2017-18 ECNL CONFERENCE PREVIEWS

Established in 2009, the Elite Clubs National League has transformed youth female soccer over the past 8 years, and is the highest level of competition in the United States. With thousands of alumni current playing women’s college soccer, 90% of the league’s graduating classes moving on to college soccer every year, and stars dominating the best conferences in collegiate soccer, the ECNL is the proving ground and development platform for the future. In the 2017-18 season, the collegiate stars of the future will be competing in one of eight conferences across the United States. While the ECNL National Events Series is the primary destination for scouts and college coaches to recruit elite level players, and are some of the most exciting events in youth soccer, it is ECNL Conference competition that lies at the heart of the ECNL. Conference play is the primary method by which teams qualify for the ECNL Post Season, and conference games feature some of the most heated rivalries in youth soccer. With teams and players that know each other well, and compete against each other every year, winning an ECNL Conference Championship is a matter of huge pride for every player and member club. OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE The 2017-18 ECNL Season is the inaugural season for the Ohio Valley Conference. The ECNL’s Ohio Valley Conference is comprised of eight clubs across five states: Indiana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. The primary competition season is the spring.

The 2016-17 ECNL season marks the addition of four new member clubs to the ECNL who will be playing in the Ohio Valley Conference: FC Alliance and Tennessee SC will expand the ECNL to Tennessee while FC Pride will add an ECNL member club in Indiana. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are also new for the 2017-18 campaign and add to the reach of the ECNL in western Pennsylvania.

“The newly formed Ohio Valley Conference is very exciting. The addition of some key new members to go along with some ECNL mainstay clubs will provide an outstanding competition for 2017-18. The fierce old rivalries will remain and new rivalries will be born. The competition for Conference Championships and ECNL Playoff places will certainly come down to the wire. The ECNL’s ability to recognize the need for the conference to provide sensible travel and a great competition is a testament to the leagues ability to move and act quickly in the name of member clubs. It will be an honor for all eight clubs to compete in the Ohio Valley Conference.” -Doug Bracken OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE BOARD MEMBER Doug Bracken ECNL Vice President ECNL Director for Ohio Elite SA OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE

1 - Western New York Flash 2 - Pittsburgh Riverhounds 3 - Internationals SC 4 - Ohio Premier 5 - Ohio Elite SA 6 - FC Pride 7 - Tennessee SC 8 - FC Alliance

2016-2017 IN REVIEW While the Ohio Valley Conference is a new conference for the 2017-18 season, many of its clubs participated in other ECNL conferences in the 2016-17 season. The championships earned in 2016-17 by these clubs (in their previous ECNL conference) are below: MID-ATLANTIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS U15 - Internationals SC U18/U19 - Ohio Elite SA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFIERS Western NY Flash Ohio Elite SA Ohio Elite SA U16 Ohio Premier U18/ U14 U19 Ohio Premier Ohio Premier U15 Internationals U17

TOP 25 IN ECNL OVERALL CLUB STANDINGS

19th 23rd 2017 ECNL/ID2 NATIONAL TRAINING CAMP The 2017 ECNL/id2 National Training Camp is a joint effort between the ECNL, U.S. Club Soccer’s id2 National Player Identification and Development Program, and Nike. The camp is open to all players regardless of U.S. Soccer affiliation, or lack thereof, and is sanctioned as an Olympic Development Program by US Soccer and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

The ECNL held the 2017 ECNL/id2 National Training Camp July 27-30, 2017 at the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon. Players were elected based on their performances at ECNL competitions, ECNL PDP events and other events throughout the year. The camp was made up of 97 of the top female youth soccer players across the ECNL, staffed by an elite staff of expert coaches, and included many stars who will be competing in the Ohio Valley Conference this season. 2017 NATIONAL TRAINING CAMP ATTENDEES

Ravin Jordan Tori Alexander Brewster Hallowachs Ohio Elite SA Internationals SC Ohio Premier *BEST XI*

Taylor Huff Colleen Ariella Pitty Internationals SC McIlvenna Ohio Premier *BEST XI* Ohio Elite SA id2

Lawson Renie Taylor Requa Emma Sears Ohio Elite SA Western NY Flash Ohio Premier FC ALLIANCE

ABOUT: The Club strives to provide the highest level of competitive play throughout Tennessee and the surrounding states. Our Club has grown through a combination of having top coaches and clinicians providing world-class training and the highest quality competition for our players. We encourage our players to develop physical fitness, competitive spirit, team play, loyalty, and good sportsmanship. We also provide the opportunity for interested adults to participate as coaches or in other positions within our club.

