07/08 NUU Girls Compete in Kansas City ECNL-RL Showcase – December 2025
On Thursday, December 4, 2025, Coach Ginn and the NUU 07/08 ECNL-RL girls boarded a plane bound for Kansas City for an ECNL College Showcase weekend. With college coaches and recruiters lining the sidelines, the stage was set for opportunity.
Upon arrival, the team wasted no time diving into the experience. They headed downtown where Union Station was beautifully decorated for the Christmas season. The girls made a stop at The Giving Machine to donate and embrace the spirit of the season. They carried that same festive energy back to the hotel, where a little impromptu caroling brought plenty of laughs and holiday cheer.
Friday: College Eyes and Competitive Fire
Friday morning kicked off with a brisk 37° matchup against Tennessee — the warmest the girls (and their fans) would feel all weekend. Nearly two dozen college coaches were in attendance, including Johnson County Community College (JCCC) Head Coach Jim Schwab and Assistant Coach Alex Hagan.
NUU struck first with a well-connected series of passes that led to the team’s first goal of the showcase. Sierra Dean finished the play, pushing the ball past the Tennessee keeper. Emma Nelson delivered a highlight moment of her own with an incredible 1v1 save against a Tennessee striker. Despite NUU’s strong play, Tennessee capitalized on two opportunities and secured a 2-1 victory.
A Glimpse Into the Next Level
Before the trip, Coach Ginn — drawing from his experience coaching college soccer in the Midwest — connected with Coach Schwab to arrange a campus visit. Following the first game, the JCCC coaches invited the team to lunch at Hawaiian Brothers along with two of their players, including Utah native Chaselyn Nichols from Draper.
The girls received a personal tour of JCCC’s impressive campus, guided by both coaches and players who welcomed questions throughout. The visit concluded on the soccer field just as the sun set and the stadium lights flickered on — a fitting visual of what could lie ahead for these high school athletes. As keeper Emma Nelson looked out across the field, she described it as “quite the aesthetic.”
Six days after visiting Johnson County, Ariana Poll committed to play for the Cavaliers!
Hallmark Moments
That evening, chaperone Natalie Carlson organized a trip to the Hallmark Experience at Crown Center — an immersive Christmas market filled with festive food, light displays, and picture-perfect moments. The team posed for photos with The Grinch and even a pair of life-sized Crayola crayons.
In one special moment, the girls gathered at a Hallmark booth offering free Christmas cards to send home. Coach Ginn happily recruited several “elves” to help him send cards to his eight-year-old triplets.
Saturday Night Lights
Saturday morning included some well-earned rest — and the girls almost convinced Coach Ginn to join in on pedicures and thrifting.
That night, NUU faced Seattle United under the lights. Ariana Poll, NUU’s right back, found the back of the net for the team’s lone goal. The build-up was beautiful: play developed on the left wing, the ball was crossed to the top of the 18, and Taylie Rigby delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Ari inside the right side of the box. Ari finished with a powerful one-time strike that dipped over the Seattle goalkeeper.
Despite outshooting Seattle, NUU couldn’t quite find their “inner garbage can” in front of goal. Seattle capitalized on limited chances and handed NUU another narrow 2-1 loss.
After the cold, late-night match, the team warmed up with dinner near the hotel. The girls gathered at one long table with Natalie, while Coach Ginn, parents, and even a few die-hard grandparents sat nearby. Representing five different high schools, the players and families had time to connect, laugh, and strengthen the bonds that make this group special.
Sunday Grit
Sunday brought the coldest temperatures of the weekend — so cold that match halves were shortened from 45 minutes to 35.
NUU faced Texas Texans in the finale. Several Texas players pleaded for permission to wear sweatpants, while the Utah girls largely braved the cold with bare legs.
Sierra Dean stepped up again, scoring twice. Texas managed one goal of their own, but NUU secured a 2-1 victory to close out the weekend on a high note.
More Than Soccer
Before heading home, some players squeezed in more thrifting, others sampled Kansas City’s famous BBQ, and Ariana Poll and her dad, Dominic, extended their stay to attend a Chiefs game.
Back at the airport, many girls could be seen on laptops finishing homework assignments. These athletes are more than competitors — they balance school, travel, and high-level soccer with maturity and discipline. They compete fiercely, support one another fully, and bring energy and joy wherever they go.
They are not only talented soccer players — they are exceptional young women.
Written by Shalisa Nelson Elegante
