triangle.com | Home

It was a huge weekend of soccer around the Triangle, with outstanding teams from more than 30 states.

One team went undefeated over its four games in the 24-team US Youth Soccer National League, which is conducting its opening weekend of play in North Carolina in conjunction with the NCAA Women’s College Cup soccer championship weekend and two other national youth soccer events.

The CASL visitRaleigh.com National Soccer Series Girls Showcase Presented by Chelsea Football Club weekend includes also included the 325-team CASL visitRaleigh.com Girls Showcase and the 72-team Red Bull National League competition. The three youth soccer events - bringing more than 400 teams - form what is believed to be the biggest youth recreational sports event ever held in the Triangle. (If you know of a larger Triangle event, please let us know.) Hundreds of those players were in the stands Sunday afternoon at WakeMed Soccer Park to watch North Carolina defeat Notre Dame 2-1 to win the NCAA championship.

Day 2 of the US Youth Soccer National League play, as promised, provided plenty of tight competition and outstanding play on Friday, and Triangle soccer fans have Saturday and Sunday to get out and witness the action in person. Games will take place at 8 a.m. (U15), 10 a.m. (U16) and noon (U17) Saturday at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. Sunday’s action will be split between WakeMed Soccer Park and Duke University: U15 at 8 a.m. at WakeMed, U16 at 8 a.m. at Duke and U17 at 10 a.m. at WakeMed.
The National League, with teams from around the nation, is starting its second season this weekend in conjuction with the NCAA Division I Women’s College Cup, also being played at WakeMed. Not a tournament but a weekend league for players who aspire to play on college, national and pro teams, the National League showcases some of the top U15, U16 and U17 girls teams in the nation with six weekends of competition, with dates linked to the NCAA men’s and women’s championship weekends.
Here’s a look at how the action went on Friday, courtesy of US Youth Soccer representative Shannon Holtz:

Under-15 Girls
- Dallas Texans 94 Red Dallas (NTX) beat the 2008 US Youth Soccer national champion San Juan Spirits 94 Blue 1-0. Amanda Elertson scored the winning goal in the 76th minute.
- The North Texas D’Feeters 94 and Wall Wombats (NJ) tied 1-1. An own goal gave the D’Feeters the lead in the eighth. The Wombats’ Loren Rilley tied the match in the 67th minute.
- FC Pennsylvania Strikers (EPA) and the Michigan Hawks 94 Black tied 1-1. Dana Rosey put the Strikers up in the 14th minute, but in the second half the Hawks’ Ashley Garr (50:00) scored to tie.
- The San Diego Surf 93-94 White (CA-S) and NSA Fury (IL) ended in a 0-0 tie. Each team entered Saturday’s third day of play with two ties.

Under-16 Girls
- After eight goals, Massachusetts’ Scorpions Elite and Cleveland FC (OH-N) ended up tied 4-4. In the first half, Scorpions were up 2-0 with goals by Jessica Clinton (13:00) and Melissa Gavin (25:00). Six additional goals were made in the second half. MacKenzie Taylor scored for Cleveland in the 51st. For the Scorpions, Josette Larochelle scored in the 55th and Megan Giesen (Cleveland) in the 58th. Down by two, Cleveland rallied, with Kelsey Smigel scoring in the 79th and then in the final seconds sneaking in a second goal. At the end of Day 2, Smigel leads the Under-16 Girls in scoring.
- Slammers FC (CA-S) posted a 4-1 win over the reigning US Youth Soccer national champions, the Dallas Texans 93 Red Dallas. The Slammers led by two at halftime with the help of Emily Dillion (8:00) and Francesca Coxe (25:00). Dillion scored again in the 62nd. The Texans’ Clarissa Wedemeyer scored in the 63rd. Tessa Andujar scored in the 74th for the Slammers’ fourth goal.
- Eclipse Select 92-93 (IL) won 3-0 over Team Boca 92-93. Georgiana Wagemann scored in the 12th and 60th minutes. Muriella Battaglia scored in the 28th.
- So Cal Blues-Dodge (CA-S) won its second game of the season 3-1 over the Montclair United Thunderbolts (NJ) to take an early lead in the standings. So Cal’s Erica Mazeau scored in the 15th. Kimberly Marshall (26:00) and Emily Goldstein (40:00) each scored in the first half. Hana Tomozawa scored for the Thunderbolts in the 31st, but Montclair wasn’t able to capitalize in the second half.

