The TDS Raleigh Combine featured over 100 of the region’s top boys and girls club soccer players. College coaches and scouts evaluated players during technical sessions, small-sided games, and full field games.

Girls in the Best XI came from top clubs like CASL, Carolina Elite Soccer Academy, Tophat FC, and Charlotte Soccer Academy.

Alexandria Thibault – Tophat SC – Goalkeeper (2015) – Good with the ball at her feet, Thibault also impressed coaches with her organization of the backline. She has a very good presence in goal and is not afraid to come off her line to challenge for the ball.

Sarah Barnes – CASL – Defender (2016) – Barnes is a very strong defender and ball winner. She is composed while on the ball, and shows good tactical awareness with her defensive positioning.

Cassidy Coates – SWISA – Defender (2014) – The Indiana native made a strong impression at the Combine. Very solid defender who organizes and leads her back line. Does well under pressure, and made some nicely timed tackles during the full field games.

Kelsey Yeager – Carolina Elite Soccer Academy – Defender (2015) – The number 15 ranked player in the South Atlantic region, Yeager has good physical size and challenges well in the tackle. Good on the ball out of the back, and very strong in the air.

Landon Lambert – Tophat SC – Defender (2017) – The 24^th ranked defender in the class of 2017’s was an absolute rock in the back at the Raleigh Combine. Lambert has an excellent first touch for a defender, and a very strong work rate. Raised the eyebrows of many scouts and college coaches on the day.

Emma Sosinski – Charlotte Soccer Academy – Midfielder (2016) – The 139^th ranked player in the IMG top 150 displayed her excellence on the ball in the middle of the field. Demands the ball frequently and has the technical ability to play the ball anywhere on the field. Makes a wide variety of passes and is a very intelligent soccer player.

Paige Griffiths – CASL – Midfielder (2016) – Paige is a very technical player who is very good on the ball. Always positioned well on the field, she makes excellent decisions under pressure.

Cayley Kennedy – CASL – Midfielder (2017) – The youngest girl to make the Raleigh Best XI, Kennedy showed very good potential. A smart player that works hard, she impressed coaches with her range of passes at the Combine.

Sierra Lam – FC Virginia – Forward (2016) – Lam is currently ranked 34^th in the country amongst 2016 Forwards, and showed why based on her finishing ability. A clinical finisher in front of goal, Lam scored frequently on the day. Has great vision and overall feel for the game.

Dominique Martinez – Jacksonville Area SA – Forward (2016) – Martinez is a very dynamic young player. Takes defenders on with confidence and pace. Excellent with the ball at her feet and combines well in the final third with teammates.

Shayna Passantino – Charlotte Soccer Academy – Forward (2015) – Shayna was another Charlotte Soccer Academy player that shined on the day. She made some great runs off the ball during the Combine, and is great in the air.