CITY: Knoxville, Tennessee ESTABLISHED: 2008 HOME FACILITY: Alliance Park # OF FEMALE PLAYERS: 512

WEBSITE: www.fcallianceknox.org TWITTER: @FCAlliance1 FC ALLIANCE COACHING STAFF Director of Coaching/ECNL Director - Josh Gray U13 & U16 - Josh Gray U14 & U17 - Kevin Keck U15 - Jon Scheider U18/U19 & U18/U19 Composite - Chad Stocton

U18/U19-ANNA 2017-18 KATHERINE U18/U19-MADDIE U17-MACKENZIE U16-KRISTEN PLAYERS ANDERSON RICKETTS SMITH GASAWAY TO WATCH

U16-KIANNA U15-JAIDEN U13-MEGAN LANE WESTON BURLESON

“We are very excited to be a part of the Ohio Valley Conference. The balance of ECNL veterans and new member clubs will create an amazing learning and competitive environment for our players and coaches.” -Josh Gray, FC Alliance Director of Coaching INTERNATIONALS SOCCER CLUB

ABOUT: The Internationals Soccer Club was established in 1976 as an outlet for players who had graduated from college with a desire to continue to play competitively. Soon to follow was the Internationals women’s program which competed at the national level within two years. The youth program was launched in 1985. Today, Internationals Soccer Club, is one of the finest and most respected youth soccer clubs in the country.

CITY: Cleveland, Ohio ESTABLISHED: 1976 HOME FACILITY: Pinnacle Sports # OF FEMALE PLAYERS: 275

WEBSITE: www.internationalssoccer.com TWITTER: @ISCgirls INTERNATIONALS SC COACHING STAFF Director of Coaching/ECNL Director - Zdravko Popovic U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18/U19 & U18/U19 Composite: Zdravko Popovic, Jared Rose &Brad Evans

2017-18 U18/U19-JORDAN U18/U19-SYDNEY U18/U19- U17-CHRISTIN PLAYERS BREWSTER DAWSON LOREN SEFCIK BAUMBICK TO WATCH

U17-HALEY U17-MARIA U16-TAYLOR CURTIS NELSON HUFF “We are extremely excited about the 2017-18 ECNL season and are looking forward to the challenge of joining a new conference - the Ohio Valley Conference. Each year, the competitive platform that the ECNL provides has helped our players grow in every phase of the game. We are motivated and energized as we prepare to build upon the individual and collective success that we have enjoyed over the past five years in the league. Our players and staff are committed to setting a high standard in order to help our club and the league reach new levels of excellence.” -Zdravko Popovic, Internationals SC Director of Coaching

2016-17 HIGHLIGHTS: U15 Qualified for Champion’s League Post Season Competition U16 Qualified for Showcase Cup Post Season Competition OHIO ELITE SOCCER ACADEMY

ABOUT: Ohio Elite Soccer Academy was established in 2002 to raise the level of development for girls in Cincinnati and surrounding areas. By providing a professional coaching staff, high level facilities and the best competition available to players in the U.S. the club has pushed players to reach their very best. Ohio Elite Soccer Academy alumni have moved on to the college and professional ranks as well as US National Teams.

CITY: Cincinnati, Ohio ESTABLISHED: 2002 HOME FACILITY: Seven Hills School and Ohio Elite Training Center # OF FEMALE PLAYERS: 500

WEBSITE: www.ohioelite.com TWITTER: @ohioeliteSA OHIO ELITE SA COACHING STAFF Director of Coaching - Tim Lesiak ECNL Director -Doug Bracken U13 & U14 -Woody Sherwood U15 & U17 - Doug Bracken U16 & U18/U19 - Tim Lesiak U18/U19 Composite - Scott Sievering Assistant Coach - Toby Frolich

2017-18 U18/U19-RAVIN U18/U19-ALLISON U18/U19-ANNA U17-DIANA U17-ALEXIS PODJILL GOINS PLAYERS ALEXANDER KLIMKOWSKI BENIGNO TO WATCH

U17-COLLEEN U17-LAWSON U16-MARCELLA U16-LAUREN U15-BROOKE MCILVENNA RENIE CASH DECKERT BROWN “Ohio Elite Soccer Academy is both excited and honored to embark on another year in the best girls youth league in the world. The ECNL has consistently challenged and prepared our players for the next level. The newly formed Ohio Valley Conference will present new challenges. We look forward to meeting those challenges. Simply put, Ohio Elite is all in!” -Doug Bracken, Ohio Elite SA ECNL Director 2016-17 HIGHLIGHTS: U18/U19 Mid-Atlantic Conference Champions U16 Ohio Valley Division Champions (Mid-Atlantic Conference) U16 & U18/U19 Qualified for Champion’s League Post Season Competition U17 North American Cup Runner-Up OHIO PREMIER SOCCER CLUB

ABOUT: Ohio Premier provides a positive environment for competitive male and female soccer players of all ability and skill levels, ages 4 and above. Our mission is to promote the personal development of each player and help them reach their full potential, both on and off the field with a focus on discipline, determination, dedication and teamwork, while nurturing a passion for the game of soccer. The club strives to attain a national reputation as one of the premier soccer clubs in the country.

