In a match showcasing a plethora of Division I players, Solar 90, of North Texas, played NASA 08 Elite, in Region III Under-19 Boys semifinals action. This game turned into a chess match, with both coaches implementing tactful strategy, in order to avoid a costly goal. In the 27^th minute, Solar was able to punch in the first goal compliments of Joseph Cooper. From then on, a scoring drought would carry late into the game. In the 90^th minute, Georgia's Jahbari Willis netted the equalizer, spoiling North Texas' shutout bid. His goal held through stoppage time, meaning this match would be decided by penalty kicks. With a championship birth hanging in the balance, NASA was able to register a 4-3 shootout victory. They'll face Dallas Texans Houston 90 Red on Wednesday.  

 

In Under-16 Boys semifinals play, Florida Rush Nike battled Dallas Texans 93 Red, of North Texas. With a goal in the 24^th minute, by Joseph Ritter, North Texas jumped in front 1-0. Their lead, however, didn't last long because Patrick Moore was able to score for Florida in the 29^th minute. Five minutes later, North Texas recaptured the lead thanks to an Eduardo Aranda goal. North Texas went up 3-1 in the 60^th minute after Cody Keyes registered a score. Two minutes later, Bryce Follensbee sent one home for Florida, but it wasn't enough, because a 3-2 North Texas victory slots them in to play CESA 92 Premier, of South Carolina, for the Region III Championship.

 

One half of the Under-16 Girls semifinals play, saw two Florida teams do battle for the right to play tomorrow. Team Boca 92/93 went head to head with Ponte Vedra Storm. This one was all Ponte Vedra as they won 3-0 after goals from Gabby Regazzo in the 11^th minute, Thresa Diederich in the 21^st minute, and Morgan Brian in the 79^th minute.

 

Ponte Vedra will face the GSA Phoenix 93 Red in tomorrow's Region III Championship final. The Phoenix won 1-0 over the Sting 93. Annie Speese, Georgia's talented forward, scored this match's only goal. Of note, she's carried her team throughout regional play, scoring Georgia's last four goals.  

 

In Under-19 Girls semifinals play, BUSA 90, of Alabama, looked to knock off Tophat 08 Gold. It was an up-tempo first half controlled mainly by Alabama, but few scoring opportunities came their way. With each side's coaches stressing to minimize mistakes, Georgia slipped up in the 47^th minute when Alabama's Tiffini Turpin scored the game's only goal. Alabama moves on to face D'Feeters 90, of North Texas, for the Region III Championship, Wednesday.

 

In Under-18 Boys semifinals play, Eclipse 91 Black, of South Texas, squared off against DSC 90 Green, of South Carolina. Enzo Martinez gave South Carolina a 2-0 advantage by scoring in the 14^th and 29^th minutes. With a championship berth on the line, South Texas adjusted, clawing back into the game with Daniel Cruz's 37^th minute goal and yet another score 2 minutes later, this time by midfielder Robert Head. After halftime, South Carolina's Ralph Lundy became a juggernaut. He ended a 2-2 tie by scoring in the 56^th minute. Though his score would be all his team needed, he delivered the back breaker in the 64^th minute, sending South Carolina to the championship game.

 

In the second semifinals game of Under-19 Girls play, two North Texas teams went head to head. Sting 90 hoped to fend off D'Feeters 90. Dawn Ward registered this match's first goal by scoring in the 18^th minute for Sting 90. The D'Feeters knew they couldn't afford to go down 2-0, and thanks to midfielder Katherine Wright's 54^th minute goal the score was tied, 1-1. Jazmyne Avant, a D'Feeters 90 defender, put her team on top with a goal in the 93^rd minute. Amazingly, Sting 90 had enough left in the tank, as Lucy Keith netted a ball in the 99^th minute, sending this match into penalty kicks. There, D'Feeters 90 prevailed 3-2.

In the other Under-18 Boys semifinals match, 91 Norcross Fury Gold, of Georgia, went up against Gulf Coast United FC 91, of Mississippi. Georgia struck first when Christopher Thomas scored in the 11^th minute. They went up 3-0 with goals from Kofi Gyawu and Malick Camara. After halftime, Mississippi was able to get on the board thanks to a Jordan Godsey goal in the 51^st minute, but Georgia's Theodore Yang gave his club a 4-1 advantage with a goal in the 70^th minute. Mississippi's Jordan Godsey wasn't ready to go home yet. He scored, once again, this time in the 78^th minute. Georgia's Saudin Garanovic provided insurance with an 80^th minute score. Mississippi's Henderson Hewes in a last ditch effort to spark his team, scored in the 80^th minute, but it was too little, too late, as Georgia advanced to play South Carolina for the Region III Championship.