Teams Advance From Groups at USYS Region III Championships
Knockout round matches kick off on Monday as teams hope to continue their run to the National Championships in Texas next month. Regional winners of the U13 through U19/20 age groups earn a berth to the 2017 US Youth Soccer National Championships, which will be played July 24-30 at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas.
Youth Soccer News: Sunday brought an end to exciting preliminary matches at the 2017 US Youth Soccer Region III Championships at BB&T Soccer Complex at Bryan Park in Greensboro, N.C. and Ivey Redmond Soccer Complex in Kernersville, N.C. The chase for the Regional and National Championship continues for clubs who have advanced from their preliminary groups.
Craig Harrington, head coach of U14 Girls Florida Elite (FL), was pleased with how his team has played during Region III Championships. Although Harrington is proud, he is only focusing on the task at hand and not looking too far ahead.
“The whole season comes down to this tournament. We have worked very hard to get to this point. It is good to play teams from around the region and not just in Florida,” said Harrington. “It would be rewarding to make it to the National Championships, but right now we are just thinking one day at a time and focusing on our next upcoming opponent.”
Girls Recaps
U14 Girls
Florida Elite (FL) defeated Cabot Soccer Association (AR) with a 2-0 scoreline in a hard fought contest. The first goal for Florida Elite was scored by Alexi Pitt in the 39th minute. In the second half, Reese Wheeler from Florida Elite scored off a corner kick to extend the lead to 2-0. In group play, Florida Elite came in first place in Pool D and will face Lady Lobos Rush Premier (TN) in one of the Quarterfinal matches being played on Monday, June 26. Florida Elite is coming off a fantastic start to Region III Championships, only giving up one goal in the last three games.
U15 Girls
On the final day of preliminary play, Covington YSA Tigers 02/03 (LA) and 02 CSA North-Cab Predator (NC) played out a 1-1 draw. Four minutes into the game, Covington’s Maggie Sides dribbled through several defenders, passed the goalie, and slotted the ball in the back of the net. The rest of the first half was scoreless, but in the second half of play, CSA’s Nicole Rojas Lemus scored the equalizer in the 67th minute.
U16 Girls
In an extremely close battle between two teams in the U16 Girls division, UFA 01 Premier (GA) edged Lonestar SC 01 Red (TX-S) 1-0. The lone goal of the match was scored by UFA’s Isabelle Moratti in the 38th minute. UFA 01 Premier had a great defensive backline for the remainder of the game, and with the win, they clinched a spot in the Region III Championships Quarterfinals.
U17 Girls
Following a hard fought match between CSA 2000 Lady Lobos Rush Premier (TN) and Solar Chelsea 00 Bates (TX-N), the Lady Lobos came out on top with a 2-1 victory. The Lady Lobos struck first in the 12th minute when Kambria McGee found the back of the net. The rest of the first half was scoreless, but 17 minutes into the second half, Solar Chelsea’s Melissa Blanchette tied up the game at 1-1. The final goal of the game came just two minutes later when Lady Lobos player Nora Tillmanns scored in the 59th minute. The CSA Lady Lobos won Pool B as they advanced to the Region III Championships Quarterfinals.
Boys Recaps
U15 Boys
In the span of nine minutes, Solar Chelsea Red 02 Stricker (TX-N) scored twice to defeat SCUFC 02 Elite (SC) 2-0. The goals came in the 21st and 29th minutes from Haden Biering and Riley O’Donnell. In the U15 Boys division, Quarterfinal matchups are set. Solar Chelsea took first place in group D, scoring ten goals in just three matches, and will face Ives Estates Thunder Premier (FL) on Monday, June 26. SCUFC will also play on Monday against 02 CASL Red North (NC).
U17 Boys
Birmingham United SA (AL) and ACYS Spirit United (FL) both had impressive performances on the final day of preliminary games, but Birmingham United edged out ACYS 1-0. The lone goal of the game was scored in the 43rd minute by Birmingham’s Irvin Rodriguez. Birmingham United advanced to the Quarterfinal matches, and they will be up against 00 Tulsa XL Rangers on Tuesday, June 27.
U18 Boys
In a North Texas matchup, Solar Chelsea 99 Sawyer (TX-N) defeated Dallas Texans 99 Red (TX-N) 5-0. Less than fifteen minutes into the game, Solar Chelsea’s William McLeod found the back of the net for the first goal of the match. In the 23rd minute, nine minutes after McLeod’s goal, Trevor Martineau doubled the lead to 2-0. In the 32nd minute, Ian Meece added another. Late in the second half, Martineau and Meece both scored their second goals of the match. In preliminary play, Solar Chelsea scored nine goals and only gave up three.
Photo Credit: US Youth Soccer
