Scout’s View: Hidden Gems from the 2026 Jefferson Cup Girls Showcase

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The 2026 Jefferson Cup Girls Showcase was held March 20-22 in Richmond, VA featuring around 500 of the best teams in the country. (RECAP)

Longtime scout Jerry Penkala, owner and operator of JTF Academy, was on hand for the tournament, and compiled a list of some ‘Hidden Gems’ that he scouted in Richmond. These ‘Hidden Gems’ include a range of players who, for various reasons, may not be getting as much attention from college coaches as they otherwise deserve. This includes any players from the Class of 2027 who are still uncommitted, in addition to players from all classes who compete outside the ECNL’s national platform or the Girls Academy.

(+Scout’s View: Class of 2028 Standouts from the 2026 Jefferson Cup Girls Showcase)

See below for Penkala’s top ‘Hidden Gems’ from the Jefferson Cup.

Mikayla Loux – Winger – Class of 2028
Reading Rage Surf ECNL RL 2009 (PA)

Mikalya was a big reason that I wanted to list the talented, yet somewhat overlooked players outside the ECNL and GA, because she is just as talented as many ECNL All-Conference players and could compete among many of the best GA players in the country. She does have significant experience playing in the ECNL with Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals, and she’s a clear standout when competing in the ECNL Regional League, thanks to her great size and technical ability on the ball. At the Jefferson Cup, she was one of the more dangerous and impactful flank player I saw all weekend.

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Jenna Kozodoy – Midfielder – Class of 2027
East Meadow SC ECNL 2009 (NY)

Jenna was such an impressive player on the midfield and had that rare skill set and mindset where she could go from a tough 1v1defender to immediately hit the switch and become an offensive impact player based on her creativity, work rate and decision making to always be dangerous from 35 yards and out.

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Brooke Heffernan – Forward – Class of 2027
Coppermine SC Girls Academy 2009 (MD)

Brooke is a prototype, 6-foot, intimidating forward with loads of talent. She already has the ability to play with her back to the goal, hold the ball and wait for teammates to support, or ‘post up’ on any defender in or near the 18 to either read the field and dish to a more dangerous teammate, or turn and drive at defenders. What made her so dangerous was that opponents never had a chance to ‘read’ Brooke and always remained unbalanced in terms of trying to shut her down.

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Maddie McCormick – Defender – Class of 2027
NC Fusion ECNL RL 2009 (NC)

Every recruiting class for the past few years, I’ve seen a player I did not know, but immediately asked myself why on Earth she was not either committed yet, or why she was not on the ECNL team as a starting center back or defender in general. Maddie was that impressive all weekend and fits that description perfectly. She was one of the most fit and intimidating defenders at the entire event, had incredible 1v1 talent and field vision after the tackles she constantly won, and connected with 95% or more of her passes after the tackle. Such a tough, competitive, smart defender, I could see her starting on most ECNL teams in the 2009 age group.

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Stella Seibert – Midfielder / Forward – Class of 2027
New York Rush Select 2009 (NY)

Stella impressed me with her obvious confidence, relentless work rate, and just how much she never took one single moment at this showcase for granted. She was another gritty, smart, creative, offensive impact player of a caliber that I don’t often see from a non-ECNL or GA team. Stella should be a great addition for a college program still looking for attacking talent.

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Macie Davey – Winger / Defender – Class of 2027
Syracuse DA Girls Academy 2009 (NY)

Macie apparently plays both winger and outside back for this GA National Championship SDA 2009 team, and while I only saw her at outside back during this showcase, she was one of the best outside backs I saw all weekend. I could tell how natural she would fit as a winger as well, based on how much she loved getting forward as a right back, and was always impactful in the final third.

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Julia Koczak – Midfielder – Class of 2028
Valley FC NAL 2008 (CT)

This Class of 2028 trap player was one of the best midfielders I saw at this event, no matter what grad year and club level she played on. Another gritty, physical 1v1 defender that took every single tackle personally, showing just how competitive and focused she was. She was the perfect definition of a ‘Hidden Gem’.

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Stella Grant – Defender – Class of 2027
NJ Nationals Elite 2009 (NJ)

A fierce, physical, tough, strong, technically dominant center back that completely shut down the entire center of the field from 30 yards and in, plus also had the work rate and intensity to support and clean up any opportunities when her outside backs got beat. One of the fastest and most disruptive defenders I saw all weekend.

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Isabella Tran – Midfielder / Forward – Class of 2027
PA Classics Girls Academy 2009 (PA)

Tran is another talented, impactful link in the midfield that made her entire team’s offensive game go. She also played the #9 and used her outstanding speed to both get behind defenders. She frequently faced up and drove right at defenders, and constantly created space by beating them 1v1.

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Siena Boettcher – Defender / Midfielder – Class of 2027
VDA ECNL 2009 (VA)

One of the other feisty players I loved watching all weekend. Siena was smaller in stature, but never got knocked off the ball, held her own, as well used her toughness, balance and outstanding defensive technical skills to cleanly win every 1v1 tackle she had all game. Great field vision and ability to connect passes after those physical tackles she made.

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Jaden Deming – Winger – Class of 2027
WNY Flash ECNL RL 2009 (NY)

Jaden was apparently a guest player on this very talented WNY Flash ECNL RL team and showed herself as one of the better players on the field at both games I saw this Flash team play. She’s lightning fast in open space on the flank, tough and fearless on every opportunity to defend on counter attacks with one of the better work rates out of anyone I saw at this showcase. Jaden has the skills to contribute on the field for many D1 programs.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

(All Class of 2027s)