Rising to the Top: ECNL Girls All-Conference First Team Selections
Each year, the ECNL Girls platform serves as a proving ground for the most talented young soccer players in the country, and this season has been no different. With the competition growing fiercer every year, only the best rise to the challenge, and this season’s ECNL Girls All-Conference First Team selections are no exception.
“Establishing oneself as one of the top players in an ECNL Conference throughout the course of an entire season is an incredible achievement,” said ECNL Girls Commissioner Ralph Richards. “This distinction represents a commitment to excellence and recognizes the work put in by both players and coaches. Congratulations to all the players recognized, as well as their coaches and teammates who helped make this incredible achievement possible.”
Honorees were carefully selected by conference awards committees, made up of technical representatives from every club within the ECNL Girls’ 10 conferences. The number of players chosen reflected the size of each respective conference, ensuring that the best talent across the league was represented.
The following players have earned their place on the ECNL Girls All-Conference First Team, standing out as the best in their conference:
- Olivia Bolin
- Nina Lopez
- Makenzie Ellison
- Riley Riggenbach
- Payton Zander
- Haille Thibodeau
- Whitney von Eschen
- Riley Confreda
These athletes didn’t just meet expectations—they exceeded them, leading their teams through tough competition with skill, perseverance, and leadership. Their performances over the season have not only helped their teams succeed but have also set them apart as some of the best players in the nation.
As members of the ECNL Girls All-Conference First Team, these players are now eligible for selection to the prestigious ECNL Girls All-American teams, a national honor that recognizes the top performers across the entire country.
Stay tuned for the upcoming announcement of the ECNL Girls All-American teams, where we may see some of these incredible athletes earn further recognition for their achievements on the national stage.