CITY: Dublin, Ohio ESTABLISHED: 1993 HOME FACILITY: Plain City Training Facility # OF FEMALE PLAYERS: 575 WEBSITE: www.opsoccer.com TWITTER: @OPSOCCER1, @op_ecnl OHIO PREMIER SC COACHING STAFF Director of Coaching - Kevin Dougherty ECNL Director - William Gage U13 & U14 - Kevin Dougherty U15 & U17 - Chris King U16 & U18/U19 - William Gage U18/U19 Composite - Matt Ogden ECNL Assistant Coach - Chris Steuer GK Coach - Clara Kridler

2017-18 U18/U19-TORI U17-ARIELLA U17- PLAYERS HALLWACHS PITTY EMMA SEARS TO WATCH

U16-ISABELLA U16-MICHAYLA U16-RILEY GINOCCHI GUSSLER MULLADY “Ohio Premier is once again proud to be a member of the most competitive and collaborative league in the country. We are also excited by the growth in our region which is reflected by the newly formed Ohio Valley Conference. The ECNL has continued to raise the standard for the women’s game, and we are looking forward to growing with it for many more years to come.” -William Gage, Ohio Premier SC ECNL Director

2016-17 HIGHLIGHTS: U15, U16 & U17 Qualified for Champion’s League Post Season Competition FC PRIDE SOCCER CLUB

ABOUT: FC Pride was founded in 2001 through a merger between three clubs in the Indianapolis area, and is based out of Lawrence Soccer Complex, one of the top facilities in the Midwest. The club has excelled nationally in multiple competitions over the past several years, winning the U13 and U17 US Club Soccer National Cup in 2014, advancing to the USYS National Championship semi-finals in 2015 and 2016, as well as winning the U15 USYS National League in 2016. The FC Pride 2016 graduating class placed more than 20 girls into college soccer, continuing a long history of college placement and player development all the way through to the WPSL.

CITY: Indianapolis, Indiana ESTABLISHED: 2001 HOME FACILITY: Lawrence Soccer Complex # OF FEMALE PLAYERS: 400

WEBSITE: www.fcpride.org TWITTER: @fcpridesoccer FC PRIDE COACHING STAFF Director of Coaching - Jamie Gilbert ECNL Director - McKinley Jones GK Coach - Cory Sandvold U13 & U17 - Matt Blackbourne U14 - Jamie Gilbert U15 & U18/U19 Composite - McKinley Jones U16 - Mike Beckner U18/U19 - Craig Donaldson ECNL Support Staff - Tim Kershaw

2017-18 U18/U19- U17-KELSIE U17-HEATHER ALEXIS HALL MACNAB PLAYERS JAMES TO WATCH

U16-SOPHIE U15-AMELIA U15-SAMMIE WEETER WHITE KING “FC Pride Soccer Club is extremely excited to be joining the ECNL for the 2017-2018 season. The ECNL is proven as the best platform for the development of female athletes in the country, and we are proud to be a part of it. Our conference will provide top quality competition in every game, which will result in our staff and players being pushed to be at their best and keep growing every day. We look forward to the start of a great journey in the ECNL.” -Jamie Gilbert, FC Pride ECNL Director PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS

ABOUT: The Pittsburgh Riverhounds seek to identify, improve, and advance elite youth soccer players through the creation of a multi- faceted platform under the Pittsburgh Riverhounds professional team. The Riverhounds will consistently evaluate its players, staff, and programs, to ensure all meet the highest standards upheld by the professional team and its governing body, the United States Soccer Federation.

