Players That Impressed: ECNL Girls Playoffs 2025

The 2025 ECNL Girls Playoffs took place from June 26 – July 2 in San Diego, where the best teams in the nation went head-to-head in high-states postseason action.
While the U18/19 age group crowned Slammers FC HB Køge as the ECNL Champions League winner, the U13-U17 Champions League divisions all narrowed their fields down to eight teams. Those quarterfinalists will head to the ECNL Finals in Richmond, VA later this month.
The San Diego postseason event featured a full week of intense competition, played in front of hundreds of college coaches and scouts. (COLLEGE COACHES)
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.
2029
Representing Sting Austin 2011, Strickler helped her team advance to the Round of 16 in the ECNL Playoffs, only conceding 1 goal in 3 matches in the group stage. This was tied with one of other team out of 44 total participants for the best defensive performance in the 2011 Champions League group stage.
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Samantha Hillery | Forward / Midfielder
Penn Fusion 2011 (PA)
The team captain for Penn Fusion 2011, Hillery was heavily involved in the offense during the ECNL Playoffs, scoring a goal and notching a pair of assists. Fusion had a solid 1-1-1 record in Group E of the 2011 Champions League. Hillery will be a playmaker to watch from the Class of 2028, as she’s dynamic with the ball at her feet and has excellent field vision. (HIGHLIGHTS)
2028
Competing in Group L of the 2009 Champions League, Burke and her FC DELCO squad turned in some gritty performances against some of the nation’s best teams. Burke was active on the attack throughout the event, contributing a nice assist and scoring a tough goal of her own.
Mary Mac was a disruptor in the final third for Atlanta Fire United 2009, contributing an assist in Game 1 and goals in both Games 2 and 3. She dribbled through 4 players and hit a banger to score first in the game against Beach FC, highlighting an impressive performance overall in the postseason.
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Giselle Nacelli | Forward / Midfielder
Slammers FC HB Køge 2010 (CA)
Nacelli and her Slammers FC HB Køge 2010 side dominated the ECNL Playoffs, outscoring their 4 opponents by a combined margin of 11-2. Nacelli is an imposing player with great speed and athleticism, standing at nearly 6 feet tall. She contributed a huge goal in a pivotal group stage victory over FC Dallas, burying what proved to be the game-winner on a rebound in the first half.
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Arya Pfeiffer | Midfielder
Slammers FC HB Køge 2010 (CA)
This player continues to be a spark plug in the midfield for this Slammers FC HB Køge 2010 team. She plays aggressive defense and makes excellent passes with consistency, always keep her opponents on their toes. After helping her team to a perfect 4-0-0 showing in San Diego, Arya and her teammates will look to continue their momentum at the ECNL Finals in Richmond.
2027
Representing the No. 6 seed Bay Area Surf in the U18/19 age group, Leifried shined even while playing up in the Champions League. The U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team roster pool member showed how dangerous of a scorer she is, burying a long range shot in traffic from well outside the box against Solar SC. (WATCH)
Kase netted a banger of a go-ahead goal against a very talented Pittsburgh Riverhounds Academy team in their second game of the weekend, helping Beach FC (CA) 2009 secure a bid to the Round of 16. Against San Juan SC in the Round of 16, Kase punched in the game-winning goal in the last minute off an impressive and beautiful cross from her teammate Emma Rubio, securing their team’s spot in the ECNL Finals in Virginia.
The U.S. Youth National Team midfielder impressed from her attacking midfield position. She showed why she’s regarded as one of the best Class of 2027 prospects in the country, with her clever movement on and off the ball, and her elite ability to create scoring chances for herself and others. Morrell also constantly disrupts opposing build-up with her fierce and relentless pressing in the midfield.
Despite being double-teamed for multiple matches, the U.S. U-17 WNT call-up had 4 goals and 2 assists as she helped her team book a spot in the ECNL Finals in Richmond. McKeen showed a good ability to hold the ball under pressure while also demonstrating her ability to get in behind defenses and create scoring opportunities.
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Cali Smith | Midfielder
PDA Blue 2009 (NJ)
Smith helped PDA Blue 2009 into the knockout stage, coming out on top of Group B with an impressive 2-0-1 record. The center attacking midfielder brought a high level of energy and intensity throughout the event, scoring some clutch goals and battling to the final whistle. She scored a big game-winner in the group stage and found the net in the Round of 16 as well. (WATCH)
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Citlalli Reyes | Midfielder
San Diego Surf 2009 (CA)
Reyes and her San Diego Surf 2009 teammates dominated on their home fields at Surf Sports Park, sweeping their 4 opponents by a margin 10-1, and booking their trip to Richmond for the ECNL Finals. A member of Mexico’s Youth National Team roster pool who recently won the Golden Boot at the Concacaf U-17 Qualifiers, Reyes was dynamic throughout the ECNL Playoffs, with one of her top highlights being a lethal free kick goal against World Class FC.
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Abigail Salgado | Midfielder
Internationals SC 2009 (OH)
An explosive attacking player for Internationals SC 2009, Salgado also represents the El Salvador U-17 Women’s National Team. She turned in multiple impressive performances in the ECNL Playoffs, scoring tough goals and setting up her teammates with some excellent passing. Salgado is creative and decisive with the ball at her feet, often making devastating cuts and shaking off defenders with ease. (HIGHLIGHTS)
2026
The U.S. Youth National Team roster pool member guided Slammers FC HB Køge 2007/06 to the ECNL National Championship, culminating with a 2-0 victory over Penn Fusion. Jordan scored both goals in the title match and had 4 goals overall in the event, as her team won their second National Championship.
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Zea Gonzalez | Forward
Sting Austin 2008 (TX)
The leading scorer for Sting Austin 2008, Gonzalez continued to find the back of the net during the ECNL Playoffs in San Diego. She scored the game-winner to cap off a thrilling comeback victory over MVLA SC, storming back from a 2-0 deficit to capture the 3-2 win. Gonzalez found the net once again during a matchup against a nationally-renowned Legends FC squad.
2025
One of the best overall players in the country from the Class of 2025, Kemmerley was an absolute force for Penn Fusion 2007/06 during their run to the U18/19 Champions League Final. The U.S. U-18 Women’s National Team midfielder powered Penn Fusion’s offense with some clutch goals, great passing and a constant commanding presence.
Finished off her ECNL career as a National Champion once again, as Slammers FC HB Køge 2007/06 won four straight games in San Diego to ultimately lift the trophy. Tsakiris served as a key member of the Slammers offense, continuously breaking lines and making dangerous runs into the box, as she earned a pair of huge PKs across multiple games, including one in the title match.
Wrapped up her ECNL career on the highest of possible notes, securing a clean sheet in the National Championship against a phenomenal Penn Fusion offense. Perry was lights out for Slammers HB Køge during their title run, working in tandem with her back line to concede only 1 total goal over the course of 4 games.
The University of Florida commit played a key role on the Slammers HB Køge U18/19 back line during their ECNL National Championship run. Paolini and her teammates were nearly flawless throughout the postseason, conceding only 1 goal in 4 games. She played all 360 minutes at center back.
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