Preview : Scorpions Girls Take on ECNL Florida Showcase
Written by Gabe Henderson
Scorpions Soccer Club returns to the Sunshine State this weekend for more ECNL Florida showcase action. Five girls national and regional teams will take the pitch for the first time in 2026 from Lakewood Ranch and Sanford, Florida.
These prestigious events allow teams to put their hard work to the test and find out how they stack up against elite competition from across the United States. Each bracket contains dozens of the most talented teams from across the country. The ECNL Florida showcases will also act as an exhibit for players, with hundreds of college coaches expected to attend.
“The Florida ECNL Girls event is always one of our biggest priorities for the year,” Scorpions SC Director of Coaching Evan Burokas said. “It checks every box we want when we think about giving our players the best possible exposure in front of a range of college coaches.”
“We have a great group of teams and staff heading to Florida,” Scorpions SC Girls Director Nick Rugnetta said. “It’s always great to see so many teams competing and the atmosphere on game day is like nothing else. There is excellent togetherness within our staff and support for our teams — no more so than weekends like this.”
2010 ECNL National Girls
Coach Kevin Mascary echoed Burokas’ words in regard to the ECNL Florida showcase. He views the event as a great test that brings with it important exposure. Despite the challenge, he believes his team is ready thanks to depth in both attacking and defensive areas of the pitch. “Quinn Dwomoh and Hannah Slavin are looking to power the offense, while Maeve Monaghan and Kyla Walton have been standout defensive players for the group,” Mascary said.
Mascary will be looking for players who can embrace responsibility early in the competition, through competitiveness, consistency under pressure or leadership. He made a note of three players he believes can display these traits at ECNL Florida: Mia DeLuca who operates the centrally, Hailey Rollins who plays outside midfield, and Savannah Ryan who can create or score in the attacking third.
“We want to see improved consistency, decision-making, and confidence as a group. A successful showcase, in our eyes, is measured by strong performances, progress from one game to the next, and players showcasing themselves well for the next level.”
Mascary’s side begins play against Atlanta Fire United at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday from Premier Sports Campus. “Our 2010s team is coming off a solid run in Champions League last year with a top two finish in conference, so they’re definitely one to keep an eye on down in the Sunshine State,” Burokas said.
2009 ECNL National Girls
The U17 National Girls squad has only played one ECNL match since the high school season concluded, so Coach Andre Reis views this event as an opportunity to build cohesion and chemistry among the team. “I will be looking for [us to grow] our ability and comfort in possession,” Reis said. “Having the ability to possess the ball through the thirds to create goal-scoring chances is where we want to get to.”
Reis maintains that a successful ECNL event allows every player the freedom and opportunity to showcase themselves. He named three players from the Class of 2028 who have the potential to step up at this showcase: forwards Anna Allard and Lauryn Mulvaney, as well as midfielder Catherine Chow.
“I will be looking for positive performances: playing well on both sides of the ball, possessing with a purpose, creating quality goal-scoring chances, pressing high up the field whenever possible and being disciplined defensively when defending deep.”
Two players who will undoubtedly help the team achieve their tactical goals are versatile midfielders Donnelle Balunos and Stetson commit Kenley Fletcher. Reis describes Balunos and Fletcher as true box-to-box midfielders who cover a ton of ground — both in and out of possession — thanks to their relentless work rates.
“The 2009s are a mix of both [committed and uncommitted players],” Burokas said. “Some are looking to narrow their options, while other younger players amongst the group are looking to maximize exposure and maintain traction amongst current college programs.”
Goalkeeper Marielle Nassiff, recently committed to Holy Cross brings composure, athleticism, and leadership to every match. Known for her all-round play and confident presence which gives her team a sense of calmness between the pipes.
Last but not least, Reis believes uncommitted attacking midfielder/forward Analise Pinto will draw a lot of attention in Florida. He believes Pinto’s ability to take defenders on, her finishing with both feet and her pace will help her stand out among the crowd. “Although we would love to get results, the [individual] performance heavily outweighs the result of the games, especially at a showcase and at this stage of the season,” Reis said. Reis’ team is slated to be one of the first U17 sides to kick off on Saturday at 10 a.m. ET versus FC Wisconsin.
2009 ECNL Regional Girls
Coach Scott Bessette is hoping to see growth in key areas, namely finishing, after failing to capitalize on opportunities last time out. “We came away with a goalless draw in our last ECNL league match, despite generating a number of quality scoring opportunities,” Bessette said. “Improving our efficiency in the final third is a key area of focus.”
