Youth National Championships - Day 2
Published 7/26/2007 11:02:12 PM by staff from ussoccer.org
The US Youth Soccer National Championships continued early Thursday with the second day of preliminary round play at Pizza Hut Park. It was a must-win situation for many of the teams looking to advance to this weekend's finals. Teams earn three points for a win and one point for a tie. The two top teams at the conclusion of tomorrow's round robin play will meet over the weekend in the national championship finals.
Brief recaps of several games are below:
Under-14 Boys
The Under-14 Boys CASL Elite (NC) and West Coast FC (CA-S) played on the stadium field early this morning to a 1-1 tie. As the first time either of these teams have had an opportunity to advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships due to the age brackets.
"We were up 1-0 and switched to a 4-5 and they caught us in transition and caught a break," said Bruce Talbot, CASLs head coach, about the second goal. "The team has high character and holds each other accountable."
CASL has two teams represented at nationals, the Under-14 Boys and the Under-19 Girls. The Under-14s enjoyed supporting their older counterparts at yesterday's evening games and plan to continue their support throughout the rest of the week.
"Club spirit is important to us. We want to let everyone know who we are," said Ryan Metts, a player for CASL Elite. "We had so much fun last night; there was so much excitement. We plan on coming out again tonight. Our toughest game is tomorrow against Baltimore and we are going to have to bring our game."
CASL Elite and Baltimore Casa Mia Bays played each other earlier this year and tied 0-0. CASL has been training up to four times a week to prepare for the Series. "We are fortunate to be here, but at CASL you are expected to win state. At regionals, it usually comes down to CASL, the Texans and Solar," said CASLs head coach Bruce Talbot.
Under-14 Girls
The Under-14 Girls match between FC Stars of Massachusetts and Sting Royal 93 featured players that knew how to finish. Sting Coach Mary Howard expressed how they had to win in order to stay in the tournament. In the second half, the Stars came back to tie the game at two each with 30 minutes remaining. Jessica Howard flew by the Stars defense to score her third goal of the game and provide her side with the much needed advantage. The game would end in favor of Sting 4-2. Howard remarked that Jessica is a special player and shows great confidence on the field. "She is a buzzer, a crafty, skillful player."
The Sting was unable to get the win yesterday but are determined to continue to push for the chance at winning the national championship. Coach Howard said, "We talk all the time about mentality and just kind of let it out. Yesterday obviously the California team (Slammers FC) is fabulous, but it was not our best effort. Today we had to refocus in order to respond. It's just one of the situations where we were under pressure and had to win today, or we would have no chance."
After two days of play, the FC Stars of Massachusetts and the Sting Royal 93 are neck-and-neck for playing for the final spot in this weekend's finals.
Under-15 Boys
The Under-15 Boys match between Sereno and Michigan Wolves proved to be a nail biter for both sides, as numerous scoring chances were available but neither side would capitalize. Sereno?s chances came early while late into the second half it looked like the Wolves would strike. Michigan's Hassan Saad played a great ball into the box for an apparent goal until Sereno's Conor Brikhold flew in from the left side to sacrifice his body for the save. It would be the only ball Justin Tailloe wouldn?t save himself as the Sereno keeper took on the pack throughout a barrage of one-on-one chances, each time coming up successful.
Carter Owen made a great tackle in the box on Jordan Tyler who for a few moments went unmarked. Owen's tackle provided the goal kick and a short mental break for Sereno. As stoppage time neared an end, Hassan Saad would again take on Tailloe and come up just short. Michigan would press through the end of stoppage time and walk away with the tie.
Giving up the first goal of the game in a PK to the Lonestar 92 Red, the Under-15 Boys PDA Larsson team knew they had to step-up their game. PDA and the Lonestars 92 Red ended the first half at 1-1. PDA Coach John Murphy used the half time break to calm his boys and give them some good words of encouragement. Murphy said that as the week goes on the boys legs become heavier and heavier, and they must work on keeping focused to stay on top of their game.
Under-18 Girls
Arsenal World Class (NJ) knew that they had to win today against the home team Solar 89 to advance to Sunday's finals. This tight game went to 4-3 to Arsenal.
