Champions Crowned at New Jersey Youth Soccer National Championship Series
The 2015-2016 NJ Youth Soccer National Championship Series concluded this weekend as eight crowned champions are now set to represent New Jersey versus the best teams in Region 1. Sky Blue FC’s coaching staff was in attendance along with current Red Bulls II players for an eventful weekend in NJYS.
Youth Soccer News: On a windy day that challenged teams skill and discipline, the top teams in the U15-U18 age groups competed for the title of the 2016 New Jersey State Champion. 32 teams entered the Saturday semi-final round, but only eight could leave Sunday with the privilege of being the champion of their respective age groups in the 2015-2016 NJ Youth Soccer National Championship Series. For these teams, they not only win the championship title, but they also earned a chance to represent New Jersey against the best teams in the US Youth Soccer Region I next month.
NJ Youth Soccer National Championship Series Champions
- U15 Boys STA Morris United
- U16 Boys PDA Rooney
- U17 Boys Matchfit Academy FC Black
- U18 Boys Ironbound SC Premier Strikers
- U15 Girls Princeton SA IGFA
- U16 Girls Freehold Celtic
- U17 Girls FC Copa Academy Celeste
- U18 Girls Princeton SA Tigers
In addition to the families, friends and college coaches on hand, Sky Blue FC Assistant Coach Paul Greig and Head Coach Christy Holly watched games and congratulated players. “New Jersey has an unmatched history of developing female soccer stars and the tournament was a clear testimony to the continued strength of the youth game in our state,” said Holly.
Three current players on the Red Bulls II squad were also on hand this Sunday: Junior Flemmings, Vincent Bezecourt, and Konrad Plewa. Plewa, a New Jersey Youth Soccer alumni, former State Cup participant and 2014 graduate of Seton Hall University said, “It was great to come back to the tournament that I grew up playing in and see the best young soccer talent in New Jersey compete.”
Approximately 185,000 players across 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer State Associations compete and showcase their skills against some of the best competition in the United States, however only eight teams across the age groups, including four girls and four boys teams, have the opportunity to advance to compete in the Regional Championship Series. Learn more about NJ Youth Soccer tournaments here.
Source/Photo Credit: New Jersey Youth Soccer
