Semifinals complete
Finals start at 8 a.m. Tuesday and the last one starts at 10:45 a.m. at Classics Park
Two defending Region I Champions advance to the finals
Lancaster, Pa. (July 4, 2011) – Teams fought hard in the semifinal matches of the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships at Hempfield High School and Classics Park in Lancaster, Pa. and the final schedule has been named. The final matches will be played tomorrow at Classics Park.
The US Youth Soccer National League has been well represented at the tournament with 12 teams participating. Five of the six National League teams that qualified for the semifinal round won their matches today, including both Under-15 Boys finalists.
Three defending champions failed to advance to the semifinals, but the two that did were both victorious and they will play for a repeat title tomorrow.
Girls
U-15G (MD) *SAC United Premier v (RI) Bayside 6-0
U-16G (MA) *Scorpions Elite v (VA) CYA Firecats 5-1
*2010 Regional Champion
Notes from a few of today's games…
Under-15 Boys
It will be an all National League final in the Under-15 Boys as SDFC Gauchos (NJ) used some dazzling soccer, particularly from forwards Troy Carrington Jr. and Harrison Steadman, to unravel Beach FC (VA) 5-2. Beach FC took the lead in the 14th minute on a goal from Preston Firnstahl, but SDFC responded with four unanswered goals. Miles Hackett evened the game in the 32nd for SDFC before Carrington Jr. netted in the 41st and 54th with Steadman grabbing one in the 51st. Beach FC tried to regain some footing with a goal in the 75th from Kwashen Barnard, but Steadman struck for his second four minutes later to send Gauchos to the title game.
Under-15 Boys OBGC Rangers (MD) knocked off last year's champ and fellow US Youth Soccer National League competitor, Lehigh Valley United (PA-E), in group play and will now play for the Region I championship after taking down TSF Academy Ginga (NJ) 2-0. Jony Karahbetyan led Rangers with both goals, running in from the left flank and creating space in the box with the dribble on both occasions. Rangers pressed for much of the game and finally broke through for the opening goal in the 28th and after some close calls to start the second half, Karahbetyan grabbed an insurance goal in the 58th to secure Rangers' spot in the final.
Under-17 Girls
Five US Youth Soccer National League teams have earned their spots in the Region I finals, including Under-17 Girls FC Pennsylvania Strikers (E-PA) after a 4-1 victory over Albertson 93 Fury (E-NY). FC Penn grabbed the lead out of the gate with a Brendi Ernst goal, and the local side extended the lead in the 33rd from Stevi Parker to take a 2-0 lead at the break. Gabriella Carbone pushed the lead to three in the 53rd before Albertson finally got on the board with a Cari Roccaro strike in the 56th. Cheyenne Spade regained the three goal lead for FC Penn four minutes before regulation to cap the 4-1 win.
After a 3-0 victory over FC Stars of Mass (MA) in today's semifinal, PDA Charge (NJ) heads into the championship game having given up just one goal in four games. Their opponent tomorrow, FC Penn, has scored 16 goals in four games, so something will have to give in theUnder-17 Girls final. Two goals in a four minute span from Kristen McNabb in the 14th and Rachel Cole in the 18th put PDA up two early, and FC Stars never recovered as Nickolette Driesse added a third in the 54th to seal the semifinal win.
Under-17 Boys
Yet another US Youth Soccer National League team will play for a regional title tomorrow as Under-17 Boys Penn Fusion Celtic (E-PA) hit on all cylinders to deliver a statement victory to fellow Eastern Penn side HMMS Eagle FC 93. Celtic gave up a late goal in last year's final to miss out on the National Championships, but they showed their determination to accomplish the feat this year, beating HMMS 6-0 which included four goals in a 13 minute span in the first half. Joseph Raymond put Celtic in the lead in the 9th minute and Chad Craig struck for the first of his hatrick in the 27th on an upper-v laser from distance. Keegan Rosenberry and Benjamin Kennel also added to the lead before Craig completed his trick for the 6-0 win.
Under-17 Boys EUSA Syracuse (NY-W) jumped to an early lead on SAC United Premier (MD), but SAC responded with two second half goals to clinch their spot in the final. Kris Triana struck in just the 5th minute to give EUSA the momentum and the lead at halftime. SAC turned the tide in the second half, starting with the equalizer 10 minutes after the break from Thomas Krug. With time winding down, Theodore Gula netted the winner with just over 10 to play to have a chance at the title on Tuesday.
