Ohiodad51 obviously speaks from experience. I agree with what he is saying especially for Ivy Recruiting.
Most girls are physically at their peak height by 9th Grade is not unique to women soccer; it would be true for all . womens sports
I had a daughter recruited to and attended a top Ivy (HYP) as well as many other D1 Schools and what coaches told us during the recruitment process is not quite what some posters say they hear from other parents of recruits.
I do not dispute that topdrawer have early recruits listed as committed to a top Ivy; I dispute how real that commit is from an Ivy school/coach.