For many of the older players at last week’s ECNL National Finals, the stakes are a bit different.
There is still a chase for the championship, but with most U16 and U17 players already committed to college, on an individual level it’s about showing well in front of future coaches, or perhaps landing on the U17 Women’s National Team radar.
Here’s a look at the U16/U17 Best XI from the ECNL National Finals:
GK Jalen Tompkins, Sereno SC U16: To win a national championship, a strong team is needed back to front, and in Tompkins, Sereno had a very solid and consistent goalkeeper who did her part in the team’s triumph. With a tremendous save in extra time over the national title game, and then two penalty saves in the shootout, the Colorado recruit really rose to the occasion.
D Brianna Westrup, Slammers FC U16: An impressive presence in the middle of the back line, Westrup can do a lot of things right in defense – she’s good in the air, tracks attackers well, is clean on the ball and doesn’t commit silly fouls. Showed well during her time on the field in Richmond.