Under-17 Girls
- The Challenge 92 (STX) won 5-3 over the BVSC Stars Mallorca 91-92 (KS). Meghan Gibbons (13:00), Natalie Johnson (16:00) and Addie Eggleston (23:00) helped the Challenge take a 3-2 lead at the end of the first half. Mandy Laddish (6:00) and Ashley Washburn (29:00) scored for the Stars. The Challenge’s Sara Ellis increased the lead with a goal in the 65th. Frances Silva (80:00) brought the Stars to a goal down, but in the final minutes Rebecca Twining (90:00) scored to secure the victory.
- Vardar (MI) and Eclipse Select 91-92 (IL) tied 1-1. Eclipse scored early, and Vardar's Karly Linton tied the match in the 76th.
- Dallas Texans Red 92 Dallas (NTX) won their first match of the season 2-1 over the McLean MPS Dragons (VA). The Texans won 2:1 after goals by Shelby Redman (18:00) and Kristen Barg (88:00). Christy Hassel scored for the Dragons in the 38th.
- Ela Elite (IL) and Laguna Hills Eclipse Black (CA-S) tied 1-1. The competition was well matched, and neither team scored until the 76th minute, when Amanda Tafoya put one away for Laguna. In the final seconds, Eclipse tied with Jannell Flaws’ goal in the 92nd.

SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, DEC. 6
At WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary
Under 15
8:00 a.m., Dallas Texans 94 Red Dallas (NTX) v Wall Wombats (NJ), Field 7
8:00 a.m., D'Feeters 94 (NTX) v FC Pennsylvania Strikers (EPA), Field 4
8:00 a.m., Michigan Hawks 94-Black (MI) v San Diego Surf 93-94 White (CAS), Field 5
8:00 a.m., NSA Fury (IL) v San Juan Spirits 94 Blue (CAN), Field 6
Under-16 Girls
10 a.m., So Cal Blues-Dodge (CAS) v Dallas Texans 93 Red Dallas (NTX), Field 7
10 a.m., Cleveland FC (OHN) v Montclair United Thunderbolts (NJ), Field 4
10 a.m., Team Boca 92/93 (FL) v Scorpions Elite (MA), Field 5
10 a.m., Slammers FC (CAS) v Eclipse Select 92-93 (IL), Field 6
Under-17 Girls
noon, Eclipse Select 91-92 (IL) v Laguna Hills Eclipse Black (CAS), Field 6
noon, Dallas Texans Red 92 Dallas (NTX) v Vardar (MI), Field 7
2 p.m., BVSC Stars Mallorca 91/92 (KS) v McLean MPS Dragons (VA), Field 6
2 p.m., Ela Elite (IL) v Challenge 92 (STX), Field 7

SUNDAY, DEC. 7
Under-15 Girls
At WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary
8 a.m., FC Pennsylvania Strikers (EPA) v Dallas Texans 94 Red Dallas (NTX), Field 5
8 a.m., San Diego Surf 93-94 White (CAS) v D'Feeters'94 (NTX), Field 6
8 a.m., San Juan Spirits 94 Blue (CAN) v Michigan Hawks 94-Black (MI), Field 4
8 a.m., Wall Wombats (NJ) v NSA Fury (IL), Field 7
Under-16 Girls
At Duke University, Durham
8 a.m., Dallas Texans 93 Red Dallas (NTX) v Cleveland FC (OHN), Field 1
8 a.m., Eclipse Select 92-93 (IL) v So Cal Blues-Dodge (CAS), Field 2
10 a.m., Montclair United Thunderbolts (NJ) v Team Boca 92/93 (FL), Field 1
10 a.m., Scorpions Elite (MA) v Slammers FC (CAS), Field 2
Under-17 Girls
At WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary
10 a.m., McLean MPS Dragons (VA) v Eclipse Select 91-92 (IL), Field 4
10 a.m., Challenge 92 (STX) v Dallas Texans Red 92 Dallas (NTX), Field 5
10 a.m., Laguna Hills Eclipse Black (CAS) v BVSC Stars Mallorca 91/92 (KS), Field 7
10 a.m., Vardar (MI) v Ela Elite (IL), Field 6

More information and complete schedules and scores can be found on the US Youth Soccer National League Web site.

If you haven't been able to come up with a ticket to the sold-out NCAA Women's College Cup semifinals on Friday at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, you still can see plenty of soccer in the Triangle as three other national tournaments are conducted around the Triangle. The US Youth Soccer National League opened its season Thursday with showcase matches at the WRAL Soccer Center in North Raleigh and at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. (RESULTS AND SCHEDULE BELOW.)