"It was an exciting game. We came out knowing we must win to continue to the finals. They kept coming back after we scored to keep up with us," said Arsenal World Class head coach Kazbek Tambi. As for the large crowd equipped with posters and a lot of Solar spirit, cheered for the team on throughout the game. Tambi said, "It was a much more exciting environment with the crowd."
Under-18 Girls
Under-18 Girls, Slammers FC and Bloomfield Force put up a good show in today?s game. Jill Flietstra, the Slammers keeper, allowed only one of the nine attempts by Bloomfield in the first half. As Bloomfield took an early lead of 2-1 by the half, the Slammers came back to score and tie the game in the 63rd. "We started off early, in the ninth minute with a score. And we extended our lead after the 20th and I felt if we had managed to squeeze another one in at that point, we might have knocked them out. We let them get back into it," said Bloomfield Force head coach Andy Wagstaff.
Under-18 Boys
The Under-18 Boys Arsenal are one step closer today to achieving their goal of a four-peat after winning today?s match against Nebraska FC, only the second team from Nebraska to qualify for the US Youth Soccer National Championships, with a 3-1 win. Arsenal tried to take control early with Ryan Thomas scoring in the third minute off an assist from Davis Paul. It would take less than 10 minutes for Nebraska to tie with a goal from Logan Stichler. The game was tied, but only for a minute when Arsenal's Ryan Peterman scored to give the three-time champs some breathing room. After the half the Arsenal came back hungry and Davis Paul scored a goal of his own in the 52nd against a tight Bluejay defense.
"Hard work and team play was vital in our win today. We really came together to score when we needed to," said Dominique Yahyari, one of the many players that flew in from the Pan-American games in Brazil to play this week. "The intensity was very high and a very good level of play. There are great teams here and we respect them greatly."
"Arsenal was unbelievable, they never stopped moving, it was great," said Byron Dacy, coach for Nebraska FC. "I was very impressed with them and our ability to continue to fight harder and not get out of the game. We played great today and I think we are turning some heads this week."
The Arsenal's Luis Ocampo said about the Bluejays, "Today was more intense than yesterday because they attacked a lot."
Nebraska FC looked to further represent their home city of Omaha with (402) on their jerseys, the area code for Omaha. Coach Dacy's team is really enjoying the experience and the opportunity to play against teams they've always wanted to play. "I got to see the trophy we are playing for on Tuesday and the fields here are amazing, the best that I?ve seen in a really long time."
Play heated up on field seven today as the Terryville Fire (E-NY) and Atlanta Fire Elite (GA) both fought for the three-point win. First time qualifiers to the national championships, Terryville, from Long Island, are representing their club well, enjoying the experience and look to get back soon.
"We are a small club and this is our first year to win our state and regionals and we are really enjoying it (nationals)," said Terryville coach Richard Flaim. "This has really been a great experience and we are really enjoying it. Today's match was very important for both teams as Atlanta lost yesterday and we really wanted to win, but we got the tie. If we had won, we knew we were in really good shape for getting to the finals," said Flaim. "They (Atlanta) were a very big, strong team, and well coached and organized. Being up 2-0, we gave them too much time and they were able to come back. It was a hard tested game and all the boys on both teams they are exhausted. We don't have any national team or regional players. We are a hard working group of kids."
Tomorrow the Terryville fire will go up against the storied Arsenal FC at 7:30 a.m. They will have to go for the win in order to guarantee a spot in Sunday's finals. They are aware of the challenges that lie ahead, but are determined to fight for their spot.
Under-19 Boys
The Under-19 Boys Dallas Texans Red 88, seeking their third consecutive national title, met a confident San Jose/Ruckus team from Northern California that made the most of their four shots on goal. Jeffrey Cosgriff broke the stalemate in the 70th and it appeared the goal would hold until the Texans Jonathan Villanueva collected and scored in the 86th to again knot the score. As time expired the Texans had a three shot advantage on the match and lead in corners, seven to one.
Looking to dethrone the Texans and engrave their name on the James P. McGuire Cup, the Chicago Magic took on the Baltimore Casa Mia Bays. The Magic's Steve Kolzow would strike first in the 26th and after the half teammate Andy Masteller would add to the lead, 2-0. The Bays continued to battle with several scoring chances, although the stingy Magic defense appeared flawless. Zach Tierney scored a third in the 71st and it looked to be in the bag for the Magic but again the Bays would battle and score back-to-back goals thanks to Matt Beckman and Jonathan Ports respectively (80th and 82nd). The Magic would earn their second win and take the lead in the standings going into tomorrows match-up against the second place Texans at 7:30 p.m.
