More Than Just Rankings: 2027’s Most Impactful Underdogs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everyone loves to root for the underdog; it's just facts. Who doesn't love a good come-from-behind success story? Here are some of the underdogs in the class of 2027 that will be sure to round out your roster, making some quiet but crucial plays on both ends of the field that could be the much-needed juice for your team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["46976"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a5ea6ca246e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Heilbron is your classic gritty defender. She is high pressure and high intensity, not afraid to step up on an island 1v1. She is a nightmare for attackers, forcing mistakes and stealing possessions. It doesn't stop there; when most turn off, her motor turns on in the midfield. Heilbron is relentless between the 30s, chasing opponents for the backcheck or clearing the ball all the way into the zone without the fear of taking a shot or dishing out assists. While a primary defender, she can step into a midfielder role and make plays on the circle when needed. She's not only comfortable in high-pressure situations, but she thrives. Heilbron is described by her coaches and teammates as “a glue player”. Ranked No. 65 in the class of 2027, she may not get as much attention as she deserves, but Heilbron is certain to make the plays that don't show up on the stat line but are huge assets to her team's success; the underdog plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["46921"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a5ea6ca24cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fordham is no stranger to the big stage. The midfielder scored four goals in the 2025 NYS championship and is ranked No. 2 in the class of 2027. What goes under the radar are Fordham's juice plays. During her 2025 school season, Fordham had 38 ground balls, 53 draw controls, and 17 caused turnovers, showing just how two-way she really can be. While Fordham is more offensively impactful than an “underdog” usually is, she provides the momentum shifts that her team needs to be successful. She's always hunting a backcheck in the midfield and doesn't shy away from helping in the clear. She's gritty in the ground ball race and always makes sure to cheer on her teammates and their success. Fordham is full of energy on and off the field and will be a huge asset for her team in all aspects of the game at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ava McDonald","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"57","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Huntington (N.Y.)","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"FLG","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a5ea6ca2575"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McDonald exemplifies everything it means to be an underdog. The Delaware commit is automatic in the clear with her insane speed and stick protection, fueling her team's offense. She's small but mighty and isn't afraid to make the hustle plays needed to help her team. McDonald won't shy away from defending a 1v1 and somehow gets a stick on any pass sent through the middle. McDonald is hardworking and gritty, valuable assets that will translate at the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ava Scatolini","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"57","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Minnechaug Regional (Mass.)","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Lax Plus","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a5ea6ca2601"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scatolini is another defender who is not afraid to have the ball in her stick. She may not be the high-profile name, but that's because her ability to scoop up a contested ground ball and transition it for quick offense doesn't show up on the stat sheet. She is a major momentum shifter for her team and makes the right defensive plays at the right time. Scatolini is coachable and hardworking, two rare attributes that will serve her well at the next level.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Charlie Kaplan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"57","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Syosset (N.Y.)","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"FLG","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a5ea6ca2683"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kaplan is a leader on the defensive end for her team. Kaplan scoops up anything and has insane speed in the clear. She's the player everyone wants on their team. While on the smaller side, she never shies away from a match-up, and her 1v1 defense is textbook. Kaplan is a hard worker who stood out at the Juniors Open, no easy task. Her infectious energy and speed will complement her team nicely at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->