On Friday through Sunday, the rest of the 421 youth soccer teams from 38 states, including Alaska, and from Canada will be competing in the other segments of the CASL visitRaleigh.com National Soccer Series Girls Showcase Presented by Chelsea Football Club. The National Soccer Series Girls Showcase weekend includes the 325-team CASL visitRaleigh.com Girls Showcase, the 72-team Red Bull National League competition and the 24-team US Youth Soccer National League competition. Approximately 600 college coaches are expected to be in town to scout the many outstanding players.

What is believed to be largest youth sporting event ever to be conducted in the Triangle takes place Friday through Sunday when 421 youth soccer teams from 38 states, including Alaska, and from Canada compete in the CASL visitRaleigh.com National Soccer Series Girls Showcase Presented by Chelsea Football Club.

If you know of a larger recreational sports event — youth or adult — held in the Triangle, let us know at play@newsobserver.com. 

The teams consist of 7,157 athletes ages 14-19, and over the three days they will play 996 games on 51 fields at 12 venues, primarily at the WRAL Soccer Center in North Raleigh, according to the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau.

You might have heard that the NCAA will play its women's soccer tournament semifinals and championship - the NCAA Women's College Cup - in the Triangle, in early December, but what you might not know is that another big soccer event will be here at the same time.

Some of the nation's best girls soccer players who aren't already in college will take the field at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, the WRAL Soccer Center in Raleigh and Duke University in Durham for the opening weekend of the US Youth Soccer National League.

The year-long league promises high-level competition. No team from North Carolina is involved, so this will be the best chance to see these teams.

More details and a schedule are below.

TB
--------

From event news release:

Opening Weekend of the US Youth Soccer National League set for Raleigh
 
Nation’s top teams kickoff year-long competition
Three reigning national champions in the mix

FRISCO, Texas (November 24, 2008) – The US Youth Soccer National League Under-15, Under-16, and new for 2008, the Under-17 Girls teams are set to kickoff the first weekend of play in this year-long competition December 4-7 at WakeMed Soccer Park and WRAL Soccer Complex in Raleigh, N.C. Games are held in conjunction with the NCAA Women’s College Cup to provide greater exposure of these elite teams to collegiate and national team coaches.

“Kicking off the first weekend of play, in the highly-successful US Youth Soccer National League, is very exciting because it sets the stage for a competition that brings together some of the nation’s top teams playing at the highest level,” said Paul Luchowski, US Youth Soccer National League Commissioner.  "The National League provides players the opportunity to develop and test themselves in meaningful matches, and everyone is looking forward to the number of collegiate coaches that are expected to be on hand."

The three age groups are comprised of the top teams in the nation who have earned their spots through advancement from one of the four US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues and look to continuing playing at the highest level. Throughout league play, teams will not only be seeking elite development and identification, but they are also vying for one of the coveted top two spots in the League, which provides a direct path to the annual US Youth Soccer National Championships.

The national championships, established in 1976, is the country's most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, providing the opportunity for teams to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play.

At last year’s US Youth Soccer National Championships, seven of the eight championship finals slots in the Under-15 and Under-16 age groups were won by National League representatives. National League teams went on to claim the Under-15 boys (Baltimore Casa Mia Bays) and girls (Dallas Texans 93 Red Dallas) as well as Under-16 boys (Dallas Texans 92 Red) and girls (Dallas Texans Red 92) national titles.  
 
