Youth Soccer News: Second Day Complete at 2012 US Youth Soccer Region I Championships

US Youth Soccer Region I Championships, presented by the National Guard, at Classics Park, Hempfield High School and Elizabethtown College in the town of Lancaster, Pa. is one of the strongest competitions in the country.

Finals start at 8 a.m. Tuesday and the final matches kick off at 10:15 a.m. at Classics Park
Four defending Region I Champions advance to the finals

COLLEGE COACHES ATTENDING

FINAL DAY RECAP

Competition was at its peak on the final day of preliminary play at the 2012 US Youth Soccer Region I Championships, presented by the National Guard, as teams battled for a spot in Monday’s semifinal matches.

The National Guard's partnership with US Youth Soccer is focused on enriching the soccer experience by positively influencing players and coaches in areas of leadership and character development while adding a strong presence of American pride.

The Regional Championships carry a tradition as a proving ground, as every team must earn their way into the competition.  Under-16 Girls BRYC 95 Elite qualified as the Virginia state champion and went 3-0 on the way to a semifinal matchup with Alleycat Lynx (E-NY). Coach Larry Best discussed what’s helped his team to this point.

“First is our bond.  We have a great bond with this group, we’ve been together for a while, and you just heard the kids say ‘I love you guys.’  That’s what has taken us through since day one, they believe in each other.”

“I think it starts back in our National League and Region I (Premier League) play.  That’s where it starts and coming here, it really prepares us.  We see a lot of the same teams, we’ve played them multiple times and we like that.  We like playing the best teams and that’s the fun part; its competition for our kids.”

“Playing at this level prepares them for college and that’s the focus of our club.  We’re an academy program, we focus on the four components of the game and getting them ready for college.  If we win, that’s fantastic, but our job is to get them ready for the next level and the competition at this level is always going to be strong.”

“We want to play well.  If we put a good product on the field they will get recruited, and that’s the big picture.  Our kids have been on the recruiting track for a few years from the National League and Region I play, so our 2013’s are pretty much (committed) and we’ve already had some 2014’s commit, so we’re well on the track.  They’ve been proactive in the process, so that’s a big part of it.  Again, it’s just getting them ready and getting them seen and you’re always going to have coaches at this event so it’s great.”

Notes from a few of today’s games…

Under-17 Boys

NEFC Eagles (MA) knew exactly what they needed versus Empire United SA Rochester (NY-W) to advance to the regional semifinals, and they managed the game to perfection to take the top spot in the group with a 1-1 draw.  A win or a tie of less than 3-3 would guarantee NEFC a place in the knockout rounds.  A 13^th minute goal from Bernard Yeboah gave the New Englanders an early lead and some breathing room for the result, as Empire leveled on a penalty kick just before the break through Ethan Kutler.  The NEFC defense held off Empire in the second half to secure their advancement.

Manhattan Ajax (E-NY) needed to win by at least four goals and get some help from the score between NEFC and Empire in order to advance.  With a four goal second half, Manhattan held up their end with a 5-0 victory over WVSC Wizards (WV), but didn’t get the result they needed in the other game as the New York side bowed out of the Regional Championship with a second place group finish for the second year in a row.  John-Charles Bahr-de Stefano gave Ajax a 1-0 lead at halftime, and Andrew Silberstein double preceded strikes by Asher Mandel and Owen Elliot to complete the scoring.

FC Frederick 94 (MD) needed a win or a draw versus HSC Heat (DE) to move onto the semis, and the Frederick defense had their hands full as HSC threw everyone forward to get the victory they needed to advance.  Despite having the edge in scoring opportunities, the Frederick defense held firm and Jackson Eskay grabbed control of the final minutes to run the clock out with some possession play for a 0-0 result to send the Maryland state champs through to the next round.

Led by an outstanding performance from Elliot Maker, who tallied a first half hatrick and five goals total, Seacoast United Crew (ME) finished strong with an 8-3 victory over Ocean United (NJ).  Despite the victory, Seacoast missed out on the semifinals.  Matheu McClure, Connor Reagan and Andrew Morrissey also scored for Seacoast, while Zachary McDermott, Geoffrey Briscione and Aaron Jacobson struck for Ocean.

Under-16 Girls

Hardened after a season in the US Youth Soccer National League and a third place finish in the Region I Premier League, BRYC 95 Elite (VA) are looking toward a regional championship after defeating Yankee United Strikers (CT) 3-2 to finish group play with a perfect record.  Yankee took a two goal lead at halftime on a double from Shea Connors inside the first team minutes, but BRYC responded in the second half with three unanswered goals in a six minute span.  A goal from Kaleigh Riehl was bookended by strikes from Kahla Seymour as BRYC head to the semifinals.

Alleycat Lynx (E-NY) held a two goal lead in goal differential over PA Classics Academy 95 (PA-W), but needed a result to guarantee a place in the next round.  A 3-1 defeat of Empire United SA (NY-W) was enough, as Lynx claimed top spot in the group and head to the semis.  Mariela Jacome put Lynx in front just six minutes into the contest and Meghan Doyle extended the lead in the 27^th.  Empire pulled one back before the break on a Morgan Graus strike, but Skye Kaler ensured the Lynx victory with a second half goal and the score was good enough for Lynx to move on.

