It’s a loaded age group with a crowded stage, but Dick McCormick’s Crossfire Premier U17 Girls team are showing signs they want to be considered as contenders for top honors this summer.

McCormick returned to the team’s helm for this season. They were Region IV finalists at U15, but having already qualified for regionals via a Washington State Cup win, and gaining confidence from some good wins this year in the Red Bull/ECNL National League, the group is poised to make a solid run this summer.

“I coached this team from U11 to U13. It’s great to see they’ve matured and kept their dedication to the game,” McCormick said. “They’ve won the Super Y League nationals before. They defeated Eclipse and PDA in Red Bull. So we feel we’re in that top group. Anybody in that group can beat anybody at any time. It will take a lot of luck and a lot of concentration, plus you’re going to need to be healthy, but if we can play well and get some luck we have the chance to do well at regionals and beyond that.”

Starting midfielder Emily Hurd said her team has no shortage of motivation to show it belongs on the biggest stage at this age group.

“It can be kind of upsetting. I’ve been involved with regional ODP teams and it seems like no one remembers who we are. It’ll be like ‘Oh, that’s Kate and Emily’s team,’ like they don’t recognize us or remember who we are,” Hurd said. “We’re trying to show we can compete with all of the super clubs. People kind of underestimate us but I think we’ve proven through recent games that we are right there and on any give day we’ve shown we’re a strong team. It gives us confidence to beat the big teams but more importantly our confidence comes from our own play.”

Midfielder Julia Besagno, a newcomer to the squad this season, said the group’s mental focus is a real strength.

“Coming in you saw right away that it was training hard and being focused and everyone knew when to have fun and when to flip that switch. They knew what they had to do to succeed,” she said. “Our coach talks about coming out and playing hard even if it’s not the best opponent. I think the aggressiveness and speed of play and movement off the ball are really important to our team. He tells us that even if we are better than the other team, keep that movement and fast play going to the best of our abilities.”

McCormick is very positive about his deep roster.

Starting goalkeeper Alexes Lopez de Arriaga-Shaw has committed to Navy and she anchors the defense with solid communication and quick reflexes. McCormick said backup Alexa Hughes, a verbal commitment to Marshall, has also improved tremendously and shows great potential in net.

Right back Lindsey Bos, a top-100 caliber player nationally, will take her superior athleticism to Washington after a 2010 graduation date.

“She can run all day long up and down that line,” McCormick said. “She’s a very good passer and would probably be a center mid on most teams, but we like to play good soccer and play out of the back when we can. She plays that role well.”

Team Captain Courtney Pixler (Alabama) and Brianna Sweeney (Washington) are the center backs.

“Courtney is a very good organizer and knows the game well. She’s good in the air and very committed to our team,” McCormick said. “Brianna used to be a center mid but was out for several months with an ACL. She’s good in the air as well and a good passer from the back, plus a great teammate.”

Left back Mary Hill (Seattle) also provides great range and vision, as well as anticipation.

“Mary is always a threat to pick off the other team’s passes,” he said.

McCormick also praised Stine Schoening (UNC Greensboro), Maya Marder and Kory Spotts (UNC Greensboro) as being able to provide cover across the back and provide quality minutes to the team. Marder can also play the left side of midfield and is playing a year up.

On the right side of midfield, Alexandra Beahan (Washington), who has been with the group since she was 10 years old, brings skill, strength and a willingness to take players on 1v1. Team rookie Julia Besagno (Seattle) is excellent at defensive center mid, while Lindsay Elston (Washington) is the attacking player in the center.

“(Beahan) is a tremendous competitor, especially when games are tough,” McCormick said. “Julia wins every header and her work with possession is flawless. Lindsay is one I’m trying to get into the national team. She’s very dynamic, can run all day and can strike with either foot.”

Emily Hurd (Penn State) provides grace and power on the left, along with excellent crossing. McCormick said Caroline Brawner can start in nearly any midfield and is one of the top 2011 players in the country, and added that reserve midfielder Maggie Graham (Northwestern) is one of the best athletes on the team.

Perhaps the most recognizable name on the team is U17 WNT striker Kate Bennett, a California Golden Bears’ verbal commitment.

“She is one of the best technical players in the country that I’ve seen,” McCormick said. “Her vision is great. Her mentality of wanting to work hard, be good to her teammates and humility is amazing. I can’t say enough about what she brings to the team on and off the field.”

Annie Sittauer (Washington) is the other starting forward and serves the team well as a target player and a space eater with excellent work rate. Reserve striker Alex Kytan is the only 2009 grad on the team and will be playing college soccer this fall at Mississippi State.

The Crossfire Premier 91 Roster:

Alexandra Beahan, Kathryn Bennett, Julia Besagno, Lindsey Bos, Caroline Brawner, Lindsay Elston, Sarah Graham, Mary Hill, Alexa Hughes, Emily Hurd, Alexandra Kytan, Alexes Lopez de Arriaga-Shaw, Maya Marder, Courtney Pixler, Stine Schoening, Annelise Sittauer, Kory Spotts, Brianna Sweeney