ECNL Conference Review | Southwest Conference
Richmond, Va. (January 27, 2015) – The Elite Clubs National League is the top female youth soccer competition and development platform in the United States, consisting of 7 conferences across the country and 77 member clubs.
ECNL conference competition is the heart of the ECNL, and the primary method by which teams qualify for the post-season ECNL Play-Offs every year. Conference games feature some of the most heated rivalries in youth soccer, and winning an ECNL Conference Championship is a matter of huge pride for every player and club.
The ECNL Southwest Conference is centered in southern California, with top clubs from Arizona and Las Vegas also members of the conference. The strength of the conference is reflected in the 2013-2014 Overall Club Standings, where five Southwest Conference clubs featured in the top fifteen Member Clubs in the country based on final season standings.
- 2nd: San Diego Surf (U15 ECNL National Champions)
- 8th: So Cal Blues SC
- 10th: West Coast FC
- 12th: Slammer FC
- 13th: Real So Cal
Reflecting the exceptionally tight races at each age group, last year four different clubs claimed conference championships, with only West Coast FC claiming more than one age group crown. More impressively, the conference sent at least 5 teams to the ECNL Champions League at every age group in 2013-14, and at least 2 times at every age group to the ECNL Finals in Richmond.
ECNL SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE AT-A-GLANCE:
Member Clubs (12): Arsenal FC, Eagles SC, Heat FC, Irvine Strikers FC, Las Vegas Premier SA, Real So Cal, San Diego Surf, SC Del Sol, Sereno Soccer Club, Slammers FC, So Cal Blues SC, and West Coast FC
2013-2014 Southwest Conference Champions
- U14: So Cal Blues SC ECNL U14
- U15: West Coast FC ECNL U15
- U16: Slammers FC ECNL U16
- U17: West Coast FC ECNL U17
- U18: Real So Cal ECNL U18
2013-2014 Southwest Conference – Champions League Qualifiers
- U15: Eagles SC, San Diego Surf, Slammers FC, So Cal Blues SC, West Coast FC,
- U16: Irvine Strikers FC, Real So Cal, San Diego Surf, Slammers FC, So Cal Blues SC
- U17: Real So Cal, Slammers FC, San Diego Surf, Sereno Soccer Club, So Cal Blues SC, West Coast FC
2013-2014 Southwest Conference – ECNL Finals Qualifiers (Champions League)
- U14: Slammers FC, So Cal Blues SC
- U15: San Diego Surf, So Cal Blues SC, West Coast FC
- U16: San Diego Surf, Slammers FC
- U17: San Diego Surf, So Cal Blues SC, West Coast FC
- U18: Real So Cal, San Diego Surf, So Cal Blues SC
Here is a brief look into each Member Club in the ECNL Southwest Conference.
Arsenal FC: Arsenal Futbol Club consists of 85 teams with training locations out of Ontario, LaVerne, Yucaipa and San Diego. Arsenal FC has two championship trophies to their name winning both the 2010 (ECNL U16) and the 2012 (ECNL U14) ECNL National Finals.
Players to Watch:
- Mattie Interian (US YNT)
- Chloe Ragon
- Sarai Zedingil
- Victoria Esquivel
Eagles Soccer Club: The Camarillo Eagles Soccer Club was formed in 1978, adding the first girl teams in 1981. Eagles SC strives to provide an environment that allows players to develop and achieve their highest potential, seeing several players move on to play at the collegiate level.
Players to Watch:
- Tara Mckeown (US YNT)
- Kiki Pickett (US YNT)
- Hailie Mace
- Megan Demijohn
Heat FC: Heat FC is one of the largest competitive clubs in the state of Nevada. The club was founded in 2003 providing a full range of playing options for youth players, starting at recreational on up to the most competitive levels, finding much success in their short existence.
Players to Watch:
- Arden Holden
- Emily Martin
- Emily Hillegass
- Olivia Packer
Irvine Strikers FC: Irvine Strikers FC is one of the original ECNL Member Clubs. Over 350 players play on 22 teams on both the boys and girls side for the club, with many former players going on to participate at the collegiate and professional level.
Players to Watch:
- Kaiya McCullough
- Kennedy Smith
Las Vegas Premier SA: Las Vegas Premier Soccer Association was founded in 2013 with the merger of Las Vegas Premier Soccer Club (LVPSC) and Las Vegas Sports Academy (LVSA). LVPSC joined the ECNL in 2011, seeing over 40 players move on to play at the collegiate level.
