This week, 120 of the top U16-U18/19 ECNL Girls athletes from around the country traveled to the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center in California for the 2025 ECNL Girls Conference Cup.

Players were selected for the Conference Cup by ECNL player identification staff through a combination of scouting and recommendations based on performances over the past several months, including performances in National Selection Games throughout the 2024-25 ECNL National Events schedule.

Players were divided into eight teams, geographically linked to represent different areas of the country. The eight teams then competed in two days of group stage mini games, with the top two teams from each group advancing into semifinal play.

Following the two days of exciting group stage games, the Northwest and Southwest moved onto the semifinals as the Group A and Group B champions, respectively, and were joined in the semifinals by the group runners up, Texas and Mid-Atlantic.

In the semifinals, the Northwest continued their impressive unbeaten week as they defeated the Mid-Atlantic 3-0 in the semifinals, while Texas narrowly defeated the Southwest 2-1 to also advance to the final.

In the championship match, Texas, looking to avenge a defeat to the Northwest in their final group stage game, got on the board first when Kyara O'Connor (Real Colorado National) converted from the penalty spot to make it 1-0 Texas.

Despite the Texas lead, the Northwest controlled much of the possession throughout the first half, and just before halftime saw their control of the game rewarded with a Caelyn Dyer (Pleasanton Rage) goal to knot things up at 1-1 heading into the halftime break.

In the second half, the Northwest jumped ahead 2-1 when Stella Monberg (MVLA) put home a cross that was played in front of goal. The Northwest then doubled their lead minutes later when Saleen Koszorus (XF Academy) got on the other end of a ball played through the Texas backline, dribbled around the keeper, and finished it off to make it 3-1 Northwest.

Texas fought back with a goal from Kamiya Beck (Solar SC) in the final minutes to cut the Northwest lead back down to one, but the Northwest was able to see out the final minutes of the game to secure the 3-2 win and their second straight ECNL Girls Conference Cup.

After the championship game, the Player of the Week, Golden Glove, Golden Boot, Katie Meyer F19HT Award, and Best XI, selected by the technical staff at the ECNL Girls Conference Cup, were all announced.

The award winners and Best XI are listed below.

Player of the Week - Vienna Whipple (XF Academy)
Golden Glove - Malia Zillman (Rockford Raptors FC)
Golden Boot - Lily Jeakle (Nationals SC)
Katie Meyer F19HT Award - Emmy O'Donnell (FC Stars Blue)

Best XI

Amara Akoh (Atlanta Fire United)
Kamiya Beck (Solar SC)
Maya Engel (VDA)
Saleen Koszorus (XF Academy)
Emmy O'Donnell (FC Stars Blue)
Riley Rountree (Eastside FC)
Leah Simpson (Sting Black)
Jordyn Sullivan (Match Fit Surf)
Vienna Whipple (XF Academy)
Sydney Williams (United Futbol Academy)
Malia Zillman (Rockford Raptors FC)

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