Players That Impressed: ECNL Girls North Carolina National Event (Fall 2026)

The ECNL Girls North Carolina Event took place from October 10-12 at nCino Sports Park in Wilmington, NC as top teams in the U13-U14 age groups went head-to-head.

Champions were crowned on Monday across each division, finishing off an exciting weekend of high-level competition featuring some of the East Coast’s brightest rising talent. ECNL North Carolina annually serves as a major development opportunity for players who are preparing to begin the college recruiting process in the coming years.

Below are some of the top players from the event, sorted by graduation year. You can also nominate a player who stood out during the event through the following link.

Class of 2032

Madi Medlock | Midfielder / Forward
AC Florida West U13 Regional League (FL)

Medlock was a major factor in her team’s run to the U13 Mercurial Division championship, which they won as a Regional League squad competing against ECNL National squads. They took down Atlanta Fire United 1-0 in the title match, with Medlock scoring the game-winner in impressive fashion. She brings game-breaking speed which often sneaks up on opposing players, as she can break lines simply by bursting through even well-positioned defenders. (HIGHLIGHTS)

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Gianna Faria | Midfielder
Scorpions SC U13 (MA)

Faria is a physical and creative playmaker in the midfield for Scorpions SC, who serves as a major catalyst in the possession game and in creating scoring chances. Faria was all over the field in North Carolina, helping guide her team to a pair of wins over United Futbol Academy and VDA.

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Lillie Kniffen | Forward
Scorpions SC U13 (MA)

A rising star in the New England region, Kniffen was completely unstoppable in North Carolina, racking up 5 goals and 1 assist. Kniffen has the size and speed to dominate opposing players with her physicality, but what will truly set her apart at the next level is her high soccer IQ and elite technical skills. (HIGHLIGHTS)

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Selah DeMerchant | Midfielder 
VDA U13 (VA)

DeMerchant shined during VDA’s 4-2 victory over GSA, battling through tough playing conditions while churning out possessions and manufacturing scoring opportunities. She got in on the scoring as well, beating the keeper to the far post with a perfectly-place shot. DeMerchant is a promising midfielder who has been selected for the USYS East Region ODP squad. (HIGHLIGHTS)

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Kinsley Fulton | Forward / Midfielder 
Ohio Premier U13 (OH)

Fulton is an ace on the Ohio Premier attack, bringing the type of competitive energy and hunger for scoring goals that really drains the battery of opposing back lines over the course of a game. She has the high-end speed to blow past defenders for breakaway goals, and if she’s not double-teamed, will consistently make opponents pay with multi-goal performances, which she delivered in North Carolina with a brace in a 3-1 win over NCFC Youth. (HIGHLIGHTS)

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Harper Elliott | Forward / Midfielder 
Ohio Premier U13 (OH)

A versatile attacking weapon for Ohio Premier, Elliott jumps out for her ability to accelerate on a dime when she spots a scoring opportunity. She uses her explosiveness strategically, catching opposing defenses off guard and always looking to make the most of a chance to find the net. She has a knack for finding creases in a defense, scoring multiple goals in North Carolina and helping guide her team to a pair of victories. (HIGHLIGHTS)

Class of 2031

Emmi Boran | Forward
FC DELCO U14 (PA)

Boran helped lead FC DELCO to the U14 Phantom Division title, winning 3 straight games in North Carolina against some top notch opponents. Boran delivered some clutch plays over the course of the event, putting pressure on opposing defenses, and showcasing her devastating long-range shooting ability in the final against Ohio Premier. (HIGHLIGHTS)

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Nina Wells | Midfielder / Forward
FC DELCO U14 (PA)

Wells is a big reason why FC DELCO managed to grind out 3 straight gritty wins against some renowned opponents in Richmond United, Florida Kraze Krush and Ohio Premier. On a wet and rainy weekend, games became about ball control and limiting mistakes. Wells worked hard in traffic in the midfield to help her team possess the ball and pressure the opposing back line.

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Sydney Crowder and Ava Rodweller | Goalkeepers
FC DELCO U14 (PA)

Rodweller and Crowder worked with the FC DELCO back line to completely shut down a pair of strong opposing offenses in Richmond United and Florida Kraze Krush, opening the event with a pair of 1-0 victories. They held Ohio Premier to a single goal in the final, as DELCO won their 3rd straight game by a single goal.

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Reese Sechler | Midfielder
FC DELCO U14 (PA)

Sechler delivered a consistently solid performance during all 3 of FC Delco’s undefeated games at the ECNL North Carolina National Event. She assisted the first goal in the final putting her team ahead early. She demonstrated possessional poise on the ball and pivotal defensive awareness. She showcased impressive strength on the ball, clean first touch, great field vision and remarkable distribution abilities.

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Lily Pearson | Midfielder / Forward
Wilmington Hammerheads Youth FC U14 (NC)

Pearson was a force on the attacking side for Wilmington Hammerheads FC, the champions of the U14 Mercurial Division. She showed her elite level shooting power and her toughness in the attacking area throughout the event, as her team racked up 8 total goals over the course of 3 straight wins. (HIGHLIGHTS)

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Jillian Kudika | Midfielder
Team Boca U14 (FL)

A Class of 2031 attacking-minded midfielder, Kudika shined for Team Boca with 3 goals and 1 assist over the course of the tournament. She saved her best performance for last, coming through with the game-winning goal in a thrilling 2-1 battle against Atlanta Fire United on the final day. (HIGHLIGHTS)

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Gabby Smith | Midfielder
Scorpions SC U14 (MA)

This midfielder made waves in North Carolina, opening the tournament with a brace during Scorpions SC’s decisive 5-1 victory over Team Boca. Smith is a really exciting player with the ball at her feet, displaying excellent footwork and using her body to box out defenders, while being extremely shifty and lighting quick when making cuts and changing direction. She’s also a relentless two-way player who forces a lot of turnovers with her high motor, and often looks to turn those into quick scoring chances. (HIGHLIGHTS)

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Addisyn Eaton | Forward / Midfielder
Scorpions SC U14 (MA)

A two-time US Youth Futsal International Team selection, Eaton’s futsal background is readily apparent when she’s on the field for Scorpions SC. Her technical skills, precision, footwork and acceleration are all top notch. She was a big reason why her team secured a 2nd place finish in the U14 Mercurial Division.

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Emily Hays | Defender
Richmond United U14 (VA)

One of the premier defenders in the ECNL’s Mid-Atlantic Conference, Hays has been identified by U.S. Soccer as a standout in her region for the U-14 talent pool. She turned in a stellar performance in North Carolina, as Richmond United conceded only 2 total goals on the weekend. She also scored a critical goal in United’s 2-1 victory over CESA.

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Allie Rhoads | Midfielder / Defender
Richmond United U14 (VA)

A strong two-way contributor for Richmond United, Rhoads found the net in a hard-fought winning effort against CESA, as Richmond came out on top 2-1. During the rain-soaked weekend when goals were hard to come by, Rhoads did her part offensively and defensively in the battle for possession.