The U18/U20 Women’s National Team Camp wrapped up last week at the Arco Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., leaving curious minds with a natural question:

Zakiya Bywaters (left)

Who played the best?

Sure, it was a quality collection of players all around, as is always the case at these camps, but certainly there were some players who left more lasting impressions than others.

Coach Jillian Ellis marveled at her group’s ability to adjust as the week wore on. She had one-on-one sessions with each member of the camp, and she felt as though the individual messages were heeded and executed.

It’s much too early to speculate on who will eventually make the traveling roster, as this was the first event of the year, but if competition was imminent and a starting lineup had to be chosen as of now, here are the leading candidates (based on the camp performances) as TopDrawerSoccer sees it.

Goalkeeper

Bianca Henninger (Santa Clara); the Santa Clara product showed off her national camp experience. While it took some players a day or so to play through nerves she stepped in prepared from the first moment, was always engaged and made some highlight saves.  

Defenders

Cloee Colohan (Black Diamond SC); The most consistent defender throughout the week. She’s a prototypical centerback who plays physical but what sets her apart is her technical ability, which never seems to let her down.

Amber Brooks (Arsenal World Class); It doesn’t take long to identify her eye-opening talent. She excelled at marking players and also displayed her ability as an attacker.

Meagan Morris (Montclair SC); She worked as hard as anyone present. At just 5-foot-1, Morris is speedy and has a never-ending motor. There wasn’t a ball she didn’t fight for.

Midfielders

Kristen Mewis (Scorpion SC); Started off slow but had imposed her will by midweek. With superior shot-making she recorded probably the prettiest goal of the camp.

Zakiya Bywaters (Slammers FC); She dealt with minor injury, but did enough to make defenders aware of her speed and shiftiness.

Casey Short (Florida State): A fun player to watch during the camp. Displayed a good first touch and was always quick to the ball; has tremendous instincts and always knew where to be at the right time.

Forwards

Alev Kelter-Perusse (Alaska Rush); Coach Ellis called Kelter-Perusse, “A soccer player.” Translation: She can do it all. She’s not a specialty player, but has strength, decent speed and great ball skills. She was as versatile as they got.

Victoria DiMartino (Albertson Fury); One of the more experienced players on the team, and it showed. She’s quick with the ball but patient – doesn’t get fazed. Turned in one of the more consistent performances.

Chioma Ubogagu (D’Feeters); Not as heralded a player as some of her campmates, but Ubogagu  played herself on the radar with speed and relentlessness. She was among the leaders in shots for the week.

Maya Hayes (Aristics Club); Makes the team purely on her eye-raising athletic ability. Hayes is a blur in the open field and with her height she can create problems. Wasn’t always sharp on the technical side, but her raw talent compensated for it.  

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Women's Summit League Breakout Candidates

Men's Summit League Breakout Candidates

USMNT World Cup Squad Development: Part 1