Under-19 Girls
Winning their first match yesterday, the PWSI Cardinals set themselves up well but were still hoping for a win tonight against CASL Spartans Elite. All of the teams in the championships are evenly matched and the Under-19 Girls is no different. The Cardinals and the Spartans played for ninety minutes and as the clock ran out, both sides earned a point in the 1-1 tie. After yesterdays loss, the Spartans knew today was a make-or-break moment for them to stay through the weekend.
Cardinals head coach Steve Smith said, "We had a chance today to win. CASL had a lot to play for and came out strong. They put us under pressure the entire game. Both teams needed results to move on and a win meant everything."
"Jessie Davis and Mary Casey, our goalkeeper, stepped up and helped our team defensively," said Smith. Emily Jukich scored the team?s lone goal in the 31st minute after Kristin Bowers had a free kick which Latrice Lee passed to Jukich for the tap in.
Tomorrow the PWSI Cardinals and the CUSC Cyclones face off at 7:30 p.m. Both sides know that only the winner of that match will move on to Sunday's final.
Under-17 Girls
The Under-17 Girls Eagles SC continued to soar tonight against Richmond Strikers Elite. Down 2-0, Richmond's Kathleen Russell struck the back of the net in the 37th to narrow the gap to one goal. It would take sixty-seconds for Amanda Lisberger to again take the margin to two (38th) for the Eagles. April Price found space and scored the second goal for Richmond in the 60th as the team was defiant in their efforts to tie the match. The Eagles would add two additional goals and take the 5-2 win.
The Dallas Texans 90 Red steamed past the Michigan Hawks by a 4-0 margin this evening. Texans player Kailey Anders led with the first goal in the second minute of play, while Melissa Henderson finished up with a hat trick (5th, 22nd and 73rd).
"The game came down to who came back from the rain delay psychologically ready to start the game," said keeper coach Paul Hason. Scoring the first three goals within an eight minute span gave the Texans an advantage on the scoreboard and mentally. When asked about key players, Hason expressed Jessica Schuveiller's great focus throughout the entire game. Schuveiller has always been consistent in every part of the game. She can play anywhere on the field, said Hanson.
The Eagles and Texans are tied across the board in the standings with two wins, seven goals for and two goals allowed. The leaders in the Under-17 Girls standing will face each other tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m.
Under-17 Boys
Back for the second year in a row to the US Youth Soccer National Championship, FC Milwaukee set a goal to make it farther and play better than they did last year. No opportunities were to be wasted. This evening, Milwaukee won 1-0 against FC Delco 89 (E-PA) thanks to an Ethan Finley goal in the 61st minute.
Milwaukee coach Billy Solberg said, "We came in knowing we had to scrap and fight and do everything we could to win. It came down to luck and hard work. We are excited to be back."
Knowing know the level of competition they can expect at nationals the team grew closer together this past year and more focused on their goal of winning the national championship. Solberg said, "Not one player missed practice. We have prepped, worked hard and focused on fitness since last year."
The Real Colorado National (CO) and Andromeda 90 (N-TX) again drew a large crowd tonight as the Andromeda faithful came out in droves. Breaking the scoreless tie, Real?s Alexander Engeman scored in the 70th minute curling the ball into the corner with his left foot. This was just what Andromeda needed to bump up their intensity and apply more pressure. Andromeda's Eric Frazier pushed through to tie the game at 1-1 in the 78th.
Lorne Donaleson, Real Colorado Nationals head coach, said "I thought it was a highly entertaining match. Two good teams met and both teams played well. It was fast-paced and I thought we had some chances that we should have put away and we just didn't. Then they came back to score."
Asked about how the team (Real) was enjoying their first trip to nationals, Donaleson said, "I think the boys are enjoying it. It is a good team and the boys have prepared hard to get here. We thought it would be hotter, so we trained in sweats to prepare for the heat. But the temperature is actually great. We are coming from high altitude so we can run all day."
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