US Youth Soccer National League Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 Girls
Raleigh, N.C.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4
At WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary
12:30 p.m. U-15 Dallas Texans 94 Red Dallas (NTX) v San Diego Surf 93-94 White (CAS) Field 4
12:30 p.m. U-15 D'Feeters 94 (NTX) v San Juan Spirits 94 Blue (CAN) Field 5
12:30 p.m. U-15 Michigan Hawks 94-Black (MI) v Wall Wombats (NJ) Field 6
12:30 p.m. U-15 NSA Fury (IL) v FC Pennsylvania Strikers (EPA) Field 7
2:30 p.m. U-16 Team Boca 92/93 (FL) v Dallas Texans 93 Red-Dallas (NTX) Field 4
2:30 p.m. U-16 Slammers FC (CAS) v Montclair United Thunderbolts (NJ) Field 6
2:30 p.m. U-16 So Cal Blues-Dodge (CAS) v Scorpions Elite (MA) Field 7
2:30 p.m. U-16 Cleveland FC (OHN) v Eclipse Select 92-93 (IL) Field 5
At WRAL Soccer Center
6 p.m. U-17 Eclipse Select 91-92 (IL) v Challenge 92 (STX) Field 1
6 p.m. U-17 BVSC Stars Mallorca 91/92 (KS) v Vardar (MI) Field 4
8 p.m. U-17 Dallas Texans Red 92 Dallas (NTX) v Laguna Hills Eclipse Black (CAS) Field 4
8 p.m. U-17 Ela Elite (IL) v McLean MPS Dragons (VA) Field 1
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5
At WakeMed Soccer Park
8 a.m. U-15 San Juan Spirits 94 Blue (CAN) v Dallas Texans 94 Red Dallas (NTX) Field 6
8 a.m. U-15 Wall Wombats (NJ) v D'Feeters 94 (NTX) 7
8 a.m. U-15 FC Pennsylvania Strikers (EPA) v Michigan Hawks 94-Black (MI) Field 5
8 a.m. U-15 San Diego Surf 93-94 White (CAS) v NSA Fury (IL) Field 4
10 a.m. U-16 Dallas Texans 93 Red-Dallas (NTX) v Slammers FC (CAS) Field 6
10 a.m. U-16 Scorpions Elite (MA) v Cleveland FC (OHN) Field 7
10 a.m. U-17 Vardar (MI) v Eclipse Select 91-92 (IL) Field 5
10 a.m. U-17 Challenge 92 (STX) v BVSC Stars Mallorca 91/92 (KS) Field 4
12 p.m. U-16 Montclair United Thunderbolts (NJ) v So Cal Blues-Dodge (CAS) Field 4
12 p.m. U-16 Eclipse Select 92-93 (IL) v Team Boca 92/93 (FL) Field 5
12 p.m. U-17 McLean MPS Dragons (VA) v Dallas Texans Red 92 Dallas (NTX) Field 6
12 p.m. U-17 Laguna Hills Eclipse Black (CAS) v Ela Elite (IL) Field 7
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
At WakeMed Soccer Park
8 a.m. U-15 Dallas Texans 94 Red Dallas (NTX) v Wall Wombats (NJ) Field 7
8 a.m. U-15 D'Feeters 94 (NTX) v FC Pennsylvania Strikers (EPA) Field 4
8 a.m. U-15 Michigan Hawks 94-Black (MI) v San Diego Surf 93-94 White (CAS) Field 5
8 a.m. U-15 NSA Fury (IL) v San Juan Spirits 94 Blue (CAN) Field 6
10 a.m. U-16 So Cal Blues-Dodge (CAS) v Dallas Texans 93 Red Dallas (NTX) Field 7
10 a.m. U-16 Cleveland FC (OHN) v Montclair United Thunderbolts (NJ) Field 4
10 a.m. U-16 Team Boca 92/93 (FL) v Scorpions Elite (MA) Field 5
10 a.m. U-16 Slammers FC (CAS) v Eclipse Select 92-93 (IL) 6
12 p.m. U-17 Eclipse Select 91-92 (IL) v Laguna Hills Eclipse Black (CAS) Field 6
12 p.m. U-17 Dallas Texans Red 92 Dallas (NTX) v Vardar (MI) Field 7
2 p.m. U-17 BVSC Stars Mallorca 91/92 (KS) v McLean MPS Dragons (VA) Field 6
2 p.m. U-17 Ela Elite (IL) v Challenge 92 (STX) Field 7
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
At WakeMed Soccer Park
8 a.m. U-15 FC Pennsylvania Strikers (EPA) v Dallas Texans 94 Red Dallas (NTX) Field 5
8 a.m. U-15 San Diego Surf 93-94 White (CAS) v D'Feeters'94 (NTX) Field 6
8 a.m. U-15 San Juan Spirits 94 Blue (CAN) v Michigan Hawks 94-Black (MI) Field 4
8 a.m. U-15 Wall Wombats (NJ) v NSA Fury (IL) Field 7
10 a.m. U-17 McLean MPS Dragons (VA) v Eclipse Select 91-92 (IL) Field 4
10 a.m. U-17 Challenge 92 (STX) v Dallas Texans Red 92 Dallas (NTX) Field 5
10 a.m. U-17 Laguna Hills Eclipse Black (CAS) v BVSC Stars Mallorca 91/92 (KS) Field 7
10 a.m. U-17 Vardar (MI) v Ela Elite (IL) Field 6
At Duke University
8 a.m. U-16 Dallas Texans 93 Red Dallas (NTX) v Cleveland FC (OHN) Field 1
8 a.m. U-16 Eclipse Select 92-93 (IL) v So Cal Blues-Dodge (CAS) Field 2
10 a.m. U-16 Montclair United Thunderbolts (NJ) v Team Boca 92/93 (FL) Field 1
10 a.m. U-16 Scorpions Elite (MA) v Slammers FC (CAS) Field 2
*All schedules are subject to change.