side, and has a great service from both flanks. She can cut the ball back at the corner of the 18 and put a shot on frame as well.

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Rachel Walter – Midfielder
St. Louis Development Academy 2009 (MO)

Rachel is one of the top recruits in the 2027 class, and I had not seen her play before, but she made it immediately obvious why she’s so highly-rated. So smooth and technical on the ball, can she finish from anywhere 25 yards and in with either her left or right foot, plus is one of the most creative midfielders I have ever seen in the GA.

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Sydney Bonnecaze – Forward
Louisiana TDP Elite 2009 (LA)

Sydney is one of the best ‘born scorers’ in the GA, and has been All-State in Louisiana high school soccer since she was in 8th grade. She will end up with the all-time goals and assists leader ever in that state, and it was easy to see why. Sydney has great balance and physicality with her back to the goal, and holding the ball with a defender on her back. Plus, she has a quick first move and outstanding first touch if she wants to spin and go to goal. Like all born scorers, she can finish from anywhere.

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Riley Priestap – Midfielder
Michigan Jaguars 2009 (MI)

Riley caught my eye seeing her physical, tough, intimidating play in the midfield. She has the ability to clog up the middle of the pitch defensively, but can also switch on a dime and be dynamic offensively if needed. Riley’s an outstanding passer, completing literally 100% of her passes in the action that I saw. She also cleanly possessed the ball on 100% of the 1v1 tackles she was involved in, making her an absolute ace in the ball possession game.

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Jansen Ogren – Midfielder
SC del Sol 2009 (AZ)

This 6-foot-1 center mid was one of the most dominant midfielders at this event. She has great size and physicality, and she’s very technical and almost a coach on the field, helping her teammates see the right pass decision as well as connecting her own passes at a 95% clip. She has good speed in open space and quick feet in small spaces as well. Can be a tough defensive presence and also make an offensive impact.