CARY, NORTH CAROLINA – Another event taking place here in conjunction with the College Cup is the CASL Showcase, which also involves competitive teams from around the country.

One such team participating is PDA Charge, a U17 team who, while in the ECNL which is taking place at another complex in the area this weekend, is not part of that schedule this weekend and instead competing in front of college coaches in this showcase.

Mike O’Neil’s team earned a hard-fought, 3-1 victory Friday morning over a talented EastSide FC team from the Seattle area. EastSide went on top early with a goal by Audrey Thomas, who volleyed home a deflected corner taken by Kirsten Olsen.

Don Strom’s Eastside team played some good soccer on the day and likes to get forward in numbers. Oklahoma recruit Cassidy Nangle is a good target player up front with very good feet. Some other players impressed in the back. What you first notice about center back Jackie Wilson is that she is 6-feet tall, but she also moves laterally very well, steps to the ball decisively and shows good technique and accuracy in her distribution out of the back. This 2012 grad is uncommitted but I’m sure coaches who were watching will be following up soon.

Left back Dominique Randle looked good going forward and also with her 1v1 defending, and Yale-bound goalkeeper Elise Wilcox came up big for her squad several times.

But PDA carried the day with some good play of their own. Nickolette Driesse pulled the team even with a nice, 35-yard strike just before halftime, the ball hitting the underside of the crossbar and dropping down over the line.

PDA’s Kristen McNabb is a versatile player who has tremendous technique and field vision. She is one of the more hotly-recruited players in the country as a 2012 grad and you could see why on Friday. I also liked forward Jessica Jankowski who showed tremendous work rate and good pace up front.

PDA got the winning goal with a combination of good plays from midfielder Amanda Dailey, who dribbled a couple of opponents before setting up Nickolette Driesse who in turn fed Corey Delaney, a tenacious left-sided player with excellent feet. Delaney chipped the onrushing keeper from the left side to make it 2-1.

But don’t take my word for it, listen to the trio as they described the events leading to the goal, including Dailey’s taking a knockout blow in the process.

PDA had another goal to provide in the closing minute. Cassie Inacio played in a corner that Catherine Zimmerman headed on and Jankowski got her head onto as well to score the goal and provide a final scoreline of 3-1.

The PDA team was kind enough to give us a shout-out afterward, although it took a little longer than expected.

In another U17 game, Albion Hurricanes and Cincinnati United Premier played to a scoreless draw.

Danny Hill’s Houston-area team had more chances on the day, but CUP goalkeeper Haley Gribler came up big when needed and otherwise the ball never found the back of the CUP net.

Midfielder Rose Lavelle showed good feet for the Ohio side, while Mackenzie Hamilton also had good feet and was active in trying to get forward against a good Albion defense. Albion center backs Michelle Petrarca and Lexi Ricketts were solid in disrupting anything coming through the middle. Albion’s Aaron Strawser was active in attack for her team, while Rachel Owens provided a number of good serves.

Our elite youth coverage continues tomorrow with a look at the Elite Clubs National League playing on the north side of Raleigh.