Footwork, Vision and Fearlessness: 2028 Upstate N.Y. Defenders

Defenders often don't get the recognition they deserve, yet they are the backbone of the success. Here are five Upstate N.Y. defenders making their mark this spring.    [player_tooltip player_id='47676' first='Ava' last='Fontaine'] is a defender who is captivating to watch. Her transitional game is top-notch. Fontaine can clear a ball independently with her speed, but also understands the best passing option to push a fast break for her team. She also has the offensive skills and knowledge to push the fast break herself when the opportunity arises and put the ball in the back of the net. Fontaine's specialty is clearly her high-pressure defense. She plays out on offensive players with confidence. She is not worried about getting beat while on an island. Opposing players get flustered and intimidated by her, often leading to a turnover.     [player_tooltip player_id='71782' first='Kamille' last='Ehmann'] is a multifaceted defender. She comes in clutch on the draw circle consistently. Her 1v1 defense is exceptional due to her knowledge and understanding of how to position her body effectively when being driven at. Ehmann's off-ball defense is where she shines. She plays big and is proactive in her communication. You can hear her trigger hedges and slides for her entire team, almost like their quarterback. She bumps cutters with her head on a swivel effectively so she can react to any situation. She is a player who turns heads and will draw a lot of attention in Upstate NY this spring season.     [player_tooltip player_id='71783' first='Ever' last='Shull']'s athleticism shines in everything she does. Transitionally, she cuts with purpose, changing her speed to be explosive and provide a proper outlet. She will carry the ball herself the length of the field if needed and does not shy away from pressure. She is great on ball 1v1 and also excels at 2-man defending. She can be seen communicating with her teammate on what tactic to use to properly shut down the 2-man game in the moment. She takes pride in her ability to knock down passes, run through the loose ball, and start the fast break the other direction. She carries herself with the confidence that all defenders should.     As a defender, [player_tooltip player_id='71784' first='Colette' last='Printup'] makes her presence known. Standing at 6 ft tall, her eyes immediately draw you towards her. She can lock down anyone in a 1v1 situation. But it's the other pieces of the game that make her more than just a 1v1 defender. Printup has incredible speed and can clear the ball with ease. She covers cutters, hands players off, and checks in when off-ball. She clearly has an offensive IQ as well because at times, it seems like she knows exactly what the offensive player has planned. She is also a draw taker herself and has a lot of success with it.     [player_tooltip player_id='71785' first='Leah' last='Trombley'] has incredible defensive IQ. Her understanding of angles and footwork is evident by how frequently she forces the worst possible shot, or her player passes the ball off entirely. She is equally confident in a zone, often seen playing the backer of the zone due to her size, span, and athleticism. She is a proactive, not reactive, defender and is in constant communication with her defensive unit. Trombley is equally as confident clearing the ball and keeps her head up to hit the next pass to push a fast break.

Defenders often don't get the recognition they deserve, yet they are the backbone of the success. Here are five Upstate N.Y. defenders making their mark this spring.