Scout’s View: Class of 2028 Standouts from the ECNL Girls Florida Winter Showcase

The 2025 ECNL Girls Florida National Event took place from January 10-12, as 230 of the nation’s best teams in the country competed in the U16-U18/19 age groups.

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.

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Ashley Dimnaku – Midfielder
FC Stars Blue 2010 (MA)

Ashley was not only the best midfielder I saw at this event, she was the best overall player no matter what grad year. She has a unique combination of toughness and technical skill, and was able to switch from an impactful offensive threat to a shutdown defender immediately all game, and had one of the best work rates I saw all weekend as well.

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Tatum Hartshorn – Midfielder / Forward
Tennessee SC 2009 (TN)

Tatum was on my ‘Best Of’ list for the ECNL North Carolina Showcase last May, and she has done nothing but develop her game even more since then. She is extremely quick in tight areas and has great speed in open spaces, has outstanding off-ball runs, and most impressively was the most calm, smooth player on the ball with great field vision when possessing.

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Cali Perry – Center Back
Las Vegas Heat Surf 2010 (NV)

This 6-foot, extremely athletic and fast center back was one of the most intimidating, physical defenders at this showcase. She was too fast to get behind and too strong to drive at 1v1. She as NCAA D1 talent already as a sophomore.

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Wynn Ellis – Forward / Defender
Solar SC 2010 (TX)

Ellis looks to be among the next wave of dominant recruits from this club that has developed so many outstanding players in the recent past. Wynn is usually a defender, but she was one of the most impactful forwards I saw all weekend. Great size, work rate, huge soccer IQ and drove at defenders all game, forcing opponents to completely alter their game-plans.

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Bristol Collard – Midfielder
Michigan Hawks 2010 (MI)

Bristol had a work ethic and energy level I have not seen in a showcase game in some time. But as a midfielder (she could play the 6,8,10) she also connected 95% of her passes and was a great link from the back line to the front. She was also a defensive presence any time her team needed it, as well as fighting back to help support a teammate if they got beat on the flank.

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Elena Keavney – Winger / Striker
Beach FC 2010 (VA)

Keavney is a member of the Dominican Republic National Team, and for good reason. She’s a lefty with outstanding size and great speed, who loves to drive at players and beats the defender 90% of the time. She had a rocket shot and was just a physical presence and intimidating offensive impact player.

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Riley Colleran – Winger
FC Stars Blue 2010 (MA)

Another young player with great size and speed on the left wing, Colleran is one of the most intense, competitive players I saw. She had that look of complete focus, and took every single tackle personally. She’s a great athlete and affected the game both offensively and defensively.

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Lauryn Mulvaney – Midfielder
Scorpions SC 2009 (MA)

Mulvaney is a talented attacking midfielder (8 and 10) with great energy and toughness. She was able to clog the middle of the field defensively with her work rate, but also was able to transition quickly onto the attacking side, and have the game flow go through her.

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Mackenzie Kerr – Defender
Penn Fusion 2009 (PA)

Kerr was the best outside back I saw all weekend, and the best player on the field in this LV Heat Surf vs. Penn Fusion game. Mackenzie got up and down the flank all game, and was an offensive threat in the final third, but also had energy and mental toughness to fight back, and never leave her back line short-handed. A tough, quick shut down defender.

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Portia DeFehr – Midfielder
Atlanta Fire United 2009 (GA)

Portia was the most creative, and most technically-sound offensive playmaker that I watched at this event. She was very shifty, sneaky fast and unpredictable, which kept the opposing defense off balanced all game.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

• PARKER WALTON – NORTH CAROLINA FC YOUTH 2009 (GK)
• EVELYN CONTRERAS – LV HEAT SURF 2009 (MID/FWD)
• ASHTON PARKER – WORLD CLASS FC 2009 (WING)
• GABRIELLA CRUZ – TENNESSEE SC 2009 (DEF)
• JILLAINE BISCHOFF – MICHIGAN HAWKS 2009 (MID/DEF)
• KATHLEEN ANDERSON-BLACKWOOD – ATLANTA FIRE 2009 (FWD/WING)