RICHMOND, VA (June 24, 2021) – The ECNL achieved a record-breaking 38 athletes across ECNL Boys and Girls that were selected as 2020-21 Gatorade State High School Players of the Year. In addition to a record number of athletes selected, both the Gatorade Boys and Girls National Player of the Year, Bryce Boneau (FC Dallas) and Alyssa Thompson (Real So Cal) competed in The ECNL.
Thirty different clubs are represented among the 38 award winners; two clubs (Charlotte SA and South Carolina United) had winners on both the boys and girls side and two other clubs (Alabama FC and FC Stars) had multiple winners on the girls side. In eight states, there was a sweep of Gatorade State High School Players of the Year, with an ECNL athlete receiving the recognition on the boys and girls side (Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington).
“Being named a Gatorade State High School Player of the Year is a huge honor,” said ECNL President Christian Lavers. “We’re proud to have such a high number of athletes receive this honor, and to have Bryce and Alyssa be named the Gatorade National Player of the Year is a great testament to the work and dedication they’ve put in on and off the field. These numbers are even more impressive when you recognize that not all ECNL athletes compete in high school soccer and we support all athletes in this choice.”
Please join the ECNL in celebrating every Gatorade State High School Player of the Year.
Boys
| State | Player | Club |
| Arizona | Charlie Cobb | Real Salt Lake – AZ |
| Colorado | Jeff Koch | Pride SC |
| Delaware | Aidan McDade | Sporting Delaware |
| Florida | Marcello Valbuena | Florida Premier |
| Georgia | Kadeem Agand | GSA |
| Maryland | Tyquan Stroud | Baltimore Celtic |
| Nevada | Diesel Fiore | Heat FC |
| New Mexico | Marcus Garcia | Rio Rapids |
| North Carolina | Carter Hensley | Charlotte SA |
| South Carolina | Jackson Price | South Carolina United |
| Tennessee | Gui Vivaldini | Chattanooga Red Wolves |
| Texas | Bryce Boneau | FC Dallas |
| Washington | Thomas Vlasek | Spokane Sounders |
Girls
| State | Player | Club |
| Alabama | Haley Duca | Alabama FC |
| Arizona | Maggie Cagle | Phoenix Rising |
| California | Alyssa Thompson | Real So Cal |
| DC | Zoe Vidaurre | Maryland United |
| Florida | Mia Asenjo | Florida Krush |
| Georgia | Henley Tippins | Concorde Fire Platinum |
| Idaho | Kelsey Oyler | Boise Thorns |
| Indiana | Quincy McMahon | Indiana Fire Juniors |
| Maine | Maggie Cochran | FC Stars |
| Maryland | Payton Patrick | Pipeline SC |
| Massachusetts | Ariana Benzanson | FC Stars |
| Minnesota | Khyah Harper | Minnesota Thunder |
| Mississippi | Kate Smith | Alabama FC |
| Missouri | Rylee Howard | St. Louis Scott Gallagher |
| New Hampshire | Ella Fraser | FC Stars |
| New Jersey | Emily Mason | PDA |
| New York | Shae O’Rourke | WNY Flash |
| North Carolina | Asha Means | Charlotte SA |
| Ohio | Taylor Huff | Internationals |
| Oklahoma | Makenzie Malham | Tulsa SC |
| Oregon | Abi Hoffman | Crossfire United |
| South Carolina | Alaire Hodge | South Carolina United |
| Tennessee | Caroline Betts | Tennessee SC |
| Washington | Layne St. George | Seattle United |
| Wisconsin | Maggie Starker | FC Wisconsin |
For more information on the Gatorade Player of the Year program visit https://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/ and follow the program using #GatoradePOY.
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About the ECNL:
The ECNL is the nation’s leading youth soccer development platform. The ECNL respects and celebrates the unique individuality of every youth soccer player and club, supporting and enabling them to unleash their unfettered passion and fierce tenacity in striving to achieve their potential.
The ECNL mission to Raise the Game is a total commitment to create the best possible environment for players, coaches, referees and administrators, with a determination to constantly question convention and challenge the status quo in youth sports.
The ECNL Commitment:
We will lead, set our eyes on new horizons, and pursue them relentlessly. Born out of the belief in a better way. Continued in the ever-evolving pursuit of excellence.