CITY: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ESTABLISHED: 2012 HOME FACILITY: Highmark Stadium # OF FEMALE PLAYERS: 190

WEBSITE: www.riverhounds.com TWITTER: @HoundsAcademy PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS COACHING STAFF Director of Coaching - Scott Gibson ECNL & Technical Director - Jason Kutney U13 & U18/U19 - Scott Gibson U14, U16 & U18/U19 Composite - Mike Baker U15 - Jason Kutney U17 - John Rotz U13 & U17 Assistant - Niko Katic

2017-18 U18/U19-ALEXIS U18/U19-CARLI U18/U19-DELANEY U17-ELAINA U17- KENDRO PCHOLINSKY SNYDER LONGJOHN MOLLY PISO PLAYERS TO WATCH

U16-BRENNA U15- U15-JESSICA U14-LILY U13-FIONA SPRINGER TATUM GRETZ MOLITORIS GASTON MAHAN

“Our club has worked diligently to gain acceptance into the ECNL for many years due to the high standards upheld, and regularly enhanced, by a league heavily focused upon putting players first. This is our first year in the league and our goal is to help add to the overall quality, on and off the field. It is an honor to compete against clubs of this caliber.” -Jason Kutney, Pittsburgh Riverhounds ECNL Director TENNESSEE SOCCER CLUB

ABOUT: Tennessee Soccer Club’s mission is to foster a Love and Passion for soccer by developing players, supporting coaches,communicating with and appreciating parents, and positively impacting our community. We want players to: Compete with Integrity, Character, and Sportsmanship; Provide a positive environment dedicated to the continuing development of youth players, who demonstrate talent, commitment, and a desire to excel in the sport of soccer and; Develop players physically, mentally, technically, tactically, and socially.

CITY: Franklin, Tennessee ESTABLISHED: 2012 HOME FACILITY: Williamson County Soccer Complex # OF FEMALE PLAYERS: 750

WEBSITE: www.tennesseesoccerclub.org TWITTER: @TNSoccerClub TENNESSEE SC COACHING STAFF Director of Coaching - Stuart Brown ECNL Director - Dean Blain U13 - Stephen Jordan U14 - Dean Blain U15 - Nicole Aquila U16 - Stuart Brown U17 - Ronnie Woodard U18/U19 - Eric Bossman U18/U19 Composite - Kyle Roelke

2017-18 U18/U19-GENTRY U18/U19-MACY U18/U19-LILY U17-KATE U17-ANNA PLAYERS DAVIS DOUGLAS STRADER DEVINE HADDOCK TO WATCH U15-MARY U17-HARPER U16-CAMRYN WHITTAKER U14-ASHLEY U13-MARGRET WHITE BELIN BUCHANAN TIRRILL DEFRANCO

“We are honored to be part of the ECNL this year. We are all looking forward to seeing our players develop and compete in the ECNL environment, and hope to grow with the league over the coming years.” -Dean Blain, Tennessee SC ECNL Director WESTERN NEW YORK FLASH ACADEMY ABOUT: Western New York Flash Academy’s mission is to develop complete soccer players and teams in a safe and supportive environment, who excel in the technical, tactical, physical and psychological areas of the game. To instill in our young players positive core values and an excellent work ethic, providing a platform for our players from which they can succeed at the collegiate and professional levels of play.

CITY: Buffalo, New York ESTABLISHED: 2008 HOME FACILITY: West Seneca Soccer Complex & Sahlens Sports Park # OF FEMALE PLAYERS: 300

WEBSITE: www.wnyflash.com TWITTER: @wnyflashacademy WNY FLASH COACHING STAFF Director of Coaching/ECNL Director - Rob Ferguson GK Coach - Marcelo Moreira U13 - Kelsey Ferguson U14 & U17 - Rob Ferguson U15 & U16 - Aaran Lines U18/U19 - Regan Steele U18/U19 Composite - Marquis Walker Sports Performance - Ben Woods

2017-18 U18/U19- U18/U19- U17-ANNA U17-CLARE U16-CHLOE TESS FORD MEGHAN ROOT HEWLETT MULHOLLAND DELEYSER PLAYERS TO WATCH

U15-BRIGID U15-ARIANNA U14-GABRIELLA U14-SHAE U13-ELLA MOLLOY ZUMPANO GAMBINO O’ROURKE RUDNEY

“We are excited for the ECNL 2017-18 season to begin with the additions of the U13s and composite team following our first year in the league. Joining the Ohio Valley Conference, a conference full of ‘All In’ ECNL Clubs, will be especially challenging, which is exactly what we want for our players. The ECNL college placement platform, coupled with our focus on creating a competitive, intense and enjoyable training environment, has led to tremendous interest in our ECNL program. The addition of video analysis as part of the development program for our U13 and older teams is another exciting, new development for us in 2017-18.” -Rob Ferguson, WNY Flash Director of Coaching

2016-17 HIGHLIGHTS: U14 Qualified for Champion’s League Post Season Competition