Scout’s View: Class of 2028 Standouts from the 2025 ECNL Girls Finals

The ECNL Girls National Finals are took place from July 18-21 in Richmond, VA, featuring top teams in the U13-U17 age groups.

San Diego Surf teams won both the U13 and U14 National Championships. Michigan Hawks captured the U15 title, MVLA took home the U16 trophy and Real Colorado National emerged on top in the U17 division. (RECAP)

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 2028.

See below for Penkala’s top performers.

———————

Maya Meltz – Left Wing / Forward
MVLA SC 2009 (CA)

Simply put, even though Maya was playing up on the MVLA National Championship team, she was the most impactful offensive player in the title match. She was the main reason MVLA had so many dangerous possessions in the final third in the first half, with her outstanding technical skills in tight areas and incredible work rate from 25 yards and out from goal. She also brought some serious heat with her high-press efforts, gaining possession back from the KC Athletics back line on multiple occasions. Her passing skills were on full display as well, as she made several dangerous services into the box.

———————

Chloe Walter – Center Back / Right Back
Legends FC 2010 (CA)

Chloe was one of the best defenders that I saw in the 2010 age group. She was moved from right back to center back in the National Championship game to try and shut down the Michigan Hawks’ outstanding forwards, and she did just that for most of the game. She’s possibly the most athletic defender I saw at the event with great size, speed and toughness. She kept her Legends team in the game in the second half with some outstanding 1v1 tackles at extremely important times.

———————

Louisa Cowen – Forward / Left Wing
Michigan Hawks 2010 (MI)

Cowen is a born-scorer with incredible instincts for when to drive at a defender or midfielder, or when to make the early service to a teammate into the box. She has such solid technical skills on the ball 25 yards and out, and is so smooth and confident on the ball. Often times, Cowen creates her own space off the dribble before launching long range rockets on goal, a couple of which required highlight-worthy diving saves by the Legends FC keeper. Many Power 4 college coaches will be closely monitoring Cowen’s development over the next year.

———————

Eva Jorgensen – Left Winger
Legends FC 2010 (CA)

Eva is the best left-footed offensive player that I watched at the event. She didn’t overplay her left foot and was solid with her right foot as well, often making the correct pass when getting double-teamed. Her athleticism, work rate and speed on the left flank proved to be hugely important in Legends FC’s success, along with her ability to win the end line and exploit the shape of the opposing back line.

———————

Mattilyn Gibson – Forward
Solar SC 2010 (TX)

Mattilyn was dangerous and impactful for the Solar SC offense, showing incredible straight line speed in addition to a high soccer IQ and a great feel for when to wait for her teammates to get forward. She made of ton of diagonal runs when the field called for it, and generally showed that she’s in line to be the next great #9 – in a long line of many – produced by Solar SC in recent years. Mattilyn will likely make a big impact at the college level as soon as she arrives on campus.

———————

Alexandra Bunce – Left Back
Michigan Hawks 2010 (MI)

Bunce will be on the shortlist of the most coveted defenders from the Class of 2028 for many top college programs next summer, as long as she keeps developing the small details of her game. Right now, she already has the toughness, speed and 99% of the correct decision-making and timing to thrive at a Power 4 program. She went 12-for-12 with clean 1v1 tackles in the National Championship game, and made a great impression with her ability to get forward and try and make an impact on the attacking side. When she did move forward on the attack, she never left her own back line exposed.

———————

Somer Higgins – Defenders
FC Stars 2010 (MA)

Somer started as an outside back but was all over the defense third while being disciplined in the best possible way. She was either helping support her teammates, covering and tackling if one of her teammates got beat or needed help, or she was shutting down whatever part of the field needed her presence. She’s tough and extremely competitive, showing her tenacity in every 1v1 defensive situation, and is crafty on tough angles, always closing in quickly when needed.

———————

Pauline Maletz – Attacking Midfielder / Forward
Fairfax Virginia Union 2010 (VA)

Another special offensive impact player that did all the dirty work off ball into space, Pauline created space for her teammates to drive at goal and create scoring chances. She also has a high soccer IQ, and is creative and very accurate in terms of her distributing and services into the 18. She’s a great athlete and another ‘born-scorer’, making her a constant huge focus for her opponent’s back line.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

• ADDISON STAATS – LEFT BACK – SOLAR SC 2010
• MAYA JOLIC – DEFENDER – SLAMMERS HB KOGE 2010
• OLIVE STRAAYER – DEFENDER – FC STARS 2010
• ZOE MORELLO – CENTER BACK – LEGENDS 2010
• ELLANA FREDRICK – RIGHT BACK – MICHIGAN HAWKS 2010
• MARYN PRATT – CENTER BACK- UTAH ROYALS AZ 2009
• ACACIA WRIGHT – FORWARD – FAIRFAX VA UNION 2010