Under-18 Girls
Under-18 Girls Bethesda SC Dragons (MD) may well be unstoppable at the Region I Championships as they wrapped up a 5-0 semifinal victory over Jersey United Thunderbolts (NJ). Bethesda is now 4-0 throughout the tournament with 27 goals scored and none conceded, with four players among the top 10 in scoring for the division. Katy Colas, who leads all scorers with 7 goals, notched two today and Melissa Downey, tied for second in scoring with five, also added a double while Victoria Gersh contributed a goal as Bethesda will try to lay claim to the title tomorrow.
State rivals FC Stars of Massachusetts and Scorpions Elite clashed in the other Under-19 Girls semifinal with FC Stars leaving 2-0 victors as they will join Bethesda in the final. Last year, both Stars and Bethesda were eliminated in the semifinals by 1-0 margins, but they will meet up for the regional crown this year. Morgan Andrews and Alexandra Doody pushed Stars to victory with a goal each to take down Scorpions.
Semifinal Scores
| Under-12 Girls |
| FSAFC United WHP U12 Navy |
CT |
0 |
Albertson Red 98 Fury |
NY-E (SW) |
2 |
| ALB: Catherine Gambino, Kiera Metzger |
| HSC FORCE |
DE (SW) |
0 |
PDA O'Reilly |
NJ |
4 |
| PDA: Kara Borden, Alexa Ferreira, Margaret Roughley, Alyssa Yarosz |
Under-12 Boys |
| NYSC BU12 98/99 |
NY-E |
1 |
Holmdel NJX |
NJ |
6 |
| HOL: Andrew Cosman (2), Brendan Wall (3), Andrew Cosman, Julian Stifano |
| NYSC: Enzo Sangiacomo |
| Beachside U12 Boys |
CT |
3 |
BAYSIDE FC BOLTS |
RI |
0 |
| BEA: Julio Cesar Palencia, Benjamin Mines, Joe Pravder |
Under-12 8v8 Girls |
| Richmond Kickers Elite |
VA |
2 |
Seacoast United ATP |
NH |
0 |
| RIC: Cozmel Fisher, Riley Cook |
| Empire United U12G- Syracuse |
NY-W |
6 |
Far Post U12 Girls Premier |
VT |
0 |
| EMP: Meagan Oneil (2), Gennaveffa Michitti (2), Caramia Carboni, Mackenzie Schaffner |
Under-12 8v8 Boys |
| Nordic Soccer Club Premier White |
VT |
4 |
Seacoast United |
NH |
2 |
| NOR: Samuel Dickin (2), Max Hamrell (2) |
| SEA: Hunter Smith, Jacob Gould |
| BRYC 98 Elite |
VA |
3 |
Seacoast United SC Maine - 98/99 |
ME |
0 |
| BRYC: Val Evans, Chase Hutson, Michael Candelori |
Under-13 Girls |
| ASC Freedom 97 |
VA |
0 |
PDA Arsenal |
NJ |
2 |
| PDA: Alison Russo, Julia Rotatori |
| Oakwood SC Pride 97/98 |
CT |
3 |
Massapequa SC Crush |
NY-E |
2 |
| OAK: Kristi Wharton (2), Rileigh Queen |
| MASS: Keri-anne Scorce, Mackenzie Palmer |
Under-13 Boys |
| Bethesda Lions |
MD |
6 |
Bayside |
RI |
0 |
| BETH: Taofik Lucas-Walker (2), Stephane Kouame, Juan Ramirez (3) |
| Arlington Impact Red |
VA |
3 |
LDC United Arsenal |
PA-E |
2 |
| ARL: Joseph Faddoul (2) |
| LDC: Robert Hanosek (2) |
Under-14 Girls |
| Match Fit Chelsea Colchesters |
NJ |
3 |
Oakwood Black III |
CT |
2 |
| MAT: Julia Ashley, Holly Confalone, Hana Kerner |
| OAK: Lea Mattran, Abby Blyler |
| PWSI Courage 96 Red |
VA |
1 |
PDA Clash |
NJ |
4 |
| PDA: Taylor Racioppi (3), Gianna Bustamante |
| PWSI: Allison Turner |
Under-14 Boys |
| Smithtown Arsenal |
NY-E |
6 |
Far Post Premier |
VT |
1 |
| SMI: n/a |
| FAR: n/a |
| Century V |
PA-W |
3 |
Manhattan SC Paris Saint-Germain 96 |
NY-E (PL) |
4 |
| MAN: n/a |
| CEN: n/a |
Under-15 Girls |
| SAC United Premier |
MD |
7 |
Bayside FC |
RI |
0 |
| SAC: Margaret Furlong, Casey Martinez (2), Margaret Purce (3), Imani Dorsey |