Finishing in a tie atop the group with Alleycat Lynx was PA Classics Academy 95 (PA-W), however Classics’ 2-0 win over MCU Portland Phoenix Firecrackers (ME) was not enough to give them the tiebreaker advantage as they finish their regional run.  Leah Comiskey grabbed a brace to lead Classics with both goals, and although the defense completed a shutout, it wasn’t enough to overtake Lynx.

Regional winners of the Under-14 through Under-19 age groups earn a berth to the 2012 US Youth Soccer National Championships to be played July 23-29, at Manchester Meadows in Rock Hill, S.C.

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. 

Day Two of the Competition News: 

While some teams have already secured their spot in Monday’s semifinals, the fate of most will be decided Sunday for the chance to advance.

Under-16 Boys OBGC Rangers (MD) have been just a step away from the US Youth Soccer National Championships the past two years, twice finishing in second place in the US Youth Soccer National League and falling in overtime of last year's Region I final.  Rangers are looking to take the next step this year after capturing Region I Premier League and Dallas Cup championships.

"I think (the players) are very motivated by the fact that we lost in the final last year.  After leading 3-1 late in the game we lost.  The year before we lost in the semis," said Rangers' coach Matt Pilkington.  "We know we’re good enough, we know we have the ability and the talent to win it, we just have to combine everything at the right time.  We’ve had a good year, so this should be our year to finish it off."

"It’s the culmination of a long season, coming to Regionals while most teams are finished, and competing against the state champions to win the regional championship and go onto the biggest stage, which is the National Championships."

Notes from a few of today’s games:

Under-15 Girls

After a third place finish this year in the National League, VSA Heat are looking toward claiming a regional crown after moving to the top of the group with a 2-1 victory over Empire United SA Rochester (NY-W).  Empire put the pressure on first with a 20th minute goal from Sarah Jessic Sczcepanski, but VSA responded before halftime through Rebecca Callison.  Coming out of the restart, Meghan Cunningham struck again for VSA in the 43rd and that stood for the game winner to carry VSA to a 2-0 start.

Seacoast United Wanderers (NH) avenged their loss against 2011 semifinalist PWSI Courage 96 Red (VA) 2-1 today.  PWSI looked like they would take control early with Allison Turner’s 4th minute goal, but Katherine Day struck twice before halftime for Seacoast to grab the lead.  Casey Scott scored the clinching goal to make it 3-1 in the 74th and the Seacoast defense kept PWSI at bay after the first five minutes.

Under-16 Girls

Match Fit Chelsea Beat have put themselves in a good position to advance as a 4-0 victory over OBGC Cyclones White (MD) leaves them atop the group.  Match Fit advanced to the 2011 National Championships via the National League, but will have to claim a regional title this year after finishing second in National League play.  Brianna Robinson sits alone at the top of the scoring chart after her double today gave her three for the tournament, while Ashley Pankey and Julia Carr also contributed goals for Match Fit.

Bayside FC Bolts (RI) responded from an opening day loss and an early deficit today to earn their first victory 2-1 over Far Post Premier (VT).  Charlotte Stuart opened the scoring for Far Post in the 18th minute, and that lead held until the 60th when Victoria Carter leveled for Bayside.  The goal brought some energy to Bayside as they immediately took the lead seven minutes after the equalizer as Carter grabbed her double to lead her squad to victory.

Under-16 Boys

After a 3-2 victory today over SOCA Lightning (VA), OBGC Rangers (MD) are hoping to take the next step toward the national stage.  SOCA took a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute from Kenneth Moyers, but Rangers responded immediately through Chase Gasper and then took a two goal lead on strikes from Sean Cowdrey and Bruno Scodari.  SOCA pulled back into the game just before halftime when White Forrest hit net, but that was all the scoring as Rangers held on for their second victory.

HSC Arsenal (DE) will face OBGC Rangers tomorrow to decide the group winner and who advanced to the semifinals after defeating Nordic SC (VT) 3-0.  HSC took a commanding lead into halftime on goals from Calvin Smick, Jeffrey Richards and Jaylen Dunham to complete the scoring, while the defense earned a shutout.  HSC need a tie or better versus Rangers to advance as they hold the goal differential tiebreaker to advance.

SDFC Gauchos (NJ) have an uphill battle to get back to the National Championships as MPS Knights (MA) knocked off the defending Region I champs 3-2. Tyler Kuchenbecker put MPS in the lead 20 minutes in and extended it nine minutes later from Zachary Lacava.  SDFC pulled a goal back two minutes later on a Chris Scian strike to go into halftime 2-1, but Lacava recorded a brace when he hit again coming out of halftime to make it 3-1.  Troy Carrington Jr. gave SDFC a chance with time winding down as he made it 3-2, but MPS would hold on for the victory.  Both sides need victories tomorrow and some help on goal differential to overtake Lehigh Valley United 95 (E-PA) atop the group.

Regional winners of the Under-14 through Under-19 age groups earn a berth to the 2012 US Youth Soccer National Championships to be played July 23-29, at Manchester Meadows in Rock Hill, S.C.

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. 

Daily reports and complete results from the tournament are available at http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org. Follow the moments from the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series on Twitter and share the moments on Facebook.

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.

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.

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