PrepSoccer Exclusive: SF City Series - Top Girls Midfielders

This article was originally published by PrepSoccer staff writer, Matt Smith, on the PrepSoccer website. Matt Smith is a special news and communications correspondent with SF Elite Academy and will providing viewers with an inside look into SF Elite and what makes our club so special. ​
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The third part in our San Francisco City Series focuses on midfielders as we move from between the posts and the back line and into the middle of the pitch. This group of players stands out for their technical ability, their ability to connect the defense with the attacking players and they all seem to be players who are efficient in all aspects of playing in the middle of the park.

Isabelle Bernal  |  International  |  Junior |  Midfielder
Bernal is a player who can play all through the midfield, and has spent a good amount of her time with her club, SF Elite 06 GA, playing the No. 6 and the No. 10. She moves the ball well, and plays a great diagonal ball from the defensive mid spot. She has a tremendous passing range that might have played a huge role in her being the co-MVP of the Bay Counties League Central during her high school season.

Ava Bowles  |  Archbishop Riordan  |  Sophomore  |  ​Central Midfielder
Bowles is a very, very steady midfielder and really brings a steady element to the Riordan midfield. She’s just solid in all aspects of the game, doing everything well. She tracks back well, she positions herself well and she facilitates the ball well. Bowles plays her club with SF Elite 07 GA team.

Grace Couden |  St. Ignatius  | Holding Midfielder  | Senior
Couden generally sits in as the lone No. 6 for the SF Elite 2005 GA team. She’s excellent at protecting her center backs. She screens the ball from attackers really well. She’s also a fantastic bridge between the back line and the attacking players, switching the ball well and helping create a lot of opportunities.

Lauren O’Donnell  |  Sacred Heart Cathedral  | Senior  | Defensive Midfielder
​O’Donnell is a very technical player, who oozes raw talent and has great insight for the game. She uses her excellent touch and sharp knowledge for the game to play quickly and efficiently and is also great about winning balls in the air. She plays her high school soccer at Sacred Heart Cathedral and plays club for SF Elite 2005 GA team.

Allie Wall  | St. Ignatius  | Junior  | Central Midfielder
Wall is a player who is so precise and efficient, that if you aren’t paying attention, you’re gonna miss how great she is. She is very tidy in possession and is very, very clean from a technical standpoint. She is very strong, especially for her size as she is hard-nosed and is not afraid to compete and be combative when fighting for possession. Wall plays for the MVLA 06 team.