| PDA Slammers |
NJ |
2 |
FC Stars of Massachusetts United |
MA |
1 |
| PDA: Caroline Chagares, Natasha Ntone Kouo |
| FCS: Emily Kuefler |
Under-15 Boys |
| TSF Academy Ginga |
NJ (PL) |
0 |
OBGC Rangers |
MD |
2 |
| OBGC: Jony Karahbetyan (2) |
| Beach FC Red |
VA |
2 |
SDFC Gauchos |
NJ |
5 |
| SDFC: Miles Hackett, Troy Carrington Jr. (2), Harrison Steadman (2) |
| BFC: Preston Firnstahl, Kwashen Barnard |
Under-16 Girls |
| Bethesda Freedom 94/95 |
MD |
1 |
North United Fire U16G |
PA-W |
0 |
| BETH: Andi Sullivan |
| Scorpions Elite |
MA |
5 |
CYA Firecats |
VA |
1 |
| SCO: Madison Meehan, Andrea O'Brien (3), Courtney Maguire |
| CYA: Cassandra Smith |
Under-16 Boys |
| Empire United SA - Rochester |
NY-W |
0 |
Beadling SC |
PA-W |
1 |
| BEA: Michael Roberge |
| PDA Harkes |
NJ |
1 |
NH Classics |
NH |
0 |
| PDA: n/a |
Under-17 Girls |
| Albertson 93 Fury |
NY-E |
1 |
FC Pennsylvania Strikers |
PA-E |
4 |
| FCP: Brendi Ernst, Stevi Parker, Cheyenne Spade, Gabriella Carbone |
| ALB: Cari Roccaro |
| U17 Stars of Mass -Girls |
MA |
0 |
PDA Charge |
NJ |
3 |
| PDA: Kristen Mcnabb, Rachel Cole, Nickolette Driesse |
Under-17 Boys |
| Penn Fusion Celtic |
PA-E |
6 |
HMMS Eagle FC 93 |
PA-E (PL) |
0 |
| PENN: Chad Craig (3), Keegan Rosenberry, Joseph Raymond, Benjamin Kennel |
| SAC United Premier |
MD |
2 |
EUSA Syracuse BU17 |
NY-W |
1 |
| SAC: Thomas Krug (2) |
| EUSA: Kris Triana |
Under-18 Girls |
| Bethesda SC Dragons |
MD |
5 |
Jersey United Thunderbolts |
NJ |
0 |
| BETH: Katy Colas (2), Melissa Downey (2), Victoria Gersh |
| FC Stars of Massachusetts |
MA |
2 |
Scorpions Elite U18 |
MA (PL) |
0 |
| FCS: Morgan Andrews, Alexandra Doody |
Under-18 Boys |
| Maryland Rush Nike 92 |
MD |
1 |
YMS Thunder |
PA-E |
2 |
| YMS: Kyle MacDonald, Raleigh Damico |
| RUSH: Corbin McCarron |
| DSB Kickers 92 |
DE (SW) |
2 |
FC Stars of Massachusetts |
MA (PL) |
3 |
| FCS: Christopher Kafina (3) |
| DSB: Joshua Wollaston, Thomas Morton |
Under-19 Girls |
| PDA Tsunami |
NJ |
2 |
Beadling Inferno |
PA-W |
1 |
| PDA: Mary Gibson Wagner (2) |
| BEAD: Caroline Keefer |
| Albertson 91 fury |
NY-E |
0 |
Vista Shockwave |
VA |
4 |
| VIS: Ashley Manning (3), Kristen Schmidbauer |
Under-19 Boys |
| Manhattan Phoenix |
NY-E |
1 |
Baltimore Bays Chelsea |
MD |
3 |
| BAYS: n/a |
| PHO: n/a |
| Lower Merion Velez |
PA-E |
1 |
Seacoast United Maine Thunder |
ME |
0 |
| LMV: n/a |
Finals Schedule
| Under-12 8v8 Girls |
| 8:00 AM |
Empire United - Syracuse |
NY-W |
v |
Richmond Kickers Elite |
VA |
CP 24 SS |
Under-12 8v8 Boys |
| 9:45 AM |
BRYC 98 Elite |
VA |
v |
Nordic SC Premier White |
VT |
CP 24 SS |
Under-12 Girls |
| 10:45 AM |
PDA O'Reilly |
NJ |
v |
Albertson Red 98 Fury |
NY-E (WC) |
CP 20 |
Under-12 Boys |
| 9:00 AM |
Beachside U12 Boys |
CT |
v |
Holmdel NJX |
NJ |
CP 20 |
Under-13 Girls |
| 10:15 AM |
Oakwood SC Pride 97/98 |
CT |
v |
PDA Arsenal |
NJ |
CP 19 |
Under-13 Boys |
| 8:30 AM |
Arlington Impact Red |
VA |
v |
Bethesda Lions |
MD |
CP 19 |
Under-14 Girls |
| 8:00 AM |
PDA Clash |
NJ (PL) |
v |
Match Fit Chelsea Colchesters |
NJ |
CP 15 |
Under-14 Boys |
| 10:00 AM |
Manhattan SC PSG 96 |
NY-E (PL) |
v |
Smithtown Arsenal |
NY-E |
CP 15 |
Under-15 Girls |
| 8:30 AM |
PDA Slammers |
NJ |
v |
SAC United Premier |
