US Youth Soccer Region III Quarterfinals Kick Off
Semifinal matches are set as top competitive youth teams take the next step at the 2017 US Youth Soccer Region III Championships. 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: The next step in achieving National Championship dreams started on Monday as teams competed in knockout round matches at the 2017 US Youth Soccer Region III Championships in Greensboro, N.C.
Monday saw age groups narrow the field from eight teams to four as the clubs took part in exciting quarterfinal matchups. The advancing teams are now preparing for the upcoming semifinal matches and a chance to get one step closer to a spot in the 2017 US Youth Soccer National Championships, held July 24-30 at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas.
In the U14 Girls division, Lonestar Composite (TX-S) has worked hard to advance. Head coach Ashley Schevers talked about how far her team as come, and what it means for them to compete for the Region III Championships title.
“To make it to the final match of Region III Championships would mean a lot to our team. We have been working hard all year and the longer they get to play together, the better,” said Schevers. “Our team keeps getting better and better. They have grown a lot as a team over the last year and they really enjoy each other’s company.”
Here are some recaps from Monday’s quarterfinal action…
Girls Recaps:
U14 Girls
In a hard fought match, Lonestar 03 Composite (TX-S) defeated 03 Charlotte CSA Torison (NC) with a final score of 1-0. The only goal of the game was scored in the 38th minute by Lonestar’s Natalie Wilson. The next test for Lonestar will be on Wednesday, June 28, where they will battle against Florida Elite 2003 (FL) to see who will move on to the final match of the Region III Championships.
Semifinalists: UFA 03 Premier (GA), Lonestar 03 Composite (TX-S), (SC) Florida Elite 2003 Elite, Tennessee SC Showcase (TN)
U15 Girls
In an exciting matchup, LSC 02 Red (TX-S) overcame the Lady Lobos Rush Premier 3-2. In the 22nd minute, Madison Maxey from LSC scored one for her team to take the 1-0 advantage. Lady Lobo Rush’s Rebecca Calderon tied up the score in the 50th minute. Seven minutes later, Sofia Picucci gave LSC the 2-1 lead. Abigail Rushwin recorded a goal in the 71st minute to tie the game at 2-2. Alana Clark scored the winning goal for LSC and now they will advance to the Region III Championships Semifinal.
Semifinalists: Solar Chelsea 02 Naizer (TX-N), 02 CSA North-Cab Predator (NC), LSC 02 RED (TX-S), SOLAR CHELSEA 02 Grado (TX-N)
U16 Girls
CSA Charlotte Predator (NC) and SLSC Cosmos 01 Lawless competed in a close matchup that ended up favoring SLSC Lawless. In the 89th minute, SLSC found the back of the net with a goal from Kelbie Wickersham. Josie Studer answered for CSA Charlotte in the 105th minute. With the goals, the teams headed to kicks from the mark, which ultimately recorded a 2-1 win for SLSC Lawless. SLSC Lawless is headed for the Region III Championships semifinal, where they will take on the Dallas Texans on Wednesday, June 28.
Semifinalists: Dallas Texans 01 (TX-N), SLSC Cosmos 01 Lawless (OK), Florida Elite 2001 Elite (FL), 01 WHYFC White (NC)
Boys Recaps:
U13 Boys
TSC Hurricane 04 Umelo (OK) defeated the River City Rangers (TX-S) 4-0 in one of the U13 Boys quarterfinal matches. The first goal of the game came from Tatenda Chigede. Martin Martinez-Leyva scored the next two goals for TSC in the 40th and 50th minutes. Angel Dimas dribbled through defenders and took a shot near the eighteen yard box for an incredible finish, netting the fourth and final goal of the match. TSC will face the VHSC Steamers 04 black in one of the upcoming semifinal matches on Wednesday, June 28.
Semifinalists: TSC Hurricane 04 Umelo (OK), VHSC Steamers 04 Black (AL), USA/MP 04 Premier (SC), Oklahoma FC 04 (OK)
U15 Boys
In a battle of the Carolinas, 02 CASL Red North (NC) defeated SCUFC 02 Elite (SC) 2-0. Sean Sullivan scored the first goal for CASL in the 38th minute, and the other goal came in the second half from Samuel Sinigur. In the last two matches that CASL Red North have played, they have scored nine goals without conceding a goal. On Wednesday, June 28, CASL Red North will face ID Club Division 02 (TX-S).
Semifinalists: ID Club Division 02 (TX-S), 02 Casl Red North (NC), Oklahoma FC 02 (OK), Solar Chelsea Red 02 Stricker (TX-N)
U19/20 Boys
In a must-win for both teams, Nashville FC 98 Revolution (TN) defeated 98 CASL Red (NC) 3-2. In the first minute of the match, Nathan Djona netted one for Nashville Revolution. In the 10th minute of play, CASL’s Sergio Romero-Vivas tied the game up. The rest of the first half was scoreless, but a goal from Nashville’s Ethan Wilson ended the drought in the 53rd minute. The next two goals came within one minute of each other, CASL’s Romero-Vivas scored in the 82nd minute, and Djona from the Nashville Revolution added another in the 83rd minute. This action-packed match ended with a 3-2 victory for the Nashville Revolution. Nashville Revolution now face OFC 98 (OK) Tuesday, June 27, in the semifinals.
Semifinalists: LEG-AZ Caimans 98 (FL), NTH NASA 98 Elite (GA), Nashville FC 98 Revolution (TN), OFC 98 (OK)
Remaining semifinal matchups:
U14 Boys: USA/MP 2003 Premier (SC), Baton Rouge SC 03 Black (LA), SA / CFA Dalton 03 Elite (GA), Tennessee SC 2003 Showcase (TN).
U16 Boys: Tampa Bay United (FL), 01 CASL Red North (NC), Solar Chelsea 01 Elite (TX-N), TSCH 01 Miller (OK).