Two individuals who can help in that regard are 2024-25 ECNL All-Regional Team selections Ella McDonald and Laila Rosen. McDonald is set to represent Scorpions in the Continental Tire ECNL Regional League Selection Game at ECNL Florida. She is the team’s leading scorer, thought of as an elite finisher who plays with composure and speed. Bessette also describes Rosen as a flourishing forward/attacking midfielder who commands attention with her ability to connect play and knack for creating chances.
“From a team perspective, we want to see continued growth in our decision-making, tempo, and ability to control matches in key moments.” It’s not all about dominance in the final third with the 2009 ECNL Regional Girls, either. Bessette believes he truly has two of the best players in the New England region anchoring his defense in goalkeeper Ciara O’Driscoll and 2024-25 ECNL All-Regional team centerback Emery Carr.
“Individually, we are looking for players to show confidence, composure, and leadership in their roles. These events have the best way of bringing out the competitive spirit in our players.” Bessette says that playing in such high-pressure showcases allows his players to put their character and talent on display against some of the best in the country. He’s looking for forward/winger Ava Quintin, central midfielder Ellen Robbins and fullback Sophea Souza to raise their levels and impress spectators at ECNL Florida.
“A successful showcase, in our eyes, is one where we see clear progression in our tactics and playing abilities, as well as a strong collective performance by the team and individual players showcasing their talents for the college scouts.” The 2009 ECNL Regional Girls take on Pride SC to begin the showcase at noon ET on Friday, Jan. 9, from Seminole Soccer Complex.
2007/08 ECNL National Girls
Mascary — who also manages the 2010 ECNL National Girls — is eager to see results from his U19 side, aiming to leave the showcase with a winning record. “Showcases highlight who can adapt and perform over multiple games. Some [players who I expect to step up at ECNL Florida] are Dani Johnson, Tatum O’Brien, Natalie Stouch and Kate Sullivan.”
Kambryl Armstrong and Anya Tansil in attack, as well as Sidney Heavey and Mirabelle Kesselman in defense, were also named key contributors by Mascary. He expects those girls to play a big role at the esteemed showcase. “We’re excited to see how the players represent themselves, the team and the club.” Burokas notes that while most of the U19 team is already committed to play collegiate soccer, this showcase represents the last big opportunity for the few still looking to seal the deal in front of college coaches. Mascary’s squad gets play underway in Florida at noon ET on Saturday against Richmond United.
2007/08 ECNL Regional Girls
Scorpions SC U19 ECNL Regional Girls coach Bob Meals views the showcase as an exciting opportunity to connect with his players, specifically the new roster additions, both on and off the pitch. “We are looking to continue building success in our 1-4-1-4-1 formation,” Meals said. “As a team, we aim to play a positional, penetration-focused style in the attack while maintaining a disciplined mid-block defensively. Keeping our midfield five compact to deny central passing lanes and force opponents wide — where we can double — is a key focus.”
Integral to these tactical aspirations are midfielders Ella Sheehan and Bella Wen. The former’s stamina allows her to impact both phases of play and win one-on-one challenges. Meanwhile, the latter is a superb on-ball attacking mid capable of playing inch-perfect passes in behind the defense to forwards, such as Isabella Cavalini, who make staple penetrating runs.
“We would like to see improved attacking runs in behind back lines to better utilize our pace up top and create space for midfield possession when needed.” Despite emphasizing the importance of attacking improvements, Meals couldn’t say enough about the defensive shifts his squad puts in. He showed excitement about physical centerbacks Elise Modracek and Anna O’Connor. Meals also made it a point to shout out winger Lilah Aufiero’s hard work defending in a mid-block, which complements her on-ball abilities perfectly out wide.
“A successful tournament, first and foremost, is our uncommitted players showcasing their abilities in front of college programs they are interested in attending. When the team plays well collectively, individual success often follows.” Meals’ side opens play against Maryland United at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, at Sylvan Lake Park.
ECNL Florida runs from Saturday, Jan. 10, through Monday, Jan. 12, in Lakewood Ranch. Similarly, ECNL Regional League Florida will begin on Friday, Jan. 9, and conclude on Sunday, Jan. 11, in Sanford. Showcase matches are available to live stream throughout the weekend here.