MD |
CP 16 |
Under-15 Boys |
| 10:30 AM |
SDFC Gauchos |
NJ |
v |
OBGC Rangers |
MD |
CP 16 |
Under-16 Girls |
| 8:00 AM |
Scorpions Elite |
MA |
v |
Bethesda Freedom 94/95 |
MD |
CP 17 |
Under-16 Boys |
| 10:00 AM |
PDA Harkes |
NJ |
v |
Beadling SC |
PA-W |
CP 17 |
Under-17 Girls |
| 10:30 AM |
PDA Charge |
NJ |
v |
FC Pennsylvania Strikers |
PA-E |
CP 18 |
Under-17 Boys |
| 8:30 AM |
Penn Fusion Celtic |
PA-E |
v |
SAC United Premier |
MD |
CP 18 |
Under-18 Girls |
| 8:00 AM |
FC Stars of Massachusetts |
MA |
v |
Bethesda SC Dragons |
MD |
CP 21 |
Under-18 Boys |
| 10:00 AM |
FC Stars of Massachusetts |
MA (PL) |
v |
YMS Thunder |
PA-E |
CP 21 |
Under-19 Girls |
| 8:15 AM |
Vista Shockwave |
VA |
v |
PDA Tsunami |
NJ |
CP 22 |
Under-19 Boys |
| 10:15 AM |
Lower Merion Velez |
PA-E |
v |
Baltimore Bays Chelsea |
MD |
CP 22 |
Regional winners of the Under-14 through Under-19 age groups earn a berth to the 2011 US Youth Soccer National Championships to be played July 26-31, at Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix, Ariz.
The US Youth Soccer National Championships will consist of US Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the Under-14 through Under-19 Boys and Girls age groups as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the Under-15 through Under-17 Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 60 teams.
###
About the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series – The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides more than 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer's 55 State Associations the opportunity to showcase their abilities against the best in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play. The yearlong competition begins with over 185,000 players in the US Youth Soccer State Championships. These champions and selected wildcard teams, through US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues, advance to compete in one of four the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. Champions (U-14 through U-19) from each regional event advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships. The Under-15 through 17 Boys and Girls age groups have two teams representative of the US Youth Soccer National League, in which the top two teams in each gender age group earn a direct path to the national championships. Overall the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides the nation's top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country.
Media Request: When referring to the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, the most prestigious event in youth sports, please refer to the event as US Youth Soccer National Championship Series on first reference and National Championship Series on anything thereafter. Never refer to as NCS or USYS NCS. We appreciate your cooperation.
About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) – US Youth Soccer - "The Game for ALL Kids!
®" is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit
www.USYouthSoccer.org.
Media Request: When referring to the United States Youth Soccer Association, the largest youth sports organization in the United States, please refer to the association only as US Youth Soccer, and never as USYS or USYSA. We appreciate your cooperation.