Players to Watch:
- Taylore Simmons
- Emberly Sevilla
- Calista Reyes
- Alexa Brown
Real So Cal: Real So Cal has over 50 boys and girls teams and an additional 3,500 recreational players, making it one of the biggest clubs in southern California. The club has seen 171 players move on to play at the collegiate level over the past six years and continues to be one of the top clubs in the conference.
Players to Watch:
- Courtney O’Brien (US YNT)
- Samantha Bruder (US YNT)
- Lynsee Voss (US YNT)
- Luisa Delgado Hienz (US YNT)
San Diego Surf: San Diego Surf was founded in 1980, and has a strong history of producing National Team players at both the youth and full level. The Surf has one affiliate club in Murrieta Surf Soccer Club, and continues to be one of the best clubs in the league.
Players to Watch:
- Marley Canales (US YNT)
- Julie Doyle (US YNT)
- Catarina Macario (US YNT)
- Mia Fishel (US YNT)
- Kali Trevithick (US YNT)
SC Del Sol: SC Del Sol is a well-established club based in the North Phoenix/Scottsdale and Paradise Valley area. More than 800 male and female players participate within the club, making it one of the largest in Arizona.
Players to Watch:
- Kyla Ferry (US YNT)
- Ilihia Keawekane
- Allison Jorden
- Natalie Stephens
Sereno Soccer Club: Founded in 1979, Sereno Soccer Club is affiliated with Chelsea FC as an official Football Development partner. Sereno SC is one of the largest clubs in Arizona, sending players to compete at the collegiate level annually.
Players to Watch:
- Elizabeth Poblete
- Jalen Tomkins
- Brooke Densik
- Kylie Fischer
- Quiqui Hitz
- Brianna Atterbury
Slammers FC: Slammers FC is headquartered out of Newport Beach. The club was born due to a strong influence from the 1994 World Cup and the passion of two brothers, Walid and Ziad Khoury. Slammer FC is one of the top member clubs in the league, and consistently sends teams to the ECNL National Finals, as well as producing players for the youth and full national teams. They were the only club to win an ECNL National Championship in the conference in 2012.
Players to Watch:
- Marianna Maldonado (Mexican YNT)
- Carly Malatskey (US YNT)
- Amanda Dennis (US YNT)
- Natalie Jacobs (US YNT)
So Cal Blues SC: So Cal Blues SC was founded in 1990, growing into one of the strongest clubs in the country. The club has grown over the years to include 22 teams and over 350 players, with multiple alums representing our country as members of the U.S. Women’s National Team.
Players to Watch:
- Kennedy Wesley (US YNT)
- Maddie Desiano (US YNT)
- Ashley Sanchez (US YNT)
- Karina Rodriguez (US YNT)
- Anika Rodriguez (US YNT)
- Katie Pingle (US YNT)
West Coast FC: Founded in 1997, West Coast FC has established itself as one of the most competitive clubs in southern California. More than 45 boys and girls teams compete within WCFC, with a mission to give every player the opportunity to develop at the highest level.
Players to Watch:
- Kailey Smith (US YNT)
- Kayla Canon (US YNT)
- Mary Reyes (Mexican YNT)
- Sophia Serafin (US YNT)
- Christina Settles (US YNT)
To learn more about ECNL Conferences, visit www.eliteclubsnationlleague.com.
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About Amazing Young WomenTM: The Amazing Young Women campaign is a dynamic platform of online and local market activations that showcase and celebrate female role models offering an aspirational focus for all female athletes and teens as they prepare to be our next generation of leaders. Throughout the 2014-2015 season, the ECNL will showcase what it means to have #BeautifulAmbition as exemplified by former and current ECNL players, and will call on all of the nation’s women to join the movement to celebrate the endless potential of today’s girls.
About Elite Clubs National League: The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) was founded in 2009 to enhance the developmental experience of female youth soccer players in the United States through: (i) Improving the competitive environment through creation of a true national competitive league; (ii) Improving the process for identifying elite female soccer players for the U.S. Soccer youth national teams through a systematic scouting and identification program based on national competitions; and (iii) improving the daily training environment at top female youth soccer clubs through developing best practices and training and organizational guidelines for its member clubs. The ECNL is sanctioned by US Club Soccer and is sponsored by Nike Soccer.
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