San Diego Surf SC Team Wins 11th National Championship Title
Surf SC 05 Girls, coached by Craig Barclay, are 13U Girls National Championship. #SurfPROUD #GoSurf #RoadToTx
Youth Soccer News: Coached by Craig Barclay, the San Diego Surf SC Girls 2005 Girls won US Youth Soccer National Cup — winning 1-0 in the Final.
The 2018 US Youth Soccer National Championships took place July 23-29 at the Toyota Soccer Complex in Frisco, Texas.
Teams earned their way to the National Championships through the hard work and success in their State and Regional US Youth Soccer Championship events and the US Youth Soccer National League.
And, as a youth soccer club, Surf SC became 11x National Champions — a rare accomplishment in the world of youth soccer where there are literally tens of thousands of youth soccer clubs in the USA who never earn a single national championship.
This record of impressive wins further proves Surf SC’s high-level of player development. The club is recognized globally for its focus on winning the right way, its dedicated coaching staff, and for attracting youth players who not only want to learn but bring both talent and determination to the field.
“I’m really proud of the girls through the entire course of the year,” said coach Craig Barclay.
Surf SC Highlights From July 28 US Youth Soccer Final Match
13U Girls: San Diego Surf 05 Academy Select (CA-S) 1-0 KHA 05 Red (KY)
San Diego Surf 05 Academy Select (CA-S) defeated KHA 05 Red (KY) 1-0 to claim the 13U Girls National Championship title in a rematch of the first group play of the event.
Surf SC dominated the opening half, controlling most of the game but could not create any real scoring chances out of its possession. That finally changed in the 23rd minute as Maiya Soleil Dimry broke down the right side of the field, split two defenders and then hit a hard shot at goal.
Dimry’s shot deflected off a KHA defender lunging for the ball which was re-directed from close range and flew by the keeper into the back of the net.
With KHA down at the half, the team started pushing for an equalizer. Amanda Schlueter almost leveled the teams as she dribbled left to right across the top of the Surf box and then rocketed a low shot toward the back post but the shot flashed just wide.
KHA had another great chance a few minutes later but Surf’s Sage Webb made a big save to keep her team ahead.
Surf SC had a couple of great counter-attacking opportunities but the best came when a long through ball put an attacker through on goal.
The ball got tapped around the keeper, but the wide-angle caused by the onrushing keeper made for a difficult shot and the ball went wide & hit the side of the goal.
As the final whistle blew, Surf SC had held its 1-0 lead and became the 2018 13U Girls US Youth Soccer National Champions.
US Youth Soccer’s 2018 Golden Glove Award for 13U Girls was awarded to the team’s goalkeeper Sage Webb.
“Lots of emotions right now as this is my last game with these girls,” said Surf head coach Craig Barclay. “I’m really proud of them and a little bit speechless to be honest. I’m really proud that they get to feel the physical rewards of all the hard work they’ve put in.”
“This team is truly a special group of players and families. I couldn’t be prouder and more privileged to have been able to coach such a wonderful team for the last three years,” said Barclay.
“The team has been in fantastic spirits on and off the fields throughout this entire competition. They have played some amazing soccer and have found the balance between professionalism and enjoyment,” added Barclay.
Prior to reaching the National Final, Surf SC had advanced after winning their first two group games 5-1 against Kings Hammer Academy and 3-0 Pipeline Soccer Club.
“So proud of the girls to already reach the National Final after only two bracket games,” said Barclay prior to the team’s national victory. “The girls have had to adjust and manage their game playing in the challenging Texas heat. For me, it just emphasizes the depth of this team with every single player having to contribute in these challenging conditions.”
Upon returning home to San Diego, Surf SC’s talented Surf SC 2005 Girls team were interviewed on KUSI News in a segment from KUSI Sports.
Related Youth Soccer News: Surf SC
Highlights from www.usyouthsoccer.org
