Best Defensive Units in the Girls Academy Pacific Northwest Conference

(Pictured above: The Seattle Reign Academy 05/06 squad has recorded four clean sheets in a row.)

As the 2023-2024 season enters its final stretch, SoccerWire revisits the Girls Academy Pacific Northwest Conference with a look at some of the top defensive units.

After seeing multiple teams make the GA National Playoffs last year, Pacific Northwest Conference teams have continued their strong form in 2023-2024, with their work on defense playing a key role.

(More top defensive units in the GA: Mid-Atlantic | Central America | Mountain West)

Here are some of the top-performing defensive units from GA Pacific Northwest West Conference teams in the U15-U19 age groups.

Spokane sirens Shadow 09: Held opponents to a .45 goals-against average in conference play this season, vaulting them to the top of the table with Washington East Surf Soccer Club (9-1-1, 28 points). Led by defenders Hailey Roberts And Teagan Saunders the Sounders held their opponents to three goals in the league, while recording eight shutouts.

Washington East Surf SC 09: Earned back-to-back shutout wins over Bridge City Soccer Academy (7-0) and Columbia Premier Soccer Club (2-0) and improved their record to 9-3-1 on 28 points just behind the Sounders on Goal Differential ( 2.64). up to 1.85). Defender Jillian Flanigan earned an invitation to compete in the GA’s Pacific Northwest Talent ID event, a testament to her work in the defensive third for Surf all season. Surf’s seven clean sheets have earned the team a high level of support and a shot at the GA National Playoffs.

Seattle Reign Academy 09: Liverpool FC IA Academy Washington defeated Liverpool FC IA Academy Washington 3-1 this weekend to record their eighth Pacific Northwest Conference victory of the season. Goalkeeper Nora Harrison has led their defensive efforts all season, making difficult saves at decisive moments and helping to build possession from the backline. Thanks to her efforts, the Reign have recorded seven shutouts in conference play this season.

Washington East Surf SC 08: Over the past ten days, Surf has put together three dominant defensive performances against Bridge City Soccer Academy (6-1), Columbia Premier Soccer Club (3-0) and Spokane Sounders (1-0) to move into first place in the U16. Pacific Northwest standings (11-1-2, 35 points). Goalkeeper Kenzie Shuler and defenders Sidney Johnson And Kalina Barbosa leads a talented defensive line that has only allowed more than two goals in a league game once this season. All three players have also recently been called up to the Surf Select National Blue team, which will compete in Northern Ireland this summer.

Seattle Reign Academy 08: Recorded their fifth consecutive win on Sunday, clinching a 9-0 win over Liverpool FC IA-Washington. In league play this season, the Reign have given up just four goals and recorded nine shutouts. Goalkeeper Tyler Roberts and defenders Sutton Kelsey And Grace Kelsey each was called up to the GA Pacific Northwest Talent ID event and played a key role in Reign’s .43 Goals Against average and their rise in the standings (10-1-3, 33 points).

Spokane sirens Shadow 08: Recorded shutouts in three of their last five games and allowed more than one goal in a game only twice this season in conference action. Defender Nora Cullen was recently invited to the GA’s Pacific Northwest Talent ID event and proved her chops during the stretch run for the Sounders. With two games against the Reign on the schedule this weekend and four left, Spokane is in the thick of the playoff race (9-3-0, 27 points).

Columbia Premier Football Club 07: Strong defensive work in the final minutes allowed Columbia to hold off Eugene Metro FC 3-2 on Sunday and help them maintain their overall lead in the U17 Pacific-Northwest Conference. Their backline consistently shines in big games and has taken the team to a 0.93 Goals Against average, which is second lowest in the conference.

Lauren Adams (2025-not recorded), Naomi Axelrod (2025-not recorded), Paige Krul (2026), Abby Doyle (2025-not recorded), Peyton Dukes (2025-not recorded), Ana Garling (2025-not recorded), Nevaeh Irvin (2026), Raya Janson (2025-not recorded), Tessa Pham (2025 – not recorded), and Ella Tyger (2025-not committed) have all played key roles in defense this season, helping the goalkeepers Natalie Grajeda (2026) and Rhiannon Teasley (2025-not recorded) maintains order.

Washington East Surf SC 07: Surrendered three goals in their last five matches as they recorded victories over Bridge City Soccer Academy (1-0) and Columbia Premier Soccer Club (1-0). Surf has only allowed more than two goals in a league game twice this season and recorded four shutouts. Goalkeeper Lilian Cobos (2025-not committed) and defender Emma Mostek (2025-uncommitted) have led an effective, tightly organized backline all season and are a major reason for their success in conference play (8-3-3, 27 points).

Liverpool FC International Academy-Washington 07: Goalkeeper Emily Jenkins (2026, USYNT U15 pool player) leads a talented defensive unit that has posted seven shutouts this season, including three straight 1-0 results in March against Bridge City Soccer Academy, Washington East Surf Soccer Club and Spokane Sounders. Their 0.86 goals-against average is the lowest in the U17 Pacific-Northwest Conference.

Columbia Premier Football Club 05/06: Maintained a perfect league record so far (13-0-0, 39 points) thanks to their excellent defense. Defenders Ariana Barney (2024-Dominican), Lilli Mikel (2024-Western Oregon), Anna Chaffee (2024-Pacific Lutheran), Audrey Dizon (2024-Gonzaga), Ava Eslinger (2024-Western Washington) have been working with the goalie Kendra Chapin (2024-Colorado Mesa) and Stephanie Leckwold (2024-South Dakota) to form a strong defensive line looking to improve on the club’s performance in last year’s GA National Playoff.

Seattle Reign Academy 05/06: They have knocked off their last four opponents to earn maximum points and hold the No. 2 seed in the conference (11-2-0, 33 points). Defenders Mackenzie Peterson (2024-Regis), Gladys Sclafini (2024), Ashley Payne (2025), Molly Eamer (2024) and Seraya Gooler (2024-Penninsula) have formed a strong 1-2 partnership in the middle for Government, allowing them to cut down attackers and build possession through the back.